Ranked #917

Kyouran Kazoku Nikki

Okay, I'm writing this review before the series has finished airing, which means two things. First of all, my opinion is subject to change by the time it has finished airing. Secondly, I'm basically a guinea pig reviewer.

After reading the synopsis of Kyouran Kazoku Nikki, you may have some light suspicions that this anime may be a bit crazy.

It is crazy. Normally, when you hear of an anime that features an officer of a paranormal agency and six descendants of an ancient monster, you expect it to be some sort of fantasy/sci-fi shounen series. Well, Kyouran Kazoku Nikki throws that convention out the window like a high school delinquent does to his alarm clock in the morning.

However, as crazy as this series is, it gets incredibly deep. In less than ten minutes of the first episode, you will get the idea of how crazy this series is. But you will have to watch at least two episodes to see that Kyouran Kazoku Nikki is not just crazy, but it's a brilliant combination of comedy and drama.

Story and Character
As mentioned earlier, there are an officer from a paranormal agency and six descendants of an ancient monster. But instead of waging war against eachother, they all unite as a loving family. If you think about it, that actually sounds kind of lame. I could hardly imagine that working on some other series like Scooby-Doo or Star Wars.

But have no worries. Kyouran Kazoku Nikki actually makes this seemingly boring idea work.

The story uses ideas commonly associated with family, such as a wedding and honeymoon. That's right, the Midarezaki family actually takes their relationship seriously. You won't even find the type of family dysfunction frequently found in American sitcoms! (Except maybe around Kyouka) Then there are ideas unrelated to family. Things like mad science, assasins, voodoo, and pirates. As for why such outlandish things are there, you'll have to trust me when I say this: They just make Kyouran Kazoku Nikki what it is.

As for the members of the Midarezaki family, they make a quirky, yet solid set of characters. It's too early to say whether each member of the Midarezaki family will have their own backstory, but the ones I've seen so far are surprisingly deep and, in fact, emotional. These characters are not as silly as they seem in the beginning. They're as solid as anime characters come.

Art and Sound
The art style is cartoon-like to match the hyper mood of the series. Of course, the series isn't always hyper. In fact, in the more dramatic scenes, you will actually see blood. That said, the art has a pretty good balance between a cartoony look and a mature look, so that it will flow along with the light-mooded moments, but not contrast so much with the blood scenes.

As for the background music, again, some of it is suited for the cartoony moments, while some of it is suited for the darker moments. Some of the music and sounds make the anime seem a little more sci-fi than it really is, yet it still feels natural. On a minor note, the anime occasionally uses the weirdest sound effects, such as when Kyouka is jumping around in episode 4. Those random sounds can make you go, "WTH!!1??" but again, that's just a minor note.

Then there are the opening and ending themes. The opening theme, Chousai Kenbo Sengen by Mosaic.wav, fits the series fantastically. The super-fast vocals and energy-filled sound effects yell out the same quirky essence of the anime, even if it has some strange lyrics. ("Autocracy is the best word of compliment I can get")

The biggest highlight of Kyouran Kazoku Nikki music-wise is probably the ending themes. The ending themes are like character singles, with a song and animation for each member of the Midarezaki family. The songs reflect each member really well, and while some of them may be over-the-top, they're genuinely enjoyable.

Enjoyment and Overall
Admittedly, Kyouran Kazoku Nikki isn't for everyone. I personally enjoy this series so much, that my score of 9 is just my objective score for this review. While Kyouran Kazoku Nikki has both hectic comedy and deep drama, overall it's a crazy, hyper anime that's more suited for the comedy lover. But daring drama-seekers looking for a refreshing frenzy can feel free to give it a try, since I still think it's a brilliant blend of both sides. read more

There seems to be a lack of reviews of Kyouran Kazoku Nikki where all the episodes have been watched at the time of writing so I shall attempt to fill that void.

The Diary of a Crazed Family, that should tell you something about this anime. In fact, if you were any bit serious about it, it would take your face to the curb and beat it out of you. At least for the most part. But let's get this party started shall we?

There is no real story in Kyouran Kazoku Nikki, each episode could easily function as a standalone short, but that doesn't mean the show lacks continuity or has no real meat within the episodes themselves. Usually there is an Aesop or moral or something or other to be taught by Kyouka-sama and that's about the only thing that would annoy me. It's more or less a slice of life. Your mileage may vary.

The art, fitting to the theme, is vibrant and colourful. In fact, this is one of the few anime that does not have over-the-top "anime" hairstyled characters. For that I applaud it. Heck, even a Stinger is faithfully recreated in anime form and ofcourse, the sparkles are appropriately added so there really isn't anything to say about it. Not outstanding, but not terrible.

The same can be said of the sound. The OP, is one of the few that I willingly sit through to listen to. A very good indicator of what the show is about as well. There are multiple EDs, one for each of the Midarezakis, save perhaps Gekka, but she's a Jellyfish sooo. Moving on, each ED is in a way, representative of each Miderazaki, quite fitting and credit is given where credit is due. Next we have the BGM, which I can't say doesn't go terribly well nor wrong. In fact, not commenting about it probably the best thing I could do. Because it means they did something right. I have nothing to complain about.

Almost all of the main cast has some depth to them, a shame really, I wanted to know more about Ouka and Ginka. In fact, there are still some unexplained flashbacks (and I haven't checked Wikipedia yet) for Ouka and I would like that resolved, thank you very much. Ginka, on the other hand, got the short-stick when they drew the characterisation priority chart I bet. Other than that I'm fine with the hyperactive yet insecure Kyouka, the shy and timid Yuuka, the mysterious Gekka, the innocent Hyouka, the mindful Teika and of course the rather normal Chika (rather being the stressed word).

Then of course, comes the enjoyment derived. But it is hard not to enjoy such a well implemented comedy. My favourite moment is probably when Santa took a Stinger and later going to town with Kyouka. There are plenty of things that are over the top. But that just adds to the comedy, and somehow it never feels forced. Which usually then segues into a heartwarming moment. Quite well pulled off at points but sometimes, I can already see it coming which can dampen the impact somewhat. Overall, this is something of a must watch for fans of comedy (personally I don't know anyone who would dislike a good comedy). That's it really, so embrace Goddere and may Kyouka-sama smile upon you. read more