Tougen Anki [Season 1 Episodes 1-22]

Tougen Anki: A Generic Shonen Rush That’s Either Your Next Obsession or a Skip

Let’s cut to the chase: Tougen Anki isn’t here to reinvent the wheel. Studio Hibari’s adaptation of Yura Urushibara’s manga, which premiered July 11, 2025, dives headfirst into battle shonen tropes like it’s late for a train—and fans are split on whether that’s a good thing.

The first episode wastes zero time: Shiki Ichinose, a rebellious teen expelled from school, finds out he’s not just a troublemaker—he’s half-Oni, a race of powerful beings locked in a centuries-old feud with the Momotaro, who protect humans from Oni chaos. His foster dad Tsuyoshi dies protecting him from Momotaro agents, triggering Shiki’s Oni powers (think glowing red eyes and blood-based attacks) in a scene that’s equal parts dramatic and so predictable.

For some, this “no slow burn” approach is a win. “This wasted no time throwing us right into the action—shit hit the fan not even 10 minutes in,” one fan raved, praising the fight scenes where 2D and 3D animation blend smoothly. The blood effects? “Lit,” as another put it, comparing Shiki’s powers to Deadman Wonderland’s gory flair. Even the Oral Cigarette OP slaps, with sleek visuals that hint at the series’ dark fantasy vibe.

But let’s talk about the elephant in the room: originality. Critics are calling it a “Blue Exorcist clone” or “Blue Exorcist from Temu”—and they’re not wrong. The “secretly OP protagonist whose parent dies to unlock their powers” trope is overused, as one fan ranted: “It’s like they took every shonen cliché and put it in a blender.” Plot holes? Oh, they’re there. Why did the Momotaro Corporation wait until Shiki was a teen to kill him? Why bring a sword to a gunfight (literally, in one scene)? Fans are already scratching their heads.

Character-wise, Shiki is… divisive. He’s the classic edgy teen—disrespectful to his dad (“You’re not my real dad!”) right before tragedy strikes—and some find him unlikable. “The MC is super OP but was kept in the dark? Yawn,” a hater wrote. Others, though, see potential: “His awakening changes his life dramatically,” one optimist noted, eager to see Shiki grow beyond his rebellious phase.

The production value is a mixed bag. The animation is solid—“not peak but not bad,” as one fan put it—with fight scenes that deliver on the shonen promise of cool moves and explosions. But let’s be real: in a summer season packed with better shonen (looking at you, Gachiakuta), Tougen Anki risks getting lost in the crowd. Its two-cour run might be its downfall if it doesn’t step up its game.

So, who is this for? If you’re a 20-something who lives for fast-paced fights, doesn’t mind tropes, and just wants to turn off your brain for 24 minutes, Tougen Anki could be your next binge. The TikTok crowd might eat up the flashy battles, and fans of hot anime guys are already sticking around for the eye candy. But if you crave originality or deep storytelling? You might want to skip this one.

At the end of the day, Tougen Anki is a solid 5/10 for now. It’s not groundbreaking, but it’s fun if you’re in the mood for mindless shonen action. Will it get better? Only time will tell. But hey—never dropped an anime before? You might as well stick around. Just don’t say we didn’t warn you about the clichés.

Final verdict: Watch it for the fights, stay for the OP, and don’t overthink the plot holes. It’s shonen—sometimes you just need to enjoy the ride.