Rating: 
Country: Japan
Release Date: June 27, 2006
Distributor: Manga Video
Director:
· Hiroshi Watanabe
Grade: B
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DVD Review: Tactics, Vol. 1
by Adam Scholtz
Published: July 28, 2006
Tactics is a relatively new entry to the Japanese anime field, having just come out in Japan this past year. This is the first entry into the series DVD release, with “Tactics, Vol. 1” containing the first five episodes of the series. Overall it is well done so far, with just some confusing spots that hopefully get cleared up in later episodes. It follows the journey of a young man named Ichinomiya Kantaro on his exploits throughout the land exorcizing demons for anyone willing to pay and submitting stories about it to various publications, as well as working on a book. Kantaro has the unique ability to exorcise evil spirits as well as see and communicate with demons. These gifts made him an outcast with other children, but allowed him to secure friends from other sources.
The story begins with our young protagonist being told that he has a special gift, and also revealing that he searches throughout his childhood for the legendary “demon-eating goblin”, who supposedly vanished some time ago. While on another case in a small village, he happens upon a seal in a farmers barn that contains the goblin. Kantaro is eventually is able to release the goblin and ends up naming him Haruka, which in demon law requires Haruka to treat Kantaro as master.
Haruka continually has to deal with his amnesia as well as having to follow commands from young Kantaro. Kantaro acts like he is basically in love with Haruka, with even some slight undertones alluding to the fact. The pair live with several others, including a fox-demon girl named Youko, who has been forced into maid service as well as getting on Kantaro to finish his articles and meet his deadlines. There is also a very young girl named Suzu, who has a massive crush on Haruka. Later on they are joined by Sugino (who is a mountain god) and his wife Muu (who resembles a little green alien more then the demon she is supposed to be.)
When people mention goblins, it tends to bring to mind small creatures with ugly appearances, weak physical strength, and general stupidity. Goblins in this series however all seem to be a sort of beautiful people with wings and spiritually granted power. Instead we have other forms of demons that tend to be either ugly or twisted in some way, and humans in the middle of it all.
The series overall has a good story groundwork laid, with some of it being a but confusing due to only having five episodes to see so far out of twenty five, hopefully future episodes will begin to tie the story together better. Characters are relatively well developed, each having a distinct personality and some other traits to make each one stand out. It does however seem that many have feelings for another character, with said character having feelings for yet another character, none of which are the same two.
The animation is done well and is in the typical Japanese style that is used today. Backgrounds are drawn well and characters all move fluidly. There is a rather distinct lack of action though, with episodes having maybe a few minutes of it near the end is all. It is worth a look into if you like anime, and if your into guys with wings, then this is right up your ally.
Disc Features
Available Subtitles: English
Available Audio Tracks: Japanese (Dolby Digital 5.1), Japanese (Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo), English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo)
Photo Gallery
Motion Menus
Textless Opening/ Ending
Original Japanese Commercial
Original Japanese Merchandise Ads
Interviews with Japanese Voice Cast
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CD Giveaway - Paper Bird, "Rooms"
Ends May 28, 2013
Drifting ever so slightly away from traditional folk music, this Colorado band delivers harmony and energy aplenty. |
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