Amatsuki

Tokidoki Rikugou is a history-hating student who flunks out of his Japanese History course; his high school forces him to make up for his failed grade by attending a special museum lecture. Its star exhibit, a vast recreation of the Edo Period, promises to alleviate the delinquent student's poor grades with an elaborate simulation of the Tokugawa Shogunate: the Edo Bakumatsu Walking Tour and Exhibition.

Knowing next to nothing about samurai culture or the times he's walked into, he is quickly surprised to learn of the superstitious nature of Japan during the 1600s. Quickly dismissing the existence of gods and demons, he is shocked when confronted by a demon on a bridge, who attacks the unsuspecting high-schooler. Saved by a mysterious swordsman named Kuchiha, he discovers that he can no longer escape the simulation at the history museum.

Meeting another swordsman named Kon Shinonome, he discovers another contemporary that was trapped in the simulation before him. Quickly adjusting to his new home, Tokidoki must now help protect the village from demons, while uncovering the mystery of both the simulation and the company that created it.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Rikugou, Tokidoki Main

Fukuyama, Jun Japanese

Shinonome, Kon Main

Yusa, Kouji Japanese

Kuchiha Main

Park, Romi Japanese

Bonten Supporting

Suwabe, Junichi Japanese

Tsuyukusa Supporting

Morikubo, Shoutarou Japanese

Ginshu Supporting

Suzumura, Kenichi Japanese

Byakuroku Supporting

Narita, Ken Japanese

Heihachi Supporting

Nojima, Kenji Japanese

Sasaki, Tadajirou Supporting

Ookawa, Tooru Japanese

Kuwata, Suou Supporting

Miyake, Kenta Japanese

Okamura, Takema Producer

Oomori, Hiroyuki Producer

Urasaki, Nobumitsu Producer

Kon, Yuuko Producer

Reviews

Sep 23, 2008

TheLlama

Recommended

I'll start by telling you that the manga this thirteen-episode series is based on, has been running for over three years now. From this alone, you can deduce that it's too short, and doesn't end properly. That's very true, and these thirteen episodes seem like an introduction arc to something much more grand. But despite being too short, it showed so much potential that I'm gonna read the manga. And hope for a second season.

Read the sumamry, and you'll have the basic premise of this show. Rikugou Tokidoki gets trapped in an alternate world, where demons and the like isn't an unsual thing. After getting ... trapped here, he is suddenly confronted with a lot of things; he has to change the way he thinks about and lives life, and he's the one person in that world who doesn't have a fate, which has resulted in him possessing a special power. Amatsuki also begins to explore the relations between demons and humans: are either good or evil? Is there something else behind it all?

As I said, it sets the base for one helluva great show, and then stops. Fortunately, they didn't try to resolve things that much during the course of the thirteen episodes. I say fortunately because this definitely leaves room for a new season to continue the show, something they might not have been able to if they tried to close up the ending.

The characters are all okay, with some great supporting characters and a new kind of main character in Tokidoki. He's not the completely laid-back type, and he's definitely not the overly rash type of guy. He's just a kind guy who cares for those around him without having to show it by killing everyone around him.

Studio DEEN did a great job on the animation. The coloring is good, shading effects are good too, backgrounds are great, and characters designs are fine, with the exception of their eyes; the pupils are a bit large compared to the size of the eyes. I don't know about you, but I'm not a big fan of it. Nevertheless, the animation's great.

The soundtrack is really great, though a bit unvaried; it was the same few background songs that played during the series, and I noticed that one of them was just an instrumental version of the ED theme, which in its original vesion is astounding. The OP theme's good too. The soundtrack did a decent job for this series, but it lacked a few things to become truly awesome.

One more thing to note is that things may happen a bit quickly at times; this is most likely a product of its short length. I've noticed other people complaining about this, and true enough, I didn't quite catch what was happening without pausing and/or rewinding a few times to think over things.

All in all Amatsuki is a series that may leave you a bit confused, and it'll make you long for a second season, but it's definitely good, and it holds the potential to become truly great. It just needs a second season!

To 'Not Helpful' voters (and you 'Helpful' voters too): Feedback greatly appreciated =)

Reviewer’s Rating: 8

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Aug 11, 2008

fr0z3nshad3

Mixed Feelings

Story (7.0) - For me, the story is a decent one. In my opinion, the story started very well in the first episodes, but as the anime came close to the end, it started to look a little confusing, with some episodes with almost no advance in the storyline.
The last episode was not bad, but could also have been better.
The story itself has some interest, also has some action, but there are some flaws like slow progress, confusing aspects,...
Interesting, but no more than a 7 here.

Art (6.3) - in a short sentence: Not impressive! Design and animations doesnt look that good as they should, ... so just a 6 here.

Sound (6.0) - Although it isnt bad, i didnt like it very much. The opening is acceptable, the ed i didnt like it, the background music and voices aspect are not fantastic, this aspect is just an average aspect, that´s why i give it a 6.

Characther (5.0) - This aspect is not good. During the anime, i cant understand the role of many of the characters. Some vanish after 1 or 2 appearences, others rarely appear, even the main ones almost do nothing during the series except for tokidoki.
In my opinion, this aspect was not develloped as it should be, and this makes a big impact in the anime. After watching amatsuki, i dont know a thing about most of the characters, and i can say for sure that all of them are far far away for having chances to be in my favourites.

Enjoyment (6.2) - It could be interesting indeed, but it has major flaws. The lack of action in some moments, some confusing aspects in the story, episodes that come out of nowhere and lack of logical sequence is what i can point this show as mistakes. So, the show turned out to be just an mediocre show.

overall (6.0) - I could say for sure that this show had potential to be better. The first 2 episodes were interesting, but then it started to miss in some important aspects and turned out to be confusing, boring in some moments and slow.
with a better organization could have been much better, as it is i cant give it more than a 6.

Reviewer’s Rating: 6

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Jan 3, 2009

fejuto

Not Recommended

Short review:

I really enjoyed the first episode. The story was much promising and i kinda liked the characters. However after the first episode the story doesn't really go anywhere and lacks any kind of twists. The ending was also random. I got bored as hell, and was disappointed in the end. 4 story, 8 art (art was quite good actualy), Sound 7 (nothing special), character 7 (nothing special), Enjoyment 3 (there was nothing to enjoy since nothing was special). Overall 4. Don't get swain away because you liked the the first episode.

Reviewer’s Rating: 4

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	2nd season? SherryAi - Oct 3, 2008	19 replies	by Niello »» Jun 17, 6:17 AM
	Poll: Amatsuki Episode 3 Discussion cyruz - Apr 30, 2008	35 replies	by PatrickJaneFan »» Dec 30, 2023 7:08 AM
	Poll: Amatsuki Episode 2 Discussion hyunnie14 - Apr 14, 2008	39 replies	by PatrickJaneFan »» Dec 30, 2023 6:44 AM
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	Poll: Amatsuki Episode 13 Discussion ( 1 2 ) WaterLily - Jun 30, 2008	69 replies	by Dawizz »» Jul 4, 2023 12:47 AM