JAINITUOS ANIME REVIEWS – Twin Star Exorcists – First Impressions

TWIN STAR EXORCISTS

Genre: Adventure, Romance, Supernatural, Dark Fantasy

Hey guys.

Welcome to another anime review.

And in this time, I want to talk about my first impressions of an anime that I was able to watch through Crunchyroll.

From the studio that brought us Naruto, Boruto, and Black Clover, we got…

But before I go on, I must ask you the typical question guys:

Are you ok? Having a good time? Feeling healthy?

If the answer is yes, then I am very happy.

Having said that, lets go and review Twin Star Exorcists:

PREMISE

Based on the manga written and illustrated by Yoshiaki Sukeno, and published by Shueisha, Twin Star Exorcists, or Sousei no Onmyouji (双星の陰陽師), tells the story of Rokuro Enmado, whose dream was to become the greatest exorcist in the world, but after a tragedy that costed him many of his dearest friends, Rokuro becomes distraught and leaves the profession with great bitterness. Now, two years later, and after an unexpected encounter with Benio Adashino, another exorcist prodigy from the east, he discovers his true destiny; being the father of the «Miko», or the ultimate exorcist that will destroy all the evil spirits, or Kegare, from the World.

And of course, Benio will be the mother. So both will become… Do I really need to say it?

You know, the very first thing that I got in mind when I saw these characters, was…

HI SCORE GIRL

Why? Simple, because they have so much in common. There is a talented, lazy and «meanie» prodigy, or a jerk with a heart of gold (Rokuro Enmado – Haruo Yaguchi), the adorkable rich girl who is a genius and has the archetypical Ojou (Princess) appearance, with the same hime cut (Akira Ono – Benio Adashino), and a blonde girl who is naive, yet a perfect love rival; in Hi-Score Girl, we got Koharu Hidaka, and in Twin Star Exorcists, we got:

MAYURA OTOMI

Kind of…

Sorry. I know this is not relevant, but I wanted to mention that. But is not my intention to pick on Twin Star Exorcists.

Benio… Would you forgive me?

I guess not.

Anyway…

STORY

As I mentioned before, Twin Star Exorcists is produced by Studio Pierrot, and it has four cours, for a total of 50 episodes, adapting, I think, the first eight chapters of the manga. (If I am mistaken, which I strongly believe I am, please let me know. Thanks Irina). And I am not going to lie, when I heard the Japanese voice of Rokuro, I immediately recognised him. He is Natsuki Hanae, one of the most popular seiyuu right now.

Do you know what other characters did Natsuki voiced?

Tanjiro Kamado

Kousei Arima

Meanwhile, Benio Adashino is voiced by Megumi Han, famous for…

Atsuko «Akko» Kagari

Gon Freecs

Moreover, Twin Star Exorcists is directed by Tomohisa Taguchi, and written by Naruhisa Arakawa, and the whole series has this wonderful animation that is trademark in Black Clover, Boruto, and Narut…. Naruto:Shippud…. The Last: Naruto the Movie!!! There you go.

Ok. I have never ever been a fan of Naruto, but I am becoming a fan of Black Clover (Believe it or Not!), and I have always commended Studio Pierrot because in animation, the staff usually does a pretty good job (except for Naruto), and when I read that, again, they were in charge of the production of this anime, my interest awakened. Thank Goodness I always have Crunchyroll with me. I am still watching the anime (Well, duh!), but I am really eager to see more about Twin Star Exorcists. On the other hand, I am a bit concerned about what the story will become, because I also noticed that some of this romance anime stories have some overused cliches, especially if both of the leads start disliking each other, including the «entering to the bath to see you naked» scene; the «awkward silence», the «oops!! I saw beneath your skirt» scene, and others. But at the end of the day, there is nothing wrong in using some cliches if the story has its own identity, so I believe I can definitely give Twin Star Exorcists some credit: furthermore, I think that the chemistry between Rokuro and Megumi is pretty solid, especially with amazing, experience seiyuu like Natsuki Hanae and Megumi Han.

So the story have a very good, solid start. Let’s see how it goes from here.

CHARACTERS

I got to admit that part of the charm of Rokuro and Benio is each of their background stories. Personally, I like it; but I am afraid some other fans might find them very unoriginal, especially if he see that Rokuro has a lot of similarities with Tanjiro Kamado and Atsuhi Nakajima from Bungou Stray Dogs, either because they are motivated to protect their beloved ones, or because either have a power that looks more like a curse. Again, That is not a big issue, but I can’t tell how other animegoers will react. I would say that, some will love them, others not so much.

Along with Rokuro, Mayura and Benio, we got another characters that look as promising as the already mentioned, including Shimon Ikaruga (voiced by Johnny Yong Bosch in English btw), Tenma Unomiya, Yuto Ijika, Arima Tsuchimikado (I loved that guy), and others.

Many of these didn’t appear on the first two episodes of the series, but they all look interesting, and I am sure all of them will empower Twin Star Exorcists already strong status as a shonen series on their own right.

We’ll see. For the record, I can’t wait to see the work in English done by both Bryce Papenbrook and Christine Marie Cabaneros.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, Twin Star Exorcists might not be the ultimate shonen series, or the great Supernatural anime, but it is definitely one series that I will always recommend, especially if you are a fan of Studio Pierrot or any of their previous and current projects. For now, take my word, go to Crunchyroll (if you are a member), and have a good time with these interesting jewell.

For now, I’ll give myself a medal. Wanna know why?

BECAUSE I DIDN’T MENTION BLUE EXORCIST AT ALL!!!! YEAH!!!

Just one more favour. Studio Pierrot, Yuki Tabata…

PLEASE, BRING US MORE OF SALLY!!!

 

 

 

 

 

JAINITUOS ANIME REVIEWS – Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba – A LEGEND OF 2019 anime

Hey guys, and welcome to another anime review. 

And this time, I must come with a must-see. An anime that I think it has become one of the kings of 2019 anime, along with The Rising of the Shield Hero.

And that is… Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba.

I must confess you something. I am a member of the Deakin Anime Club (LOVE YOU GUYS), and I have a personal, special rule, which is never reviewing anime that I am currently watching with those fantastic and wonderful people, in order not to compromise any integrity or being one-sided. But on the other hand, the impression that Demon Slayer has left on me has been so powerful, to the point that I must compare it with Sword Art Online, Full Metal Alchemist, Magic Knight Rayearth, Dragon Ball Z, Death Note, Re:Zero, Mazinger Z; My Hero Academia, Mobile Suit Gundam Wing, One-Punch Man among others.

Despite this list, very few anime can make me feel so many emotions at once, especially shonen.

Moreover, I saw Episode 19, and all I can say is that everyone is right. It’s an animated wonder!!!! And the more I read of it, the more hooked I am by Demon Slayer. And the balance between fantasy, adventure, drama, comedy and tragedy is so beautiful, almost being a masterpiece.

So… let’s do this.

DEMON SLAYER: KIMETSU NO YAIBA

Based on the manga written and illustrated by Koyoharu Gotoge, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba follows the story of Tanjiro Kamado, whose peaceful life changes when his family is brutally murdered by demons (oni); his younger sister Nezuko survives, but now she is turned into a demon; now Tanjiro must join the Demon Slayer Corps in order to prevent others to feel the same pain as he did, as well as turning Nezuko back to normal. The anime is produced by the king of Fate anime, Ufotable, and the music is composed by the already legend, Yuki Kajiura, who needs no introduction, and Go Shiina (God Eater: Fate/Grand Order)

The anime is running for 26 episodes, while both the opening song, Gurenge, and the ending song, From the Edge, are performed by LiSA (Sword Art Online), featuring FictionJunction.

Now. Where to begin?

STORY

As I mentioned before, Demon Slayer follows the story of Tanjiro and Nezuko hunting demons. After the tragedy of his family, we learned that Tanjiro is devastated by both his loss and the traumatic change of Nezuko; and it’s not just the cinematography, the animation makes a wonderful job creating the emotions; sadness, despair, loneliness, love; and the first episode makes us sympathise with the Kamado brothers. Just look at the picture of Nezuko. She is not just sad… She is dominating the emotion. What do I mean by this? If this was from a live-action movie, I think the actress playing Nezuko will receive an Academy Award.

Crazy, but true. Agree?

Demon Slayer does a masterful job at transmitting the emotion from the character on the best way, without recurring into too much complexity . It’s simple in the facial features of Nezuko, but powerful, which I must give credit to the colour schemes and the cinematography, having a good balance between gloomy and warm.

And it is not just Nezuko. It is Tanjiro, our compassionate, strong and intelligent main protagonist. We come to know every one of the trials, since meeting Giyu Tomioka, to his relentless training with Urokodaki, passing through Tanjiro receiving his sword, toward the meeting with both Zenitsu and Inosuke; with all the emotions, all the joy, and all the perseverance, until he becomes a full Demon Hunter. And both the rhythm and the pacing of the story allows every moment of all the episodes to contribute in its way, and to the audience to enjoy them.

And in the end, we come to love him as much as we love characters like Goku, Saitama, Vegeta, Izuku Midoriya, Katsuki Bakugo, and many other shonen main leads.

But we have to remember that Demon Slayer has a very strong world-building. It is not the best, but it is diverse enough to create a setting that Demon Slayer can consider it’s own. In the anime, we know what are the demons, we know who are the Demon Slayer Corps, we even know that the story takes place during the Taisho Era (Apparently). So, it is not hundred percent fantasy, but it is also based on history, which I really love. I’ll say this again.

«Most of the settings that combine history with fiction (Assassin’s Creed series, Temeraire book series), are always a feast for me.»

Speaking of Taisho, Demon Slayer seems to include elements of Japanese folklore and mythology, something I also adore; because there is so much beauty on this element, and also great elements for grea J-horror. It makes me revive all the great moments I enjoyed with Inuyasha. 

 

Overall, the story of Demon Slayer is an amazing mix of many genres, including dark fantasy, adventure, drama, comedy and horror.

Also, I have to give a lot of credit from Ufotable, who has done a really great job in the animation.

CHARACTERS

Aside from Tanjiro and Nezuko Kamado, we have a lot of colourful and interesting characters, including the abrasive Inosuke Hashibira (Boar boy), the cowardly Zenitsu Agatsuma, the playful Shinobu Kocho, the beautiful Lady Tamayo, and the unpredictable Muzan Kibutsuji, and these are some of them, but all with great, interesting personalities.

Well, to be honest, I started to lose my faith on Zenitsu from the beginning, the first time I saw in both the opening and the ending, I thought he will be a pretty obnoxious, plain character with nothing to offer, except being the typical butt monkey; the same goes for Shinobu, I like her design, but when I read in some forums that she has some trail of sadism, I felt disappointed, because for me… Unless the character expresses his/her sadism/madoschism in an original way, like Darkness from Konosuba, or Maika from Blend S, that character will be annoying. But when I checked her, I found it was ok.

Also, you will find something interesting from Zenitsu and his hair, I will not say what it is, but I am convinced you will love it. Also, most of the times he is funny as comic relief are fun.

Just one thing.

How many funny faces can Zenitsu pull up?

And throughout the anime, you come to understand him even more. The same goes for Inosuke. I will be honest, first I consider that, beneath that mask, there was an elderly person, probably on his sixties, but… No. I will let you find out everything about Inosuke. He has my recommendation!!! But there is something you must know from now.

«Inosuke sleeps with his mask» (LOL)

Also… Forgive me from what I will say guys, but…

«Am I the only one who occasionally thinks of tangerines when I hear the name Tanjiro?»

Seriously! It sounds like a orange-flavoured soda drink from Japan!

Anyway…

Moreover, the design of the characters is pretty nice, especially with the attention to detail,  as seen in the uniforms of the Demon Hunters. Well… What else can you expect from Ufotable?

Another remarkable fact from the Demon Hunters, as well as many fascinating characters from the shonen anime, is that their powers are related to their personalities. For instance, Zenitsu has the Breath of Thunder Style; Shinobu has Breath of the Insect, and Tanjiro Breath of the Water. This might not be a great fact, but we have seen in Naruto, Bleach and My Hero Academia, the abilities represent the identity and background of its owners.

Even the minor villains are pretty memorable for these reasons. Aside from Kibutsuji, Susamaru, Yahaba and Rui are pretty entertaining characters. I must admit that I want to say a lot about them, but I can’t, because I do not want to spoil anything for those who want to see Demon Slayer by themselves.

But definitely check them out. Nothing can be compared with watching all the episodes.

WHY AM I CONSIDERING DEMON SLAYER AS A SHONEN MASTERPIECE?

This is indeed a very tough question.

I guess that part of the answer lies in that Demon Slayer created a big impact on fans in such a short time. With everything it got!!! Story, characters, battles, setting, mythology. Like I said, very few anime have produced me so much emotion and awareness like Demon Slayer. 

In other words, Demon Slayer is a great example of how a shonen manga should treat itself, hooking the fans and simple animegoers to its best moments; making us feel what the characters are going through; being part of the journey where they become great, and awaking our excitement for the world the story takes place, so, at the end, we remember every single element of the episode we just saw, to the point that we make memes out of it.

That is why we love Dragon Ball Z, thats is why we love Naruto, Bleach, Fairy Tail, My Hero Academia, One-Punch Man, Attack On Titan, Devilman Crybaby, Boruto. 

The best stories are the ones who stick with us for a long time. And the song Kamado Tanjiro no Uta, from episode 19, is a symbol of how awesome Demon Slayer is. And why is definitely one of the best animes of 2019, along with The Rising of the Shield Hero.

Wow!!! I extended too much. But I guess that proves how much I have come to love Demon Slayer. 

And all I can say is. My friends. I hope you enjoy Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, as much as I enjoyed writing this review.

Muchas Gracias!!!