Onihei: A thorough analysis of the power and charm of the famous magistrate who cuts through the darkness of Edo

"Onihei" - The story of a man who cuts through the darkness of Edo

Onihei is an anime series set in Edo during the late Edo period that aired on TV Tokyo from January 9 to April 3, 2017. The 13-episode series is based on the novel Onihei Hankacho by Shotaro Ikenami, directed by Shigeyuki Miya and produced by TMS Entertainment. Copyright belongs to Office Ikenami, Bungeishunju, and the Onihei TV Series Production Committee.

story

In the late Edo period, there was a man who was feared as a "demon" by the thieves who were causing trouble in the city of Edo. His name was Hasegawa Heizo, also known as "Oni no Heizo," and he was the chief of the Arson and Theft Control Department. Heizo was known for his strict control over criminals, but he was also a kindhearted man who was tolerant of those who faithfully followed the "Three Codes of Thieves." "Onihei" is the story of Heizo and the strong-willed characters who surround him as they slay the evil that runs rampant through the city of Edo.

cast

The cast is filled with a star-studded cast of voice actors, including Horiuchi Kenyuu as Hasegawa Heizo, Paku Romi as Omasa, Namikawa Daisuke as Hasegawa Tatsuzo, Mizuuchi Kiyomitsu as Sashima Chusuke, Hosoya Yoshimasa as Kumehachi, Okamoto Nobuhiko as Kimura Chugo, Kiuchi Hidenobu as Koyanagi Yasugoro, Hamada Kenji as Sakai Yusuke, Iizuka Shozo as Hikoju, Iwao Junko as Hasegawa Hisae, Senbongi Ayaka as Ojun, and Tanaka Hideyuki as Kishii Samanosuke.

Main Staff

The creative producer is Maruyama Masao, character designer Miya Shigeyuki, planning cooperation is Ishizuka Akito, planning partners Kato Ryota, Hatori Yoshiyuki, Miyagawa Tomoyuki, Hatta Shinsaku, scriptwriters Abe Mika, Murakoshi Shigeru, Inamoto Tatsuro, Mizukami Kiyoji, Kato Ayako, art director Akiba Minoru, color design Nishi Kayoko, director of photography Miyata Takahiro, editor Kimura Yoshiko, sound director Mima Masafumi, music Tanaka Kouhei and Kawamura Ryu, music production by TMS Music, music production cooperation by Imagine, music cooperation by TV Tokyo Music, animation producer Hashimoto Shintaro, original concept cooperation by Peng Rie, producers Hasegawa Ryota, Kusumi Shiori, Sawa Hisashi, Sugiura Ayaka.

Theme songs and music

The opening theme is "Onihei: Running Through Edo," composed and arranged by Kohei Tanaka. The ending theme is "And Then... Live," sung by Saori Yuki, with lyrics by Toyohisa Araki, composed by Kohei Tanaka, arranged by Ryu Kawamura, and string arrangement by Kohei Tanaka.

The appeal and evaluation of "Onihei"

"Onihei" is a work that explores the depths of human drama while depicting the dark side of the Edo period. The character of Hasegawa Heizo is a fascinating individual who combines both strictness and warm-heartedness, and his relationships with the unique characters that surround him enrich the story. In particular, the depiction of Heizo's bonds with his family and subordinates, as well as his conflicts and sympathies with the thieves, draws the viewer into the human drama of the town of Edo.

The animation quality is also high, with Edo's streets and customs carefully depicted in detail. The character designs also faithfully reproduce the images of the original work, while adding movements and expressions unique to anime. The music is also an important element in enhancing the atmosphere of the work, and the music by Kohei Tanaka and Ryu Kawamura evokes the feeling of the Edo period, but also resonates with modern viewers.

The voice actors' performances are also superb, with Kenyu Horiuchi's performance as Heizo being particularly impressive. He skillfully expresses both Heizo's strictness and humanity, leaving a strong impression on viewers. The other characters also shine with their own unique personalities, making the voice actors on the whole a very high level.

Recommended points

"Onihei" is a work that I would especially recommend to people who like history, mysteries, and human dramas. While depicting the dark side of the Edo period, the story explores the depths of human relationships, giving viewers a lot of excitement and emotion. In addition, fans of the original work can enjoy the unique expressions and interpretations that can only be achieved through anime.

Furthermore, the high level of skill of the production staff, including the voice actors, music, and art, cannot be overlooked. In particular, the art, which carefully depicts the streets and customs of Edo in detail, is visually beautiful. In addition, the music by Kohei Tanaka and Ryu Kawamura is an important element in enhancing the atmosphere of the work, eliciting emotions from the viewer.

"Onihei" is a story about a man who cuts through the darkness of the Edo period, but it is also a work that pursues the depth of human drama. This work will give viewers a lot of excitement and emotion, so please give it a watch.