- by Shimogamo, Yasaburou, 3rd Son of the “Great Tanuki of Kyoto”, Shimogamo, Souichirou
Uchouten Kazoku or Eccentric Family is a story about a strong family bond that is pure, heartwarming, and inspiring to see. Because of this show bizarre premise, it caught me off guard. I thought this show will be a goofy, comedic, and nonsensical type of show. But it’s the complete opposite. It is a serious, well-structured piece that is consistent from start to finish. It is a work deserving of praise of its own.
The show is pretty slow-paced in introducing and establishing its cast of characters. Even though the show has only had 13 episodes to work around it, It not only it manages to introduce them in a natural passion but set-up a firm foothold on how important they are in illustrating important plot point, in only a short amount of time. This is impressive script writing. For every character, we meet and every interaction they make expands the audience's understanding of the story. It gives us time to know each character properly even though they express more on action rather than words. It is a great example of showing who your characters are in anime format.
Sometimes monologues and dialogues are not much needed in describing your characters. By understanding their behavior and action is more than enough for you to care for them. The show does on occasion use internal monologues and dialogues in describing certain scenarios and characters at the start and before the ending. But they are not lazily used to spoon-feed its audience but rather confirm what the audience perceives and gains in the story. This adds value to the words the character says and presents a huge impact on the internal message the show delivers. There is a built-up when the characters actually say something important. I can even tell how the Shimogamo Brothers loved and cared for one another despite their difference by seeing how they interact and communicate with each other, how they love their mother so much by obediently following her ridiculous request that is against their own will, and how they look up adore and respected their deceased father by humbly admitting they are a bunch useless tanukis in a melodramatic manner in comparison. There is a bunch of good examples of the subtle portrayal of character personality in this show that I deeply respected and appreciated.
It has a good transition when it comes to emotional drama and character resolves that make sense. It also gives way to a steady progression of the story, a well-executed and refined melodrama is always a bonus in layering your characters, and it certainly gave an impact for me on serious moments. The OST and visual presentation of the show help immensely in setting up the mood. It is well crafted and brilliantly timed to the point I shed some tears watching this show. If a show made me care about a bunch of fictional fur balls that aren’t even human, to begin with, this show is amazing.
Another thing that made this series great is that is has a good production value for a TV series. It has fluent animation, detailed scenery background, and precise audio design. The technical aspect of this TV series is comparable to a high-quality motion film. It felt like I am “Watching Spirited Away” or “Pom Poko” in a series format. The animation is dynamic and exciting. The setting is unique and has a special identity of its own. There is love in creating this background design and remain consistent throughout the series. If you pay attention close attention to the audio effects of the show you can hear some subtle sound. A good example is you actually hear a sound when a person touches a rock, yeah that’s some detailed sound design. Uchouten Kazoku has creative OST that is good on many occasions, not only it excels drama and melodramatic moments but also in silly moments. I also forgot to mention despite the bizarre premise, Uchouten Kazoku is plausible for being a slice of life show. It combines both visual and fined tuned music in creating a soothing atmosphere. This show is relaxing to watch.
{Miscellaneous Thought} (This is where I insert minor spoilers)
Characters have a deep respect for the elderly and adults. This is clearly shown on how they behave in front of an elderly Tengu's even though they are an objectively obnoxious and grumpy old man, They still treat them with respect and vigor. A good reflection of Japanese culture. This anime promotes being nice to your elders and loving your tsundere grandpa's which I think is a great message.
The show is creative when it comes to character encounters. Ever experience your big brother that transforms into a giant tiger that will bite out the asses of your annoying bullies? Or have you experience a family feud with your relatives instead of bad-mouthing, they shoot each other with fireworks in the sky? Do you have an older that is so useless he becomes a frog under a well? This show kind of does these ridiculous ideas and it is hilariously funny.
And these makeup with my other point what I see the show did excellently, it has intelligently made comedy. It can be explosive, relatable, and sometimes give some simple giggles on mundane things. It took advantage of the mere fact that our characters are shape-shifting tanukis in formulating these clever jokes. It experimented with some awkward but funny moments that are clearly unexpected. The comedy and drama have a decent amount of spaces between each other so you won’t be expiring sudden mood swings in the show. It gives you time to access the situation without being rush in the narrative. You can easily tell whether the scenario is serious or easy going. It's lovely.
Even the short stories the adult tell are fun and exciting to hear. It inflates the basic lore and facts behind the setting kind. It also a simple way to know the character that doesn’t have the chance to have a spotlight by hearing out their own historical story. This is another clever technique in showcasing character flashback and background story while at the same time younger character learns from it and be influenced in the process. It shows how great characters are during their prime. It established your character in a short amount of time. It makes a respectable approach to decease characters. Characters are best remembered on things they did and done while they are still alive. They should not be remembered by the way they died. I think this show did a really good job how to respect and love the decease.
I think ED "Qué Será, Será by fhána is one the wonderful addition of this show. It is not only a beautiful song by itself but it also functions as a small intro story about Benten Life. I get excitedly happy and depress every time I listen to this song. It tells an interesting story to remember.
The only few complaints that I might have of this story is maybe the Ebisugawa brothers. Well, their primary purpose is to annoy and serve as comic relief in most parts of the story. They really inherited their father's nasty trait of being deceitful little Tanuki’s. Another is some characters remain mysterious and not utilize enough in my opinion. An example Benten peculiar motives even though the show did this some justifiable foreshadowing of her action but I still see some lack of exposition but I wish it will all be answered in the 2nd season. It is also the same with Kaisei, which has a decent amount of foreshadowing in earlier episodes. Though Kaisei indeed represents a bigger role in the story and had a special debut in the grand scheme of things, It feels sort of lacking. She can be better flesh out, being indifferent from her father and brothers is not enough of a character built. We need to know more about her and the same goes for the ending of the story. Did it leave as some bewildering question? What is the Friday Fellow Agenda? Why is stewing tanuki a sacred tradition? Who they are? Why they are so mysterious and what makes Benten wanted to join them? Is financial and political gain the reason? What happens to Ebisugawa, Soun? After the exploit? So many more questions made right after the ending of the last episode. I wish all be answered in the second season. The story doesn't feel closed conclusion.
{Final Thoughts}
Uchouten Kazoku is one of those few anime that I have some unexpectedly great experience with. It promotes love and passion, respect of your own identity, acceptance of whatever you are, and enjoying the small things in life. It defines the meaning of family and how important in one's life. How critical our parents and the elderly in shaping our life. I know this sort of idea and concept is not cool or badass and sometimes embarrassing to talk about. But at the end of the day family matters the most. Society might think you are useless and garbage, most of the time, But a family can accept who you are and what you are. It doesn’t matter if you are Human, Tengu, or a Tanuki. What matters is that you have a life that you can share the fun with the people who care and love you. The message of the show is great and solid. I wish I can see more of this anime in the future. Creative, educational, inspiring, and self-revitalizing. Sometimes when I forget what I wanted in life and lose track of it. I always wish and pray, just a little glory for my family and friends. It is more than enough for me to be satisfied in life.
Because What’s Fun is Good! A Family is by itself is Fun and Exciting! Uchouten Kazoku is Good!
