GEKIFU: A deep look into the fascinating story and characters

A comprehensive review and recommendation of GEKIFU Bakegammon

■ Public Media

TV anime series

■ Original Media

comics

■ Broadcast period

April 3, 2006 - March 26, 2007 TV Tokyo series April 3, 2006 - March 26, 2007 (Episodes 1 - 51) Every Monday 18:00 - 18:30

■Broadcasting station

TX

■Frequencies

half an hour

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 51

■Original Story

Mitsuhisa Tamura (serialized in Shogakukan's Weekly Shonen Sunday)

■ Director

Hiroshi Negishi

■ Production

・Production: Radix Ace Entertainment ・Animation production cooperation: Digital Network Animation ・Production: TV Tokyo, Dentsu, Radix Ace Entertainment

■Works

©2006 Mitsuhisa Tamura, Shogakukan, The Demonic Demonic Gate Society, TV Tokyo

■ Story

Sanshiro Tamon, who grew up on an island, ran away from home during the summer vacation of his fifth year of elementary school to fulfill his dream of "traveling." However, his natural sense of justice led him to fall into the sea after arguing with an arrogant university student. To top it off, he was taken in by a strange man named "Fue" and brought to a "Yokai Castle" that was on the verge of collapse. There, Sanshiro met the leader of the monsters, "Otengu," and learned about a game called Yokai Reverse Gate.

※Quoted from AT-X

■Explanation

A monster battle action story based on the original idea of ​​"Ushio and Tora" by Kazuhiro Fujita!

※Quoted from AT-X

■Cast

・Tamon Sanshiro/Kobayashi Yumiko・Fue/Godada Hozumi・London (Seiji Toshio)/Saiga Mitsuki・Oki Kiyoshi/Osaka Yumika・Mick (Kawaguchi Mikiharu)/Kato Nanae・Satomura Osamu/Homura Makoto・Hino Aki/Yukana・Sugai Masato, the Copper Demon Mask/Namikawa Daisuke・Awa Yui/Kanzaki Chiro・Kimidori/Fukuhara Kaori・Ned/Chafurin

■ Main staff

・Original work / Tamura Mitsuhisa・Concept works / Fujita Kazuhiro, Nakamura Manabu・Concept cooperation / Nomura Atsushi, Iizuka Yosuke, Tou Toshiyuki・Director / Negishi Hiroshi・Assistant director / Ishii Hisashi・Series composition assistant / Hyodo Ippo・Character design, chief animation director / Abe Tomoyuki・Design works / Murata Mamoro・Design cooperation / Kaneda Tatsuya, Matsuo Shin・Art director / Ishigaki Tsutomu・Color design / Horio Keiko・Compositing director (director of photography) / Nakayama Atsushi・Editing / Goto Masahiro・Music / Miyake Kazunori・Sound director / Goda Hozumi・Producers / Azuma Fukashi, Muto Daiji, Nomura Sora, Iwatani Yoshinobu・Animation production producer / Choushi Yutaka・Production / Radix Ace Entertainment・Animation production cooperation / Digital Network Animation・Production / TV Tokyo, Dentsu, Radix Ace Entertainment

■Subtitle

Episode 1: Me, Hue and Bakegyamon (2006/04/03)
・Episode 2: Starting off in reverse Tokyo!? (2006/04/10)
Episode 3: The Fire Demon, Enzan (2006/04/17)
・Episode 4: The Maiden of the Demon Shrine (2006/04/24)
Episode 5: The World's Mick Appears!? (2006/05/01)
Episode 6: The Mystery of Genpu-do (2006/05/08)
Episode 7: Is that noisy girl the strongest?! (2006/05/15)
Episode 8: Starting Again? Reverse Tokyo (2006/05/22)
Episode 9: The Phantom Train's Strange Journey! (2006/05/29)
Episode 10: The Terminal Station is Full of Enemies (2006/06/05)
Episode 11: The Scary Neid Elementary School!? (2006/06/12)
・Episode 12/What's your name...? (2006/06/19)
Episode 13: The Burning Copper Demon Mask (2006/06/26)
Episode 14: Me, Bakegyamon, and my friends (2006/07/3)
Episode 15: Sing London! A Cry of the Soul (2006/07/10)
Episode 16: Kyoto, Two Girls (2006/07/17)
・Episode 17: The Magnificent World of Mick (2006/07/24)
Episode 18: The Village of Demons (2006/07/31)
・Episode 19: Friendship's Freeze Moon (2006/08/07)
Episode 20: The Hunter of the Shooting Tickets (2006/08/14)
Episode 21: Mick's Magnificent Transformation (2006/08/21)
・Episode 22: A younger boy!? (2006/08/28)
・Episode 23: Get a higher-ranked summon! (2006/09/04)
・Episode 24: Kain's Destiny (2006/09/11)
・Episode 25/Flame Dragon Sparkle! (2006/09/18)
Episode 26: Darkness of Kuragis (2006/09/25)
・Episode 27: In the Gap of Time... (2006/10/02)
・Episode 28: Me, Masato and Black Ned (2006/10/09)
・Episode 29: Aki's Treasure (2006/10/16)
Episode 30: Mick's Magnificent Revenge (2006/10/23)
・Episode 31: Sei and the Water Spirit (2006/10/30)
・Episode 32: Osamu and the Demon Mask (2006/11/06)
・Episode 33/Birth of Yosakamon (2006/11/13)
・Episode 34: The Green Heart...(2006/11/20)
Episode 35: Clash! Final Tournament (2006/11/27)
・Episode 36/Counterattack! Sanshiro VS Kiyoshi (2006/12/04)
・Episode 37: The Great Mick and His Love (2006/12/11)
Episode 38: Aki's Tears and After the Rain (2006/12/18)
Episode 39: New Power! Aioi Summoning (2006/12/25)
Episode 40: London, the last stage! (2007/01/08)
・Episode 41: Beyond the River of Tears (2007/01/15)
・Episode 42: Rebellion of the Demons (2007/01/22)
・Episode 43: Me, Naido, and the Mysterious World (2007/01/29)
・Episode 44: Jump Out! Neid Middle School (2007/02/05)
・Episode 45: The Ultimate Player, Sanshiro!? (2007/02/12)
・Episode 46: Song of the Individual Demon (2007/02/19)
・Episode 47: The Destruction of the Demonic Gate (2007/02/26)
・Episode 48: Yellow and Black (2007/03/05)
Episode 49: Our Light (2007/03/12)
・Episode 50: The Final Game (2007/03/19)
Episode 51: Me and Everyone's Bakegyamon (2007/03/26)

■ Theme songs and music

・OP1
・Mobius ・Lyrics by yasu
・Composition: yasu
・Arrangement: Janne Da Arc & Shouji Morifuji
・Singer: Janne Da Arc

・OP2
・White-spotted ginger.
・Lyrics by Shigeco Ogula & Rio
・Composition: Rio & Juno
・Arrangement: Hyoe Yasuhara
・Song: YU-KI

・ED1
・From Youkai Yamimon ・Lyrics by Seiko Fujibayashi ・Music by Blues T
Arrangement: Ittoku Miyake Vocals: Kimidori (Kaori Fukuhara)

・ED2
・Dancing Bakegyamon ~Playya Ondo・Lyrics by Seiko Fujibayashi・Music by Ittoku Miyake・Arrangement by Ittoku Miyake・Singer by Sanshiro Tamon (Yumiko Kobayashi), with special participation (Hue (Hozumi Goda), London (Mitsuki Saiga), Mick (Nanae Kato), Neido (Chafurin), Kimidori (Kaori Fukuhara))

・ED3
・Soramimi Youmaimon ・Lyrics by Seiko Fujibayashi ・Music by Cher Watanabe ・Arrangement by Cher Watanabe ・Singer by Kimidori (Kaori Fukuhara)

・ED4
・Always there for you
Lyrics: Seiko Fujibayashi Composition: Cher Watanabe Arrangement: Cher Watanabe Vocals: London feat. Kimidori (Mitsuki Saiga, Kaori Fukuhara)

■ Evaluation and recommendation

GEKIFU Bakegammon is a 51-episode anime series that aired on TV Tokyo from 2006 to 2007. The series is based on a manga serialized in Shogakukan's Weekly Shonen Sunday magazine by Mitsuhisa Tamura and directed by Hiroshi Negishi. It is produced by Radix Ace Entertainment with Digital Network Animation as the animation production partner.

The story begins when Sanshiro Tamon, a boy who grew up on an island, runs away from home with dreams of traveling, meets a strange man named Hue, and learns of a game called "Yokai Reverse Gate" in a "Yokai Castle" that is on the verge of collapse. In this game, Sanshiro grows as he fights monsters, and he overcomes various challenges together with his friends. The story depicts Sanshiro's process of reexamining himself through friendship, growth, and battles with monsters.

The appeal of this work lies above all in its unique worldview and the individuality of its characters. The combination of fantasy elements featuring monsters and the setting of a game creates a story that draws the viewer in. Also, don't miss the beautiful visuals by Abe Tomoyuki, who was in charge of character design and general animation director. In particular, each of the monster designs is unique, so you'll never get bored of looking at them.

Music is also an important element that enhances the appeal of this work. The opening theme "Mobius" is performed by Janne Da Arc, and its powerful melody enhances the sense of adventure of the story. In addition, many character songs such as the ending theme "From Yokai Reverse Gate" and "Odoru Bakegyamon ~ Playa Ondo" are included, and many songs that will stay in the viewers' hearts.

The cast is also impressive, with many veteran voice actors participating, including Yumiko Kobayashi as Sanshiro Tamon, Hozumi Goda as Hue, and Mitsuki Saiga as London. Their acting skills bring out the best in the characters, leaving a deep impression on viewers.

This work gained popularity especially as an anime for boys, but the depth of the story, character growth, and the theme of friendship appeal to a wide range of age groups. In addition, the fantasy world that incorporates the traditional Japanese element of yokai provides fresh surprises to viewers.

The first reason to recommend this series is the way the story unfolds. New monsters and challenges appear in every episode, so viewers will never tire of it. The portrayal of the characters' growth and friendship is also moving, leaving a deep impression on viewers. The beautiful visuals and captivating music are also not to be missed. Overall, "GEKIFU Bakegammon" is a wonderful work that depicts fantasy, action, and friendship, and is one that can be recommended to many viewers.

Finally, when watching this work, we recommend that you watch all the episodes. The stories of each episode are linked together, and the consistent flow up to the final episode brings out the charm of the work to the fullest. Also, be sure to check out the character songs and soundtrack. They will surely deepen your viewing experience.