Tokkou

I think I speak for everyone when I say that an old looking show doesn't mean that it's bad, and for the minority of you who have the brain to think that a shows age determines it's quality, you probably watched Ranking of Kings and then Mars of Destruction in that order in order to satisfy your shitty take, rather than watching something like Neon Genesis, Hotaru no Haka, or even Tokko.

Tokko may not stand the test of time like other shows such as One Piece or Yu Yu Hakusho, but what it definitely stands the test of is whether writing ages well or not, ... because for a show adapted by a manga written in 2003, this show really slaps with it's writing and personality. While the show is cheesier than a mozzarella stick throughout it's full duration it definitely doesn't disappoint with how well rounded the writing is, many if not all questions you may have on the series pre-finale are answered and foreshadowed throughout the show and it's really interesting realizing this as each plot hole is filled by the shows dialogue and events. Which I guess you can really just expect from the writer of GTO Great Teacher Onizuka.
Regardless of the writing in Tokko, it isn't exactly anything worth paying attention to at this point in age, so allow me to direct you to something that is, and that's the shows successful genre-blend when it comes to shit like comedic accuracy in common sense. We all find lack of common sense in our favourite shows and get pissed off sometimes by it, but this show throws common sense in your face so much that when someone so out of the ordinary in anime but so normal in real life occurs you can't help but laugh and respect the little details. Such as the HORRIBLE troupe in anime where you can yell about incest loli rape in a crowd quiet enough to hear a pin drop, and NO one notices your existence or seems to have a mind for themselves, but no, no in Tokko these guys talk about all the shit they want like irresponsible teenagers and EVERYONE knows they're doing it and stare at them like they're having a schizophrenic episode, and you just can't help but laugh at such a troupe being totally overthrown in Tokko, which adds to Tokkos well executed genre-blend.

Lastly, while Tokko may have personality and the appropriate mix of genres, it's hard to excuse for the lack of originality in concept. As stated prior, this show manages to cover up how cheesy it was, but not entirely. Tokko is undoubtedly a perfect example of edgy teenager bait, like something the 15 year old goth girl from high school would fan fic draw instead of writing up their english essay, it's just way to easy to understand why someone would hate the show or be put off, which in turn ruins a lot of the shows authenticity, unfortunately making what could've been one of the best shows of the 2000s period of anime, forgettable and overshadowed.
Gore softened by comedy, comedy softened by personality, and personality softened by cheesiness, a prime example of how no matter how good you mix and match, it's nearly impossible to create an objectively good show with an edge lord concept written for rebellious teenagers. Oh yeah, and the dub is hilarious.

It doesn't feel like Tokkuou's a real anime as much as a template for an anime.

Story 5/10

The story is very straight forward, but, in my opinion, that's the problem because it makes the anime feel bland and boring. So Ranmaru wants to find the people who killed his parents, finds out they were killed by monsters, he joins Tokkou to kill the monsters, and at the climax fights the evil mastermind whose controlling the monsters and wants to take over the world.

There weren't really any big twists or surprises and it fells like the writers were really dragging the plot out, like they were ... struggling to make this anime 12 episodes long.

Also, I thought the fight scenes were pretty boring. Ranmaru and the others characters just slice the phantoms half with one swing of their swords so there really isn't that much fighting.

Characters 5/10

Again, these characters don't feel like real characters as much as templates for characters.

We never learn anything about them outside their origin stories. For example, I know Ranmaru wants to kill the monsters that killed his parents, but I can't say anything about his personality or anything I found likeable or memorable about him and that's true for all the characters.

Even when one of the main characters gets killed (which should be an edge of your seat, heart-pounding scene) I don't feel sad or angry or anything because I didn't know anything about this character other than his name and origin story.

Art 6/10

I thought the art was decent. The phantoms looked okay and the little parasite monsters were legitimately creepy. Also, since this is a horror anime, the artist did a good job by including lots of blood.

One character's appearance that really stood out, however, was Kureha. She doesn't wear a shirt!! Seriously, her leather jacket just barely covers her nipples; why does nobody ask her about that?!

Overall 5/10

I'd say Tokkou is a decent anime, but it just doesn't feel like a whole of effort was put into the story, characters, or art designs.

TOKKÔ had a lot of potential to be a genuinely chilling horror anime, but instead, it devolved into a convoluted action flick, where adults in trench coats slice through monsters like butter. It began with intrigue into extra-dimensional creatures that infect human bodies like parasites (think H.P. Lovecraft or Parasyte) and ended with a sappy, gothic harem!

This review of TOKKÔ is spoiler free!

—Story/Characters

Synopsis: Shindou Ranmaru has just graduated from police academy and assigned to Tokko: Special Mobile Investigation Force. On the day of his graduation, he meets the half-naked girl he has been seeing in his dreams. Her name is Rokujo Sakura and she ... works for a secret group within Tokki, known as Tokko: Special Public Safety Task Force. Shindou ends up joining Tokko to avenge his parents' death, and solve the mysterious mass murder of residents in his hometown of Machida. Meanwhile, bottomless pits begin appearing around Japan, and mysterious creatures emerge from them. Could these events be linked to Machida Massacre?

The name Tokkō is a reference to either the shortened version of, 1. "Tokkō (特攻), a portmanteau for Tokubetsu Kōgekitai, literally meaning "Special Attack Unit"—the official name for Japanese aviators conducting kamikaze attacks in World War II, or 2. Tokkō (特高), a portmanteau for Tokubetsu Kōtō Keisatsu, meaning "Special Higher Police"—in history, it was a special investigation unit used to dissuade what the Japanese government considered to be anarchists and socialists that threatened public order. Either way, if you add the historical connotations onto a story about a bunch of leather-clad rebels fighting demons, it has weird implications!

More specifically, they fight demonic creature call Phantoms that crawl over to the mortal world when the seal between the two worlds is broken, it's literally referred to as the "Box of Dirge ("Druj")"! Regular weapons don't work on them, so Tokkō is employed because they have magical swords that can combat the creatures! They get possession of the swords by having the Phantoms cohabitate with them in a symbiotic relationship inside of their body, which somehow creates a tattoo. Man, all of this feels like it came out of a beginners guide to Wicca or something!

There is a bit of intrigue when the main character, Ranmaru, is set up on a blind date with a woman, who's father just happens to be doing freaky experiments on the Phantoms. But, as anyone could have learned from any Resident Evil game, scientists tampering with otherworldly beings always has to go wrong somewhere! Not going to say how, because that would involve spoilers, but that arc (episode 5) is where the story ceases to be interesting.

The series meanders on the ever-present mystery of Ranmaru's past and the secrets behind the Phantoms, which on its own would create intrigue, but the series vaguely mentions it and then has Ranmaru go on angsty dates with a random girls who all have tragic backstories (which is no wonder, why would you voluntarily join an organization of demon slayers otherwise)! There's even a member of Tokkō that wears no bra and leather jacket, I guess to the show's credit... she's kind of crazy (?), but still! How would that defend you into parasitic, flesh-eating monsters? Oh, well. I guess the series randomly has her show Ranmaru her nipples (er, tattoo) in one episode, so it's okay.

There's about eight people in his harem: including his male best friend who always talks about how awesome he is, his sister, his sister's best friend, a bloodthirsty sword-wielding prodigy, the commander of the division (the "cougar" option), etc. And Ranmaru has the least amount of chemistry... with the lead heroine. The series barely shows them interact and then it tries to push them together in the end, because certain incidents in their childhood converge. She's presented as the strong, silent type but in the anime adaptation, she barely says or does anything!

The only scene I can think of is when she stabs a sword through herself and Ranmaru to merge consciousnesses, but then Inukai (the only other male member of Tokkō) just randomly appears in their subconscious vision? I guess the sword thing was unnecessary? Everyone in this story is constantly angsty, and none of the mysteries ever get solved! The story just drags along: boring, repetitive, and nonsensical!

—Technical

Kazuo Takigawa (chief animation director)
* Chikyū Shōjo Arujuna, localized as "Earth Maiden Arjuna" (episode director)
* Keishichou Tokumu-bu Tokushu Kyouaku-han Taisaku-Shitsu Dai-Nana-ka -Tokunana, localized as "Special 7: Special Crime Investigation Unit"
* Kidō Shinsengumi Moeyo Ken
* Kurohime: Shikkoku no Yakata, localized as "The Black Princess"
* One Piece (animation director)
* Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You! (key animation)
* Prayers (character design)
* Rekka no Honō, localized as "Flame of Recca" (animation director)
* Strike Witches: Movie (animation director, key animation)

Commentary: I really liked Chikyū Shōjo Arujuna, but Strike Witches: The Movie had pacing issues. I guess that problem may have passed over into the adaptation of TOKKÔ. It's really interesting how you can look at a director's filmography, to see what problems they have with certain series! To Mr. Takigawa's credit, the horror scenes were "A" tier, I actually got cold chills from seeing the Phantoms forcefully inhabit human bodies!

Kōji Watanabe (chief animation director, character design)
* Armitage III: Duel-Matrix (mechanical design)
* Blue Gender and Blue Gender: The Warrior (mechanical design)
* Date A Live III (chief animation director, character design)
* Date A Live Movie: Mayuri Judgement (chief animation director, character design)
* Digimon Adventure tri. 2: Ketsui (chief animation director)
* Ginga Kikōtai Majestic Prince (mechanical design)
* Ginga Tetsudō Monogatari, localized as "The Galaxy Railways" (mechanical design)
* Gunslinger Stratos: The Animation (character design)
* Harmony (mechanical design)
* Kishin Heidan, localized as "Kishin Corps" (mechanical design)
* Koi Koi 7, (mechanical design, character design)
* Mahou Shōjo Lyrical Nanoha ViVid (mechanical design)
* Moegaku★5 (character design)
* Noein: Mō Hitori no Kimi e, localized as "Noein: to your other self" (mechanical design)
* Phantom: The Animation (character design)
* RErideD: Tokigoe no Derrida, localized as "RErideD: Derrida, who leaps through time" (character design)
* RoboMasters: The Animated Series (mechanical design)
* Sol Bianca: Taiyō no Fune, localized as "Sol Bianca: The Legacy" (mechanical design)
* Uchū Kyōdai, localized as "Space Brothers" (mechanical design)

Commentary: Not a fan of Mr. Watanabe's directing or character designs, but his mechanical designs are iconic in the industry!

I watched TOKKÔ with the ADV dub, so I will list the Japanese seiyū, but comments will be on the performances of the English voice actors.

Kenichi Suzumura as Ranmaru Shindo, notable roles:
* Ash Roller, Accel World
* Toru Sōma, Baldr Force Exe Resolution
* Tsubaki Asahina, Brothers Conflict
* Genzō Wakabayashi, Captain Tsubasa (2018)
* Locke, Chōjin Locke: Mirror Ring
* Eiji Shigure, Chōjūshin Gravion
* Lavi, D. Gray-man
* Hajime Tsunashi, Danna ga Nani wo Itteiru ka Wakaranai Ken, localized as "I Can't Understand What My Husband Is Saying"
* Yoshitaka Tanaka, Danshi Kōkōsei no Nichijō, localized as "Daily Lives of High School Boys"
* Kōichi Kimura, Digimon Frontier
* Takehisa Hinawa, Enen no Shōbōtai, localized as "Fire Force"
* Romani Archaman, Fate/Grand Order
* Zack Fair, Final Fantasy VII
* Momotarō Mikoshiba, Free!
* Hajiki Sanada, Gad Guard
* Wen-li Yang, Ginga Eiyū Densetsu: Die Neue These, localized as "The Legend of the Galactic Heroes: The New Thesis"
* Sōgo Okita, Gintama
* Yūichi Ezaki, Hanbun no Tsuki ga Noboru Sora, localized as "Looking Up At The Half-Moon"
* Junpei Manaka, Ichigo 100%
* Takeshi Yoroi ("Hurricane Polymer"), Infini-T Force
* Ryūtaros, Kamen Rider
* Mikya Kokutō, Kara no Kyōkai, localized as "Garden of Sinners"
* Atsushi Murasakibara, Kuroko no Basket, localized as "Kuroko's Basketball"
* Myōe, Kyōsō Giga
* Shin Kudō, Macross Zero
* Shinn Asuka, Kidō Senshi Gundam SEED Destiny
* Iyami, Osomatsu-san
* Daigo Tsuwabuki, Pokémon
* Yūya Mirokuji, Re: Creators
* Shiki Tōno, Shingetsutan Tsukihime, localized as "Lunar Legend Tsukihime"
* Ayumu Narumi, Spiral: Suiri no Kizuna
* Anti, SSSS.Gridman
* Sunny, Toriko
* Daisuke Shima, Uchū Senkan Yamato 2199
* Kazuto Tokino, UFO Princess Valkyrie
* George Ushiromiya, Umineko no Naku Koro ni
* Masato Hijirikawa, Uta no☆Prince-sama
* Kamui Shirō, X (TV)
* Chika Akatsuki, Zombie-Loan

Tony Oliver as Ranmaru Shindo, notable roles:
* Keiichi Morisato, Aa! Megami-sama!, localized as "Ah! My Goddess"
* Lancer ("Cú Chulainn"), Fate/stay night and Unlimited Blade Works
* Hajiki Sanada, Gad Guard
* Arsene Lupin III, Lupin III
* Minato Namikaze, Naruto
* Sha Gojō, Saiyuki
* Sirius, Sirius no Densetsu, localized as "The Sea Prince and the Fire Child"
* Simon, Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann
* Tetsushi Kaji, Ultra Maniac
* Hibiki Tokai, Vandread
* Sorata Arisugawa, X (TV)

Commentary: Mr. Oliver did very well with his portrayal of Ranmaru. You can tell with his roles as Arsene Lupin III, Sha Gojō, or Cú Chulainn that he's really good at playing "bad boy" characters. Even with his usual archetype in place, I also enjoyed his role as Simon in the dub of Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann.

Fumiko Orikasa as Sakura Rokujo, notable roles:
* Mabel West, Agatha Christie no Meitantei Poirot to Marple, localized as "Agatha Christie's Great Detectives Poirot and Marple"
* Rukia Kuchiki, Bleach
* Yuzuki, Chobits
* Shirley Fenette, Code Geass
* Yūko Okonogi, Dennō Coil
* Ruki Makino, Digimon Tamers
* Kaaya, Druaga no Tō, localized as "Tower of Druaga"
* Figure 17, Figure 17: Tsubasa & Hikaru
* Riza Hawkeye, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
* Arashi Shinozuka, Gad Guard
* Kyūbei Yagyū, Gintama
* Hikari, Haibane Renmei
* Seres Victoria, Hellsing and Hellsing: Ultimate
* Rumiko Chie, Higurashi no Naku Koro ni, localized as "When They Cry"
* Torako Kageyama, Hyakko
* Miu Matsuoka, Ichigo Marshmallow
* Aoba Tsuzaki, Jinki:Extend
* Satsuki Momoi, Kuroko no Basket, localized as "Kuroko's Basketball"
* Chiyoko Kurotori, Kuromajo-san ga Tōru!!, localized as "Here Comes the Black Witch"
* Lotte Yansson, Little Witch Academia
* Meyrin Hawke, Kidō Senshi Gundam SEED Destiny
* Beth, Puchi Pri*Yucie, localized as "Petite Princess Yucie"
* Nicoletta, Ristorante Paradiso
* Saori Kido, Saint Seiya: Hades
* Chise, Saishū Heiki Kanojo, localized as "SaiKana: The Last Love Song"
* Kirara, Samurai 7
* Pacifica Casull, Scrapped Princess
* Chiyoko Fujiwara, Sennen Joyū, localized as "Millennium Actress"
* Ciel, Shingetsutan Tsukihime, localized as "Lunar Legend Tsukihime"
* Karin Kikuhara, Stratos 4
* Kanade Minamino, Suite PreCure
* Meia Gisborn, Vandread

Philece Sampler as Sakura Rokujo, notable roles:
* Sarara, Binzume Yōsei, localized as "Bottle Fairy"
* Mimi Tachikawa, Digimon
* Haré, Jungle wa Itsumo Hare nochi Gū, localized as "Haré+Guu"
* Maya Orihara, Ultra Maniac
* Silvia, Viewtiful Joe
* Yuzuriha Nekoi, X (TV)

Commentary: I really love Ms. Sampler's voice in Digimon, Haré+Guu, and X (TV); with that said, her performance as Sakura was not very good. Seeing as her other characters are a lot more vibrant, maybe the role was just out of place for her? It didn't help that Sakura is one of the least memorable heroines in anime history!

Kana Ueda as Kareha Suzuka, notable roles:
* Nami Aoi, Aki-Sora
* Paladin, Bikini Warrior
* IF, Chōjigen Game Neptune, localized as "Hyperdimension Neptunia"
* Rin Tōsaka, Fate/stay night
* Momo Kawashima, Girls & Panzer
* Chikage Izumi, Hagure Yūsha no Aesthetica, localized as "Aesthetica of a Rogue Hero"
* Yūko Morigaya, Hina Logi: From Luck & Logic
* Neon Nostrade, Hunter x Hunter (2011)
* Hazumu Osaragi, Kashimashi: Girl Meets Girl
* Yuiko Hawatari, Loveless
* Hayate Yagami, Mahō Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha
* Yumi Fukuzawa, Maria-sama ga Miteru, localized as "Maria Watches Over Us"
* Kurumi Momose, Paniponi Dash!
* Anastasia Hoshin, Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu, localized as "Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World-"
* Honami Takase Ambler, Rental Magica
* Luna Shirogane, Ryūsei no Rockman, localized as "Megaman: Star Force"
* Saki Miyanaga, Saki
* Fumika, Shigofumi
* Heidemarie W. Schnaufer, Strike Witches: The Movie

Tara Platt as Kareha Suzuka, notable roles:
* Tokiko Tsumura, Busō Renkin
* Akari Shinohara, Byōsoku 5 Centimeter, localized as "5 Centimeters Per Second"
* Vert, Chōjigen Game Neptune, localized as "Hyperdimension Neptunia"
* Caster ("Medea"), Fate/stay night
* Temari, Naruto
* Barasuishō, Rozen Maiden: Träumend

Commentary: I wasn't very fond of Ms. Platt as Kareha, especially when the alternative was Kana Ueda, the voice of Rin Tōsaka! The promiscuous vibrancy behind the character just wasn't there!

Rio Natsuki as Ryoko Ibuki, notable roles:
* Miyako Inōe, Digimon Adventure 02
* Nanami Jinnai, El Hazard
* Asuna, Pokémon
* Lucy Maria Misora, To Heart 2

Michelle Ruff as Ryoko Ibuki, notable roles:
* Aoi Sakuraba, Ai Yori Aoshi
* Luna, Bishōjo Senshi Sailor Moon
* Rukia Kuchiki, Bleach
* Chii and Freya, Chobits
* Euphemia li Britannia, Code Geass
* Cosette d'Auvergne, Cossette no Shōzō, localized as "Le Portrait de Petit Cossette"
* Thanast Useim Ruki Miu Sia Nostal Ren Naguregyug ("Miu"), DearS
* Hikaru Usada, Di Gi Charat
* Izumi Orimoto, Digimon Frontier
* Lopmon, Digimon Tamers
* Anri Sonohara, Durarara!!
* Saber ("Artoria"), Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works
* Eugénie Danglars, Gankutsuō
* Miharu Sena Kanaka, Girls Bravo
* Sakuya Tachibana, God Eater
* Urumi Kanzaki, Great Teacher Onizuka
* Elle, Groove Adventure Rave, localized as "Rave Master"
* Kiari and Ririka Momobami, Kakegurui
* Chikane Himemiya, Kannazuki no Miko
* Alvis E. Hamilton and Tatiana Wisla, Last Exile
* Tsukasa Hiiragi, Lucky☆Star
* Fujiko Mine, Lupin III
* Etna, Makai Senki Disgaea
* Snow, MÄR
* Kizna Towryk, Megami Kōhosei, localized as "Candidate for Goddess"
* Cecily Fairchild, Kidō Senshi Gundam F91
* Tsukiko Sagi, Paranoia Agent
* Manaka Mukaido, Nagi no Asu kara, localized as "A Lull in the Sea"
* Sonoshee McLaren, Redline
* Sumire Kanzaki, Sakura Taisen
* Sophia Esteed, Star Ocean: Anamnesis
* Sakura Kasugano, Street Fighter
* Yuki Nagato, Suzumiya Haruhi no Yūtsu, localized as "The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya"
* Shino Asada, Sword Art Online
* Yoko Littner, Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann
* Yurika Dōjima, Witch Hunter Robin
* Kotori Monō, X (TV)

Commentary: When I was watching this, I kept thinking to myself, why is Ryoko Ibuki stealing the show? She's the exact same character archetype as Maki Kawazaki from Burn Up! and Sylia Stingray from Bubblegum Crisis. And then, I realized that her voice actor is none other than Michelle Ruff, and the charm of the character instantly made sense! I feel like Ms. Ruff should have been cast as one of the lead characters; it would have made the dub more enjoyable!

Susumu Akagi as Takeru Inukai, notable roles:
* Mōtoku Sōsō, Ikkitōsen

Kirk Thorton as Takeru Inukai, notable roles:
* Kai Shimada, 3-gatsu no Lion
* Shirō Fujimoto, Blue Exorcist
* Kurō Kazama, Black Jack
* Gabumon, Digimon
* Kiritsugu Emiya, Fate/stay night
* Hotohori, Fushigi Yûgi
* Toki, Hokuto no Ken, localized as "Fist of the North Star"
* Lazare d' Cagliostro, Lupin III: Cagliostro no Shiro, localized as "Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro"
* Kisame Hoshigaki, Naruto
* Jin, Samurai Champloo
* Guile, Street Fighter II: The Movie
* Ryōtarō Tsuboi, Sword Art Online
* Bunshichi Tawara, Tenjō Tenge
* Kunimitsu Tezuka, Tennis no Ōji-sama
* Hiei, Yū Yū Hakusho

Commentary: Mr. Thorton is a great talent in the voice acting industry, I love every single role that he's had on this list. The exception is Blue Exorcist, because I haven't heard the dub yet! I can't comment much on his role as Inukai, because (like Sakura), he barely got any time to shine in the series. Despite being the only other male member of Tōkko!

Conclusively, I'm probably going to check out the manga after this because, like I said, the premise is really interesting! I don't know if the manga is any better. The anime may have just flopped due to bad planning and directional decisions. TOKKÔ could have been something interesting, but instead, it devolved into a bunch of boring clichés! Overall, I give TOKKÔ a 3/10!

Rating: ★★☆☆☆