Hitori No Shita: The Outcast Season 1 (Episodes 1-12) Review

A Supernatural Rollercoaster That Hooks You Fast

Let’s cut to the chase: if you’re into anime with nonstop action, family secrets that hit like plot twists, and a protagonist who goes from “chill college kid” to “superpowered outcast” faster than you can say “grandpa’s grave,” Hitori No Shita: The Outcast Season 1 is your next binge. Airing from July to September 2016 (12 episodes, 24 minutes each) and animated by Namu Animation (with Haoliners Animation League’s Emon studio behind production), this show dives headfirst into a world where ancient powers hide in plain sight—and Zhang Chulan, our accidental hero, is right in the middle of it.

The Hook: From Village Graveyard to Supernatural War

The first episode drops you into Chulan’s quiet life… until he returns to his village and finds his grandfather’s grave desecrated. No, not by vandals—by something supernatural. What starts as a simple investigation spirals into a fight for survival: he’s attacked by shadowy figures, saved by a mysterious girl with no memory (Feng Baobao, who becomes his ride-or-die), and learns his family is tied to the “Yiren”—humans with godlike abilities.

Fans on forums love how the show doesn’t waste time. One MyAnimeList user put it: “Episode 1 hits you with the grave scene, then BOOM—Chulan’s running from monsters and discovering he’s not just a regular guy. No filler, just straight-up chaos.” And they’re right—this season is a masterclass in “show, don’t tell”: we see Chulan’s panic when he first uses his powers, Baobao’s deadpan badassery (she uses a shovel as a weapon—iconic), and the weight of his family’s legacy without endless exposition.

The Vibe: Action That Pops, Characters You Root For

Let’s talk animation: for a 2016 show, the fight scenes are clean. Think fluid martial arts mixed with glowing energy blasts—like if Jujutsu Kaisen and The God of High School had a Chinese cousin. The supernatural elements never feel over-the-top because they’re grounded in Chulan’s relatable confusion: “Why me? Why can’t I just go back to eating instant noodles and skipping class?”

Baobao steals the show, though. She’s quiet, wears a plain tracksuit, and kills bad guys like it’s Tuesday—but there’s a softness under that stoic exterior. When she defends Chulan in Episode 3 (taking down three attackers with one shovel swing), you don’t just see a warrior—you see someone who’s finally found a person worth protecting. Fans rave about her: “Baobao is the reason I kept watching. She’s not a ‘waifu’—she’s a force of nature who doesn’t need anyone to save her. And her bond with Chulan? Pure platonic goals.”

The Drama: Secrets That Keep You Guessing

The best part? The family secrets. Chulan’s grandfather wasn’t just a farmer—he was a Yiren leader, and his death was no accident. As Chulan uncovers clues (old letters, hidden scrolls, a tattoo on his own back he never noticed), he realizes the Yiren world is split: some want to live in peace, others want to take over the human realm.

Episode 6 is a standout: Chulan confronts a long-lost relative who reveals the truth about his powers, and the scene hits hard. A Reddit user summed it up: “I screamed when Chulan’s ‘normal’ life was shattered. You feel for him—one minute he’s worrying about exams, the next he’s being hunted by people who want to use his powers. It’s so relatable, even with the magic.”

The Verdict: A Hidden Gem Worth Your Time

Is Hitori No Shita perfect? No—some fans say the pacing is a little too fast (you might need to rewatch Episode 4 to catch all the Yiren lore), and the English dub is hit-or-miss (stick to subs if you can). But those are tiny flaws in an otherwise addictive show.

This season ends on a cliffhanger that’ll make you scream “WHY?!” (Chulan and Baobao are framed for a crime they didn’t commit, and the Yiren council declares them outcasts). But that’s the point—you’ll be dying to watch Season 2.

Final Takeaway

If you’re 20 or under and love anime that doesn’t baby you—with action that makes you lean forward, characters that feel like friends, and twists that keep you up at night—Hitori No Shita: The Outcast Season 1 is a must-watch. It’s not just a supernatural show; it’s a story about finding your place when the world tells you you’re an outcast.

As one fan put it: “I started watching because I was bored. I finished it at 3 a.m. because I couldn’t stop. Chulan and Baobao’s journey is messy, chaotic, and so worth it.”

Trust me—hit play. You won’t regret it.

Rating: 8.5/10
For: Action junkies, mystery lovers, and anyone who’s ever felt like an outsider.
Skip if: You hate cliffhangers (but let’s be real—who doesn’t love a good cliffhanger?)