Tactics

Ichinomiya Kantarou grew up with the ability to see demons, but was isolated and bullied by others who did not share the same gift. Instead, he became being friends with the demons, gaining a great attachment to their existence. One day, Kantarou was told about the strongest demon, the one known as the ogre-eating Tengu. Amazed by the news of his strength, Kantarou vowed to find this demon who was far stronger than any other, deciding to call him Haruka when he did so. Since this time, Kantarou searched far and wide for the ogre-eating Tengu with no luck, making his living by becoming a folklore writer and demon-buster. On a particular job, Kantarou had finally found news of a nearby shrine supposedly the place where the ogre-eating Tengu was sealed.

Ichinomiya, Kantarou Main

Miyata, Kouki Japanese

Haruka Main

Sakurai, Takahiro Japanese

Youko Main

Kawakami, Tomoko Japanese

Edogawa, Suzu Main

Mizuki, Nana Japanese

Muu-chan Supporting

Minami, Omi Japanese

Sugino Supporting

Hoshi, Souichirou Japanese

Minamoto, Raikou Supporting

Matsukaze, Masaya Japanese

Rosalie Supporting

Inoue, Marina Japanese

Suzakuin, Miyabi Supporting

Matsuki, Miyu Japanese

Minamoto, Ayame Supporting

Yoshida, Sayuri Japanese

Urasaki, Nobumitsu Producer

Hatta, Shinsaku Producer

Watanabe, Hiroshi Director, Episode Director, Storyboard

Kon, Chiaki Episode Director, Storyboard

Reviews

May 30, 2015

maru-magus

Recommended

This anime is so underrated when it deserves more love. I first came across it on TV in the U.S. on the Sci-fi channel. There used to be a block for anime and this was one of them. I was instantly in love with the characters. Their designs, by Studio Deen, are lovely along with their personalities. There's not a character I don't like. The story is amazing, though not as in-depth as the manga. The character development in the manga is better, but the anime has it's perks. The most development you can see is with Haruka. He is the best example of this. ... The english dub was actually really good!

Reviewer’s Rating: 9

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Feb 29, 2024

build-a-buta

Mixed Feelings

Tactics is one of those anime series that used to have mid-level popularity, and I always wanted the opportunity to watch it. Now, two decades from its release, I can honestly say that it did NOT live up to the hype.

Its underwhelming punch has less to do with its age and more with its execution. First, it's episodic, so don't expect a running plot until maybe episode 14. Which, episodic can be charming if done well, but...many of the episodes seemed to be done just because they could, and didn't leave much of an impact on me. Some episodes were predictable, and I grew ... more and more tired the longer I watched it. Still, I wanted to see it through to completion, which was why I kept going to the end. (And surprise, surprise: there's not a satisfying ending to be found. I won't say loose ends aren't tied, but there's a lot more ends just flailing in the wind.) If you can last until episode 14, you'll be treated with reoccurring characters, some deus ex machina moments, one episode with pretty decent psychological horror elements, and a cute scene or two from the main cast. Maybe, if you squint hard enough and tilt to the left, you won't notice how the plot drags in the latter half, and how the big, bad surprise ends up crunching in your mouth like rotten blueberries on a summer evening.

Then there's the characters. I was originally going to criticize Kantarou harsher, because god, his treatments of his summons ranges anywhere from callously flippant to borderline abusive. But Kantarou is, while incredibly selfish, pragmatic in ways that don't really stand out until you get to know him a bit better (albeit with contorted reasoning). You'll just have to suffer until you get there. Then there's Haruka, who does go through phases of character development in the story. He's who you'll probably want to cling onto to keep your sanity while watching this.

...Then there's the other two, the messenger pigeon and the girl who serves absolutely no purpose except until plot calls for it. Of all the characters, Sugino and Muu were probably the most enjoyable. They were meant to be comic relief, and they did their job brilliantly. But they were still lovable in all the ways that counted. They, along with Haruka, bring the best out of the show.

Last, for an anime that has been compared with various other BL series, there really isn't much in the way of fanservice. There IS something sprinkled here and there, but there's just as many moments where the characters become tangled with other affairs, some of them questionable by today's standards. If I was watching because of that, I'd be sorely disappointed.

Conclusion: Tactics was probably an anime that would have performed decently in the 00s. Standing on its own two feet, though, it pales in comparison with some of its older and younger peers even in the same genre. This is largely due to its incomplete plot, its predictable episodes, and its flat characters. Most likely, you might be interested in the premise and start watching it, but it'll tax you until you drop it somewhere in the middle. It is for that reason I struggle to recommend this series.

Reviewer’s Rating: 5

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Jun 12, 2019

TunyVuny

Not Recommended

Preliminary (14/25 eps)

Okay, the storyline could have been better & the plot is just fine. But there are so many issues which I have with the author/writer.

First of all if you've read the description of the anime it clearly says that other people were not able to see youkai that's why he was bullied. Now the point is why is that girl(suzu) able to see them, ok so many people will argue that is because of them having human form, but if you notice in the 1st episode when haruka's seal is lifted by kantaro, that girl(suzu) was easily able to see him, how is that possible, ... this means he was sealed in the human form. Okay even with that I've no problem.

Second thing is why is that girl included in the anime/manga. What was the need of that girl. Even if she is taken as the side role, it would been good, but why does that girl show up in every episode. Why wouldn't her father just tell her to not to interfere with kantaro's work. Even if her dad didn't thought about her safety, why didn't that kantaro thought about her safety & just why didn't he refused her whenever they go to a place, just like at the time of hot springs & when she accompanied them to that doll house. It's not that I'm worried about her safety, but the point is that is very very illogical & I've seen anime where there is no logic but still compared to this anime they are far better.

Third there are many incidents where haruka just took flight even if he's in crowd, why didn't people noticed that there is something wrong or he's not human, something like that.

Okay the final, if someone had his childhood suffered solitary, I don't think he would have that much lively, okay not talking about liveliness, he would have been quite smart(not handsome) & putting that aside I didn't like the character of the protagonist & that shitty brat(suzu)

Reviewer’s Rating: 4

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	Poll: Tactics Episode 18 Discussion Neliei - May 4, 2011	2 replies	by SlammyHammy »» Oct 24, 2023 6:56 PM
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