Nil Admirari no Tenbin review: A fascinating story and character depth

Nil Admirari no Tenbin - The Charm and Depth of the Imperial Capital's Illusionary Tales

■Overview of the work

Nil Admirari no Tenbin is a TV anime series based on the game Nil Admirari no Tenbin Teito Genwaku Kitan by Otomate (Idea Factory). The 13-episode series aired on TOKYO MX and AT-X from April 1 to June 24, 2018, and was directed by Masahiro Takata and animated by Zero G. The story is set in a fictional Japan where the Taisho era lasted for 10 years instead of 15, and is told from the perspective of Tsugumi Kuze, the eldest daughter of the declining aristocratic Kuze family.

■ Story

The year is 1925, and it is set in the imperial capital of Tokyo. Kuze Tsugumi, a member of the nobility, decides to marry in order to save her family, which is on the verge of collapse. However, her fate changes dramatically when her younger brother, Kuze Hitaki, attempts suicide after reading a "rare book," a book that has a profound effect on those who read it. Tsugumi is now able to see the glow of passion that resides in rare books, known as "aura," and she begins to cooperate with the investigations of the "Imperial Library Information Asset Management Bureau," commonly known as "Fukurou." This story, which depicts her fluctuating fate, brings out the charm of the original game to the fullest.

■ Characters

The main character, Kuze Tsugumi, is the eldest daughter of a declining aristocracy, and is depicted as struggling to protect her family. After her younger brother, Kuze Hitaki, commits suicide, she begins to see the "aura" and decides to work for the Owl Exploration Department. Although Tsugumi appears quiet, she is surprisingly active, and because she has been taking care of her younger brother in place of her mother, she often finds herself caring for others.

Hayato Ozaki is the leader of the Owl Search Team, and is cheerful and has a sense of justice. He says what he thinks honestly, which can give the impression that he has a bad mouth, but he means no harm and his straightforward personality is loved by many people. He is a hot-blooded guy who tends to get passionate about things.

Kou Kou is a member of the Owl Exploration Department and is serious about his work, but in his private life he doesn't try to get along with anyone in particular and often spends time alone. He tends to seem cold because he doesn't show his emotions, but he also has a kindness that makes him unable to leave people in trouble alone.

Hoshikawa Hisui is a member of the Exploration Department as a "person with special powers." He is earnest and hardworking, and is also the one who scolds the foul-mouthed Hayato. He hates people talking about his appearance as a mixed race person, and has a strong aversion to women and romance.

Shogo Ukai is a student at Teito University's Faculty of Law and the son of the Prime Minister of Japan. He attempted suicide due to a rare object and ended up living in Fukurou's apartment, but he is not used to communal living and often behaves in a sulky and selfish manner. He is honest enough to admit his mistakes, but is not good at expressing his feelings.

Tateishi Shizuka is a popular author of tragic love stories, and lives in the Owl Apartment after her lodgings were demolished. She is a playboy who enjoys the game of love and easily uses sweet pick-up lines, but she also has a strong passion for her work.

Rui Sagisawa is a student at Teito University's School of Medicine, living on a scholarship after losing both of her parents in an accident. She has a gentle demeanor and is always calm. She respects her father, who was a local doctor, and hopes to be of use to others like her father.

■ Rare things and aura

"Rare things" are books that are imbued with the emotions and memories of their writers, and their contents can have a profound effect on the reader. They must be handwritten and bound in Japanese. "Aura" is the glow of emotion that resides in rare things, and Tsugumi was able to see it after her younger brother's accident. This setting is an important element that forms the core of the story, and the visual expression is also very beautifully drawn.

■Subtitles and Episodes

Each episode has the following subtitles:

• Chapter 1/The Sparkle of the Rare -Aura- (2018/04/08)
• Chapter 2/Imperial Library Information Asset Management Bureau -Owl- (2018/04/15)
• Chapter 3: The one who calls himself the God of Flame - Kagutsuchi (2018/04/22)
• Chapter 4/Nightingale's Ball -Nachtigal- (2018/04/29)
• Chapter 5/Night of the Crimson Moon -Lilac-(2018/05/06)
• Chapter 6/Mother's Memory -Kingfisher- (2018/05/13)
• First Chapter/Rainy Movie Theater -Tears- (2018/05/20)
• Chapter 8/Color of Love Fire -Higeki- (2018/05/27)
• Chapter 9/Dance of the Birds - Crows - (2018/06/03)
• Chapter 10/White Birdcage -Trauma-(2018/06/10)
• Chapter 11/Mother, Father and Child - Bonds - (2018/06/17)
• Chapter 12/Imperial Capital Illusionary Tale -Nil Admirari-(2018/06/24)

■ Theme songs and music

The opening theme "Tandoku Miraajuism" was written, composed, and arranged by Camellia (Quarks) and sung by kradness. The ending theme "Black Thunder" was written by RUCCA, composed and arranged by Takahashi Ryo (Void_Chords), and sung by Shimono Hiro. These songs are important elements that enhance the atmosphere of the story.

■ Production staff

The original work is Otomate (Idea Factory)'s "Nil Admirari no Tenbin Teito Genwaku Kitan" and the director is Masahiro Takata. The series is written by Tomoko Kaneharu, the director of photography is Motohiro Kunishige, the editor is Masaki Utsunomiya, the character designer is Yukie Sakamoto, the general animation directors are Yukie Sakamoto, Kiyofuri Nakahara, and Yumiko Hara, the music is by Tomoki Hasegawa, the music production is by Pony Canyon, the main animator is Yoshitaka Yasuda, the prop design is Hiroshi Ogawa, the sound director is Masahiro Takata, the sound production is by Saber Lynx, the color design is Atsushi Furukawa, the art director is Yuya Kusumoto, and the animation production is by Zero G.

■ Related works

"Nil Admirari no Tenbin" is a spin-off from the original game "Nil Admirari no Tenbin Teito Genwaku Kitan". The original game was created by Otomate (Idea Factory) and is loved by many fans.

■ Evaluation and recommendation

"Nil Admirari no Tenbin" has attracted many viewers with its unique worldview and deep story development. In particular, the settings of rare items and aura are visually beautiful, adding depth to the progression of the story. The characters are also rich in personality, and their backgrounds and growth are carefully depicted. In addition, the theme songs and insert songs are also important elements in livening up the atmosphere of the story, and the series has also received high praise for its music.

This work is especially recommended for those who like mysteries and historical fantasy. In particular, it is perfect for those who like stories set in Taisho-era Japan and those who enjoy character growth and changes in relationships. Also, those who have played the original game will be able to enjoy the story from a new perspective with the anime version.

Furthermore, Nil Admirari no Tenbin is a work that is appealing for its visual beauty and deep story development. The rare items and aura settings are visually beautiful and add depth to the progression of the story. The characters are also rich in personality, and their backgrounds and growth are carefully depicted. The theme songs and insert songs are also important elements that add to the atmosphere of the story, and the work has received high praise for its music.

This work is especially recommended for those who like mysteries and historical fantasy. In particular, it is perfect for those who like stories set in Taisho-era Japan and those who enjoy character growth and changes in relationships. Also, those who have played the original game will be able to enjoy the story from a new perspective with the anime version.

■Detailed episode commentary

In Chapter 1, "The Sparkle of Rare Things - Aura," Tsugumi's younger brother Hitaki attempts suicide due to a rare thing, which triggers Tsugumi to be able to see "aura." This episode plays an important role as the introduction to the story, providing the audience with the foundation to understand the concepts of rare things and aura.

Chapter 2, "Imperial Library Information Asset Management Bureau - Fukurou", describes how Tsugumi came to join Fukurou's exploration department. The scene where she first meets the members of Fukurou and decides to cooperate with them in investigating rare items is an important episode that greatly advances the development of the story.

Chapter 3, "Kagutsuchi: The Claimant of the Flame God," explores the power of rare objects and the events they cause. This episode shows Tsugumi and the members of the Investigation Club working together for the first time to solve a case, emphasizing the importance of teamwork.

In the fourth chapter, "The Nightingale's Ball - Nachtigal", Tsugumi meets people affected by rare things and witnesses their tragic fates. This episode depicts the horror of rare things and the human drama they cause, deeply moving the viewer.

In the fifth chapter, "Crimson Moon Night - Lilac", Tsugumi faces her past and reaffirms her bond with her family. This episode depicts Tsugumi's growth and her relationship with her family, deeply moving the viewer.

In the sixth chapter, "Mother's Memory - Kingfisher", Tsugumi recalls her mother's memories and grows up under her influence. This episode depicts Tsugumi's growth and her relationship with her family, deeply moving the viewer.

In the fourth chapter, "Rainy Movie Theater - Tears," Tsugumi meets people affected by rare things and witnesses their tragic fates. This episode depicts the horror of rare things and the human drama they cause, deeply moving the viewer.

In the eighth chapter, "Higeki," Tsugumi faces her past and reaffirms her bond with her family. This episode depicts Tsugumi's growth and her relationship with her family, deeply moving the viewer.

In the ninth chapter, "Dance of the Vicious Birds - Crows", Tsugumi meets people affected by rare things and witnesses their tragic fates. This episode depicts the horror of rare things and the human drama they cause, deeply moving the viewer.

In Chapter 10, "The White Birdcage - Trauma," Tsugumi faces her past and reaffirms her bond with her family. This episode depicts Tsugumi's growth and her relationship with her family, deeply moving the viewer.

In Chapter 11, "Mother, Father and Child - Bonds", Tsugumi recalls her mother's memories and grows up under her influence. This episode depicts Tsugumi's growth and her relationship with her family, deeply moving the viewer.

In the twelfth chapter, "Teito Genwaku Kitan - Nil Admirari -", Tsugumi faces her past and reaffirms her bond with her family. This episode depicts Tsugumi's growth and her relationship with her family, deeply moving the viewer.

■Character details

Tsugumi Kuze is the eldest daughter of a declining aristocracy, and is depicted as struggling to protect her family. After her younger brother Hitaki Kuze commits suicide, she begins to see the "aura" and decides to work for the Owl Exploration Department. Although Tsugumi appears quiet, she is surprisingly active, and because she looked after her younger brother in place of her mother, she often finds herself caring for others.

Hayato Ozaki is the leader of the Owl Search Team, and is cheerful and has a sense of justice. He says what he thinks honestly, which can give the impression that he has a bad mouth, but he means no harm and his straightforward personality is loved by many people. He is a hot-blooded guy who tends to get passionate about things.

Kou Kou is a member of the Owl Exploration Department and is serious about his work, but in his private life he doesn't try to get along with anyone in particular and often spends time alone. He tends to seem cold because he doesn't show his emotions, but he also has a kindness that makes him unable to leave people in trouble alone.

Hoshikawa Hisui is a member of the Exploration Department as a "person with special powers." He is earnest and hardworking, and is also the one who scolds the foul-mouthed Hayato. He hates people talking about his appearance as a mixed race person, and has a strong aversion to women and romance.

Shogo Ukai is a student at Teito University's Faculty of Law and the son of the Prime Minister of Japan. He attempted suicide due to a rare object and ended up living in Fukurou's apartment, but he is not used to communal living and often behaves in a sulky and selfish manner. He is honest enough to admit his mistakes, but is not good at expressing his feelings.

Tateishi Shizuka is a popular author of tragic love stories, and lives in the Owl Apartment after her lodgings were demolished. She is a playboy who enjoys the game of love and easily uses sweet pick-up lines, but she also has a strong passion for her work.

Rui Sagisawa is a student at Teito University's School of Medicine, living on a scholarship after losing both of her parents in an accident. She has a gentle demeanor and is always calm. She respects her father, who was a local doctor, and hopes to be of use to others like her father.

■Production background and staff's commitment

"Nil Admirari no Tenbin" faithfully reproduces the worldview of the original game while adding expressions unique to anime, providing new appeal to viewers. As a fan of the original work, director Masahiro Takata was particular about depicting the settings of rare items and aura, which are at the heart of the story, visually beautifully. Character designer Yukie Sakamoto also paid particular attention to the details of each character's design to highlight their individuality.

Series composer Tomoko Konparu respected the original storyline while adding original episodes for the anime, aiming to let viewers enjoy the story from a new perspective. Music composer Tomoki Hasegawa focused on the theme songs and insert songs to enhance the atmosphere of the story, providing music that would bring out the emotions of the viewers.

■ Viewer reactions and ratings

"Nil Admirari no Tenbin" has been highly praised by viewers. In particular, the settings of rare items and aura are visually beautiful, adding depth to the progression of the story. The characters are also rich in personality, and their backgrounds and growth are carefully depicted. In addition, the theme songs and insert songs are also important elements in livening up the atmosphere of the story, and the show has also received high praise for its music.

Episodes that depict Tsugumi's growth and her bond with her family are especially popular among viewers. Episodes that depict the horror of rare objects and the human drama they cause also deeply move viewers. Furthermore, viewers have also praised the carefully drawn personalities and backgrounds of the characters.

■ Recommendation points

"Nil Admirari no Tenbin" has attracted many viewers with its unique worldview and deep story development. In particular, the settings of rare items and aura are visually beautiful, adding depth to the progression of the story. The characters are also rich in personality, and their backgrounds and growth are carefully depicted. In addition, the theme songs and insert songs are also important elements in livening up the atmosphere of the story, and the series has also received high praise for its music.

This work is especially recommended for those who like mysteries and historical fantasy. In particular, it is perfect for those who like stories set in Taisho-era Japan and those who enjoy character growth and changes in relationships. Also, those who have played the original game will be able to enjoy the story from a new perspective with the anime version.

Conclusion

"Nil Admirari no Tenbin" has attracted many viewers with its unique worldview and deep story development. In particular, the settings of rare items and aura are visually beautiful and add depth to the progression of the story. The characters are also rich in personality, and their backgrounds and growth are carefully depicted. In addition, the theme songs and insert songs are also important elements that liven up the atmosphere of the story, and the music has also been highly praised. This work is especially recommended for those who like mysteries and historical fantasy. In particular, it is perfect for those who like stories set in Japan during the Taisho period and those who want to enjoy the growth of characters and changes in human relationships. Also, those who have played the original game will be able to enjoy the story from a new perspective in the anime version.