Cop Craft Review: What is the new challenge for the otherworldly police force?

Cop Craft: A new buddy police action game born from the fusion of another world and reality

Cop Craft is a TV anime series that aired in 2019 and is based on a light novel by Shoji Gato. Set in the city of Saint Teresa, where the alternate world of Leto Semaani and the real world intersect, the story follows detective Kei Matoba and the otherworldly knight Tirana Exedilica as they team up to fight violent crimes. The series pioneered a new genre that combined alternate world fantasy with hard-boiled police drama, leaving a strong impression on viewers.

story

15 years ago, an unknown hyperspace gate appeared over the Pacific Ocean, and on the other side of it was the other world "Leto Semaani" where fairies and monsters live. The appearance of this gate gave birth to the city "Sant Teresa City" where immigrants from both worlds gather. This city, with a mixture of more than 2 million diverse ethnicities and cultures, is also known as the "City of Dreams", but behind the scenes, violent crimes such as drugs, prostitution, and arms trafficking are rampant. Meanwhile, detective Kei Matoba of the Special Discipline Unit of the San Teresa City Police Department meets and challenges the case with apprentice knight Tirana Exedilica from another world. What kind of chemical reaction will be created when two people of different genders, personalities, and "worlds born" team up as buddies? What are the two worlds and two justices that await them? "Cop Craft" is a buddy police action that asks such questions.

Commentary

"Cop Craft" is a work that combines two genres: fantasy set in another world and police drama. Kay and Tirana solve various cases as their magic "Mirdi" of Tirana, who comes from the other world "Let Semani", intersects with science and technology of the real world. The story depicts the friction and conflict that arise from the differences in culture and values ​​of the two worlds, while also depicting the two detectives' pursuit of their sense of mission and justice. Another highlight is the change and growth in the relationship between Kay and Tirana, which deeply moves viewers.

cast

The film features a star-studded cast of voice actors. Kenjiro Tsuda plays Kei Matoba and Mayu Yoshioka plays Tirana Exedilica, and their well-coordinated acting adds excitement to the story. Many veteran voice actors also take part, including Fumiko Orikasa as Cecil Epps, Kenji Hamada as Jack Ross, and Ryosuke Takahashi as Tony McVee. Furthermore, Hozumi Goda is in charge of the narration, enhancing the overall atmosphere of the film.

Main Staff

Many talented staff members were involved in the production of Cop Craft. The original story was written by Gato Shoji, the original character designs were by Murata Range, the director was Itagaki Shin, and the series composition was also handled by Gato Shoji. In addition, character design was handled by Kimura Hiromi, art direction was by Sakagami Hirofumi and Kato Hiroshi, color design was by Yamagami Aiko, cinematography was Omi Arimasa, editing was by Hiraki Daisuke, music was by Iwasaki Taku, sound direction was by Goda Hozumi, and animation was handled by Millepensee. Cop Craft was created by this team of staff, and boasts extremely high quality both visually and aurally.

Main Characters

Kay Matoba is a skilled detective in the Special Discipline Unit of the San Teresa Police Department. Despite having a cat allergy, he keeps a black cat due to certain circumstances. Tirana Exedilica is an apprentice knight from the Kingdom of Falbani in the other world "Leto Semaani", and is skilled in swordsmanship and magic "Mirdi". Cecil Epps is a coroner for the San Teresa Police Department and Kay's ex-girlfriend. Jack Ross is the head of the Special Discipline Unit and a strict person. Tony McBee and Alexander Godunov are detectives in the Special Discipline Unit, Tony plays the role of the Discipline Unit's mother, and Alexander is Tony's partner and has a wife and children. Jamie Austin and Cameron Estefan are detectives in the Special Discipline Unit, Jamie is a former obese child, and Cameron is a former fujoshi. Biz O'Neill is a self-proclaimed pastor's informant and club owner, Kenny is O'Neill's secretary and bodyguard, and Zelada is a Semani magician. The human drama woven by these characters is also one of the attractions of this work.

subtitle

The subtitles for each episode of "Cop Craft" are as follows:

• #1 COP SHOW, WITCH CRAFT (2019/07/08)
• #2 DRAGNET MIRAGE (2019/07/15)
• #3 MIDNIGHT TRAIN (2019/07/22)
• #4 IN THE AIR TONIGHT (2019/07/29)
• #5 LONESOME VAMPIRE (2019/08/05)
• #6 NEED FOR SPEED (2019/08/12)
• #7 GIRLS ON ICE (2019/08/19)
• #8 SMELLS LIKE TOON SPIRITS (2019/08/26)
• #9 A KING MAKER (2019/09/02)
• #10 COCK ROBIN, JOHN DOE (2019/09/16)
• #11 TRANSITIONAL CRISES (2019/09/23)
• #12 TWO WORLDS, TWO JUSTICES (2019/09/30)

Theme songs and music

The opening theme "Paradise City" was written, composed, and arranged by Masayoshi Oishi, and sung by Masayoshi Oishi. It was used as the ending theme in the final episode. The ending theme "Connected" was written, composed, and arranged by Yuta Yasuno, and sung by Mayu Yoshioka, who plays Tirana Exedilica. These songs are important elements that add to the atmosphere of the story.

Ratings and Recommendations

"Cop Craft" is a novel work that combines the different genres of fantasy set in another world and police drama. It depicts the buddy relationship between Kay and Tirana, the friction and conflict that arise from the differences in culture and values ​​between the two worlds, and the process of overcoming these, leaving viewers with a deep impression. In addition, thanks to the efforts of a luxurious cast of voice actors and staff, it boasts extremely high quality both visually and aurally. You will enjoy it even more if you pay particular attention to the growth of Kay and Tirana and the changes in their relationship. This is a work that I would highly recommend to anyone who likes fantasy set in another world and police dramas.

Further information and supplementary information

"Cop Craft" was broadcast on TOKYO MX and BS11 from July 9 to October 1, 2019. It consists of 12 episodes, each 30 minutes long, and is based on the light novel "Cop Craft: Dragon Mirage Reloaded" by Shoji Gatoh (published by Shogakukan in the Gagaga Bunko series). The animation was produced by Millepensee, and the copyright belongs to "© Shoji Gatoh, Shogakukan/STPD".

One of the charms of this work is the setting of the other world "Leto Semaani". This world, inhabited by fairies and monsters, has a culture and values ​​different from the real world, which gives the story depth. In addition, Tirana's magic "Mirdi" is the key to solving various cases by intersecting with the science and technology of the real world. Furthermore, by setting the story in the city of Saint Teresa, where diverse ethnicities and cultures coexist, the fusion of the real world and the other world is depicted more realistically.

The relationship between Kei and Tirana is also not to be missed. At first, they clash due to the differences in their worlds, but they gradually build trust and work together to solve the case. In particular, Kei's cat allergy and the fact that he keeps a black cat as a pet symbolize his humanity and leave a deep impression on viewers. Additionally, Tirana's growth and the changes in her relationship with Kei are also important elements of the story.

The music in this work is also not to be missed. The opening theme "Paradise City" is impressive with Masayoshi Oishi's powerful voice and Masayoshi Oishi's catchy melody, which livens up the atmosphere of the story. The ending theme "Connected" is sung by Mayu Yoshioka, who plays Tirana, and the lyrics and melody that reflect her feelings will surely touch the hearts of viewers. These songs will help you understand the worldview of the story more deeply.

"Cop Craft" is a novel work that combines the different genres of fantasy set in another world and police drama. It depicts the buddy relationship between Kay and Tirana, the friction and conflict that arise from the differences in culture and values ​​between the two worlds, and the process of overcoming these, leaving viewers with a deep impression. In addition, thanks to the efforts of a luxurious cast of voice actors and staff, it boasts extremely high quality both visually and aurally. You will enjoy it even more if you pay particular attention to the growth of Kay and Tirana and the changes in their relationship. This is a work that I would highly recommend to anyone who likes fantasy set in another world and police dramas.