Tougen Anki Episode 2 Review: It’s Predictable, But I Like It

The 2nd episode of Tougen Anki is here, and it was entertaining enough for me. Let’s discover how this episode plays out.

Tougen Anki Episode 1 Recap

The opening episode lays the foundation for a story inspired by the classic Japanese folklore of Momotaro. At the centre is Shiki, a troubled teen with a fascination for guns. Although not biologically related to his father, their bond is strong. Things take a dark turn when Shiki is suddenly attacked by a mysterious man dressed in white, who accuses him of being a descendant of the Oni—legendary demons. The episode introduces the longstanding conflict between Momotaro and the Oni, a generational feud that now drives the descendants of Momotaro to hunt down those of Oni blood.

Interestingly, Shiki’s adoptive father, once affiliated with the Momotaro organisation, chose to protect and raise a child of the enemy. As Shiki finds himself pursued, he begins to tap into his hidden powers, revealing a more dangerous and powerful side to his character.

The episode’s beginning feels a bit slow and underwhelming, but it gains momentum in the second half with a dynamic and intense fight scene. We also get to see the hero going through a loss as he loses his father, and that serves as a motivation for him to grow stronger and take revenge.

Tougen Anki Episode 2 Review

In this episode, Shiki wakes up in a very weird situation where he is bound and cannot speak. Not only that, he also has his Oni horns out and in front of him is the mysterious guy, whom he met towards the end of the last episode. Here, we get to know that this new character is called Naito, and he is a member of the Oni association, similar to the people of the Momotaro association. His job is to recruit new people for his association, but he is unsure of Shiki. Shiki’s problem of switching into his Berserk mode is a nuisance that they are unwilling to handle.

Thus, to test Shiki and his capabilities, Naito makes him undergo an intense ritual, which is definitely unconventional and not something one would expect. After losing his cool, Naito confirms that he must take down Shiki, but he finally proves that he is different. From Naito, we receive a bit more information about the plot of the anime, where the hero will embark on his very first training arc. And, he will start his journey as a student under Naito in a school that is built for Oni.

However, that was not the end because we also got to see some other students who would study with Shiki. They are an interesting bunch who are all here at the school to get stronger. They all have distinct personalities, and Shiki actually sets off on a bad note with one of them. I can already sense who is going to be his rival and friend in the future.

Verdict

I like today’s episode, but I must say the excessive use of CGI is jarring at points. It might not be bothersome for many, but there are some sequences where the CGI looks very apparent and not very good. Other than that, there are also many elements in this episode that were clearly taken from other Shonen anime. However, I must also mention that yes, this anime is indeed entertaining.

Must Read: Tougen Anki Season 1 Review