"Tokyo Majin Gakuen Kenpuchou RyuRyu" review: A masterpiece anime with charming characters and a deep story

Tokyo Majin Gakuen Kenpucho Ryu - Tokyo Majin Gakuen Kenpucho Ryu -

■ Public Media

TV anime series

■ Original Media

game

■ Broadcast period

January 19, 2007 - April 20, 2007 Animax January 19, 2007 - April 20, 2007 (Episodes 1-14) Every Friday 23:00 - 23:30

■Broadcasting station

Animax

■Frequencies

half an hour

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 14

■Original Story

Akiyoshi Imai

■ Director

Shinji Ishihara

■ Production

Animation production: B-Stack, AIC Spirits Production cooperation: Amuse Soft Entertainment, ANIMAX
・Production/Majin Production Committee

■Works

©Asmik Ace Entertainment, Inc.／Marvelous Interactive Inc.／Majin Production Committee

■ Story

Awaken... O powerful ones

Ryuma Hiyuu has transferred to Shinkami Academy in Shinjuku. He is led to meet Kyoichi Houraiji, Yuya Daigo, Komaki Sakurai, and Aoi Misato. The day they awaken as "powerful ones" due to the influence of the suddenly activated "dragon vein", strange creatures known as "demons" appear and attack Tokyo. Ryuma and his friends rise up to protect Tokyo, but they soon find themselves confronted by their own "star of destiny"...

*Quoted from Bandai Channel

■Explanation

The setting is Shinjuku, Tokyo...
During the cherry blossom season, a mysterious man named "Hiyuma" transfers to "Shinkami Academy". He is guided by his friends, including "Kyoichi Houraiji" from the Kendo club, "Yuya Daigo" from the Wrestling club, "Komatsu Sakurai" from the Archery club, and "Aoi Misato", the student council president. Due to the influence of the suddenly activated "Dragon Vein", they awaken as "powerful beings". From that day onwards, perhaps due to the influence of the "Dragon Vein", strange creatures called "Oni" appear and attack Tokyo. And there are those who use "outside law" to control the Oni. Ryuma and his friends rise up to protect Tokyo, but before long they are faced with their own unavoidable "star of destiny".

※Quoted from d Anime Store

■Cast

・Hiyuu Tatsuma/Hiro Shimono・Kyouichi Houraiji/Masaki Kawanabe・Aoi Misato/Yui Horie・Maki Sakurai/Satomi Arai・Yuuya Daigo/Katsui Taira・Kyoko Tono/Sayaka Narita・Hisui Kisaragi/Eiji Sekiguchi

■ Main staff

・Original work: Akiyoshi Imai・Director: Shinji Ishihira・Series composition: Toshizo Nemoto・Character design, chief animation director: Jun Nakai・Prop design: Noriyoshi Suzuki, Hiroshi Ogawa・Art director: Yuki Nagayoshi・Art setting: Masahiro Sato・Color design: Akiko Tomono・Director of photography: Masato Sato・Editor: Shota Miyama・Sound director: Katsuyoshi Kobayashi・Music: Takayuki Negishi・Producers: Futoshi Nakabayashi, Masayoshi Matsumoto, Fumiki Yamazaki・Animation producer: Yoshiyuki Matsuzaki・Animation production: B-stack, AIC Spirits・Production cooperation: Amuse Soft Entertainment, ANIMAX
・Production/Majin Production Committee

■ Main Characters

・Hiyutatsuma
A mysterious transfer student. He has an airheaded personality, and no one knows what he's thinking on a daily basis. Rumor has it that he's a martial arts expert... Nothing about him is known, from his hobbies to his family background.
・Kyoichi Horaiji
He is a master swordsman known as the "bodyguard of Kabukicho." However, he is a bad boy with bad behavior and terrible grades. He is a member of the Kendo club, but he is also a perennial ghost member. He loves ramen, fighting, and napping in trees.
・Aoi Misato
The daughter of the Misato family, which is related to the Tokugawa family. She is both a class representative and a member of the student council. Furthermore, because of her excellent academic performance, she is a model for the students... but she is a bit of an airhead. She always has a smile on her face, though...
・Komaki Sakurai
A healthy girl who serves as the captain of the archery club. She is popular with the girls in her lower grades, probably because of her outspoken personality. She can easily get along with anyone, but she seems to dislike Kyoichi.
・Yuuya Daigo
Captain of the wrestling club. He has a strong sense of responsibility and is good at taking care of others, but he can also be a bit too strict. He has a crush on Komaki, and it shows on his face. His special skill is cooking, which doesn't suit his appearance.
・Kyoko Tono
The president and only member of the newspaper club. Nicknamed "Anko." She is elusive and has an incredible passion for reporting, and attacks her subjects fiercely. As a result of Ryuma's surprise interview, she gets caught up in an unexpected situation.
・Kisaragi Jade
A high school student descended from the Hisui family, a clan that protected Edo as Tokugawa secret agents. He has some knowledge about dragon veins and the like. A childhood friend of Aoi, he supports her in her demon extermination efforts.

■Subtitle

●Outer Law Chapter, Night 1 / Twilight Hour (2007/01/19)
・Second Night: The Encounter of Haruhime under the Cherry Blossoms (2007/01/26)
・Third Night: Superhuman Power (2007/02/02)
・The Fourth Night: The Gathering (2007/02/09)
・Fifth Night/Dream Hell (2007/02/16)
・Sixth Night/Living Hell (2007/02/23)
・Seventh Night/Kidōshu (2007/03/02)
・The Eighth Night: Woman in the Hole (2007/03/09)
・The 9th Night: Intense and Kind (2007/03/16)
・First night/Bodhisattva eyes (2007/03/23)
・The 11th Night: Scattered Flowers, Parting Lives (2007/03/30)
・The 12th Night/Nine Corner Revival (2007/04/06)
・The Thirteenth Night / Valley of the Outlaws (2007/04/13)
・The Fourteenth Night: Falling Star (2007/04/20)

■ Related works

・Tokyo Majin Gakuen Kenpucho Ryuryu Part 2

■ Theme songs and music

・OP1
・0:00 A.M.
Lyrics: Daisuke; Music: Daisuke; Singer: ACID

・ED1
・Hanafubuki・Lyrics by Junpei・Music by Daisuke・Singer by ACID

Tokyo Majin Gakuen Kenpucho Ryuryu - Reviews and Recommendations

Tokyo Majin Gakuen Kenpucho Ryuryu is a TV anime series that aired in 2007, originally based on a game by Akiyoshi Imai. This anime is set in Shinjuku, Tokyo, and tells the story of high school students who are awakened as "powerful people" by the influence of the suddenly activated "dragon vein" and fight to protect Tokyo from monsters called "demons". Below, we will explain in detail the appeal and features of this work, as well as the recommended points.

Story and setting

The story of Tokyo Majin Gakuen Kenpucho Ryuryu begins when a mysterious transfer student named Hiyuma arrives at Shinkami Academy. Together with the unique characters he meets, such as Kyoichi Houraiji, Yuya Daigo, Komaki Sakurai, and Aoi Misato, he becomes a "powerful one" awakened by the influence of the "dragon vein" and fights "demons." The setting is modern-day Tokyo, but it skillfully incorporates traditional Japanese culture and historical elements, making it captivating to the viewer.

Of particular interest is the concept of the "Dragon Vein." This is based on traditional Japanese ideas such as veins of the earth and spiritual veins, and the details of this concept are revealed as the story progresses. In addition, the element of the "Lost Star," which symbolizes the fate and mission of each character, also adds depth to the story. These settings provide a deeper story experience by depicting the character's growth and inner conflicts, rather than just a battle anime.

character

Each character in this work is unique and charming. The protagonist, Ryuma Hiyuma, is a character with an airheaded personality and a mysterious background, and his actions and words provide much mystery and interest to the story. Kyoichi Horaiji is a charming character who is a master swordsman but also a troublemaker, and his love of ramen, fighting, and naps creates comical scenes.

Aoi Misato is the daughter of a distinguished family with ties to the Tokugawa clan, but she also has a slightly airheaded side, and her smile and kindness add warmth to the story. Komaki Sakurai shows leadership as the captain of the archery club, but her dislike for Kyoichi gives her a rich portrayal of humanity. Yuya Daigo has a strong sense of responsibility as the captain of the wrestling club, and his unrequited love for Komaki deepens his character.

Tono Kyoko is the president of the newspaper club and is passionate about reporting, and her surprise interviews bring new developments to the story. Kisaragi Hisui is a character with knowledge of dragon veins and demon slaying, and his support is essential to the progress of the story. The way these characters grow while influencing each other is a major attraction of this work.

Animation and Music

Tokyo Majin Gakuen Kenpuchou Ryuryu's animation is produced by B-Stack and AIC Spirits, with character design and general animation direction by Nakai Jun. The animation depicts the characters' movements and expressions in great detail, with particularly powerful effects in the battle scenes. Additionally, the background art by art director Nagayoshi Yuki and art setting designer Sato Masahiro beautifully portrays the streets of Tokyo and traditional Japanese houses, making for a highly visually appealing production.

The music is by Takayuki Negishi, and the theme songs and insert songs add to the atmosphere of the work. The opening theme "0:00A.M." and the ending theme "Hanafubuki" are sung by ACID, and the lyrics and melodies are impressive, reflecting the theme of the work and the feelings of the characters. These pieces of music have the effect of making you feel the development of the story and the emotions of the characters more deeply.

Recommended points

Tokyo Majin Gakuen Kenpuchou RyuRyu is a work that can be recommended for the following reasons.

1. **Deep story and setting**: Unique settings such as the "Dragon Vein" and "Star of Destiny" provide a deep story experience by depicting character growth and inner conflicts, rather than just a battle anime.

2. **Charming characters**: The way the unique and charming characters grow while influencing each other draws viewers in. In particular, the humanity of characters such as Ryuma Hiyori, Kyoichi Houraiji, and Aoi Misato is portrayed with a richness to them.

3. **Beautiful animation and music**: The animation by B-Stack and AIC Spirits is visually appealing, with beautifully rendered character movements, expressions, and background art. Additionally, the music by Takayuki Negishi and the theme song by ACID add to the atmosphere of the work.

4. **A fusion of modern and traditional**: Although set in modern-day Tokyo, the show skillfully incorporates traditional Japanese culture and historical elements, providing viewers with a fresh experience.

5. **Related works available**: There are related works such as Tokyo Majin Gakuen Kenpucho RyuRyuu Dainibaku, which allow you to enjoy an even deeper story. By watching these works together, you will be able to get even more satisfaction.

Conclusion

Tokyo Majin Gakuen Kenpucho Ryuryu is a work with many charms, including a deep story, attractive characters, beautiful animation and music, and a fusion of modern and traditional. In particular, the high school students who awaken as "powerful people" fight against "demons" and the process of facing their own "stars of destiny" are moving and leave a strong impression on the viewer. There are many reasons to recommend this work, and I highly recommend that you watch it at least once.