Well it looks like I finally was able to get ahold of the first episode of this show, and let me tell you, it’s a show I was actually excited for this summer. I remember watching the original Ushio and Tora on the Anime Network a few years back and I really enjoyed it with its dark humor and cool action. Now the show’s been redone since the early 90’s and the question is, does it still have its original charm? Well let’s find out as we dive into Ushio and Tora Episode 1.
The episode begins with our protagonist Ushio with his father eating breakfast. His father (who is a head priest at a temple) tries to talk to Ushio about spirits and Yokai, but, having heard about it all of his life, Ushio completely ignores him and they get into a fight.
The father is going to leave on a week long trip and tells Ushio to clean out the dusty storehouse before he goes to school. He begrudgingly agrees as the father leaves.
Upon beginning to clean however he trips over a set of giant doors. Curiosity gets the better of him and he opens them. Inside he finds a monstrous cat like demon being held in place by a large spear.
The demon tells Ushio to let him free as only a human can remove the spear. Ushio asks him what he will do if he does let him go. The demon promptly replies that he’ll eat him.
See, this is where the dark comedy comes in. Normally in a situation like this, the main character would be disgusted or horrified and have a deep moment. Not in this show however as Ushio proceeds to KICK THE SPEAR DEEPER IN.
The demon makes more idle threats but Ushio simply boards up the cellar and leaves to go to school.
On the way he meets the two female characters that both have a crush on him. One’s the violent tsundere (oh boy. my favorite trope. insert sarcastic glance) and the adorable girl who flat out says she wants the main character’s D.
After school Ushio returns with the girls to return a notebook when he begins to see strange floating snake things.
He runs back to the demon who tells him that they were attracted to his energy that had been stewing for 500 years since Ushio opened the door and will attack people. Since the demon’s the only way to defeat them, he makes a deal with the demon and pulls out the spear. The demon tries to break the deal by attacking Ushio, but Ushio promptly gets charged up by the spear’s energy and tries to kill the demon, who, comedically ends up killing the snake things while trying to run away from Ushio.
Finally the giant snake demon thing fuses and together they destroy it.
In the aftermath, the demon says he’ll be on his way, however he is stopped by Ushio who tells him that he’s not going anywhere and he’s going to have to keep an eye on him so he doesn’t escape and kill random people, and since he controls the beast spear and can restab him at any time, he has no choice but to comply. (basically like the necklace from Inuyasha only done earlier…and better. Yeah that’s right. you heard me)
As calling him “Demon” would be too much trouble, as he looks like a tiger, Ushio labels him “Tora” and that’s basically where the episode ends.
This first episode to the show..was just as good as I remember the original being. It still keeps its dark comedy, while also being interesting and actiony. But let me formally break it down.
Head: I actually really like the premise. What do you do when you get a guy who’s kind of a jerk who doesn’t care about a whole lot who gets saddled with a demon who wants to kill stuff and they have to save the day? Well that’s the premise of this show. And let me tell you. It’s very well executed. The plot never really feels like it’s dragging and for me, I was actually sad when the episode was over as the pacing was so well done that I didn’t even feel as if 20 minutes had gone by. Very well done. Head: 8/10
Eye: The animation in this is very good. It’s dark which fits with the tone, the characters are serious when they have to be, and look goofy when they’re supposed to. One minute they can be talking about killing humans, and the next, Tora can look like this.
The animation is jarring, but it’s stylized, and it’s meant to do that. It’s almost self aware as it sort of makes fun of how serious other shows in this genre take itself, and that’s a charm that carries over into the feeling through the animation.
Eye: 8/10
Heart
See, this is where this show shines. With the exception of the violent tsundere bitch character, the characters in this show, are, in a word, fun. There’s an energy to this show that just feels so refreshing. Characters can be in peril, yet there still be a feeling of whimsy. But that whimsy can be dark. I know that sounds confusing, but if you watch this show, you’ll understand what I mean. Ushio and Tora play off each other wonderfully and really make this show a joy to watch.
Now some of you may think i’m just sucking this show’s dick, but if you read my other reviews, you know just how rare this is. The only other time I can say that I enjoyed watching an episode 1 of something THIS much was “Yoru No Yatterman”. The characters in this show flow well from each other, it’s great to watch, and overall, it’s fun.
Heart 8.5/10 (fucking violent tsunderes always ruining everything)
Total: 8.16/10
Did I enjoy this episode 1? Immensely. Will I be back for more? Oh yes. Honestly, if you don’t mind your humor a tad dark and you enjoy just a fun time, I really recommend you watch either the old version of this, or just pick up the new one and watch it along with me. If it’s anything like the original, you won’t be disappointed. So see you all next week as I certainly will be here.
Watching: Guaranteed
Blogging: Oh hell yes.
-Hideki
It’s interesting that unlike the Parasyte anime, the anime staff chose not to update the manga designs or animation style for this anime. Instead they seem to be revelling in its 90’s nostalgia, to make it look exactly like it was taken out from an old archive of 90’s era shows. The concern is that viewers more accustomed to newer, prettier anime aesthetics might not watch it due to its perceived ugliness.
This anime will be quite an investment too. The current season will be 26 episodes long. Season 2 airs Spring 2016 at 13 episodes.
The mangaka himself is also involved in the anime production. Originally the staff wanted to adapt everything in the manga and stop part way through the seasons, but the mangaka really wanted to see them adapt the manga ending. So he came up with a plan for what to include and what to cut that would get them through the series in the above 2 seasons.