Migi & Dali — We're still shell-shocked by your loss, Nami Sano. You've been robbed from the world too soon as a young, up-and-coming mangaka who has more to offer.
If you didn't know, 36-year-old female mangaka Nami Sano passed away just recently in August battling cancer, and she didn't even get the chance to see her final work animated, which to me is a fate worse than death. And if you didn't know BETTER, she was the one behind one of anime's most pragmatic characters, who displays cool, perfect, flawless, knight-in-shining armour suave that's admired by all around him. That's right... Haven't You Heard? I'm
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Sakamoto. a.k.a Sakomoto desu ga?. Her debut short 4-volume manga serialized between August 2011 and December 2015 (not counting the one-shots published earlier), filled with the bludgeoning of school comedy and gag humour that received Spring 2016's anime adaptation courtesy of Studio Deen, in a sea of high-profile works (Bungou Stray Dogs, Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu a.k.a. Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- and Boku no Hero Academia a.k.a My Hero Academia). Still, Sakamoto stands as one of the most popular anime of that season and year to this day.
But back to Migi & Dali, which would become Nami Sano's second (and unexpectedly) final manga series serialized between July 2017 and November 2021, the anime would sadly not see the light of day until this Fall season. I (and a few others) may not know the intricate details, but the mangaka's hidden mental issues were more bleak and forthcoming than the anime adaptation, which was still in its production process at the time, and the outcome is as reported: the sickness overpowered the brilliant mind of the mangaka, who was at that point undergoing treatment and planning her new manga series, to succumb much earlier on August 5th, just 2 months shy of the anime's debut. It's truly a shock to see an accomplished person leave the world faster than expected for an author and her wish to be a mangaka since elementary school, with Mahoujin Guru Guru a.k.a Magical Circle Guru Guru being the inspiration for who she is today.
NOTE: This review will be spoiler-free because it'd be better to explain the show by watching it for yourself.
The story of a fictional Origon Village in the 1980s, which, from the outset, seems like the typical uneventful village full of houses and families doing their own shtick. However, beneath one such household lies a family who looks like a normal happy family, but it's a full-on devilish mindset of a family that sets the stage for the suspenseful, mystery thriller that will rock the entire village's sanity down to its core. And that outcome led to one unassuming family who goes by the name of the Sonoyama family, in which the old couple of grandfather Osamu and grandmother Yoko going around the village looking to adopt a child to spend their last days together with said child. But in the midst, one child caught their attention because of his alluring beauty and gentle soul, which persuaded them to "adopt" him into the household and live and breathe life like it was their last. And this boy who goes by the name of Hitori, the Sonoyamas, took great care of him like he was their one and only son, but what they do not know is that their adopted son is both an exhibiting façade and a masquerade in more than one way. And this "prodigal" son, armed with an objective and goal to seek, becomes the Unsolved Mysteries case to be resolved and find the culprits responsible for the case.
In more ways than one, as the series' title goes, the 13-year-old Hitori is nothing more than twin brothers who look the same, but aesthetically, they're two different blood-related people as well. To differentiate both brothers, Migi is the younger brother whose hair bangs are swept to the left and is the more emotional, gentle, and easily distracted of the two, while Dali is the older brother whose hair bangs are swept to the right and is the more rational, serious, and manipulative of the two. That's where Nami Sano's classic surreal comedy, grounded in "Sakamoto desu ga?" comes into play, as the Sonoyamas indulge in their innocent adopted son, only to not realize that both Migi and Dali look one and the same and always constantly swap places with each other, with no one the wiser other than the twin brothers. It's basically intelligence in the face of the fact that both Migi & Dali exist in Origon Village to do the ONE thing that they need to do: investigate the small town and find out their perpetrators of the larger-than-life story — a classic case that invokes the burning desire of both brothers for vengeance.
If there is one thing that Migi & Dali excel at, it's in the characters and their level of absurdity that they will go to commit their acts while being unpredictable for the next action of courses that hooks you at every corner. As if the twin brothers are the typical case of double trouble, the other characters have prominent roles that make the twin brothers stand out much more. From the Ichijo family, which sees both Migi &Dali spend most of their time with, and their schoolmates Shunpei Akiyama and the distinctive "beaver" Maruta Tsutsumi, to even closer, Origon Vilage's well-known housemaid Mitsuyama (better known as Micchan), all the characters have a part to play in Migi & Dali's overarching and interweaving story timeline. And as they say, the bigger the character cast, the more insane and shocking the revelations will be that's contained in Origon Village, so that not any ounce of character development is wasted or used as just a trope in this over-the-top serious business.
This is truly Nami Sano going next level with her writing skills for a self-contained manga of 7 volumes and 44 chapters long for a story that is not stretched beyond belief and kept as precise and detailed of this magnitude. And the anime that's directed by the short-form Cinderella Girls Gekijou a.k.a Theater and other iDOLM@STER series, Mankyuu has been on a rather long hiatus before coming back to direct Winter's Koori Zokusei Danshi to Cool na Douryou Joshi a.k.a The Ice Guy and His Cool Female Colleague (which is a relatively good show all around), and now with Migi & Dali as director, series composer, and sound director. And I have to say that this show is Mankyuu's biggest undertaking so far. To cover the entire manga within the span of 13 episodes is no small task. The pacing, which is supposed to be delicate, while refining the stage that will effectuate and propagate its story elements, building up until its final moments. For that, props to Director Mankyuu and his overall execution of the anime.
The one nitpick about the anime, however, is the production from the studio collaboration of Geek Toys and the small animation production house of CompTown. Sure, it doesn't look the prettiest as its main feature was supposed to be dark and gritty, but this is an aspect where the manga was the superior version, with the anime trying to look like a literate carbon copy of the source material with not much change whatsoever to retain the uncomfortable nature of its surreal comedy aspects. It's a decent effort; I'll give it that.
The music is really one of the best aspects of the anime. Utaite Soraru and Rib's OP song, while sounding like a definite bop, its visuals highlight the disturbing nature of the twin brothers, with their exquisite personalities that still make them one and the same while portraying the titular Hitori. Nulbarich's ED song is a consistent riot of sadness and hope because of its use of manga-like panels, which show the twin brothers growing up alone without their parental figure while awaiting a shining light of hope that'll get them out of their rut. Every bit of the song visuals is intentional as they come, and their lasting effects are part of why the anime is perfection.
Even though this will definitely be the last piece of visual literature that we'll see from Nami Sano, let this be the work that shines her name much more and gives her the recognition that she wholly deserves. Sakamoto desu ga? may be just as iconic, but Migi & Dali is the prized achievement of some of the most crazily intense and foolhardy failproof stories to come out in quite a long time.
A BIG thank you to Director Mankyuu and his staff team for bringing out the late Nami Sano's very last vision on the small screen. And may the late mangaka be known for her genius and unparalleled writing.
Rest in Peace, Nami Sano, and we thank you for your contributions to the AniManga industry.
Alternative Titles
Japanese: ミギとダリ
More titlesInformation
Type:
TV
Episodes:
13
Status:
Finished Airing
Aired:
Oct 2, 2023 to Dec 25, 2023
Premiered:
Fall 2023
Broadcast:
Mondays at 22:00 (JST)
Producers:
Sotsu, Toei Video, AT-X, flying DOG, Nikkatsu, Live Viewing Japan, Bit grooove promotion, NetEase, REMOW Co., Ltd.
Licensors:
None found, add some
Source:
Manga
Demographic:
Seinen
Duration:
23 min. per ep.
Rating:
PG-13 - Teens 13 or older
Statistics
Ranked:
#12232
2
based on the top anime page. Please note that 'Not yet aired' and 'R18+' titles are excluded.
Popularity:
#2372
Members:
87,217
Favorites:
572
Available AtResourcesStreaming Platforms | Reviews
Filtered Results: 35 / 40
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Your Feelings Categories Dec 25, 2023
Migi & Dali — We're still shell-shocked by your loss, Nami Sano. You've been robbed from the world too soon as a young, up-and-coming mangaka who has more to offer.
If you didn't know, 36-year-old female mangaka Nami Sano passed away just recently in August battling cancer, and she didn't even get the chance to see her final work animated, which to me is a fate worse than death. And if you didn't know BETTER, she was the one behind one of anime's most pragmatic characters, who displays cool, perfect, flawless, knight-in-shining armour suave that's admired by all around him. That's right... Haven't You Heard? I'm ... Oct 24, 2023
I don't get how people give this anime a low rating. It's by far the funniest anime this season, it's almost on the same tier Asobi Asobase and Sakamoto desu-ga. The way they exaggerate things using the twins to demonstrate the comedy of the show is just so calculated to be funny(in a good way). They don't even use exaggerated scribbly expressions to portray the funniness of each scenes which is such a good execution and I really see the similarities between Migi to Dali and Sakamoto Desuga's impossibly perfect solutions to everyday problems or over the top execution of things. I definitely recommend to
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Oct 31, 2023
I don't understand who is giving this anime a bad rating because its the most unique story line ever. It follows to boys who acts and thinks they are really intelligent but at the end of the day they are kids and are stilling working out there feelings and how the world works, under all the scheming and revenge plans. Its a fun mix of comedy and mystery, where predictable scenes always end up somehow unpredictable without too much cringe or major plot twist. Even though reactions are not realistic, its iconic and funny. Its truly one of kind and a masterpiece of the season
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Nov 4, 2023
I clicked on this by accident because I couldn’t see well and was like what is this goofy ahh thumbnail are these two sack of potatoes
Best mistake ever! It's a lighthearted, mystery, thriller that seeks to unearth the past of these twins (Migi/Dali) all while juggling the secret there are two of them. Unusual twists and occasional moments of comedic relief that'll make you go "Oh", in hindsight. The twins are young, blunt, and somewhat naiive, and this story is how they are navigating throughout their world. Even though they have the same character design, you can quickly discern them by how they talk. The ... Dec 26, 2023
Migi to Dali is truly one of the most bizarre and original anime I’ve ever seen. In an era where it seems like authors can only pump out isekai, it’s cool to see that originality still exists in this medium and the envelope can be pushed to these extremes. This is a must watch for any fans of psychological thrillers or those looking for a fresh watch.
Admittedly, I was a little on the fence with picking this one up as my workload for the fall seasonals was insane. But I am so glad I did. From the very first episode I was absolutely blown away ... Dec 26, 2023
OVERALL: It's amazing, unique, and all the plot-twists will take you by surprise. This anime had a weird mood to it on the beginning because it's so unique, but the plot, animation, character development, drama and comedy are all high quality and in sync, this anime is a true hidden gem!
STRONG POINTS: I would point out that the highest qualities on this anime are definitely character development and plot. Each scene brings out (even in extreme ways) the personality of each character, and all of them have strong traits that are an important key in the development of the plot. Not a single character comes out ... Nov 27, 2023
This anime is one of the most bizarre and insane shows I’ve ever watched, in the best way possible. The plot is a pendulum that’s constantly oscillating between outrageous, absurd comedy, and “wtf just happened” suspense/thriller, and it does a perfect job of balancing the two. At no point in time will you ever be able to guess what’s going to happen next.
The opening and ending sequences are both excellent, and the soundtrack during the show does a great job adding to the creepy atmosphere. While over the top at times, the animation is also great. If you’re looking for a show with a unique ... Jun 14, 2024
Amazing. This anime created some emotions i did not expect. The plot is super catchy and keeps you glued to the screen and the combination between creeps and sensitive is elite. You never expect the next move, but at the same it feel so natural.
The story is quite unique. it does not follow their evolution as characters, but more likely push them to change and become different individuals. Even if they are identical twins, both physically and mentally at the beginning, them getting closer to achieve their goal creates opportunities where you can clearly see them as separate personas. If you are into weird and creepy ... Dec 19, 2023
This anime is truly my favorite of this season!
Everything is so unexpected yet so fitting. The storyline is unique and creative, the art style suits the story really well, the twists and humor makes this Anime a one of a kind. Migi and Dali is a very well-written story that anyone who's interested in mystery, comedy, and thriller should watch. Watching this was an experience I would do anything for to experience again. Only geniuses could come up with something like this and I'm so grateful to the author and everyone who has worked hard for this. Thank you and rest in peace, Nami Sano. ... Feb 22, 2024
Well, this anime isn't amazing, isn't horrible, isn't fancy, isn't completely useless... It's something, yet probably you have to discover what it is, I guess.
Review can't really sum it all without spoilers. From my POV it was interesting anime but just near the end. Can't really say that first episodes would get me hooked. Anime is checking the ground around identical twins and some schemes to work with this opportunity but a lot of those ideas are not even finished in anime. There is always some good idea presented, *flop* and it's gone for the rest of the anime, which is a pitty. Last 3-4 episodes I ... Dec 1, 2023
I started watching this anime without expecting much, but it turned out to be the first anime in a long time that made me unable to sit still and just binge all the episodes that were available. I also read all of the manga and it blew me away. There were a lot of scenes that got cut out in the anime (which sucks, I know), but because I had watched some of the episodes, I could go to the manga and recognize who was who (I always got confused with which one was Dali and which one was Migi). It was an amazing feeling
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Dec 31, 2023
There are no fancy gimmicks or powers, there isn't a huge cast of characters, and the universe is small, yet Nami Sano makes excellent use of this limited world and creates a surreal, suspenseful, and emotional tale that leaves viewers at the edge of their seats wanting more.
"Less is more" is a great way to describe this anime, since the story is condensed and fast-paced, yet there's enough for the viewer to construct a tangible plot with compelling characters that feel real. This anime is also deep, exploring complex themes (e.g. revenge, brotherhood, redemption, duality) using many instances of symbolism and parallelism that could ... Jan 3, 2024
This is one of the weirdest anime I've ever seen... and it's right up my alley. This show gives dry and unexpected comedy while simultaneously telling a story of mystery, terror, and... individuality? This is a "found family" type beat but focuses on two twin brothers. I laughed out loud and shed a few tears watching this. It doesn't earn a 10/10 because there are some... questionable.... interactions that occur between the brothers. It's only 13 episodes long and doesn't leave you on a cliffhanger (season 1 is the completed story), so it's perfect for someone who wants to watch something quick. I do not
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Sep 23, 2024
Utterly Bizarre
I will say upfront that I did not enjoy watching this show roughly sixty percent of the time. It is deeply unsettling and weird. It was an uncomfortable watch and the love triangle made me wanna walk into the ocean (you will understand what I mean once you watch it). That is all specific to me, unfortunately, I think I'm generally predisposed to dislike surrealist or generally uncanny settings. For example, hunter x hunter makes me occasionally uncomfortable (nowhere near to the degree that this show does), I have very low tolerance for this genre. Anyways, the first episode comes off by far the ... Oct 26, 2023
7/10 so far out of 4 episodes. This anime has a different plot that I’ve never really seen before. It’s mysterious, clever, weird, and funny. I don’t know how two characters can be both idiots and intelligent at the same time, but I can’t wait to see how the story unravels about two brothers playing as one, discover the mystery of who killed their mother. I feel like they are trying to make it obvious that it’s possibly the adoptive parents, but then again that would be TOO obvious. The adoptive parents give off some creepy vibes like there is something else going on behind
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Jan 3, 2024
I'm going to be honest, this show is a decent show. The antics and immature innocence of Migi and Dali are both heartfelt and plain insane. The main premise of the show seems to revolve around the village and whoever murdered their mother. Which in itself is an interesting story and plot. However, most of this show seems a bit boring to me. That doesn't mean it isn't interesting or good. Usually a show is supposed to hook you by the first episode. I was skeptical by the end of the first episode and kind of didn't really care much about the theatrics of Migi
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Apr 11, 2024
This show it's a beautiful brotherood story, ye the plot is not preatty original but the whole story telling, the evolution of main characters (side character have their time too) is something you will like.
Despite I didn't like the previous opera by the same artist (Sakamoto desu ka) I've enjoyed my time watching this new serie, finally the artist gave an evolution to his characters and a meaning. In this review I would focus more on the message of the opera and not the plot (you can find tons of review 'bout that). Migi & Dali are two twin brothers, equal in appereance, equal in clothing and ... Feb 29, 2024
Migi and Dali is a textbook example of subverting viewer expectations. Be prepared for a roller coaster of laughs, suspense, surprise, and the sentimental.
I will avoid getting into the plot as it is something better to be experienced, but whatever expectations you have from even the third episode onward will be flipped upside down in the end. The writers clearly knew what they were doing, and this is shown in everything from the writing to the execution. First, the comedic timing in the show is perfect and leads to unexpected bursts of laughter. You may think it is a show where seeming gags ... Dec 29, 2023
I cannot believe this show pulled it off.
What starts as a creepy-comedy quickly devolves into ridiculous seriousness, and then into the completely deranged. There are moments of abject horror, and in the same episodes, sometimes even the same scene, there's gut-busting hilarity. With so many conflicting tones, you'd expect Migi & Dali to become a sloppy mess, but by the end it somehow manages to accomplish a perfect symphony of the absurd. It has genuine heartbreak, intriguing mystery, and a cast of wholesome and terrifying characters all wrapped up in its quirky little package. No amount of intricate analysis or review will be able to ... Oct 31, 2023
This anime so far has been really quite funny but in a very outlandish way. I really enjoy it so far and hope to follow the twins' story. The mysteries and characters have all been really intriguing. I love the way the mom says 'sh-t'. Overall 10/10 for me but for ratings sake I think this is a great anime for what it is as long as you don't take it toooooo seriously. It has its creepy moments here and there. Initially it was quite unnerving but you get used to it. I hope this anime sticks around for its entire story.
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