[Categories: Anime Reviews]
Ayakashi Ayashi First Impressions: The Youi Cometh
I was originally expecting this to be an historical drama but was a little disappointed to learn that it’s an historic monster-bashing show instead. Fortunately, the period setting and impressive production strongly hint that it’s going to at least be a good monster-bashing show. Allegedly it’s set in the 1800s but since my knowledge of Japanese history is pretty shaky prior to 1920 (make that nonexistent) the background to the story is convincing enough for me.
Many migrants have arrived at the city of Edo (Tokyo to us ignorant gaijin) but times are hard and these homeless ‘floaters’ are forced to live in the ghettos alotted to them. Alongside this authentic backdrop of these socio-economic problems is that of the demons. Described as ‘pestilence personified’, there are some who seek to hunt them down, such as the man introduced in the first episode (above). Cut to…a man named Yukiatsu who appears to be on the run, who runs into a ‘floater’ and her son. The youngster seems to have a strange ability of second sight to see into the world of the demons…or similar. It’s too early to tell what’s going on to tell you the truth, but there’s already a set-up of surly hero with a shady past, a kid with a supernatural talent and some enormous beasties that cause trouble.
I would have been very disappointed indeed with this simple premise that Tenpou Ibun Ayakashi Ayashi has, had it not been for the political and historic stuff going on in the background. If the show takes these underlying themes and makes use of them fully, it will turn out to be more than a run of the mill action-fest and I’ll be thoroughly impressed.
Of course, with it being a Studio Bones product the production values can’t be faulted and the involvement of character designer Toshihiro Kawamoto is particularly noticeable - it certainly cuts the mustard in terms of visuals. Take the gorgeous shot below - I’ve no idea yet what it represents but it’s absolutely stunning!
Overall Ayakashi Ayashi just about meets my (admittedly high) expectations: it’s too early to say whether it’ll be formulaic or not, or whether the characters turn out to be duller than their distinctive designs suggest. The setting and supernatural themes aren’t quite enough to fill the gaping hole in my viewing time that was left with the end of Mushishi but this has the potential to be very good indeed. I’m cautiously optimistic for this one.
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