Touka Gettan

First of all, don't watch this series backwards. Just don't do it. People will tell you to do it, but don't listen to them. Just like the movie Memento, this anime is meant to be watched in reverse chronological order.

The biggest reason you shouldn't watch it backwards is because episode 25 does not follow the reverse chronology time order so it will ruin the rest of the series for you. The later episodes, 19-26, are generally better than the earlier ones so if you watch it backwards, the series loses steam as it goes on.

People are tempted to watch ... it backwards because the plot is really hard to grasp in the first few episodes. Truth be told, the plot is not the main reason to watch this show. It's a decent plot full of mystery and supernatural suspense, but it has its share of plot holes and slightly jumbled plotlines. Without the unique format of the show, Touka Gettan would just be another mildly entertaining and undistinguished fantasy drama.

Watching Touka Gettan the way it's meant to be watched gives the viewer an appreciation of the way the story has been molded to fit the format. You can easily see where this format succeeds in bringing something unique to the story, and also where it fails. It challenges the viewer to reevaluate his own expectations when watching an anime. When you see a character as they are introduced into the storyline, you realize that that constitutes the end of their role in the story. Most everything they will contribute has already been covered. Instead of waiting for the last episode to see if a certain plotline gets resolved eventually, you're made to be aware of the entire lifecycle of plots being introduced and resolved as the series goes on.

Aside from the format, the anime has several things going for it. The animation is very lush and it sets a great mysterious mood. There are several episodes near the end presented in very different and unexpected ways which just adds to the quirkiness of the series. Some of the issues touched on in the show are surprisingly deep and adds a small level of discomfort which is not a bad thing. Some will be turned off by instances of really risque fanservice, but my own opinion is it just adds to the charming strangeness of it all.

Many anime viewers don't really want a challenge when they watch something. A lot of people will not bother with this show because it takes so much effort and concentration to watch it. I think if you can get over that, it's a really unique anime and a great watch for people who appreciate the more innovative side of anime.

This anime has gone through some rough criticism for it's strange content and backwards airing. But it's those things that make this an under-appreciated, under-rated masterpiece.

The art and general quality of this series is generally pretty nice. The opening is nice and mysterious with a nice song by Momoka's seiyuu that is very traditional sounding. The end animation isn't anything impressive but the song is nice and soothing, very lullaby-ish.

The characters are interesting and are put into unique situations (including staying at a haunted inn, yaoi Dojinshi, social abuse/exclusion and a yuri love triangle). Character's importance and attitude is confusing at first if you watch ... it in the airing order backwards but watching it in the original order is best as it allows you to guess and make theories about what is going on throughout the series until the very end. If you get over that and deal with some of the stranger-scenes (that some might not be comfortable with) you could end up enjoying this series greatly.

Overall, I'd recommend this to anyone who likes romance, mystery and fantasy. I'd also recommend watching it backwards in the airing order with the first episode last and the last episode first. This way, the big twist will have more effect on you.

What initially drew me to Touka Gettan was Carnelian's beautiful character designs, and I was definitely not disappointed on that front. If nothing else, Touka Gettan is very pleasant to look at.

The bottom line is that this anime is not everyone's cuppa. Touka Gettan is undeniably unique, but it's up to the individual whether that's a good or bad thing. I believe this series will most appeal to someone tired of cookie cutter anime, someone who's looking for something different.

In case you are not yet aware, Touka Gettan aired (mostly) in reverse chronological order. Now, while this is not a new concept, it is a ... rarely used device. As a disclaimer, I watched Touka Gettan in chronological order (episodes 26, 24-1, 25) because of the way my mind works, but despite this I can absolutely see the genius of the proper order.
Touka Gettan was not made and then randomly aired backwards. The order of the episodes plays on the world of Touka Gettan's concepts of time, complementing its lack of linearity. As I was watching, I considered how each scene would have been different and how the impact would have changed if I had been watching the series in reverse order, and I could see how clever it was. The beginning of the series is the end, and the end is the beginning.
So, I can't say that watching it one way is better than the other. Both ways have their positives and negatives.

Among Touka Gettan's unique characteristics is its atmosphere. I would describe it as the strangest combination of gag humor and and morbid seriousness. I'm still not sure how they got that formula to work so well.
It's hilarious in many place, adorable in others, and downright disturbing from time to time. A lot of the elements aren't things I'm normally a fan of, but somehow it all just worked.
A handful of episodes are presented in especially unique ways, and I found this an interesting way to break of the monotony of a traditional linear presentation.

Touka Gettan is not something you can casually watch; there's so much happening, so much depth. I felt like I should have been taking notes in order to keep up. The cast is moderately large, and just keeping track of who everyone was could be difficult at times.
While I was watching, I felt a number of the characters served no purpose, but after I had finished the series I discovered that most of those characters were crossover characters from Carnelian's other series, such as Yami to Boushi to Hon no Tabibito. I think the inclusion of these characters is a questionable choice as it only benefits a viewer if they're familiar with the other series, and they truly stick out in a negative way in this character-driven anime.
The relationships between all the characters are very complex, and are more or less left shrouded in mystery (I'm not sure how much of this is because they're explained in the corresponding visual novels).

So, in conclusion, many things about Touka Gettan are frustrating, but it's arguable whether those things are good or bad. You also don't get the answers to all your questions by the end, which is one of my personal pet peeves. What I enjoyed most about Touka Gettan is its uniqueness.
Overall, I think it's an anime worth watching, but you have to go in being prepared to pay attention.

Be warned that this anime contains: ecchi, homosexuality, gag humor

Ok well I went into this anime thinking that it would be sweet and heartfelt and it is but if your not ready some really gross things and i mean REALLY GROSS THINGS then don't watch i personally don't recommend this anime because of the gross things and take caution to the "rated R" because if you don't then you will end up scarred for life like i was but if you are ready then go for it...

Note: the following comes from a video review, links on my profile page.

It is playful. What it is meanders between comedy, fantasy, and romance, often all at once. It is not one aspect or another; some episodes consist almost entirely of one theme, but later combine them with not necessarily equal proportions. What it does seem to have as an underlying element is Buddhism, and this sense that the present is what matters, as in the anime when the past is thought of destructive fantasies come into fruition, and if it's the future doubt is thrown in, as in real life. Other than that, each ... episode is narratively distinct, although they all have a bedrock of characters that appear in nearly every one. It is, essentially, an ensemble cast, but some are more visible due to their specific function in the world of Kamitsumihara.

It doesn't shy away from much, which makes it fickle as a genre. Some fantasy may be comedic and serious at other times, but not many also attempt to present each story in its own specific frame, whether a theatre (and as such doubt its authenticity, in thinking the viewer is watching the watchers, but then viewers are still doing such an action outside of such a frame). It can have a meta-narrative, as per the implication that a character is also the writer, but still that somehow in-universe personalities are aware of subtitling. The latter is comedic, but the former is used more often in more serious narratives that serve as a commentary to what a 'flow' is, and how a subconsciousness may take over. The anime itself isn't told at all as simply as most other stories, and yet guises itself in typical shounen tropes, which may be distracting as to what causes this and that. Visually it synergizes with the script.

While anime like Katekyo may have stereotypical props that tell a fairly straightforward story (that can still narrate it with vigour, although more comedic), Gettan uses items like swords in a similar, but symbolic fashion. Most events are also almost metaphorical, like when the sword first appeared. This is what separates it from most shounen anime, although the comedic episodes have more similarity, despite usually ending with a supernatural twist. This is what makes this story more unique than most other anime with similar themes, along with the variable of sexuality (done in a subtle way), which isn't by itself positive or negative; it was like Inuyasha (with shrines and myths) if that wasn't so single-minded about Naraku. In far fewer episodes Gettan tries to be even more varied, and this is also evident in its music which can range from jazz to (what sounds like) harps.

Now, with regards to the average viewer's perception (as indicated by the decimals on various sites)... how exactly does a mind work? So, as long as one assumes Moonlight Lady 1 is seen by the same people as 2 (Gettan)... how? Was the prequel rated solely on how titillated one felt? Narrative and anything non-repetitive be damned? One is hentai, the other is a subtle narrative about meta-universes and existential possibilities... oh, but one can't possibly expect so much from the average viewer, can one? It's a world where Erica Friedman apparently complained it's not yuri enough. I mean, sure, it's unbelievable it even has such a prequel, so perhaps it's attracted the wrong sort of people, unable to appreciate both Yami and this.

An impressive analysis of this series was done in the book titled 'Anime and the Visual Novel: Narrative Structure, Design and Play at the Crossroads of Animation and Computer Games' by Dani Cavallaro, page 55 - after the writing about Yami. It is certainly a deep narrative that merits delving into.

First things first. My "reviews" system is explained on a blog entry. Which can be found through my profile.
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✦Story

This Anime is really difficult to review. Objectively thinking its great, but personally I disliked it a lot.

Starting with story. I love the Miko's and onmyouji type of a setup (shrines, goddesses/gods and their magic), but they have to be presented in a fun way. That was I absolutely adore them. This anime felt more of an one of those story hentai series, that I dislike as they make me feel uneasy. Same was with this anime. Putting aside it's reverse chronological air order, which gave a ... fair amount of confusion. And I guess I'm too stupid to comprehend these types of series. As I have horrid memory and forcing me to remember previous episode in order to reconstruct the present episode in my mind. Is basically impossible for me.. I have a very odd brain, just kill me regarding that.

Anyhow. Story gave really odd feeling. The endless uneasiness and a lot of weird story aspects and elements I were not fond of. It had that slow and mysterious pacing that I generally like, but this one did rub me in a wrong way. There were fair amount of balance between sexy scenes /fanservice, serious thematics and comedy aspects, which is another great point for a story element.

Lot of interesting quirks and non-standard jokes. But in the end, even if story was good/intriguing, it's effect of confusion and uneasiness is something I cannot agree/like with.

AND IGNORE TOPICS THAT TELL YOU TO WATCH IT REVERSE. That Is actually tip for any Anime, watch it in release order, not in chronological order. If Artist decided that's the way he/she wants to convey his/her work, that's the way you should digest it. Maiming such purpose, would simply make it pointless. Meaning that, watch how it's made, do not perverse it.

✦Art & Sound

I have nothing to complain about these aspects. Considering it's quite an old Anime, it still felt and looked superb. If only thing I have to criticize, which is purely personal, would be that it felt like watching around same'ish years Hentai series which had story focus. (as mentioned before, not fond of those, make me uneasy.)

Anyhow, Art and Animation was superb. Lots of shading, depth, cuteness, oddity, uniqueness, sexiness and so on...

Music and OST was absolutely stunning. A lot of emotional, fun, serious and so on tracks. Maybe I wasn't that fond of those comedic tracks, but overall it was superb. Will definitely have to separately check all the OST later and keep those I like.

✦Character
Lot of stereotypes with oddity variations, which was a nice touch. Although the relationships (various - between characters, the goddess host and the world, goddesses, goddesses and host etc... some of them were as well quite uneasy, odd in not a good way. Plus all the "sexual touching/relationships" between some of the characters also made me feel uneasy. For such an topic serious type Anime, in such presentation method, I was not fond of many things. Including "fan-service". Over time you would learn about everyone, especially weirdly since Anime aired backwards.

✦Enjoyment & Overall
Continuing from previous paragraph, the backwards airing part might be a big cause why lot of things I was not fond of / felt uneasy / disliked etc... but that doesn't change the fact aside uneasiness, I found it boring at times, disliked some plot points, character relationships and the presentation method (not the backwards airing aspect, mean as the whole, how the Anime was presented/felt as)

Really wanted to drop it with a low score. But as saying, objectively it is almost certainly not a bad Anime, simply personally I disliked it a lot. And maybe my odd cancerous brain simply couldn't process it. But that still means I'm not fond of such serious Anime where I have to re-construct it in my mind. That doesn't mean I don't love more complex anime (monogatari series, lain etc... - they are complex, but enjoyable, yet make sense for me as they are self-explanatory. I don't read into things or in-between-lines, I simply take it as it is.)

Anyhow.. most bipolar review so far. I dropped an Anime which I score 7/10 .. only Anime I have dropped so far with high score is "kirarin revolution" but that was simply because I couldn't find anywhere to watch nor subtitles thus I gave up on it.

But this one Is purely dropped because of personal enjoyment. If I'll ever get a new brain I might check it out again.