T P BON Review: A new Netflix anime based on the science fiction manga Time Patrol Bon by Fujiko F. Fujio is here, and I am delighted to review it. Let us see how this anime fared and whether you should watch it.
T.P BON Overview
Fujiko F. Fujio’s iconic manga Time Patrol Bon (T・Pぼん), serialized since 1978, has made its animated debut exclusively on Netflix in 2024. From the construction of the Egyptian pyramids to the Silk Road’s Tian Shan Mountains we witness historical marvels through Bon’s eyes.
The animation is in the capable hands of BONES, renowned for productions like My Hero Academia, while director Masahiro Ando, who has worked on Hanasaku Iroha and Sword of the Stranger, leads the team.
Akihisa Wakayama gives Bon Namihira a lively portrayal, while Atsumi Tanezaki brings Bon’s friend, Ream Stream, to life.
– T.P BON Review Contains Minor Spoilers –
T P BON Review and Recap – An Adventurous Experience
Netflix is really coming up with some interesting anime projects this year and T P Bon is one of them. If you grew up with Doraemon, Ninja Hattori-kun, then you are bound to get hit by massive nostalgia with this one as T P Bon comes from the same manga author, Fujiko Fujio F. And the resemblance is not subtle. Our hero, Bon, looks very much like Nobita with a friend group that mirrors Nobita’s friend circle to a great extent. But what sets this anime apart from the writer’s other works is how mature this is in comparison.
The story revolves around a young boy, Namihara Bon who one day gets entangled with a mysterious girl called Ream and her partner Buyoyon, a yellow floating creature. After some strange occurrences and mishaps with them, Bon finally discovers that they are actually Time Patrol agents who use their gadgets to save innocent people who perish because of unfortunate situations. But one rule is strictly to be followed. The saved person will not be someone influential with the power to alter the course of history like Julius Caesar. Bon joins as an agent after his own existence gets threatened and we along with Bon get dragged into an adventure across time and space.
At its heart, T P Bon is your usual adventure story for kids, but the makers here, took their research and execution up a notch with the elaborate storyline and nice animation. In every episode, you see Bon going on a new mission to save someone, and with that, you get a taste of life in that era. Not only that, but, we are also told interesting facts about all the places, people and countries, Bon and Ream visits, which might not be 100% historically accurate but is fascinating nonetheless.
Another interesting aspect of this series is the unexpected use of gore. I also did not expect the sudden deaths that we see in some episodes and the realistic portrayal of a situation gone wrong. Thankfully, things proceed agreeably for our protagonists because of their fancy gadgets, but they too were not safe from misshappenings.
The makers also tried to base the anime on the current timeline, so you will see smartphones, which is a nice touch, considering the manga came out in 1978. They also most probably added more within the anime to suit the audience of the current time and we see the effort on their part.
Verdict
This was a nice, fun and entertaining watch that is simple yet engaging. Nostalgia is definitely a reason I liked this, but even if you are new to this kind of anime, T P Bon should be a light-hearted delight for you. The one complaint I have is the abrupt ending in the last episode. It felt like the conclusion came out of nowhere and left us hanging. But thankfully, there is going to be a second season so we might have a proper closer there.
All in all, this is not something that will blow you away nor will you have to resort to mental gymnastics to understand this, but it will surely be a pleasant viewing experience that can be enjoyed at any time.
Must Read : Wind Breaker Episode 4 Review: Bofurin Vs Shishitoren
Well if this is based on true stories that happened in real world ok,
Maybe some kids can learn from this better than school its self,
Yeaaaaeehh that animation belongs in the 1970 or something lifless people with no emotions,
Now why the f..king heck are they saving those people in the past????,
Aren’t they supose to die and then they becomes legends and make some persons to chape the history??? I could have missed something here???
What happened in the past why are they changing it,
Well im at episode 6 now, those time boat’s they are using should they use a cloaks that make people dont see them?
They are flying full visible righ above peoples head over their town’s,
Im scratching my head abit here, i had prefer more action by stopping time THIEF’S/ criminals/robbers and so on,
My score: 2.0 of 5, weel see have its goes… but it has some funny moments in it, so more of that…
Yeah its oookies, i get it, they want kids to learn about the past and legends that lived in those times,
Im seen some episodes now, and only 16 years old people is alowed to see this……
I call BULL..TH…. its has some bloody scenes, but THEY ARE VERY RARE…
And kids today twelve years kids with phones that has 100% seen porn already or worse stuff on the internet,
So history learning stuff are to me is a bit boring i have enoug shit from school already, some are true yes thats cool how abot emeli ehart, wyhet earp, ceasar, real people,
napolen, or other song legends that is loong gone but alive again in hpufully other anime time travel show, or make a real live show,
Anyway in this one let the past be in peace and save the people in the year 2024 instead,
Use time magic to stopp small wars or someone who needs help or in danger in the modern world,
Or straight up stop time to kill or remove warlords and stuff (kill putin)….warheads treats….and so on….
Okies sesson 2 eps 1, a new start,
A new girl as partner okies, im sorry but ream the last one near perfect partner,
The new a bit boring, and that haicut sorry thats looks like 1920,
Now i dont know the rest yet but i hope ream the other one could atleast show up now and then, maybe help them in a mission,
Or else i wil be crying my guts out,
And coluld we see more of the inside of time patrol headquarters,
Meet the big boss, where ream works?? Not just throw them out on mission and thats all,
Well we’ll see, il be back later.
PLEASE TELL ME THEY FIND REAMS MOTHER, or are they going for a 3 sesson??
SPECIAL EPS, OR A MOVIE?? That fixing about everything?????
Im at episode 2, where they visit the old maya/inka village,
Its okies, but the thing is…..ZZZZZZZZZZZZ….zzzzzzzzzzzzz…….????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????…..
Its ok to learn something now and then, in short waves, BUUUT NOT FOR THE ENTIRE EPISODE…..its kinda boring to learn thing i know from school AGAIN….
They always use the biggest stories in the history but leaves behinds small unknow/never heard of stories,
Maybe something new for once,
And they are NOT IN THE MAYA TIME WHERE THEY MEET THE MAYA PEOPLE, maybe later in the episode then????
Or trying too make it any excitement,
I hope not the other are like loongdraging learning episode, make it shorter i hope,
But the only time will tell i guess….(waiting patient)….