Tougen Anki made its anime debut on July 11 and wasted no time diving headfirst into a world of demon bloodlines, fierce battles, and a protagonist with untapped power. Adapted from the manga by Yura Urushibara and animated by Studio Hibari, the show enters the crowded shonen arena with a strong premiere that immediately sparks comparisons to genre heavyweights like Blue Exorcist and Jujutsu Kaisen.
At the center of the story is Shiki Ichinose, a hot-headed teen who suddenly finds himself caught between ancient bloodlines and deadly responsibilities. He learns he possesses the blood of the Oni, a power that makes him both a target and a threat. After a violent encounter forces his powers to awaken, Shiki is recruited to join Rakshasa Academy, a school that trains others with similar blood to control and master their abilities. This school setup, complete with secret factions and inner conflicts, feels instantly familiar to fans of other shonen titles but is executed with enough flair to keep interest alive.
The first episode does not shy away from the genre’s most well-worn tools. The fast discovery of hidden powers, the introduction of a shadowy organization, and the typical mentor figure all play out like a checklist. Yet, what makes Tougen Anki enjoyable is not its originality but its confidence. The pacing is tight, the action is well-staged, and the use of CGI during transformation scenes, especially when Shiki enters his Oni form, is surprisingly clean and effective.
There were concerns before release about Studio Hibari’s ability to handle high-stakes action sequences, but the premiere settles most of them. The visual quality holds up well, the character designs stay loyal to the manga, and the supernatural elements blend nicely with emotional family drama. The early scenes featuring Shiki’s relationship with his adoptive father Tsuyoshi add emotional depth that makes the fight sequences matter.
The voice acting also helps elevate the first episode. Kazuki Ura captures Shiki’s frustration and fury with genuine force, while Tsuyoshi Koyama and Yasunori Masutani lend solid grounding to their roles. Although Hiroshi Kamiya’s character Naito Mudano appears only briefly, his entrance is memorable enough to signal a bigger role ahead.
It is easy to dismiss Tougen Anki as another shonen title following a familiar formula. But within that structure lies the potential for something greater. Much like how My Hero Academia and Blue Exorcist took inspiration from similar roots but grew into their own stories, Tougen Anki seems ready to carve its own identity. The key will be whether it can build on the foundation it sets here, deepening the world, refining its themes, and giving us characters who evolve beyond the tropes.
For now, Tougen Anki episode 1 does what a strong premiere should do. It grabs attention, sets up its world with clarity, and leaves you wanting more. If Studio Hibari can maintain the same energy and tighten its narrative rhythm, this might just be the next big shonen fans rally around.
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