The Eccentric Family Season 1: A thorough analysis of the charming characters and unique worldview

The appeal and reviews of the first season of "The Eccentric Family"

"The Eccentric Family" is a TV anime series based on the novel by Tomihiko Morimi, which aired from July 7 to September 29, 2013. The 13-episode series was animated by PAWORKS and directed by Masayuki Yoshihara. The humorous and fantastical story of tanuki, tengu, and other monsters, which revolves around the Shimogamo family in Kyoto, captivated many viewers.

Story and Characters

The setting of "The Ecstatic Family" is the Shimogamo family in Kyoto. The four Shimogamo brothers, Yasaburo, Yaichiro, Yajiro, and Yashiro, are each unique and charming characters. Yasaburo is the third son who has inherited his father's "idiot blood", Yaichiro is the eldest brother who is earnest but weak at the last minute, Yajiro is the second brother who hides in a well in the form of a frog, and Yashiro is the timid youngest brother. Their father, Shimogamo Soichiro, was the leader of the raccoon world, but was turned into raccoon hotpot by the Friday Club. Their mother loves Takarazuka and is a kind and protective presence for the four brothers.

Benten, who appears as a human character, is a beautiful and seductive woman who flies through the sky with the supernatural powers of a tengu, adding a touch of glamour to the story. Professor Yodogawa is a member of the Friday Club, who talks about his love for tanuki while eating tanuki stew. From the Ebisugawa family appear Ebisugawa Soun, the uncle of the four brothers and an enemy of the Shimogamo family; Yasaburo's foul-mouthed and rarely seen former fiancée Kaisei; and Soun's twin sons Kinkakuji and Ginkakuji, who repeatedly spout incomprehensible four-character phrases. Tengu Professor Akadama is depicted as a great tengu who once wielded great power but has now fallen into disgrace.

Animation and performance

PAWORKS' beautiful animation brings out the atmosphere of Kyoto to the fullest. Director Masayuki Yoshihara faithfully recreates the atmosphere of the original work while developing the story from his own perspective. Character designer and chief animation director Kosuke Kawamota's designs bring out the unique characters in a charming way. Art directors Yusuke Takeda and Harumi Okamoto's Kyoto scenery is a visual treat.

The subtitles of each episode are also fascinating, and many of them cleverly incorporate Kyoto scenery and legends, such as "The Goddess of the Noryoyuka," "Mother and the Thunder God," and "Yakushibo's Inner Chamber." These episodes draw the viewer into the fascinating world of Kyoto and add depth to the progression of the story.

Music and theme song

Musically, The Ecstatic Family is also an excellent work. The opening theme, "Ecstatic Life," is written, composed, and sung by milktub, and its light-hearted, humorous melody perfectly matches the atmosphere of the story. The ending theme, "Que Sera Sera," is sung by fhána, and its beautiful melody and lyrics resonate with viewers. These songs further enrich the worldview of the story.

Ratings and Recommendations

"The Eccentric Family" is a work with a unique worldview that combines humor and fantasy. While faithfully recreating the original novel by Tomihiko Morimi, the expressive power of anime brings out new charms. The combination of the characters' personalities, the atmosphere of Kyoto, and the wonderful music has the power to draw viewers in.

This work is recommended not only for those who like monsters and fantasy, but also for those who are interested in Kyoto culture and scenery. In addition, the story, which depicts family ties and human relationships, will resonate with a wide range of generations. In particular, the growth of the four Shimogamo brothers and their interactions with the characters of Benten and the Ebisugawa family will surely move viewers.

Furthermore, "The Eccentric Family" is rich in comedy elements, and while it makes you laugh, it also makes you think about deep themes. After watching it, you will definitely want to take a walk around the city of Kyoto. Please enjoy this fascinating anime.

More Information

cast

• Yasaburo Shimogamo: Takahiro Sakurai
• Yaichiro Shimogamo: Junichi Suwabe
• Shimogamo Yajiro: Hiroyuki Yoshino
• Shimogamo Yashiro: Mai Nakahara
• Benten: Mamiko Noto
• Mother: Kikuko Inoue
• Soichiro Shimogamo: Bon Ishihara
• Starfish: Sakura Ayane
• Akadama Sensei: Hideyuki Umezu
• Ebisugawa Soun: Tobita Nobuo
• Kinkakuji: Shuya Nishiji
• Silver Pavilion: Kosuke Hatakeyama
• Professor Yodogawa: Takehiko Higuchi

Main Staff

• Original author: Tomihiko Morimi (The Ecstatic Family, Gentosha Bunko)
• Director: Masayuki Yoshihara
• Series Composition: Shotaro Suga
• Screenplay: Shotaro Suga, Ryo Higaki
• Character design: Koji Kumeta
• Character design and chief animation director: Kosuke Kawamura
• Art director: Yusuke Takeda, Harumi Okamoto
• Director of photography: Satoshi Namiki
• Color design: Katsue Inoue
• 3D Director: Kazuya Sugo
• Edited by: Ayumi Takahashi
• Music Producer: Shigeru Saito
• Music Production: Lantis
• Sound Director: Aketagawa Jin
• Sound Production: Magic Capsule
• Animation producer: Kenji Horikawa
• Line Producer: Shoji Soma
• Animation production: PAWORKS
• Produced by: "Ecstatic Family" Production Committee

Main Characters

• Shimogamo Yasaburo: The third son of the Shimogamo family, who inherited a strong trace of his great father's "foolish blood."
• Shimogamo Yaichiro: The eldest brother, who is serious but weak at the last minute, struggles alone to follow in his father's footsteps.
• Shimogamo Yajiro: The unmotivated second brother who stays in the well in the form of a frog.
• Shimogamo Yashiro: The youngest brother is timid and immature, and always shows his tail.
• Shimogamo Soichiro: The leader of the raccoon world and father of the great Shimogamo family, who was turned into tanuki stew by the Friday Club.
• Mother: The mother of the Shimogamo family who loves Takarazuka and watches over her four siblings with kindness.
• Benten: A beautiful and enchanting woman who has acquired the supernatural powers of a Tengu and can fly freely through the sky.
• Professor Yodogawa: Members of the Friday Club talk about their love for raccoons while eating raccoon hotpot.
• Ebisugawa Soun: The uncle of the four brothers, but the head of the Ebisugawa clan, who is an enemy of the Shimogamo clan and is expanding his influence in the tanuki world.
• Starfish: Yasaburo's ex-fiancee who is extremely foul-mouthed and for some reason never shows up.
• Kinkakuji and Ginkakuji: The twin sons of Soun, the foolish brothers who keep spouting meaningless four-character idioms. (Incidentally, their real names are Ebisugawa Gojiro and Gosaburo.)
• Akadama Sensei: A great tengu who once wielded immense power, but has now fallen into disgrace.

subtitle

• Episode 1: The Goddess of the Summer Holidays
• Episode 2: Mother and the God of Thunder
• Episode 3: The inner room of Yakushibo
• Episode 4: The Daimonji Summer Boat Battle
• Episode 5: Friday Club
• Episode 6: Autumn leaf viewing
• Episode 7: The Rules of the Bathhouse
• Episode 8: The Day My Father Leaves
• Episode 9: Ebisugawa's daughter, Kaisei
• Episode 10: The Secret Activities of Ebisukawa Soun
• Episode 11: A comeback
• Episode 12: Fake Eizan train
• Episode 13: The Ecstatic Family

Theme songs and music

• OP1: Ecstatic Life
  • Lyricist: milktub
  • Composer: Kyoichi Miyazaki
  • Arrangement: Kyoichi Miyazaki
  • Sung by: milktub
• ED1: Que sera sera
  • Lyricist: Hideki Hayashi
  • Composer: Junichi Sato
  • Arrangement: fhána
  • Sung by: fhána

Related works and recommendations

For fans of "The Eccentric Family," we also recommend the anime "The Tatami Galaxy," which is also based on a novel by Tomihiko Morimi. This is also an animation by PAWORKS, and you can enjoy the atmosphere of Kyoto and a humorous story. Other popular anime with themes of monsters and fantasy include "Natsume's Book of Friends" and "Beyond the Boundary." These works are also characterized by their unique worldviews and attractive characters.

In addition, for those who want to enjoy the culture and scenery of Kyoto, we also recommend the films "Spirited Away" and "Your Name." These works have the power to draw viewers in with their beautiful images and moving stories.

"The Ecstatic Family" is a fascinating work that combines humor and fantasy. The story, which depicts the atmosphere of Kyoto and the bonds of family, will deeply touch the viewer. Please enjoy this wonderful anime.