The spring anime season has just begun, and there`s already a series worth discussing. The new action-packed show “Kijin Gentoushou” (also known as “Chronicles of Humans and Demons”) promises a narrative centered on the conflict between two races, exploring themes of family bonds, betrayal, and tragic romance. Let`s delve into what makes this anime noteworthy and examine its shortcomings.
The first episode clocks in at around an hour, serving as an extensive introduction. It immerses the viewer in the protagonists` childhood and establishes the narrative`s central conflict. Siblings Jinta and Suzune flee their home to escape their cruel father. The catalyst for their departure is the discovery that one of the children belongs to the demon race. The girl, Suzune, conceals her striking red eye beneath a cloth band. Jinta remains unfazed by his sister`s true nature, while she, in turn, is willing to follow her brother wherever he goes.
The runaway children likely would have frozen to death had they not been found by a compassionate man. He brought them to Kadono village and welcomed them as his own. (He was a genuinely good person, if only he knew the future consequences). While trying to avoid major spoilers, to clarify the upcoming conflict, I`ll mention another key character: a young priestess. She grew up alongside Jinta and Suzune in the village and became a part of their new family. Although all three care for each other in their own ways, they struggle to understand themselves or their loved ones. Each is willing to sacrifice for the others, but these efforts consistently lead to undesirable results.
A few cutting words from an external source shatter what seemed like a strong family bond, instantly transforming it into cruel betrayal. Is this due to the inherent nature of humans, the machinations of demons, or are the main characters simply excessively naive or, conversely, deeply hypocritical? As is often the case, numerous paths could have avoided this tragic situation, yet the characters invariably choose the worst possible course of action. They have certainly brewed up a messy situation, and now we are left to watch and speculate on how it will all unfold.
The initial depiction of a caring brother and his adorable demon sister in the first episode brought to mind the popular anime “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba.” However, this similarity is purely superficial and limited to the beginning. The subsequent development of the characters` relationship, the series` narrative, and the pivotal moment at the end of the episode follow an entirely different trajectory. Suzune`s truly demonic action seems to either break her brother`s sanity or perhaps reveal his true feelings. Jinta`s violent and aggressive reaction is understandable, yet a character like Tanjiro from “Demon Slayer” would never attack his sister with a katana so ferociously. Then again, Nezuko never harmed humans, whereas Suzune, like a wolf discarding its sheep`s hide, annihilated everything her brother held dear. Indeed, in this story, family members find themselves on opposing sides of the barricade separating humans and demons.
Despite the differences, the overall concept of the new anime still bears some resemblance to “Demon Slayer.” The protagonist acquires a powerful ancient katana and embarks on the path of a demon slayer, accepting missions to eliminate them. However, unlike the popular shonen known for its cheerful and boisterous comedic trio of Tanjiro, Inosuke, and Zenitsu, this new series is considerably darker in tone. In “Kijin Gentoushou,” the main character is portrayed as a serious, thoughtful, and reserved individual who is set to walk a difficult and somber path largely on his own.
Despite the first episode being nearly an hour long, some moments feel rushed while others are excessively drawn out. The childhood scenes, discussions about chosen paths, and obligations to the village unfold so slowly and peacefully that one might mistake the genre for iyashikei (slice-of-life), even though the series is explicitly labeled as action. Fortunately, the narrative pace begins to accelerate from the middle of the episode, gradually introducing viewers to treacherous but rather simplistic demons, while simultaneously stripping away the facades of the three main characters.
The soft-hearted and overly responsible priestess strives to please everyone but turns away from her own feelings and those she loves. Little Suzune succumbs to demonic whisperings and decides to exact revenge for perceived betrayal using her newly awakened demonic power. Her transformation is so sudden and complete that her image as a cute little girl is instantly erased from everyone`s memory, including her brother`s. As for Jinta, he temporarily transforms from a caring but indecisive and overly gentle person into a furious and ruthless warrior. Finally, action!
The fight scenes in the first episode are of average quality, though the appearance of the blonde demoness is striking – she looks simultaneously insane and beautiful, with the former being more prominent. However, the animation during the fight between Jinta and the beast-like demon raises questions. What happened to the hero`s arm? Why did it fly off so strangely? And why would the demon simply give Jinta its arm? It seems the only plausible answer is that it serves as a plot device to make the main character stronger and drive the subsequent story forward based on his cool new demonic ability. While slightly cliché, a later plot development involving time travel promises more intrigue: the hero will journey through time to understand the meaning of wielding his blade and protecting humans from demons.
Despite the emotional roller coaster of the first episode, the second one feels much more cohesive and engaging. Its structure still echoes “Demon Slayer”: the protagonist responds to a plea for help, meets people who claim to have seen a demon, confronts the enemy, and defeats it. While this sounds straightforward, the episode itself generates interest through both subtle and overt hints about the main character`s past and his connection to the people he saves.
After watching the first two episodes of “Kijin Gentoushou,” I`m left with mixed feelings. On one hand, observing the main character`s development as a swordsman and demon slayer is engaging. On the other hand, the demons themselves haven`t been particularly compelling. Even the protagonist`s sister, despite her dramatic transformation, doesn`t quite register as a fully fleshed-out antagonist. The demons who assisted her in the first episode also appeared rather weak. Perhaps future episodes will introduce stronger adversaries and provide a better understanding of Suzune`s motivations and plans. For now, we can only wait and see.
Finley Holt