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With 2024 ending, I couldn't help but to look forward to the new animes that will air in 2025. Several mangas that I've read before got animated these past few years, and strangely, it somehow made me feel really old. Like the time was really fast because it feels like yesterday when I read KNY, CSM, Ao no Exorcist (Shimane Illuminati Arc), Dandadan, and Bleach TBYW—and now they have been animated. But there's a certain manga that I've started reading the same time I started Dandadan, and this is the one that will have its anime adaptation in 2025. So join me as I share with you a brief peek at one of the animes I'm anticipating this upcoming 2025: Tougen Anki.
About the Anime:
Tougen Anki is adapted from the shounen manga series written by Yura Urushibara. Its genres are action, fantasy, and it has a little drama (or a tad more perhaps). Its main theme is mythology since it deals with oni and stuff close to them. Its manga was published in AKITASHOTEN's Weekly Shōnen Champion, and the last time I read it, it had 100+ chapters (probably 200+ by now if I'm not mistaken).
So it's story started with the introduction of its MC, Shiki Ichinose, who was obviously a good-for-nothing student at the time. He was really a reckless and fight-loving boy, and because of that, he didn't get fazed when he got expelled (again) from his school. It's really apparent that he's in his rebellious phase at that time, but despite his crappy attitude, his foster father still cares for him. However, in the middle of their small squabble, they got interrupted when a sudden explosion happened.
Quite lost and confused, Shiki struggled to grasp what was happening, and it was too late when he finally got the whole picture of it. Tsuyoshi, his foster father, soon engages in deadly battle with his former comrade in Momotarou—an organization that hunts oni. Unfortunately, Tsuyoshi was defeated with him, but even if he's on the ground, he refuses to give up and let Shiki be killed. Witnessing Tsuyoshi get hurt for his sake, Shiki snapped out and finally awakened his oni's blood. However, he can't control it well, so he ended up letting his guard down, and his opponent took that as an opportunity. But in the end, Tsuyoshi took the stab that was supposed to be for him.
After seeing his father die in his arms, Shiki vowed to get stronger so that he could avenge him. Together with other young onis, they will hone further their demonic blood so that they can survive in the world where demons are hated and purged.
Aside from the announcement of its anime adaptation in 2025, there are no further announcements about its specific release date (yet). The official trailer and some of the VAs were already revealed, and knowing who'll voice them got me more excited. The MC, Shiki Ichinose, will be voiced by Kazuki Ura, Mudano Naito will be voiced by Hiroshi Kamiya and Jin Kougasaki will be voiced by Koutarou Nishiyama. I don't know if this is just a mere coincidence, but Mudano's VA is also Mephisto's VA also... so what's the fuss, gette? Well, well, well, I already shared about it on one of my Manga Mondays comments, but anyway, I'll share it once again.
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So I noticed—I think it's not only me—but also some (or many, I guess) that Tougen Anki and Ao no Exorcist's beginning was kinda similar. From the death of their foster fathers to the appearance of the cool men (with umbrellas, lol) who'll later help the MC improve—they're really similar! And I really squealed when I discovered the VA who'll voice Mudano is also Mephisto's VA. Their entrance and role in the MC's life were also similar, so I was left wondering if this is really a coincidence or not? But anyway, whether it's coincidence or not, I'm definitely looking forward to knowing who'll voice other characters, especially my second favorite character, Rokuro (Mudano's the first, of 'course). I really like how this boy improved as the story progressed, and I like how cool he looks in his blood eclipse release (kyahhhhhhh).
Enough with my ramblings, so if you're into shounen manga who have cool MC and interesting plot, then you definitely need to try reading Tougen Anki's manga, and if you like it, then be with me as we together wait for its anime adaptation in 2025! But before I'll really end this review, I'll share with you its trailer, so—
That's all for now, minna-san. Hopefully this year will end well for us all. See you on my next blog about anime stuff! Arigatou~
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The pictures that didn't have a source were screenshots from its trailer.
