Winter 2021 Anime: Kemono Jihen

Synopsis

A mysterious disease has attacked the animals in a rural village. To investigate an occult detective from Tokyo, Inugami, comes to help. In that village, Inugami meets a mysterious boy who is nicknamed “Dorotabo” by others. The boy helps Inugami as both of them try to solve the mysterious case that happens in the village. However, there is a strong possibility that the boy knows something that other villagers don’t know about the case.

Comments

Dany Muhammad (The Indonesian Anime Times)

Kemono Jihen is probably more intended towards action-mystery fans. The setup here is that the main character, Kabane, is a half human-half youkai who is abandoned by his parents. He lives with his foster parents and is secluded by everybody in the village because of his bad smell, presumably coming from his half youkai body), until Inugami comes and helps him.

It’s easy for viewers to empathize with Kabane. He receives mistreatment from the other villagers but never complains about it. He’s already discriminated against from birth and because of that, he thought what villagers do to him is normal. Only when Inugami tells him about the existence of other youkai, and the fact that his parents may still be alive that he starts to think about it. It’s easy to understand Kabane’s struggle and that’s why the viewers could easily get behind him.

Other than that, the execution of Kemono Jihen is quite good. The fighting scene is brief but clear. The best part of the episode, though, is actually when Kabane interacts with Inugami. It feels like Inugami is the perfect mentor character for Kabane. This show is an easy recommendation for those who are looking for a simple action supernatural anime with an empathizing main character. You should check Kemono Jihen.

Kemono Jihen is currently streaming on Muse Asia.

Facts and Figures

Facts and Figures

The Indonesian Anime Times