The appeal and evaluation of "Mini Toji": A deep review

"Minitoji" - The appeal and worldview of short animation

Overview

"Mini Toji" is a TV anime series that aired from January 6 to March 17, 2019, and is based on the original "Gokaden Keikaku" anime. It has 11 episodes, each of which is only 5 minutes long, but it has a deep story and fascinating characters. It was produced by project No.9 and directed by Shinoda Yu. It was broadcast on TOKYO MX and AT-X every week from 1:55 a.m.

■ Story

In the world of Mini Toji, there are young girls called "Koji" who exorcise strange monsters called "Aratama." These girls belong to the Special Ceremony Mobile Unit and train at five junior and senior high schools across the country. In times of emergency, they use their sacred swords and special abilities to protect people from Aratama. The main character, Eto Kanami, is a Toji who belongs to Minoseki Academy in Gifu and trains every day with her best friend Yanase Mai. As their daily lives and battles are depicted, friendship, growth, and the meaning of battle are explored.

■Explanation

"Mini Toji" is a work that brings together a large number of characters from the TV anime "Katana Maidens: The Maidens of Toji" and the smartphone game "Katana Maidens: The Flash of Toji" in miniature form. It skillfully depicts the balance between war and peace while depicting the girls' daily lives. Although it is a short work, the personalities and relationships of the characters are well-drawn, making it a work worth watching.

■Cast

The cast of "Mini Toji" is impressive, with voice actors who bring out the individuality of each character. The main cast includes:

• Kanami Eto - Kaede Hondo
• Himekazu Jujo - Saori Onishi
• Mai Yanase - Azumi Waki
• Sayaka Itomi - Hina Kino
• Kaoru Mashiko - Risa Matsuda
• Ellen Furubuzou - Eri Suzuki
• Miho Yasuoka - Himika Akaneya
• Setouchi Wisdom - Kaori Ishihara
• Calling for the Seven Villages - Hiromi Igarashi
• Hexagonal Pure Fragrance - Akane Fujita
• Miruya Kiko - Manami Numakura
• Origami Murasaki - Seto Masami
• Maki Shido - Yumi Uchiyama
• Konohana Suzuka - M.A.O
• Satsuki Night - Mai Fuchigami
• Swallow Buds - Minase Inori

■ Main staff

Many staff members were involved in the production of Mini Toji, and we would like to introduce some of the main staff members who played particularly important roles:

• Original work - Katana Maidens
• Original notation - Gokaden Project
• Director - Yu Shinoda
• Series Composition - Aoi Shuhaku (Meme Meme)
• Character design: Yoshinori Shizuma
• Character design and chief animation director: Hiromi Ogata
• Prop Design - Hiromi Ogata
• Art Director: Yoshika Matsushita (Studio Tulip)
• Art setting - Takahashi Maho (Studio Tulip)
• Art Company - Studio Tulip
• Color design: Yoshimi Kawakami, Haremi Miyagawa
• Director of photography - Shigeki Asakawa (Rare Trick)
• Edited by Seyama Editorial Office
• Sound Director - Satoki Iida
• Sound Production - Glow Vision
• Music - Yukari Hashimoto
• Music Production - KADOKAWA
• Produced by - Genco
• Animation production - project No.9

■ Main Characters

The main characters in "Mini Toji" are all unique and attractive characters. Below is an introduction to the main characters:

Kanami Eto

She has a bright and positive personality, and loves swordsmanship. She has a tendency to challenge others to duels, and is said to be the strongest among the active swordsmen, but she is not really aware of this. Her purity and strength are what support the heart of the story.

Jujo Himekazu

She has a serious, cool, and stoic personality. She has a strong will, and it is said that the only things that can bend her will are chocolate mint ice cream and teasing about her small breasts. Her strictness and kindness keep the team in balance.

Mai Yanase

She is a caring young lady who cares for her friends. Her hobby is baking, and her cookies in particular are delicious and are a killer item for entertaining people. Her kindness and leadership deepen the bonds of the team.

Sayaka Itomi

She is a genius swordsman with the fastest swordsmanship and has a very high success rate in missions. Although she is not good at communication, she is very attached to Mai. Her talent and hard work enhance the team's fighting power.

Kaoru Mashiko

Although she is a lazy person who always wants to take a break, she has a strong sense of honor. She has a guardian beast called "Nene" who is a wild spirit. Her humor and friendship lighten the atmosphere in the team.

Furubuzou Ellen

She has a cheerful personality and is a mood maker. She is also a good partner when fighting with Kaoru, who is usually with her. She is good at giving nicknames to her teammates and boosts their morale.

Yasuoka Miho

She's a mood maker who rushes ahead before thinking, and is a good rival to Kanami. Her weakness is that she easily loses concentration, but her catchphrase, "If you try, you can do it!", raises the motivation of the team.

Setouchi Chie

She is always kind and likes to take care of everyone. She is a childhood friend of Miho, and although she can be a little scary when angry, her kindness and tolerance support the team.

Nananosato Yobuki

He is honest about his desires, has no ulterior motives, and tends to say what he thinks. He loves defeating Aratama and playing pranks, and is the source of vitality for the team.

Hexagonal pure fragrance

Although she is skilled in swordsmanship, she is originally afraid of fighting and is not good at it. She is a young lady who likes looking at trendy romance novels and fashion magazines, and her sensitivity and courage help the team grow.

Kitori Miruya

She is a wise general who calmly commands battles and has high analytical skills. She is half Scandinavian and is actually a sword nerd. Her knowledge and strategy lead her team to victory.

Purple Origami

She is the head of the National Police Agency Swords Control Bureau, to which the Toji belong, and is said to be the strongest Toji even today. Having been possessed by an Aratama for a long time, her strength and deep insight guide the team.

Maki Shido

She is the first in the Origami Family Guard and won the tournament to decide the top Toji for two years in a row. Although she is a bit insensitive to things other than combat, her skills and leadership make her the core of the team.

This flower is a flower of long life

She is the second in the Origami family guard, and has been interested in Maki, who is the strongest in her grade, since before she joined the guard. Her efforts and friendship deepen the bond of the team.

Satsuki Yami

She is the third seat in the Origami Family Guard and is a woman of few words. Although she does have a tendency to do this, her ability to emit wild spirits from her arms is a very well-kept secret. Her quiet strength has earned her the trust of her team.

Swallow buds

She is the fourth seat of the Origami Family Guard and a genius swordsman. She was suffering from an incurable disease, but she was able to prolong her life by using the forbidden method of ingesting Norovirus. Although she has already passed away, her presence has had a great impact on the team.

■Subtitle

The subtitles for each episode of "Mini Toji" are as follows:

• Episode 1 - Tokun
• Episode 2 - Present
• Episode 3 - Yozakura
• Episode 4 - Good Friends
• Episode 5 - Older Sister
• Episode 6 - Rice ball
• Episode 7 - The Horisontal Domain
• Episode 8 - Depressed
• Episode 9 - Festival
• Episode 10 - Fireworks

■ Related works

"Mini Toji" has deep ties to the following related works:

• TV anime "Katana Maidens"
• Smartphone game "Katana Maidens: The Flash of Light"

■ Theme songs and music

The opening theme of "Mini Toji" was used from episode 1 to episode 10. Here are the details:

• OP
• Period - Episode 1 to Episode 10
• "This program is brought to you by our young civil servants."
• Sung by: Kanami Eto (voiced by Kaede Hondo) and Mifune Anou (voiced by Himika Akaneya)
• Lyricist - Yashikin
• Composer - Yashikin

■ Evaluation and impressions

"Mini Toji" is short but has a deep story and attractive characters. Each episode has a clear theme, and the girls' daily lives and battles are skillfully depicted. In particular, the personalities and relationships of the characters are well-drawn, making it a work worth watching. The luxurious cast and staff also enhance the quality of the work.

The charms of each character, such as Kanami Eto's brightness and strength, Himekazu Jujo's strictness and kindness, and Mai Yanase's leadership and kindness, enrich the story. Furthermore, despite the short length, the theme of each episode is well-drawn, deeply moving the viewers.

As part of the "Katana Maidens" series, "Mini Toji" also offers a new perspective for existing fans. It also links to the smartphone game, so fans will have even more fun.

■Reasons for recommendation

"Mini Toji" is a short film, but it has a deep story and attractive characters. In particular, the girls' daily lives and battles are skillfully depicted, deeply moving the viewers. The luxurious cast and staff also enhance the quality of the work. It is a work that offers a new perspective even for fans of the existing "Katana Maidens" series. Please give it a watch.