Kyousou Giga (TV)

Jan 2, 2014

10 of 10 episodes seen

Overall Rating: 9

Stellio (All reviews)

211 people found this review helpful

A journey into Kyousou Giga is an experience like no other. It is perhaps, out of all things, most analogous to wandering in a circus, stumbling upon the Hall of Mirrors, and coming back having witnessed a sensational light show. In other words, Kyousou Giga is a show that stands out for its use of exuberant visuals; it displays a charm that is unique and impressive.

However, looks can often be deceiving, and thankfully, this is not the case for Kyousou Giga. Admittedly, the beginning seems bizarre; lots of random, unrelated events occur spontaneously. Nonetheless, a darker narrative, which Kyousou Giga skillfully weaves with its initially lighthearted tone, later takes center stage. And not only does Kyousou Giga manage to blend these heterogeneous elements together, it does it very well. It’s like seeing a constellation of fireworks as they meander into the air, only to explode in a colorful harmony. And never before have fireworks looked so beautiful.

Set in the Mirror Capital, Kyousou Giga begins with the Council of Three. The Capital is a painting originally created by a monk named Myoue, who, gifted with supernatural abilities, can give life to anything he draws. Lady Koto, by way of Myoue’s magic and an encounter with a bodhisattva, transforms from a drawing of a black rabbit to a human, and later confesses her love to Myoue. Myoue soon reciprocates Lady Koto’s affection, and creates the Capital, as society became increasingly intolerant of his supernatural acts, to escape from reality and to foster their family. Their family is composed of three children; Kurama and Yase, created from Myoue’s drawings, and Yakushimaru, a human being. The Council of Three are the three siblings who, after the sudden disappearance of their parents, took over the Capital. One day, as Yakushimaru is observing the Capital, a lightning storm comes by, bringing in its wake an eccentric girl called Koto, who’s searching for a black rabbit.

By a storm Koto arrives, and what a storm Koto will leave. As it turns out, Koto is a catalyst for trouble and chaos. Almost every scene Koto lands on is bound to be marked by havoc: wrecked either by her whimsical tendencies or her monumental, destructive hammer. The first half of the story does an excellent job of establishing her impulsive character and the second of fleshing it out. Particularly, as the central mystery of the black rabbit is slowly unveiled, Koto begins to gain a sense of belonging. As she searches for something that’s missing from her heart, the Capital becomes her compass, her guidance, and her home. Every character she stumbles upon gradually shapes who she is, and by the end, Koto has found the ultimate bliss. Thankfully, this development is paced properly and thereby blossoms naturally.

Koto also brings about excitement to those surrounding her. Acts of kindness and acts of joy, Koto’s true talent lies with her ability to inspire change by way of her impetuous acts. Her interactions with other characters, through thick and thin, effectuate in the development and characterization for said characters. For instance, one of Yase’s notorious temperamental outrages is stabilized by Koto when, after a duel of fists, Yase is able to calm down and reflect upon the kindness around her, a kindness of which Koto offers to those who need it the most. Afterwards, although Yase does not show it immediately, she begins developing a faint, more sympathetic aura than before. Subtly, she matures from a sprout to a flower.

On another note, Kyousou Giga also enriches its narrative by paying homage to Japanese folklore and Buddhist tales. And it does so excellently. Extrapolating on folklore such as the “Moon Rabbit” or “Scrolls of Frolicking Animals," Kyousou Giga breathes life into its mystical characters—imbibing the cultural significances that are entailed by said folklores. It is as if Kyousou Giga is taking inanimate legends and rendering them into contemporary art form—as if to yield the perfect balance between faithful “adaptation” and its own creative license. Luckily, this means that even side characters—many of whom are caricatured and used as a comic relief—are given flair from the past: colorful spirits that roam around nonchalantly under Yase’s rule, anthropomorphic animals that speak human tongue, and so on. Even an ordinary motif such as the recurring paper-cut crowds from metropolis can make for a great enhancement to the vibrancy of the Mirror Capital.

The presentation is, by and large, a combination of unique visual designs and stellar direction. When likened to Koto’s wackiness, the Mirror Capital is portrayed to be full of mundane follies and mischief. Moreover, Kyousou Giga is able to, in tune with its aesthetics, construct a universe supernatural in concept, but down-to-earth in essence. There's nothing quite like the way that Kyousou Giga fills its canvas: covering it initially with unearthly shapes and vivid imagery, only to be animated by a brush that conjures lifelike wonders. The end result is an unbelievably vibrant piece of work that is both pleasing to the eye and immersed with depth. Of course, this is not without the help of backdrops that depict all four seasons of the year; from the bountiful nature of the spring to the scathing effects of the wintry snow. Similarly, the OST serves its purpose well. Powerful during action scenes and minimalistic when needed to be, the OST complements the elegant animation.

A prominent theme in Kyousou Giga is the importance of familial identity. Many characters evaluate their self-worth entirely upon the status quo of their family, and for the Council of Three, who have a dysfunctional family, that is very little. Beautiful as it may be to see Koto develop her own take on her identity, it’s perhaps more joyful to witness the subtle transformations that overcome the three. Through trials and tribulations, they find that family is more than a superficial tradition to live by. To be a family means to make mistakes. To make silly decisions, to argue about frivolous matters, and to spend time leisurely: this is what a family does. It, akin to all things in life, isn’t perfect, and Kyousou Giga tells us not to hinge or weigh ourselves based on mistakes of the past or decisions made in the future. It tells us to live freely in the present, as Koto does, and to see the silver lining in the clouds.

Much of this is expressed via the lighthearted mood of the series; the comedy and the playful tone. Koto's whimsical actions and her buffooneries, more than the purpose of entertainment, resound the central theme of living capriciously. Without Koto, the Council of Three would’ve spent eternity waiting; without change, the present stagnates. Koto’s greatest tools to inspire change are her hammer and smile. All this is to remind us to live life to the fullest, joyfully.

Kyousou Giga is an impressive anime. Rich in folkloristic imagery, wildly creative in direction, and breathtaking in visuals, Kyousou Giga is certainly one of the best anime in recent years. Even with action, drama, and fantasy, it is able to harmoniously blend these elements together without homogenizing its creative, distinct flavor. Be it fireworks, a painting, or a Hall of Mirrors, Kysousou Giga is a work that deftly conveys its messages by way of its memorable characters, narrative, and production. A journey into Kyousou Giga is an experience like no other.

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Dec 20, 2013

10 of 10 episodes seen

Overall Rating: 8

Stark700 (All reviews)

104 people found this review helpful

A dream is like an imagination. Sometimes they feel so real but other times they fade away like illusions where you’ll never be able to reach it again. But dreams sometimes can be larger than life and when we wake up, we may feel surprised. Kyousou Giga is one of those series that surprised me quite a bit despite feeling like living in a dream. It has a sense of uniqueness and style that will lure you in as if you’re in a dream world but everything feels so real.

Kyousou Giga is an animated series that is an expanded adaptation based on the ONA of the same name produced by Toei Animation. The ONA attracted enough attention that a full length TV series now stands itself to expand upon the story. Despite the story feeling like a dream, there is a real feeling of various emotions that presents this show as an extravaganza you will not forget. It’s a dream you’ll wish you won’t be waking from.

The setting of the series takes place called Kyoto. However, it’s nothing like the city as we know it in Japan. In fact, there are supernatural inhabitants sharing the same space as humans and mysterious events takes place. The city itself also has an origin that traces back its roots to some prominent characters. More importantly, we find out that its rulers are three children of this city. The series depicts of a young girl named Koto as she embarks on a journey to find her mother with the help of her two familiars.

Kyousou Giga’s story feels like a dream with a vast amount of imagery and portrayal of imaginations. Rie Matsumoto whom is in charged with the direction takes her skill of directing to an unparalleled level. The way the show handles itself incorporates many motifs and allusions. There’s the style of world crossing phenomenon between the city of Kyoto and Mirror City. Then, there is the progressing story that ties every episode together through flashbacks, feelings, and character dynamics. It’s not just about a story of saving worlds or accomplishing a goal but crafting a legend to tie its themes together for fans to remember by heart.

For the characters, this series portrays them in a variety of ways that are memorable because of their highlights whether it’s joyful or tragic. For starters, Koto can be initially seen as a young girl with an ebullient personality and a head full of curiosities. On the surface, she can be depicted as a typical tomboy whom gets into fights and arguments with others. However, deep down, she can also be an honest girl especially towards those who she cares for. Among those who she interacts with in the show includes Myoe, a young Buddhist monk that looks after them as young siblings. He is human but more importantly has a tragic past as we glimpse in various flashbacks in this show. Throughout the series, he plays the role of a guardian angel for Koto especially during her moments of despair. Usually, these results in her own insecurity and self blames for various events. With a tragic past of his own, Myoe hopes others will not fall under the same boat as him. This is seen several times throughout the series where he snaps Koto out of her dark fantasy and back into reality of what’s there. However, his own inner desire often brinks on the feeling of despair, so much that at one point he wishes to be done for. It wonderfully presents these two characters as ways we can appreciate and feel its realism despite being set in a fantasy world. That’s just the tips of the iceberg though.

Other characters such as Yase and Kurama has their own problems ranging from self-indulgence and a feeling of escapism to another world. At the apex of one event, Yase loses one such possession that she deeply cared which leaves a hole in her life to be despaired. It’s through many of the scenes of this show that depicts tragedy among the characters. Yet, the direction of the series is wonderfully presented thanks to its construction of its rich details. These include the flashbacks involving Myoe where viewers will personally glimpse at his tragic past. It creates that feeling of sorrow where character deals with loss. Losing something is never easy in life whether it’s a beloved sibling, a valuable property, or an unforgettable memory. Kyousou Giga creates an atmosphere that makes viewers feel in a way that they can hold dear.

Despite the moody atmosphere at various scenes of the series, there are also joyful moments such as the original characters in their past times. Myoe (original name: Yakushimaru) also seemed to have a happy life after being adopted. The parental feelings that the show possesses is also touching at various circumstances especially with engaging dialogues and movements of the body. The life of a past Myoe marked with a mixture of calamity and serendipity crafts a powerful story.

The action of the series also present itself well thanks to its choreography. Koto explodes into the show with energy while at the same time making her presence well known. Some of the action itself sparks with intensity with intriguing dialogues as well. The feelings often ranges to extreme during some of these action scenes such as Yase’s rage. Similarly, the comedy of the series is attractive with little gags without being overzealous on timing. No fan service. No awkward camera angles. No stupidity. It sets prestige on the entertainment value combined with humor and action that makes up itself to deliver what fans deserve.

At some instances though, the series might be a bit confusing to get engaged into. The small cast of characters can take a while to get used to. The length of the show itself also might have omitted some more important themes. Also be aware that some of the scenes from the original ONA will be reused given this set as an expanded anime series. The idiosyncratic style of the show might also not be for what everyone is used to. Sure enough, there’s the engaging dialogues but sometimes the family drama could be repetitive. All things aside, the show still explores a wide spectrum of subjects to present a wonderful experience.

The art style of Kyousou Giga is quite unique with touches of fantasy. Kyoto is depicted as a dream like city where realism is void but instead filled with otherworldly phenomenons. The characters are designed to look simple but possesses certain aspects that makes them stand out. Koto looks like an average teenage girl. Myoe is portrayed as a human and thus looks like one. On the other hand, characters such as Lady Koto and Yase gives off a vibe of supernatural. The familiars that travels with Koto also presents a feeling of fantasy.

Soundtrack wise, the series does present itself quite well. Measuring on voice acting talent, Myoe holds the title for his mannerisms because the way he tries to balance between his feelings of loss. Koto is portrayed by the queen of tsundere, Rie Kugimiya. Here, she takes on the role of a young girl filled with energy. Rather than looking for love, she is looking for her mother that is quite different than her better known roles. The OST is fairly noticeable with its powerful vibrations that covers the show’s themes. Whether they are sarcastic, eerie, or emotional, all of them are pleasurable that matches its style. Furthermore, later episodes shows an evolution of the ED songs with little gags added in to create more sense regarding our main characters. The OP song “Koko” by Tamurapan is catchy with its visual portrayals and fantasy elements. The camera rolling captures some of the characters’ body movements as well.

The end game of Kyousou Giga might not be to stick your eyes to the screen and try to absorb every single detail of the series. Instead, it’s to appreciate the style and themes with a credible setting despite being portrayed like a dream. The influences the show possesses can be touched upon Buddhism, Alice in Wonderland, and the real Kyoto itself. The direction of the story is wonderful thanks to its themes, flashbacks, and colorful cast of characters. It might even feel like a dream at some moments with all the feelings mixed in or the fantasy lives of our main characters. Still, it’s a dream you’ll wish will last forever, ever…and ever.

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Dec 20, 2013

10 of 10 episodes seen

Overall Rating: 9

xplosive59 (All reviews)

68 people found this review helpful

Every once in a while, there is a show that reminds you why you love the medium in the first place. May it be through the narrative completely enthralling you, the story resonating with personal events or just because it strikes a chord and makes you emotionally invested in what is going to happen. Kyousougiga is that show, and to me it is something that you can only really find in this medium.

One of the first things to notice about Kyousougiga is that this is not the first Kyousougiga anime. The original was released in 2011 and was a 1 episode long ONA produced by read more

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Jul 14, 2014

10 of 10 episodes seen

Overall Rating: 9

pakoko (All reviews)

62 people found this review helpful

Kyousougiga is like a book you randomly stumble upon that you end up reading until you finish it in one-go. Amidst the wide array of classics, bestsellers, and other popular books, Kyousougiga as a book would stand out quietly, waiting to be discovered. And for those who do eventually discover it, Kyousougiga rewards them with a refreshingly original and beautifully heartwarming story.

One peaceful night, a tomboyish girl named Koto accidentally crashes down into the “mirror capital” named Kyoto while chasing a magical black rabbit. In this weird city that models itself after the old medieval Kyoto, Koto discovers her three long-lost siblings that have read more

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Jun 4, 2015

10 of 10 episodes seen

Overall Rating: 6

Pylae (All reviews)

26 people found this review helpful

Beautiful artwork, disappointing plot development.

Watch only if you don't mind unexplained motivations and emotional scenes that carry very little weight (due to unexplained or weak motivations).

It could be just me and my preference for certain types of plots, but I thought this held a lot of potential and was disappointed as a result. Reserving the reveals for the end left it feeling like a confused, mish-mash attempt at an ending with loopholes to make it work. It simply wasn't believable, even given the myth-like feel that it has.

There's beautiful artwork and an interesting plot line surrounding a very strange family (to say the least). The read more

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Apr 18, 2015

10 of 10 episodes seen

Overall Rating: 10

eririri (All reviews)

24 people found this review helpful

Trotting down a dimly lit stairway lost in worries, walking hurriedly along a corridor seemingly without end, you come across a painting - a feast of colours and of animals frolicking, the flickering of faint candlelight casting on it a breath of life. Such a contrast it is to the pale grey walls, such bewildering emotions it instils, so incongruous with the world it’s in; such is Kyousougiga. Set in the Mirror Capital of Kyoto, an amalgam city of old and new, a world where the boundary between man and god is blurred, is a story of a family coming into terms with each other. It is the tale of lives imbued with untamed strokes and vivid hues.

It starts with the departure of Myoue and Koto, father and mother, to a realm unknown, leaving their children with a promise to one day return with the beginning and the end in tow. The once idyllic family life is torn apart, and thus begins the magical story of Kyousougiga.

The heart of Kyousougiga is family values, a return to the simpler joys in face of the looming anxieties of life. We are all brought up to face the responsibilities and demands of reality, to bust our bubble of idealism and to be bereft of innocence. Indeed, didn’t we all face the woes our protagonist Koto does, when we were slowly piled under duties and expectations without understanding them, when we only wanted to live a simple and joyous life? Kyousougiga is a reaction against the industrialized society in which so many are weighed down by utilitarian worries and the monotony of working life.

As if a direct contrast to the grey high-rises and symmetry which lines our streets, the world of Kyousougiga is filled with various architectural styles and imagery. The environment is based primarily on old Japan, but anachronistic elements like western castles, futuristic technology, and even arcane ribbons fluttering in the sky, infuse this world with a dreamlike vivacity unlike anything else. The art is drawn with wild strokes and vibrant colours, movements with fluidity and reckless rapidity, and facial expressions with unrestrained expressiveness. The lively world of Kyousougiga and the ebullient tone of the series is an antithesis to our excessive rationality; it is a reflection of our imagination which was once so unbridled and unconforming.

Yet, all of us are bound to face the pressures of reality. Myoue’s and Koto’s departure were inevitable, and the siblings each find their own ways to cope with this loss. Yase, half demon, half a spoiled princess, consoles herself in reminiscence and nostalgia. Devastated by her loss, she can only accept and mourn in this fate. Sifting through old memories of her mother, she longs for times long past, reaching ever further for the beginning. Kurama, the eldest sibling, prodigy and visionary, sets his sights on the future. Following his father’s will, he innovates new technology and organizes Kyoto with hopes to one day find a means to break out of it, to grasp the end. Young Myoue, heir of his father, deals with their departure through indolence and indulgence. Utterly dejected yet unwilling to admit it, he spends his days in denial of his grief and in escape from his duties. Thus lives this melancholy triad in their unassuming bubble, disunited and unable to fill the emptiness of their heart.

Then there is our protagonist Koto, youngest of the siblings and a headstrong fool of a girl. Alienated by her surroundings and unsure of her identity, yet never willing to display her vulnerabilities and always bursting with energy, she ventures into the mirror capital with the mission of finding her mother. Down the rabbit hole she falls, and she shall experience the full extent of the joys and sorrows of growing up, of the mounting pressures and of expectations unfulfilled.

Through all this turmoil Koto remains strong; her constant smile and foolhardy attitude disturbs as much as it inspires those around her. She is unconcerned with the past or future and lives the present to the fullest, be it helping others or making unreasonable demands. With hammer in hand, she smashes the boundary of worlds and confronts the parents who deserted them. Kyousougiga is about living in the present; to confront reality, stare into it eyes, and see the all colours about you. It is about reconciling the bubbles of our wistful imagination with the harsh world around it through the help of those around you. Myoue and mother Koto love their children immensely; they scramble all their resources and some more to give their children love, care, and a world where they are provided all that they need. Yet, they neglect their foremost duty as so many parents nowadays do – to always be there for their children.

Indeed, “Coming home five minutes earlier than usual,” says Koto as she plants her forgiving fist into her father’s cheeks, “that sort of thing is love!” Kyousougiga is not just lively in tone, its very essence is one which breathes life into the viewers. It is a fairytale of vibrant colours and simple joys, of familial troubles and love likewise. It truly is that brilliant painting of which a fleeting glimpse you catch, but an enduring impression you get.

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Dec 23, 2014

10 of 10 episodes seen

Overall Rating: 10

Cosmicblaze454 (All reviews)

20 people found this review helpful

Kyousougiga is a family show, not the Simpsons type or something like that. Although it mirrors a lot from Summer’s Uchouten Kazoku. Kyousougiga is definitely its own thing. A show that is universal in meaning.

I always thought that Kyousougiga is Uchouten Kazoku in Ikuhara style.. Its a little weird but heartwarming show. Kyousougiga is a all about a broken family. Children and parents want to go back to each other.

While Kyousougiga is a show that has a fantastic worldbuilding I don’t really think Kyousougiga is interested in that. It is interested in this certain family we are talking about. Its characters also have this read more

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Feb 14, 2015

10 of 10 episodes seen

Overall Rating: 8

Vinnocence (All reviews)

16 people found this review helpful

I'll just say this first thing.
This is the second time I have watched the anime, and I am not one to do repeats of things. Let's get right to it then.

You need to appreciate that not everything can ever be explained to you, or simply, just won't. There is nothing wrong with trying to find answers, but things either just can't be explained, or more in this anime case won't be explained. You also just sometimes need to let go and... Listen...

However, to the credit of the anime, the things that are not explained in enough detail are the, let's say side parts of the whole setup.. This story has many things. Parallel worlds, a few days of the year where items you don't want can be tapped on and sent into a floating line of things into the sky, demons and people living together harmoniously, to name some things. These are to set up the world, to make it an interesting place to live, for our thankfully just as interesting cast.

Meet Koto, a girl who is searching for a black rabbit. Meet 3 individuals, all related, though they look nothing of the sort, who are looking for a part of their family, and out of the 3, meet Myoe, a monk who has to put up with many things he isn't sure how to deal with...

Well, I won't say anything else, but to be fair, the first few episodes of the anime fill you in enough to get the idea... Which is fortunate, since this series, if you count the bonus episodes not apart of the main series, is only 13 episodes long, and that's 3 episodes of none story, though they are related to it, disregarding what the episode count tells you on here.
The biggest draw of this anime is the focus on, oddly enough, family. Yes, the world is interesting and unusual, if very similar to our own in many ways, and the way it looks is a visual treat, but at the end of it all, it's about family love, and that in itself is such a rare thing for virtually any series to focus on. This is where the anime does well, as one would hope for.

The main characters get an episode each to look at their past and to see how they are, and they are well developed enough to appreciate them and are a likable cast, and rather unusual at that, though I won't spoil it for you.

Again, I will point out to the visuals, which are bright, colorful and fun to witness, and at times surreal. The animation itself is energetic, and brings enough life to the characters and scenarios, and the style of the characters aren't the typical anime style one can see so often, but are close enough to not draw people away from it, so it's a pleasant mix. Pleasing to the eye is a nice way to put the character designs. Distinguishable, perhaps just a tad plain for some of them, especially the non main characters, but overall you will recognize each one, and will unlikely get them mixed up with other anime characters.
The music, though it can be repetitive due to it's limited nature, is good despite how often some songs play. They are good enough so that you won't feel annoyed every time it is put on. They knew what they wanted with the soundtrack, and none of the songs feel like they are out of place. You will come to like some of them, hopefully.

If I could give concerns to this anime, and believe me, this isn't a perfect experience, it would be that... It really needed a couple of more episodes to it. Like I said earlier, not everything can, or just won't be explained in this case to you, and while the anime overall feels fine without these explanations, it doesn't stop it from feeling lacking in places. Just an extra episode or two would have answered many questions, and would have perhaps given a bit more to the world the characters are in, and maybe even more to the characters themselves, which are well done all the same in consideration to the series length.

Overall, besides the lack of a few extra episodes to add some more to the world via explaining things, and the rather repetitive if good music, there really isn't much wrong with this anime. It was a blast enough that I re-watched the series, and had fun with it again. It's a fun, surprisingly heartfelt anime about family love, and if you expect this if nothing else, then you will enjoy it nicely. Think of it like a story you have just discovered, but cannot put down...

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Dec 21, 2013

10 of 10 episodes seen

Overall Rating: 8

TripleAOneE (All reviews)

14 people found this review helpful

"Unpredictable" is the best way to describe this anime, which is a strange quality to found nowadays in almost all media, and for that I'm appreciative. The way everything goes and how the characters respond to their surroundings, in their own looney way, makes it all a little more confusing at the beginning but not less enjoyable.

The anime is based on a 2011 & 2012 ONA of the same name, but it is not really necessary to watch them first to understand the story, since the anime itself replays some of the scenes on the ONA and makes them make sense afterwards. Still, I recommend to watch them in order to make yourself an idea of what to expect or simple enjoyment.

The story is pretty unpredictable and, even in its "I saw it coming" moments, can pull out a game-changer. Because of its length it is fast-paced in the beginning, pulling out the brakes on the second half, so the viewer can understand what's going on, explaining the world a bit and giving some in-sight on the main characters. Another strong point comes from the broken timeline chronology in which the story is told, jumping from present to past and viceversa in no time. This helps to explain some things that can be confusing at first or make no sense at all if left like it happened just because it happened.

Now, the story may be good and all, but it still left a lot of things unexplained or explained in an unsatisfactory way. The show tends to suffer from this a lot and that wastes a lot of potential that could be used to make a better story, at least in the emotional background.

The characters are good, that's all. They are not memorable and some of them can be really dull. It's a shame since some of them have potential to be better but rather are left unused or left to be comedic relief. The major development is handled by the main characters and their relationship with each other. Still, it sometimes feels like they could be developed a lot more, but the way they're handled to the viewer is good enough to grasp a bit of understandig towards them.

On that account, Koto is shown as a playful kid but once there is some situation that needs a better handling, she plays her part.
That goes the same for the other main characters. I'm talking about Myoue, Inari, Lady Koto, to name a few. Their relationship with each other, and the reason it is like that, plays a big part in the story and on them as characters, although they suffer from the common tropes, such as the loving mother, the carefree guy, the tsundere, etcetera, but that is just common nowadays, and should not be a real problem.

The world in Kyousou Giga could be considered a character itself, especially since the biggest part of the story unfolds in it in a way that shows that the Mirrror Capital (which is based on Kyoto and receives it's name for being a copy of the original. Both exist in the anime) is more important than it really looks at first sight and it is reflected directly in the main characters, who know how important it is the world but maybe not in the way that it really is important.

The art is great and refreshing, not caring to show some exaggerated things in a looney cartooney way and, at the same time, caring to keep accuracy on the city they based the Mirror Capital on. The character designs are good and flow greatly with the world, as if they were meant to be in there and that makes it a special touch.

The sound is good, but it sometimes may be overlooked a bit because it can't be noticed as you're immersed on the story and trying to understand it at the same time. This is good because it is not intrusive nor annoying at any rate. Even like that, I cannot classify it as beautiful, but it is not bad either.

After all, it is a good anime and once you can understand the argument its crazyness makes sense. It feels sometimes that it deserves more attention and is overlooked a lot. In my opinion it is one of the best animes this season and it deserves an opportunity to stand for itself. It has its own weak points and they really wasted a lot of potential that could've been used to make it a masterpiece, but that doesn't render it as a bad show, not even by a bit.

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Feb 3, 2019

10 of 10 episodes seen

Overall Rating: 9

HoundOfLove (All reviews)

4 people found this review helpful

Let's be clear, I love this show. It is a shame that this isn't more popular, since it may be one of the best anime we've witnessed in this decade.
First things first, this has feels everywhere, because it isn't an anime about comedy nor fantasy; it is an anime about nostalgia... about the feeling of nostalgia and the happiness that comes from our family. And it's undoubtable how plain beautiful it is, plus I am a person that loves spending time with my family, so I find very easy to empathize with the character's feelings.
Here it should be where I randomly copy and paste the synopsis, and try to explain it (there is literally a 30 minutes video explaining the premise) and I make you want to click the "not helpful" button... but I find that every one that thinks that it is necessary to do that is just completely overthinking it. You only must know that this is a family drama in a fantasy setting, and even though some of you may find a waste to use a fantasy setting for an anime like this, you are completely wrong. This manages to be a highly memorable experience, because they chose using a lot of symbolism and visual metaphors to make this as compelling as it can get. Look, just imagine that we decide to cut all the fantasy elements. The show wouldn't be so special, and loose some of the appeal it has, and while others may argue that it sucks because without the fancy visuals and atypical universe it is empty; you are being completely unfair (and even then, it wouldn't be empty lol). You can't just judge whatever you want from any piece of art so you make it look worse, in fact, you should be clapping, since they achieve making this more cohesive by having every aspect of the series complementing the narrative. Continuing with the looks, the designs are pleasant to my eyes and they are diverse; they all have different skulls, wear clothes that are away from the generic and even the way the character is designed and constructed visually changes from character to character (while still being fitting). The color choices are outstanding, creating a vivid world and quickly making us interested in it that reminds me of Alice in Wonderland. The animation is fluid 95% of the time, being the exception to the rule that awful scene where Inari and Koto are walking. And that is as far the issues I have with the show visually go.
Sound-wise, it goes with the series, being the sound effects cartoony and the voice acting startling; which isn't really my cup of tea usually, but I can forgive it because of the optimistic and fanciful presentation. The music is complementary but memorable, and for what it is, it has a lot of presence, to a level where it isn't dwarfed by the top tier visuals. Rie Tatsumoto's directing is just pure maestry, harmonious, but every department is still amazing standing alone... and this wouldn't matter if we didn't have good writing.
What you must get from this show is the message, since storytelling-wise, everything follows a multicolored thread that shows you the path to this particular life lesson. KG answers to the question "What is family?" giving an answer another anime such as Nisemonogatari and Penguindrum didn't. Penguindrum tells you that a family is a bunch of people that you would give your life for, Nisemonogatari on the other hand is pretty straight forward; "a family is the people you can believe in and trust". In an optimist yet mature way, Kyousou Giga sits down and tells you family is those that you love unconditionally. If you thought Yase and Kurama aren't humans just because, I must tell you that you're wrong. I don't have any relationship with adoption, but it is just heartwarming seeking that character chemistry. There's an specific quote that clicked on me and serves as a great summary to Giga's thesis: "It was a weird family, but a happy one". The immesurable strenght this sentence has amazes me even 9 months after watching it for the first time, and it didn't feel corny because we've been fondling us with the characters through all the anime. This show feels like a macedonia of nuances about what's essentially family. Adoption, maternity, brotherhood, love and the feeling of wanting to feel like you are home make Kyousou Giga the gem it is; but it wouldn't be that if it wasn't for the great characterization the characters have.
From Koto's perspective, family is something she's had but that made her focus on the future, to then be able to look at the past. This is a huge constract with the three members of the assembly, that think they can't do anything but wait until their parents come back. Koto is all about charisma, and a gorgeous contrast with Myoue, who's calm and fussy. They form an organic and genuine relationship that proggressively develops. Yase, is someone that can't live without family and that's anchored to her past (something we see in a touching scene with the best kind of visual exposition). Myoue is the most complex one in between them all, having a peculiar mindset -yet believable and justified-. He gradually realizes how hard life is both overall and daily without a family, without those you can rely on. Inari is a protective father that feels guilty because he didn't have the chance to give his family all his attention, and all those characters and even more come all together in a well structured drama full of humanity. It may be chaotic, but it is consistent. And before closing this review, I must defend the infamous conclusion. Everyone seems to prefer an ending where it doesn't go so well for the characters, but... wouldn't it be contradicting the tone, then? The anime was consistently enthusiastic about family and a tragic ending wouldn't have been as good because it would be a betrayal to everything it states. Unsatisfying to many, but still an undeniably solid conclusion. You must watch it. You may like it or you may not, but at least I can say I fell deeply in love with this eccentric family <3.

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Oct 20, 2014

10 of 10 episodes seen

Overall Rating: 9

czxcjx (All reviews)

10 people found this review helpful

The analysis on the theme of family and the gushing over animation has been done to death. Neither do I want to touch on the religious influences since even though its based on a whole load of Buddhist myth and spiritual symbols it isn't really a religious show. Anyway reviews based around discussion on themes, character, animation or analysis of plot cohesion are boring and miss out on a lot of other areas that are important in the formation of a work. Animation, the multi-medium, subsists well in a harmony of all spheres, which means no sphere can be neglected to form a cohesive work.

Let's go on a strange tangent here and go after 'texture'. By texture I'm speaking in a largely sonic sense of the term. The fact is that in the end one can grapple at the various technical qualities of the medium but in the end we still hinge our decisions on everything 'human'. Voice is an issue. The whole sub-dub debate is more or less based around the idea that texture is significantly damaged when translated into another language due perceived lackluster voice actors or just actors who aren't able to grasp the texture of the words that were so strong in the original. Texture is an important element of music, especially punk music which isn't that strongly innovative in melody and has to rely on all warped and charged forms of speech to enhance the overall piece. We wouldn't have Unknown Pleasures without Ian Curtis and his jittery schizophrenic tunes. Though Soft Bulletin is one of my favorite albums it never gets too high because I think that at certain moments Wayne Coyne's fragile nasally voice undermines the lushness of the arrangements. This is also the whole divisive point behind metal - the inability to appreciate harsh texture.

While lyricism and melody is the 'technical' side of the song, texture is the 'human' side. Same goes for animation. Aku no Hana, in my opinion, falls on the account of the seiyuu's castrated tone. Shinji Ikari rises up exactly because his VA is able to be so shrill and anguished even in his most shrill and Oedipal moments. The English VA of Shinji Ikari falls on the same reason the Aku no Hana VA does.

Yet texture is a strange and highly subjective notion that's derived from a lot of unseen variables. One man's anguish is another man's emo-squealing. Do we want an emotional angsty Hamlet or do we want the antics of a Tennant or a Brannagh? There's also the problem of exoticism. The fact is that we are harder to suspend disbelief with languages that we are more familiar with simply because we have a greater grasp of what is sincere and real. Of course the more we know a language the more too we can grasp it poetically and tonally but it sure as hell undermines the texture of those more honestly emotional works. Another reason why the most melodramatic works translated over to English suffer from severe translational setbacks. There's also a whole load of linguistic baggage that may have their own insidious influences on texture perception (Japanese lack of stress in their language versus English stressed words may form differences in the thought structures of nations; I don't think anyone has done a psycholinguistic study of language yet). There's also cultural differences and all the different context setting stuff inherent in the split among cultures. Just compare Daria with its Japanese equivalent Yahari. The key to unlocking texture is no easy pickle.

Now lets get to Rie Kugimiya. Being a vet in the industry, and being at the forefront of one of the most texture-dependent emotional romance dramas (Toradora) makes her basically one of the major experts at voice modulation in the industry. Texture is the difference between "why do I care about the lives and love flings of these bunch of characters?" and "the lives and love flings of these bunch of characters feel so existentially real to me". Toradora in particular is a stripped down psychodramatic romance plot based entirely around the unfolding of character interactions, which means based more on speech and exchanges (and not just the quickfire Bakemonogatari-esque exchanges of Nisio Isin but psychologically and emotionally rigorous speeches aplenty). It also helps that Rie has a sort of high pitched candy-like texture that straddles the line between wailing child and shrill anguish during her most cathartic moments and acts as 'awwwww'-bait in her most heartwarming moments. In this case though the texture is perfectly synced with the form. Koto is a cutesy erratic mischievous heartwarming filial 14 year old and it feels real when she talks to her parents, or when she has fun with the inhabitants of the Mirror Capital, or when she feels so lost in the world that she cries, or when she experiences a particularly serene transcendent moment. Personality syncs with Rie's vocal texture which also syncs with the vibrant action filled art style. Koto IS the embodiment of the violently playful world of Kyousogiga because she is the harmonious chord which the whole song hinges upon. Without Koto to reorient the world back into its normal self we would feel lost at the sudden change in tone when dealing with the darker sides of Yakushimaru's past. She is the human element that grounds the vibrant formality of the whole show.

Daria, which I mentioned earlier, is a bible of using distinct voices to convey character. Basically every single character has drastically different textures matched with their own drastically different personalities. When you can tell a character from a variety of characters based on their voice alone you know you've achieved textural variety.

Texture, the lesser noticed core component of animation. Start listening. (Incidentally the worst cry I have ever heard in the world comes from that absolutely terrible embarassing bawling that comes from the ending moments of Infinite Ryvius)

On a side note this seems to be the second time I've heard post-hardcore math rock used in an anime OP or ED (first being Psycho-Pass & Ling Tosite Shigure). I wholeheartedly support the idea of wider varieties of soundtracks to increase textural variety. Zankyo no Terror worked with its transcendent dreamy motorcycle ride and FLCL is basically nothing but fuzzy alt-rock power pop, so we need our shoegaze, post-punk, folk, indie and alt rock soundtracks to give us something new.

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Aug 26, 2018

10 of 10 episodes seen

Overall Rating: 9

Eonothem (All reviews)

3 people found this review helpful

[A super vague review for those that wish a recommendation and going in blind]
Absolutely beautiful. The show started losing me half-way through with an explosive and bizarre beginning, and ending only more bizarre. Everything got confusing yet made sense at the same time, wrapping up a complex and heart-warming story in only 10 episodes!

A show best enjoyed disregarding whatever first impression you might've received for it, as it's genres don't define or give justice to this show at all. If it doesn't look appealing to you, try letting it slide and giving this show a chance, as 10 episodes isn't a whole lot.

The read more

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Jan 14, 2015

10 of 10 episodes seen

Overall Rating: 9

skysonglark (All reviews)

8 people found this review helpful

At first glance, Kyousogiga looks like a version of Alice and Wonderland or Alice Through the Looking Glass, but it abandons that premise fairly early on. The part of the show that stood out for me was the characters. Kyousogiga is the story of an unusual family and the bonds that tie them together, hold them up and sometimes pull them down. The main focus is on young Koto and Myoue, both of whom are characters with a lot of depth. The secondary characters are also very well thought out and do a lot to create the show's world.
Which brings me to setting. Looking Glass read more

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Jan 23, 2015

10 of 10 episodes seen

Overall Rating: 8

Beghty (All reviews)

8 people found this review helpful

If you have ever taken a mythology course or simply read some stories about ancient creationist myths, then you are familiar with accepting the way things happen with no real deep explanation as to why. We accept great happenings as being okay because usually they involve gods or very simply the notion of them is so charming or ridiculous that we let it slide for the enjoyment of the story.

Kyousougiga most resembles what seems like its' own creation myth. This is a story involving gods, and multiple planes of existence, jumping across dimensions read more

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Jul 26, 2016

10 of 10 episodes seen

Overall Rating: 6

BasementOtaku (All reviews)

7 people found this review helpful

Kyousougiga (6/10): There is my rating, if you want to know more about my rating system check the description down below. Time to dive into my potentially spoiler filled review.

This show initially drew me in with its unique designs but I stayed for the very unique world. The main issue is that even after finishing the show and watching the recap episode 10.5 I am still a little lost. The show tries to wrap it all up with “don’t worry the child of a god who is also kind of a god made everything so any oddities or inconsistencies you notice are not a read more

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Dec 24, 2013

10 of 10 episodes seen

Overall Rating: 9

Metsuryu (All reviews)

7 people found this review helpful

This anime is really odd. There is definitely nothing out there that could maybe even be considered similar - and that's why I loved it. (Note: this review is only based off of this series, I have not watched any of the other ONAs)

Story - 9/10
This anime throws you into a world and takes no time to explain anything. This could go horribly, horribly wrong - or it could leave you intrigued and wanting more. For the first couple of episodes I had only speculations as to what was going on - yet, I still enjoyed it more than anything else I was watching. This anime is somewhat similar to Bakemonogatari, where you should probably pay attention to even the smallest of details if you want to fully immerse yourself in this fast-paced series.

I rated the story a 9 because although I enjoyed it a ton, there are some things that they maybe could have spent even 5 minutes or less elaborating on, and the timeline was somewhat confusing - sometimes you would go back into the past for 10-15 minutes, then return to the present. There WOULD be title cards throughout the episode, yet I still found it hard to place events in certain timelines. Also, this anime kind of throws things in your face and forces you to accept them without any explanation, which is generally good, but again, it could have been elaborated a little more.

Art - 8/10
It fits perfectly with this anime. There are tons of colors and it seems to mix different clashing "styles" in order to portray certain things. You'll probably notice this as you watch. For example, the non-important "people" in the mirror world are portrayed as blocks of color, which works with the anime because it just goes to show how odd this place is. Overall, a lot of the art is really beautiful.

Sound - 8/10
The OP is definitely one of my favorites - I never skipped it once. The ED works with the anime, and although I didn't enjoy it as much as the OP or some other EDs, I still liked it. The OST isn't amazingly outstanding, although it is very nice and there aren't any points that I can recall where the sound was odd or anything.

Characters - 8/10
They are all really interesting, and each of the siblings (Yase, the demon; Kurama, the monk; and Myoue 2.0, the priest) get their own arc which expands on each of their own personalities. All of the characters that were introduced were at least somewhat interesting - I even enjoyed learning about some of the "extras" in the show, which didn't even have names. While I enjoyed Koto, Yase, Myoue 2.0, Kurama, Shoko, and the other residents of the Mirror Kyoto, I found the parents very odd. The premise is that the father created a "mirror" world which he lived in with his wife and 3 kids, yet one day the parents just disappear for some reason. Their motives for disappearing are never really explained, and their connection to little Koto is kind of just thrown at you without really explaining any of the reasoning (true Kyousougiga style).

Enjoyment - 9/10 + Overall 9/10
(I apologize, I've combined these sections because imo they are connected)

I enjoyed what this anime had to offer. I've given it a -1 because, although there are some parts where the anime is intentionally confusing you, there are several where the anime expects you to NOT be, yet unfortunately, you still might be.

There is definitely nothing out there like Kyousougiga, so if you're reading this and think that you might want to try it, go for it. It's really only 9 episodes (I'm not counting the "voice actors visit real Kyoto!" episode, which called episode 5.5 but sometimes listed as 6, yes, true to the anime itself sometimes the episodes are listed as different numbers), so you could finish it in 3 hours if you're really dedicated. Give the first two or three episodes a shot, and see if you want to learn more.

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Jan 23, 2015

10 of 10 episodes seen

Overall Rating: 8

Quan_ (All reviews)

7 people found this review helpful

[Adapted From Original Blog Post]

Popularity is a really strange thing, no matter what entertainment medium you ask. In movies, we've always got horrible things like Transformers that make about a billion dollars during opening weekend. In gaming, the watered down, tiresome endless stream of sequels to the same repetitive modern war FPS's. And of course, in anime. It's weird how, let's be fair, crap like Sword Art Online, Date A Live or Elfen Lied can be talked about so constantly. Or how Bakemonogatari, an anime you'd think half the population of planet Earth would just turn and run at first sight of it, is probably read more

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Apr 28, 2017

10 of 10 episodes seen

Overall Rating: 9

kokuborou (All reviews)

4 people found this review helpful

Kyousougiga review

A story about family, death and how precious life is.

Story 9/10
This anime was a breath of fresh air, beautiful symbolism used and characters that are the story in Kyousougiga.
The story portrays the creation of our world and universe from the bible . We have six characters that symbolize how the universe was created in 6 days by god.Its about creation of life and how much effort and time is needed to create a life. It also shows how precious and short life is.

The anime focuses on family and portrays the human drama inside every family. It shows how kids are abandoned by their parents read more

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Oct 26, 2016

10 of 10 episodes seen

Overall Rating: 10

Popka (All reviews)

5 people found this review helpful

It always sounds so pretentious to say that a work is only made more perfect by its imperfections. At best it seems like a meaningless, sophomoric word game; at worst it seems like you're trying to make whatever you're talking about immune from criticism. But I can't say why I love Kyousougiga so much without doing that, so there you go.

I'll at least be specific: when I say "imperfections" I'm talking about the obscurity of how the story is laid out; the slight visual inconsistency (the final scenes of episode 4, for example, are animated by a different person than episode 7's climax, and Koto's design is quite noticeably different in each); the first 5 episodes' insularity and consequent lack of sense that the narrative is progressing; and the way all the pertinent facts are finally revealed in one massive, unwieldy monologue that suddenly telescopes the scale and is also almost too much to take in all at once.

The reason I appreciate all these things so much is mainly because of the show's setting. The Mirror Capital is full of anachronisms and looks like it's made of paper cutouts. We know from the outset that it's a drawing come to life, and it looks like it. This comes across as self-reflexive to an extent, but really what I get out of it is just that the Mirror Capital was deliberately constructed by someone. It's a world made by parents for their children.

That's plainly obvious in episode 3, when Inari takes Kurama around the capital and tries to give him the means to pursue his interests. It's not an original or uncommon idea that parents will try to build a world for their children both to protect them and to foster their interests. Nor is it surprising that eventually, children want to leave that world.

It probably wouldn't surprise anyone to observe that Kyousougiga is about kids trying to escape a world constructed by their father's egoism and fear. (I happen to really dig that kind of thing.) But Koto (the little one) really makes the difference for me. Her conception was itself an act of rebellion on Inari's part, but she ends up being the one to resolve the consequences of his rebellion. She doesn't go totally over to the other side, of course; she doesn't submit to the Shrine's high priest.

Even though Inari's rebellious bent is behind the show's entire conflict, it's the reason why Koto, Yakushimaru, Kurama, and Yase exist. And he does love them, even if his love is imperfect. When they try to escape from the Mirror Capital, they're not rising to some kind of greater reality; the Mirror Capital is as real as the other 12 spheres, in the end. They're reacting to Inari's imperfections, and they'll bring that with them wherever they go. Even if kids leave their parents' world, their perspectives can still be influenced by the contrast between their parents' world and the countless other worlds out there.

Inari gave all his kids specific purposes, and they don't betray those purposes. But they do own them and direct them all toward their own ends. It's what lets Kurama be a great governor and inventor, what lets Yase provide a home for all the bizarre monsters that live in the Mirror Capital, and what lets Koto fight back against the Shrine. It's also something Yakushimaru struggles to do, but he gets help from his siblings (and NOT from Inari).

The constant interplay of imperfections lets everyone in Kyousougiga constantly develop and embrace their lives. Even if Koto's design is more angular and exaggerated in episode 4 than episode 7, it serves the scene well; even though the first episodes are insular and without momentum, the way they contrast with the latter episodes speaks to how the characters' lives change after the Mirror Capital is opened; and even if Inari's big reveal at the end is awkward and mind-boggling, it's easy to see it for what it is: a "dropping of the scales," when kids first have to really see their parents as fallible.

That's why one of my favorite scenes in the show is when a young Koto, crying in the middle of the night, finds out her dad can also cry. Her strength, and the way her strength ultimately comes to be what Inari really needs, comes not just from how he nurtured and taught her; it comes from how they were able to share something in their imperfections.

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May 23, 2015

10 of 10 episodes seen

Overall Rating: 9

TikiTDO (All reviews)

4 people found this review helpful

Kyousou Giga is an exploration into storytelling, mixing mythology, sci-fi, and a rich cast within a whimsical yet still believable world.

The plot is presented in a compact episodic form, exploring just a single aspect each time, in a matter not dissimilar from the Game of Thrones. It catches all the right notes, managing everything from happy and whimsical, to sad and melancholy, from lighthearted to serious and back again, all in a natural way. The setting is both believable, and utterly impossible; combining humans, gods, and beyond.

The art is vibrant and cheerful, though not too detailed. This only adds to the tone of the read more

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