The appeal and evaluation of "TOKKO": A deep review

Comprehensive evaluation and recommendation of TOKKO

■ Public Media

TV anime series

■ Original Media

comics

■ Broadcast period

April 16, 2006 - July 30, 2006
WOWOW April 15, 2006 - July 29, 2006 (1st - 13th episodes) Every Saturday 24:30 - 25:00

■Broadcasting station

WOWOW

■Frequencies

half an hour

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 13

■Original Story

Toru Fujisawa (published by Kodansha Afternoon KC)

■ Director

Masashi Abe

■ Production

Animation Production: Group TAC, AIC Spirits Production: "TOKKO" Production Committee

■Works

©2006 Toru Fujisawa, Kodansha / "TOKKO" Production Committee

■ Story

A large "hole" appeared near a housing complex in Machida due to a large subsidence of the ground. Along with this, a mysterious and gruesome murder case occurred in which almost all of the residents, all 185 households, were brutally killed. This horrific incident, which could not be the work of a human, could not even be solved. Behind this incident, a mysterious old man and a horrible medieval relic called "Duruji's Box" are related.
Five years have passed... Near future - Tokyo.
The face of the megalopolis is only on the surface, but behind the scenes, polarization and urbanization of crime are progressing as big cities do. One of the survivors of the tragedy that occurred in Machida, Shindo Ranmaru, becomes a police officer in order to solve the case. Then, a new incident occurs in Shibuya. It seems that a drug addict is rampaging, but what Shindo and the police see when they go to the scene is not so mild. There, monsters that are clearly not human are trampling on people. The helpless police officers are saved by Rokujo Sakura and others from the Special Mobile Investigation Unit, Division 2, Special Public Security Department, commonly known as "Tokuko". Surprisingly, they deal with the monsters not with guns or batons, but with swords.
Eventually, Shindo faces a tragic destiny in order to repel the monsters that crawl out of the "hole."

■Cast

・Ranmaru Shindo/Kenichi Suzumura/Sakura Rokujo/Fumiko Orikasa/Saya Shindo/Akemi Kanda/Momiji Suzuka/Kana Ueda/Ryoko Ibuki/Rio Natsuki/Muzuka Inukai/Susumu Akagi/Kaoru Kunikida/Wataru Takagi/Shogo Muramasa/Dai Tsuchida

■ Main staff

・Original story by Fujisawa Tooru ・Director by Abe Masashi ・Series composition and script by Yamada Mitsuhiro ・Character design by Watanabe Koji ・Prop design by Ogawa Hiroshi ・Chief animation director by Watanabe Koji and Takigawa Kazuo ・Art director by Takahashi Maho ・Color design by Onishi Mineyo ・Director of photography by Nakajima Hidetake ・Editing by Sakurai Takashi ・Music by NO MILK
・Sound Director: Hajime Takakuwa ・Producers: Yoshihiro Iwasaki, Daisuke Katagiri ・Animation Producers: Hiroshi Sakurai, Yoshiyuki Matsuzaki ・Animation Production: Group TAC, AIC Spirits ・Production: "TOKKO Tokko" Production Committee (Shochiku, MANGA ENTERTAINMENT, WOWOW, Three Light)

■ Main robot items

・TOKKO
This refers to the Special Mobile Investigation Unit's 2nd Section, Special Public Security Department. This is a specialized unit for defeating Phantoms, the monsters born from holes. The task force consists of Suzuka Momiji, Rokujo Sakura, and Inukai Takeru. They defeat Phantoms with swords that possess special powers. Contrary to the name, it is not under the jurisdiction of the Metropolitan Police Department, but is directly under the National Public Safety Commission, so its investigative and command powers are far superior to those of the Special Machine Unit. Currently, Inspector Ibuki Ryoko is in charge of the scene. There are many mysteries, such as how it was formed. In the animation, the outline is told as an original setting, but it was created as a buffer between various powers and interests, such as the government and police, the "Daishi" and another force.
・The box is also known as the "Box of Durji (Unrighteousness)". It is a box that opens the door that connects this world to the underworld. It is said to have been created by alchemists in Medieval Europe. It is said that when the words of the secret teachings are spoken, the door to the underworld will appear and monsters will emerge. When the "box" that existed near a housing complex in Machida was opened, it split into 108 parts, which were embedded one by one in the body of a monster. It is said that if the parts are collected and returned to their original state, the door will close again, but...
·"hole"
It is also called a gate (door). It appears and expands due to frequent earthquakes. A large number of strange creatures called phantoms emerge from this hole, and five years ago, 185 households living in a housing complex in Machida were brutally murdered. The hole is expanding, and some estimates suggest that in two years, the whole of Tokyo will be engulfed in it. The "hole" appears and expands not only in Machida, but also in Shibuya and other places.
・Symbiote (Hunter)
A general term for those who have a Phantom living within their body. It is said that it was present within the surviving boys and girls at the time of the Machida Hillside Heights massacre. When the Phantom within them is awakened, they can wield great powers. At present, these symbiotes are the only ones who can defeat Phantoms. However, symbiotes do not necessarily awaken as hunters, and they can also awaken as Phantoms.
・Insects There are various kinds of insects, such as human-faced insects, brain insects, and Senri insects. They are mainly produced from the bodies of phantoms and turn people into hungry ghosts.

■Subtitle

Episode 1: Awakening (2006/04/15)
・Episode 2: Dream A Girl Appears (2006/04/22)
Episode 3: Kizuna moments would be lost (2006/04/29)
・Episode 4: Trillion Corpses in the Laboratory (2006/05/13)
・Episode 5: Oni Afather, All Alone (2006/05/20)
Episode 6: Who Kills My Brother (2006/05/27)
Episode 7: Love a tellphone call (2006/06/17)
・Episode 8/Awakening time to say goodbye(2006/06/24)
・Episode 9: Rin: We were born to be (2006/07/01)
・Episode 10: Never Mind (2006/07/08)
・Episode 11: Prison No Woman, No Cry (2006/07/15)
・Episode 12/Anger if not in love(2006/07/22)
Episode 13: Rei remains tender together (2006/07/29)

■ Theme songs and music

・OP1
・Nothing
Lyrics: Shunsuke Minami; Composition: Shunsuke Minami; Arrangement: Shunsuke Minami; Singer: dB

・ED1
Sherry
Lyrics: Shunsuke Minami; Composition: Shunsuke Minami; Arrangement: Shunsuke Minami; Singer: dB

■ Evaluation and recommendation

"TOKKO" is a dark fantasy anime based on the original work by Tooru Fujisawa, and was broadcast on WOWOW in 2006. Although it was a short series of only 13 episodes, its dense story and unique worldview left a strong impression on viewers. The work depicts the terror lurking behind the city and the people's struggle against it, and has been praised as entertainment that combines horror and action.

Story and Themes

The story of "TOKKO" begins with a mysterious mass murder that occurred in a housing complex in Machida. The incident is said to be related to a mysterious old man and a medieval relic called "Duruji's Box," and its repercussions are felt again five years later in Tokyo. The protagonist, Shindo Ranmaru, is a survivor of the incident and becomes a police officer, belonging to the Special Mobile Investigation Unit, Division 2, Special Public Security Department (TOKKO). TOKKO is an organization that fights against "Phantoms," strange beings that emerge from "holes," and fights using swords with special powers.

The theme of this work is the dark side of the city, human survival instinct, and the fight against fate. It depicts the crime and urbanization that is progressing behind the megalopolis of Tokyo, and the people who oppose it. The phantom that appears from the "hole" can also be seen as a symbol of the fear and anxiety that humans face. The growth of Shindo Ranmaru and the tragic fate he faces will deeply move the viewer.

character

Each character in "TOKKO" has their own unique background and motivations, which are important elements that deepen the story. The protagonist, Shindo Ranmaru, is depicted as a survivor of the incident who harbors a desire for revenge, but also fights with a sense of justice. TOKKO members Rokujo Sakura, Suzuka Momiji, and Inukai Takeru also have strong personalities, and the team's unity and individual dramas are depicted. Additionally, supporting characters such as Shindo's sister, Shindo Saya, and TOKKO's conductor, Ibuki Ryoko, are also appealing and play a role in adding excitement to the story.

Visuals and performance

The visuals of "TOKKO" are characterized by a dark and heavy tone befitting the dark fantasy genre. The character designs are by Watanabe Koji, and are impressive for their realistic and sophisticated designs. Furthermore, the presence of strange creatures such as phantoms and "holes" makes a strong visual impact. In terms of direction, under the direction of Abe Masashi, the balance between horror and action is exquisitely maintained, drawing the viewer in. In particular, the battle scenes with the phantoms are full of tension and thrills and are well worth watching.

music

The music for "TOKKO" was composed by NO MILK and is an important element in enhancing the atmosphere of the work. The opening theme "Nothing" and the ending theme "Sherry" were written, composed, and arranged by Minami Shunsuke and sung by dB. These songs bring out the dark atmosphere of the work and have the power to stir the emotions of the viewer. The background music also effectively creates a sense of tension and fear in the work, and the music has also been highly praised.

Recommendation

"TOKKO" is recommended for fans of dark fantasy and horror, and for those who like works that depict the terror lurking behind the city. It is also suitable for those who enjoy action scenes and character development. Although it is a short series of 13 episodes, its dense story and unique world view will leave a strong impression on viewers. In particular, the tragic fate of Shindo Ranmaru and his battle with the Phantom that he faces are sure to deeply move viewers.

Related Titles

For those who enjoyed "TOKKO," we also recommend the following works.

• "Death Note" - A work that depicts the terror lurking beneath the surface of the city and the battle between justice and evil.
• "Tokyo Ghoul" - A work that depicts the strange creatures lurking in the dark corners of the city and human survival instincts.
• "Elfen Lied" - A fusion of dark fantasy and horror, depicting the growth and destiny of characters.

summary

"TOKKO" has been praised as entertainment that combines dark fantasy and horror. This work, which depicts the fear lurking behind the city and the people's fight against it, is sure to leave a strong impression on viewers. In particular, the growth of Shindo Ranmaru and the tragic fate he faces are sure to deeply move viewers. We hope you will watch this work and enjoy its unique world view and suspenseful action.