"Etotama" review: The perfect balance of healing and laughter

"Etotama" - A story of the zodiac girls' spectacular battles and growth

"Etotama" is an original anime series that aired in 2015, and tells the story of the main characters, "Eto Girls," girls based on the Chinese zodiac. As messengers of the gods, they connect people with the gods, and compete for the "Zodiac God Selection Festival, ETM12," which is held once every 60 years. If they win at this festival, they will be recognized as a Chinese zodiac god. Meanwhile, the story begins when the cat Eto Girl "Nya-tan" appears as the main character and meets an ordinary high school student, "Amato Takeru."

■Overview of the work

"Etotama" is a work created by Shirogumi and Dubrier Communications and directed by Fumitoshi Oizaki. It aired on TOKYO MX from April 9 to June 25, 2015, with a total of 12 episodes. The animation was produced by Shirogumi and Encourage Films, and the copyright belongs to the Etotama Production Committee.

■ Story

Etotama is set in modern-day Japan, particularly in Akihabara. Zodiac girls gather from all over the country to participate in the Zodiac God Selection Festival, ETM12, which takes place once every 60 years. To become a Zodiac God, one must defeat all 12 animals in the festival, a difficult task that no one has been able to accomplish for 2,000 years. Meanwhile, Nya-tan, the cat Zodiac Girl, continues to pursue her dream of becoming a Zodiac God, despite being relentlessly targeted by Chu-tan, the mouse. Her encounter with Amado Takeru, an ordinary high school student, marks a major turning point in the story.

Nya-tan is targeted by Amado Takeru for her "Moe power [Solral]" and ends up staying with him. Despite his lethargic personality, Takeru becomes a supporter of Nya-tan's dream. The story progresses through Nya-tan's fight to become the Zodiac God, her friendship with Takeru, and her interactions with the other Zodiac Girls.

■ Characters

The characters of "Etotama" are mainly girls based on the Chinese zodiac. The main characters are introduced below.

Nya-tan (cat)

Voice actor: Rie Murakawa

She is a cat zodiac girl who aims to become a zodiac god. She has a cheerful personality and always moves straight towards her goal, and is commonly known as the "Cat Zodiac Girl". Her zodiac rank is unranked and she has no protected area. Her Moe power ritual tool is the "Nya-tan Hammer".

Amado Takeru

Voice actor: Hiro Shimono

He is a high school student who moved to Akihabara, and Nya-tan has his eye on him for his "Moe power [Solral]". Despite his lethargic personality, he supports Nya-tan's dreams. He is commonly known as the "protagonist/human", and his zodiac rank doesn't matter.

Chu-tan (baby)

Voice actor: Sayaka Ohara

She is the strongest Zodiac God of the Mouse genus, and is ranked 1st in the Zodiac. Although she has an honest and sincere personality, she has a strong hatred for the Cat genus and dislikes interactions between humans and Zodiac girls. Her guardianship is the Southern Kanto region, and her Moe power ritual tool is the "Senmaiha Sword (Whip Sword)".

Mootan (Ox)

Voice actor: Eriko Matsui

She is the zodiac god of the bovine genus and is ranked second in the zodiac. She is a herbivorous vegetarian with large breasts. She has a particular affection for Nya-tan and also shows a perverted side. Her protected area is the Tokai region, and her Moe power ritual implements are the twin pistols "Harami" and "Maruchou".

Shimatan (Tiger)

Voice actor: Yuiko Tatsumi

He is the zodiac god of the tiger genus and is ranked 3rd in the zodiac. He is a Naniwa Chinese martial artist and the master of Nya-tan's strength and technique. His protected area is the Kinki region, and his Moeriki ritual implement is the "Tekkou Ryosetsukon 'Lightning Flash'".

Usatan (Rabbit)

Voice actor: Yuka Aisaka

She is the zodiac god of the rabbit genus and is ranked 4th in the zodiac. She is a wonderland lady and a genius producer. She has started a business called "Usatan Company (UTC)". Her guardianship is the Hokuriku region, and her Moe power ritual item is the "Mysterious Clock 'Carol'".

Doratan (Dragon)

Voice actor: Maaya Uchida

A zodiac god of the Ryu genus, ranked 5th in the zodiac. A legendary mythical beast zodiac god, she is also the spiritual teacher who teaches Nya-tan Seollal. Her guardianship is the Higashiyama region, and her Moeriki ritual implement is the "Ryusen Basho."

Char-tan (Snake)

Voice actor: Hitomi Nabatame

She is the snake-type zodiac goddess and is ranked 6th in the zodiac. Although she is a powerful person, she has a policy of not using her full power, and is a mysterious older sister whose true feelings are not clear. Her guardianship is the Chugoku region, and her Moeriki ritual implement is the "Shisha Afua (water tobacco snake)."

Umatan (Horse)

Voice actor: Ari Ozawa

She is the zodiac god of the horse genus and is ranked 7th in the zodiac. She is a relatively negative and dreamy maiden, but she has a lot of unfortunate traits. Her guardianship is the Kyushu region, and her Moeriki ritual item is the "Omikujitakion."

Mei-tan (not yet born)

Voice actor: Mai Fuchigami

She is the zodiac god of the sheep genus, and is ranked 8th in the zodiac. She is a natural soothing girl who specializes in recovery. She has great motherhood and compassion. Her guardianship is the Hokkaido region, and her Moeriki ritual tool is the "Maple Syringe."

Keytan (Monkey)

Voice actor: Megumi Toda

She is the zodiac god of the monkey genus, and is ranked 9th in the zodiac. She has a positive mindset and can be mischievous, but she always reflects on her actions. Her guardianship is the northern Kanto region, and her Moeriki ritual implement is the "Amazing Stick (official name: Jiyu Jizai Stick)."

Piyotan (Rooster)

Voice actor: Sasaki Miku

She is the zodiac god of the bird genus, and is ranked 10th in the zodiac. She forgets the thing that bothers her the most after walking three steps, but she has a personality that makes it easy for negative emotions to accumulate. Her guardianship is the Tohoku region, and her Moeriki ritual implement is "My Lover Who Guides My Signpost (Waga Michishirube wo Michibikishi Raman)."

Inu-tan (Dog)

Voice actor: Honda Mariko

She is the zodiac god of the dog genus, and is ranked 11th in the zodiac. She has a positive mindset and is often together with Ki-tan. She has a straightforward and pure personality. Her guardianship is the Shikoku region, and her Moeriki ritual item is the "collar-shaped yo-yo 'Wanwan'".

Uritan (Boar)

Voice actor: Yumiri Hanamori

She is the zodiac god of the boar genus and is ranked 12th in the zodiac. She is like a mascot for the zodiac gods and is like a little sister to them all. Her protected area is the Okinawa region, and her Moe power ritual items are the "Erymanthian Boar" and the "Uribo Bit".

■ Staff

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

Executive Producer

White Team

original work

Shirogumi, Tablier Communications

Original idea, setting

Takashi Hoshiro, Through the Sky

director

Fumitoshi Ozaki

Director (CG)

Takamitsu Hirakawa

Series composition, scriptwriting

Akao Deko

Adult character original design

Akio Watanabe

Pretty Character Original Design

QP:flapper

Adult character design, chief animation director

Satoshi Koike

Pretty Character Design

Asami Takahashi

Animation Production

Shirogumi, Encourage Films

■ Episode

"Etotama" consists of 12 episodes, each with a different subtitle. Below are the subtitles for each episode.

• Episode 1: The Frisky Catgirl
• Episode 2: Lovestruck Cow
• Episode 3: Chototsumoushin
• Episode 4: Rabbit Eyes and Rabbit Ears
• Episode 5: Nourishing Sheep Tonic
• Episode 6: The Tiger's Three Smiles
• Story 7: The Long Serpent
• Episode 8: Ikki Tounyan
• Episode 9: Flowers, Birds, and the Moon
• Episode 10: Permanent Metamorphosis
• Episode 11: The Otherworldly Way
• Episode 12: The Zodiac in Full Bloom

■ Theme songs and music

The theme song and ending song of "Etotama" are important elements that enhance the atmosphere of the work. The theme song and ending song are introduced below.

Opening Theme

"Retry ☆ Rendezvous"

• Lyricist: Junky
• Composer: Junky
• Sung by: Nya-tan (Rie Murakawa)

Ending Theme

"Blue moment"

• Lyricist: Akao Deko
• Composer: Starving Trancer
• Arrangement: Starving Trancer
• Singer: Solral BOB (Nya-tan)

The ending song "Blue Moment" has a unique format in which the number of characters singing increases with each episode. Below are the singing members and episodes for each episode.

• Episode 1: Seollal BOB (Nya-tan)
• Episode 2: Solral BOB (Nya-tan, Mo-tan)
• Episode 3: Seollal BOB (Nya-tan, Mo-tan, Uri-tan)
• Episode 4: Seollal BOB (Nya-tan, Mo-tan, Uri-tan, Usa-tan)
• Episode 5: Solral BOB (Nya-tan, Mo-tan, Uri-tan, Usa-tan, Mei-tan)
• Episode 6: Solral BOB (Nya-tan, Mo-tan, Uri-tan, Usa-tan, Mei-tan, Shima-tan)
• Episode 7: Solral BOB (Nya-tan, Mo-tan, Uri-tan, Usa-tan, Mei-tan, Shima-tan, Char-tan)
• Episode 8: Solral BOB (Nya-tan, Mo-tan, Uri-tan, Usa-tan, Mei-tan, Shima-tan, Char-tan, Uma-tan)
• Episode 9: Solral BOB (Nya-tan, Mo-tan, Uri-tan, Usa-tan, Mei-tan, Shima-tan, Char-tan, Uma-tan, Piyo-tan)
• Episode 10: Solral BOB (Nya-tan, Mo-tan, Uri-tan, Usa-tan, Mei-tan, Shima-tan, Char-tan, Uma-tan, Piyo-tan, Ki-tan, Inu-tan)
• Episode 11: Solral BOB (Nya-tan, Mo-tan, Uri-tan, Usa-tan, Mei-tan, Shima-tan, Char-tan, Uma-tan, Piyo-tan, Key-tan, Inu-tan, Dora-tan)
• Episode 12: Solral BOB (Nya-tan, Mo-tan, Uri-tan, Usa-tan, Mei-tan, Shima-tan, Char-tan, Uma-tan, Piyo-tan, Ki-tan, Inu-tan, Dora-tan, Chu-tan)

■ Evaluation and impressions

"Etotama" is a work that stands out for its unique worldview and the charm of its characters. The setting of girls fighting based on the Chinese zodiac is fresh and has the power to draw viewers in. In addition, the growth of Nya-tan and the friendship with Takeru are depicted, adding depth to the story.

The characters are also rich in personality, and each has their own detailed zodiac rank, guardianship, and cute ritual items. In particular, the diversity of the characters, such as Nya-tan's innocent personality, Chu-tan's strength and hatred, and Mo-tan's obsessions, adds excitement to the story.

The theme song and ending song are also important elements in livening up the atmosphere of the work. "Retry☆Rendezvous" is a song that symbolizes Nya-tan's cheerfulness, and "Blue Moment" is sung by more characters with each episode, building up the audience's expectations.

The animation is also of high quality, showcasing the technical prowess of Shirogumi and Encourage Films. The fight scenes and character movements in particular are meticulously produced, providing plenty of visual enjoyment.

■ Recommendation points

"Etotama" is a work that can be recommended for the following reasons.

1. A unique worldview

The setting of girls fighting based on the Chinese zodiac creates a unique worldview not seen in other anime. This worldview has the power to attract the interest of viewers and draw them into the story.

2. Charming characters

Each character has a rich personality, and the detailed settings of their zodiac rank, guardianship, and cute ritual items are also attractive. In particular, Nya-tan's growth, her friendship with Takeru, and her interactions with the other zodiac girls add excitement to the story.

3. High-quality animation

The animation, which highlights the technical prowess of Shirogumi and Encourage Films, is a visual treat, with the fight scenes and character movements being particularly detailed and pleasing to the eye.

4. Memorable theme and ending songs

"Retry☆Rendezvous" and "Blue Moment" are important elements that liven up the atmosphere of the work. The unique format in which more characters sing "Blue Moment" with each episode also heightens the audience's expectations.

Conclusion

"Etotama" is a work that depicts the battles and growth of girls with the Chinese zodiac as its motif, and its unique world view and charming characters have the power to draw viewers in. The high-quality animation and memorable theme and ending songs also enhance the work's appeal. The story of Nya-tan, who continues to pursue her dream of becoming a Chinese zodiac god, provides viewers with emotion and laughter, making it a memorable work. Please give it a watch.