Tactics, Volume One (Animé/Manga)

 

Picture: B-     Sound: B-     Extras: B     Episodes: A

 

 

Summary: Kantaro is a folklorist publisher by day but has the ability to see and sense demons and the supernatural, seeks the all-powerful 'Demon eating Goblin'.  Upon finding, unsealing and naming 'Haruka', Haruka joins Kantaro in his demon exorcizing work.  Along with Yoko a fox demon and Suzu how will they face the ever-growing problem of demons in the human realm?  Will Kantaro ever get a break and finish his deadline on time and get paid?

 

Review - This is a beautifully drawn anime, with both beautiful, cute and shounen characters.  Based on Japanese folklore culture and legends it is mysteries are fill with mysticisms and unexpected twist and turns.  Even thought the plot might seem scary, its has it's heart warming and heartfelt moments.   I enjoyed the fact it touch on a lot of cultural Japanese folklore and views.  The antics between the main characters were also funny and interesting. I look forward to more of the series as they are produced.

 

A lot of thought has been put into making this anime in particular in my opinion; while it mixes Japanese folktales and legends it alls incorporates modern day situations, which the viewers can enjoy.  From themes such as love, desire, longing, jealousy and understanding... exploring the darker side of human nature. Demons become the symbolism human emotions and misunderstanding.

 

 

Episode 1:

 

Kantaro upon an exorcism discovers finally the 'Demon eating Goblin' that he has been seeking since childhood.  But what is the mystery of finding people frozen in ice? With evil and foul work in play, will Kantaro solve its mystery in time before it claims another victim?

 

Episode 2:

 

A beautiful young geisha Kosome has be come suddenly possessed by some evil spirit, will Kantaro discover the dark secret origins of what possessed Kosome?  Even with the Haruka powers, how can they fight something of the past?

 

Episode 3:

 

In a small remote village children are disappearing one by one, in Kantaro hometown no less. Soon little Suzu disappears and it becomes something personal.  Will Kantaro be strong enough to face the Mountain Gods that have dominated the lands for centuries?

 

Episode 4:

 

A mysterious photographer is taking the souls of young beautiful women in cursed pictures. It becomes a race against time as the pictures become more beautiful; the girls are slowly fading into nothing...

 

Episode 5:

 

Kantaro returns home visiting an old friend, Yumeyako, who works for reclusive but famous dollmaker. But what lies behind this mysterious masked dollmaker, why does his dolls seeming so life like and there is doll that looks just like Yumeyako?  As the story unfolds true intentions are revealed and Kantaro steps in...

 

 

The anamorphically enhanced 1.78 X 1 image is not bad, with good color and some good definition, while the Dolby Digital Japanese 5.1 mix being the best of the three sound selections.  The other two are Dolby 2.0 English and Japanese tracks.  Extras include stills, textless opening/ending, original Japanese ads, original Japanese tie-in ads and interviews with the Japanese voice cast.

 

 

-   Ricky Chiang