Ayakashi Review: An invitation to a fascinating world of the supernatural

A comprehensive review and recommendation of AYAKASHI

Overview

"AYAKASHI" is a TV anime series that aired from December 12, 2007 to February 27, 2008, and is based on an 18+ game by CROSSNET/APRICOT. This work is a fantasy action that depicts the battle over the strange powers of "Ayakashi," and tells the story of the main character, Yu Kusaka, who obtains this power and overcomes various challenges.

■Broadcast information

"AYAKASHI" was broadcast on the following stations during the following periods.

• AT-X: December 12, 2007 to February 27, 2008, every Wednesday from 11:00 to 11:30
• Chiba TV: January 6, 2008 to March 23, 2008, every Sunday from 24:30 to 25:00
• tvk: January 6, 2008 to March 23, 2008, every Sunday from 25:30 to 26:00
• TOKYO MX: January 8, 2008 to March 25, 2008, every Tuesday from 25:30 to 26:00
• Sun TV: January 9, 2008 to March 26, 2008, every Wednesday from 26:10 to 26:40
• TV Aichi: January 10, 2008 to March 27, 2008, every Thursday from 25:58 to 26:28
• Teletama: January 11, 2008 to March 28, 2008, every Friday from 25:30 to 26:00

■Production information

The film is directed by Jun Takada and animated by Tokyo Kids, with the production committee including GungHo Works, Media Factory, 5pb., Enoki Film, ATX, Tokyo Kids, Tokyo Denka and Organic.

■ Story

Yu Kusaka has had a mysterious power since he was a child. He can bend and fold objects without touching them, and this power was a way for him to earn pocket money by performing "magic tricks". However, one day he meets a mysterious girl named Yoake Aimu, and through her he learns of the existence of a strange power known as "Ayakashi". What future awaits Yu and his friends at the end of the battle over the power of Ayakashi?

■ Characters

This work features many unique characters. The main characters are introduced below.

• Yu Kusaka : Voiced by Daisuke Kishio. A boy who attends a school in Miake City and has the power of an ayakashi. After meeting Aim, he is able to use the strongest ayakashi, "Ryu".
• Yoake Aim : Voiced by Nana Mizuki. A mysterious girl who protects the immature ayakashi user Yu. She is the user of the ayakashi "Satori", which has excellent search capabilities and the ability to interfere with minds, and the ayakashi "Akujou", which has great strength.
• Yakushiji Haruna : Voiced by Matsuki Miyu. A girl who is Yu's childhood friend and classmate. She is a member of the field hockey club and is always concerned about Yu.
• Izumi Makihara : Voiced by Sakura Nogawa. Yu's childhood friend and first love. She was quiet and kind, but died unexpectedly two years ago.
• Orie Natsuhara : Voiced by Sakura Nogawa. A girl who is searching for "something." She is known for her suspicious behavior, but she also has an honest side.
• Pam Werne Asakura : Voiced by Ai Shimizu. A cheerful and eccentric girl. She is a user of the ayakashi "Tengu" and has the ability to cut through space and move around.
• "He" : Voiced by Tomokazu Sugita. A mysterious man who is interested in Yu. He is a user of the ayakashi "Orochi" and can absorb other ayakashi and steal their powers.
• Yoake Akino : Voiced by Satsuki Yukino. A female aide who serves "him". She is Aim's sister and a user of the ayakashi "Aterui".
• Akio Maekawa : Voiced by Daisuke Namikawa. An ayakashi user who acts with "him". He is the user of the ayakashi "Kebatake" and has the ability to bring misfortune.
• Heima Kajiwara : Voiced by Tomoyuki Terai. A senior student of Yu and his classmates. He is a user of the ayakashi "Nurikabe" and has powers comparable to "Akujou".

■ Staff

Many staff members were involved in the production of "AYAKASHI". The main staff members are introduced below.

• Original: CROSSNET/APRICOT
• Director: Jun Takada
• Series Composition: Takamitsu Kono
• Ayakashi Original Story: Tottori Sand Dunes
• Character design: TOMA, Ukitsuki Taku
• Character design: Takashi Kobayashi
• Chief Character Animation Directors: Takashi Kobayashi, Shinichi Miyamae
• Ayakashi design, Ayakashi chief animation director: Kazuo Takigawa
• Art director: Azuma Koji
• Color design: Tomoko Imase
• Director of photography: Hiroshi Kubo
• Edited by: Keisuke Yanagi
• Sound Director: Satoki Iida
• Music: Satoshi Hosoi
• Producers: Daisuke Sakuma, Shinobu Yoshinuma, Sachiko Kitazawa, Asuka Yamazaki, Tatsuya Tadokoro, Masaki Koshida
• Executive Producers: Satoshi Akamatsu, Atsushi Iwasaki, Chiyomaru Shikura, Yoshinori Eno, Yasuhiro Mikami, Kengo Kimura, Tetsuji Takemura, Katsuaki Ikegami
• Chief Producer: Yoshihiro Ikeda
• Animation producer: Kiyomitsu Aoki
• Animation Production: Tokyo Kids
• Produced by: "AYAKASHI" Production Committee (GungHo Works, Media Factory, 5pb., Enoki Film, ATX, Tokyo Kids, Tokyo Denka, Organic)

■ Episode

"AYAKASHI" consists of 12 episodes. The subtitles and broadcast dates for each episode are as follows:

• Episode 1: The Beginning of Blood (2007/12/12)
• Episode 2: Awakening (2007/12/19)
• Episode 3: Compensation (2007/12/26)
• Episode 4: The Ayakashi Master (2008/01/02)
• Episode 5: "He" (2008/01/09)
• Episode 6: Izumi (2008/01/16)
• Episode 7: Isolation (2008/01/23)
• Episode 8: Aim (2008/01/30)
• Episode 9: Determination (2008/02/06)
• Episode 10: Two (2008/02/13)
• Episode 11: The Road of No Return (2008/02/20)
• Episode 12: Symbiosis (2008/02/27)

■ Theme songs and music

The theme songs and insert songs for "AYAKASHI" are as follows:

• OP1
  • Song name: Cloudier sky
  • Lyricist: Chiyomaru Shikura
  • Composer: Chiyomaru Shikura
  • Arrangement: Toshimichi Isoe
  • Singer: Ayane
• ED1
  • Song Name: Bonfire
  • Lyricist: Masami Okui
  • Composer: Monta
  • Arrangement: Jun Ichikawa
  • Sung by: KAORI
• IN1
  • Song Name: Sand Castle
  • Lyricist: Ryo Nakahara
  • Composer: Satoshi Hosoi
  • Arrangement: Satoshi Hosoi
  • Sung by: Ryo Nakahara

■ Evaluation and recommendation

"AYAKASHI" is a story about a battle over the strange powers of "Ayakashi," and is a highly appealing fantasy action series. The protagonist, Hisaka Yuu, obtains the powers of the Ayakashi and overcomes various challenges, leaving viewers moved and excited. The drama of the unique characters is also not to be missed. In particular, the episode surrounding his relationship with Yoake Aim and the death of his childhood friend, Makihara Izumi, deeply touches the hearts of viewers.

The appeal of this work is undoubtedly its visuals and music. The character designs and the designs of the ayakashi are very beautiful and visually enjoyable. The theme song and insert songs are also wonderful, and add to the atmosphere of the story. In particular, the opening song "Cloudier sky" is impressive with Ayane's powerful singing voice, and it is a song that symbolizes the beginning of the story.

Furthermore, even though the original work is an 18+ game, the TV anime version has been made so that general audiences can enjoy it as well. While the story is based on the original work, the anime also has its own unique developments, allowing fans of the original work to enjoy it from a new perspective. The story is also easy to understand even for viewers who are not familiar with the original work.

The recommended points are as follows:

• Fantasy action fans : Recommended for those who like battles using the power of ayakashi and settings in other worlds.
• People who like character drama : This is recommended for people who like episodes that depict the relationships and growth of unique characters.
• People who like beautiful visuals and music : The character designs, spirit designs, theme songs, and insert songs are all of high quality, so this is recommended for people who want to enjoy the movie both visually and aurally.
• Fans of the original game : This is recommended for those who have played the original game, as they can enjoy the anime's unique developments and new aspects of the characters.

"AYAKASHI" is a must-watch for anyone who enjoys fantasy action and character drama.