Onimomomomo [Episode 00 (Momotaro)]

Onimomomomo Episode 00 (Momotaro): A Chibi-Fueled Prequel That’s Short, Sweet, and Perfectly Silly

If you’re scrolling through YouTube looking for a quick anime fix before the summer’s big releases hit, let me save you a click: stop what you’re doing and watch Onimomomomo Episode 00 (Momotaro). This 5-minute chibi-style short—dropped on the Tougen Anki Project YouTube channel on June 21, 2025, ahead of the main Tougen Anki TV series’ July 11 debut—is exactly the kind of bite-sized fun Gen Z and younger anime fans live for: no complicated lore, just pure, unadulterated chaos with a side of cuteness.

First, let’s get the basics out of the way. Onimomomomo is a mini-series spinoff of Tougen Anki, the upcoming dark fantasy anime based on Yura Urushibara’s ongoing 2020 manga Tougen Anki: Legend of the Cursed Blood. But don’t worry if you’ve never heard of the main series—this short doesn’t require any prior knowledge. Instead, it’s a standalone skit where the characters of Rakshasa Academy (the main series’ setting) put on a chaotic school play of Japan’s classic folktale Momotaro (the Peach Boy). Think of it like if your favorite shonen cast suddenly decided to do a middle school talent show: messy, over-the-top, and impossible to look away from.

The premise is simple, but the execution is gold. The students of Rakshasa Academy are tasked with reenacting Momotaro’s story—you know, the one where a boy born from a peach teams up with a dog, monkey, and pheasant to fight demons (oni). But this isn’t your grandma’s Momotaro. The chibi art style turns the main series’ presumably badass characters into squishy, big-headed cuties: imagine a demon slayer with a round face and tiny fists, or a talking dog that looks like it’s one belly rub away from forgetting it’s supposed to be a warrior. The humor hits fast and hard, leaning into slapstick and self-aware jokes that feel like they’re written by someone who’s binged too many TikTok skits (in the best way).

One of the best parts? The director’s running commentary—yes, the “director” of the play (a character from the main series, I assume) pops in with snarky one-liners that break the fourth wall. A quick scan of fan discussions on MyAnimeList confirms I’m not alone in loving this: one user gushed, “The director’s comments made me laugh :D” and honestly, same. Whether he’s roasting the students for forgetting their lines or panicking when the “oni” prop (a cardboard cutout with googly eyes) falls apart, his deadpan delivery turns small gags into big laughs. It’s the kind of meta humor that feels natural, not forced—like hanging out with friends who can’t stop making fun of each other’s bad ideas.

What makes this short work so well for younger audiences is its length and energy. At 5 minutes, it’s perfect for a TikTok attention span—no filler, no slow builds, just a nonstop string of jokes. The chibi animation is bright and bouncy, with exaggerated expressions (think wide eyes, flailing arms, and a lot of blushing) that feel right at home on social media. It’s the kind of content you’ll want to rewatch immediately to catch the jokes you missed, or send to your friend with the caption, “THIS IS SO US WHEN WE TRY TO PLAN A GROUP PROJECT.”

But here’s the clever part: even though it’s a silly comedy, Onimomomomo sneakily teases the main series’ vibe. The Tougen Anki Wiki hints that the main story revolves around the Momotaro species (humanoids who manipulate black bacteria) fighting oni—and this short winks at that conflict by having the play’s “oni” be a stand-in for the main series’ villains. It’s a tiny Easter egg for manga fans, but it never feels like a homework assignment. For new viewers, it’s just a funny demon character getting pelted with paper peaches (yes, that happens).

Let’s talk about the target audience for a second. If you’re under 20, you grew up on short-form content—TikTok, Reels, Vine (RIP)—so Onimomomomo feels tailor-made for you. It’s not trying to be a “serious” anime; it’s trying to make you snort-laugh while you’re waiting for your Uber Eats. The chibi style is Instagram-friendly (imagine all the fan art coming from this), and the jokes are relatable: who hasn’t been in a group project where half the people don’t know their lines, and the other half are just there for the snacks?

Is it a masterpiece? No. Is it the funniest thing you’ll watch all week? Probably. The beauty of Onimomomomo Episode 00 is that it doesn’t overstay its welcome. It’s a quick hit of joy that leaves you grinning and curious about the main series—exactly what a prequel should do. The main Tougen Anki might be a dark fantasy with blood, battles, and cursed bloodlines, but this short reminds us that even the coolest characters need to let loose and be silly sometimes.

In a summer packed with high-stakes shonen and emotional dramas, Onimomomomo is a breath of fresh air. It’s proof that you don’t need 24 episodes or a complex plot to make an impact—sometimes all you need is a bunch of chibi kids, a chaotic play, and a director who’s this close to quitting. So grab your phone, head to the Tougen Anki YouTube channel, and watch it. And when you’re done, tell your friends—this is the kind of hidden gem that deserves to go viral.

Final verdict? 10/10 would rewatch while eating snacks. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to Google “Rakshasa Academy chibi fan art.”

— A very amused 17-year-old who now needs to watch the main series.