Tokyo Ravens

Onmyoudou magic was once a powerful technique used by the Japanese during the second World War in order for them to gain the upper hand and establish their nation as a formidable force. But Japan was quickly defeated after the revered onmyouji Yakou Tsuchimikado caused the "Great Spiritual Disaster," an event which plagues Tokyo to this very day. As a result of this mishap, the Onmyou Agency was established in order to exorcise further spiritual disasters and combat the demons that would make their way into the world.

Now, Onmyoudou has become far more modern, simplified, and refined for use in a wide variety of applications such as medicine and technology. However, not everyone is able to utilize the magic, as is the case with Harutora, a member of the Tsuchimikado's branch family. Despite an old promise to protect Natsume, the heir of the Tsuchimikado's main family and Yakou's supposed reincarnation, as her familiar, Harutora has no talent and chooses to live a normal life instead. But when a prominent member of the Onmyou Agency attempts to recreate the same experiment which led to Japan's downfall, he decides to make good on his word and fight by Natsume's side.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Tsuchimikado, Natsume Main

Hanazawa, Kana Japanese

Tsuchimikado, Harutora Main

Ishikawa, Kaito Japanese

Ato, Touji Main

Kimura, Ryouhei Japanese

Kon Supporting

Toyosaki, Aki Japanese

Dairenji, Suzuka Supporting

Sakura, Ayane Japanese

Ootomo, Jin Supporting

Yusa, Kouji Japanese

Hishamaru Supporting

Kaida, Yuuko Japanese

Hokuto Supporting

Kanemoto, Hisako Japanese

Ashiya, Douman Supporting

Tobita, Nobuo Japanese

Saotome, Suzu Supporting

Kitta, Izumi Japanese

Cook, Justin Producer

Ogura, Mitsutoshi Producer

Ueda, Shinya Producer

Kanemitsu, Kazuhiro Producer

Reviews

Jun 17, 2022

BabyGirl06301

Recommended

So, the general consensus with Tokyo Ravens is: it's fun to watch but it's totally unoriginal. I found while watching this anime that this statement was either true or completely opposite, and that fluctuation between good and bad is what's going to make it super difficult to write this review. Leaving aside the animation that could be decently done at times (like during certain battles) or bad at others and the sound design, which was bizarre to say the least (songs either fit or really, really didn't), the story and the characters are the two hot topics for me with this anime.

I won't lie: I ... got super bored way too often watching Tokyo Ravens. Not because there wasn't action or emotional intensity--actually, Tokyo Ravens was chalk full of action--but because a lot of the episodes felt really busy. Battles followed by exposition followed by plot twists and so on. Now, had this been the first Shounen I ever watched, I might have been taken with the complexity of it all, but Tokyo Ravens felt both like a fully built-out world and an overly complicated one. That feeling changed depending on where I was in the story (sometimes I thought the world building was great and other times I thought it was too much). It was enough to make me feel like the episodes were blending into one another and like they were more difficult to get through than they should've been.

That being said, I actually really enjoyed the story being told through all of the fluctuations. Another comment I've seen about Tokyo Ravens is that it balances its genres well, and for the most part, I agree. Granted, some of the more comedic moments often felt slightly shoe-horned in, but generally, the romance balanced well against the action and drama and humor. I won't get too into where these characters end up at the end of the anime (especially because this is only the tip of their overall story from the LN), but the last few episodes really solidified my impression that I quite like the plot as well as the characters themselves. There are a few characters that I didn't feel needed to be there for the story to end up where it did, but nonetheless, Tokyo Ravens convinced me to enjoy and root for these characters, and not only that, but to be invested in their relationships with one another.

Did Tokyo Ravens perfect any of the elements I just talked about? No. But it really is enjoyable enough to watch (at least it is when the main characters get screen time because those were moments I really enjoyed). It didn't fail to be an entertaining anime, it's just not as polished as other Shounen. Not for lack of trying, though, because it's got lore galore and a pretty rich world that surrounds these interesting characters. The bottom line is: the execution was sloppy, but the elements were great.

Reviewer’s Rating: 8

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Jun 29, 2023

CommanderSheep

Mixed Feelings

It’s not bad, I don’t take it to seriously but I can at least say it isn’t awful. It’s a pretty predictable plot so don’t expect something completely new, with this mindset I watched and I enjoyed most of the episodes and it was an effective way to past time.

The art was alright, I’d say the design was not bad but not the greatest either
The story was okay, it might be because I wasn’t expecting much so I’m fine with what they threw but it was kind of predictable but it was the worst.
The characters weren’t bad and I do think the anime ended up ... a lot funnier because of that, episode 10 was a complete the episode I remember the most. Suzuka Dairenji was hilarious with her acts.
Overall: a 6/10

Reviewer’s Rating: 6

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Nov 14, 2023

Eifue

Not Recommended

I was interested in this anime because I listened to the first opening theme on YouTube and grew interested in the kind of series paired with the song. I have to say it's not that impressive, and my expectation wasn't even high, the premise is very cool with the idea of eastern religious practices with magic combat though the series is centered around that, it doesn't even do a good job giving a superficial explanation, it could be the adaptation skipping on minor parts from the source material that would've fleshed out how the magics of this series worked, but I'm forced to sit ... back and accept that there's some hidden rock, paper, scissor mechanic going on.

The plot itself is left wanting as you're introduced to a set of characters that imply there's more to their appearance, but when their chance to shine as a character and develop comes it does not leave any satisfaction at all, except the main character probably. Character relationships are left to logical inferences, and power dynamics aren't elaborated. I think this anime was a waste of time and wouldn't recommend it.

Reviewer’s Rating: 4

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