This series is set in a Kyoto where Humans live alongside Tanukis and Tengus; powerful and mischievous beings capable of changing form. The protagonist is Yasaburo Shimogamo a young tanuki whose father was once the leader of their society
until he was captured and eaten by 'The Friday Club'; a small group of humans who like to end their year with a tanuki hotpot. Yasaburo's eldest brother is hoping to become the next leader but this uncle also wants the job and is willing to play dirty to get it.
Over the course of the series we get to see more of the Shimogamo family and ultimately learn the truth about how their father came to be in the hotpot. We are also introduced to other characters; most notably Benten, an attractive woman who is member of the Friday Club, she is friendly with Yasaburo but makes no secret of the fact that she ate his father and would like to eat him too one day! There is also Professor Akadama, an elderly Tengu who has feelings for Benten and acted as teacher to the Shimogamo brothers.
This series is an utter delight; the characters are a lot of fun and not like those in most anime series. Don't be put off by the fact that the main characters are tanukis (Japanese Racoon Dogs) as they take human form most of the time this may sound strange to anybody who hasn't seen Studio Ghibli's 'Pom Poko' or is unfamiliar with Japanese folk law but it is easy to accept in the context of the series. The story is good; starting fairly light but getting darker as it progresses but maintaining a comic touch. The character designs are impressive and many of the backgrounds are stunning. Overall I'd certainly recommend this to any anime fan looking for something a little different.
These comments are based on watching the series in Japanese with English subtitles.
Over the course of the series we get to see more of the Shimogamo family and ultimately learn the truth about how their father came to be in the hotpot. We are also introduced to other characters; most notably Benten, an attractive woman who is member of the Friday Club, she is friendly with Yasaburo but makes no secret of the fact that she ate his father and would like to eat him too one day! There is also Professor Akadama, an elderly Tengu who has feelings for Benten and acted as teacher to the Shimogamo brothers.
This series is an utter delight; the characters are a lot of fun and not like those in most anime series. Don't be put off by the fact that the main characters are tanukis (Japanese Racoon Dogs) as they take human form most of the time this may sound strange to anybody who hasn't seen Studio Ghibli's 'Pom Poko' or is unfamiliar with Japanese folk law but it is easy to accept in the context of the series. The story is good; starting fairly light but getting darker as it progresses but maintaining a comic touch. The character designs are impressive and many of the backgrounds are stunning. Overall I'd certainly recommend this to any anime fan looking for something a little different.
These comments are based on watching the series in Japanese with English subtitles.