Omamori Himari | An Anime Review into a World of Demons, Folklore, and Harem

Omamori Himari | An Anime Review into a World of Demons, Folklore, and Harem - Pinned Up Ink

Omamori Himari

 

 

 

 

 

 

Picture this: Our hero, Yuuto, your quintessential run-of-the-mill wimp, is packing a power punch he doesn't even know about. Have you got it? Good. Why? Because it turns out Yuuto hails from a long line of bad-ass demon slayers called Onikiriyaku. Now, his parents, bless their souls, probably thought it would be a grand idea to give the kid a 'normal' life (because, honestly, who wants to slay demons when they can deal with hormonal teenagers at high school?), so off to the city they go.

 

 

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Anime maestro Shinji Ushiro took the director's helm, and Zexcs held the creative reins to birth the exciting world of "Omamori Himari." From January 6th to March 24th, 2010, the series aired across various Japanese TV channels, including TV Saitama, Chiba TV, Tokyo MX, TV Aichi, NTV, TV Kanagawa, TVQ Kyushu Broadcasting, and Sun Television.

 

 

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Kadokawa Pictures released six DVD compilation volumes from March to August 2010. The international anime community was included in an English-subtitled simulcast that found a home on Crunchyroll's video platform.

 

 

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In the spirit of breathing new life into this adventurous saga, "Omamori Himari" was released on Blu-ray on January 27th, 2012. If that wasn't enough of a fandom treat, on August 12th, 2016, Funimation dropped the big announcement that they had acquired licensing rights for the series, releasing it on November 8th of the same year. As a cherry on top, Crunchyroll extended their anime repertoire, adding "Omamori Himari" alongside "Time Travel Girl" and "Three Leaves, Three Colors" to their catalog on December 21st, 2016.

 

 

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Phew! What a journey, right? Now, buckle up as we dig deeper into this rollercoaster ride of supernatural antics, simmering romance, and electrifying action!

 

 

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A visual feast for the eyes, "Omamori Himari" takes its title from the manga series that shares the same title. Serving up 12 punchy episodes, each clocking in at an action-packed 24 minutes, the series revels in its delectable blend of genres. Action, comedy, romance, the supernatural, and ecchi all stir up in a thrilling anime broth flavored with the spices of harem, mythology, and high school drama.

 

 

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While it's aimed primarily at the Shounen demographic, its broad appeal certainly extends beyond that, with its R+ rating acknowledging a dash of mild nudity. From July 2006 to October 2013, Fujimi Shobo published the original manga in the pages of "Monthly Dragon Age." Spanning a robust total of 75 chapters, these were compiled into 12 tantalizing volumes, which Fujimi Shobo released between February 2007 and November 2013.

 

 

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But enough of the backstory! Let's plunge our review katana into the heart of the "Omamori Himari" anime experience. Brace yourself for a whirlwind adventure that will leave you yearning for more!

 

 

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Urban life suits our little Yuuto well. Like a pro, he dodged any knowledge of demons and demon-slaying ancestry for seven peaceful years. Is he just that good? Nah, the credit goes to an Omamori. This nifty Japanese amulet conveniently conceals his demon aura and, as a bonus, turns his personality into something as dynamic as wallpaper paste. Sadly, like a good sitcom, the fun can't last forever. The omamori, having done its job rather impressively, begins to lose its power, revealing the vibrant Yuuto we all didn't know we missed.

 

 

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On Yuuto's sixteenth birthday, things get interesting. A busty, head-turning woman who knows him quite well pops up. Rinko, our hero's childhood buddy and certified possessive friend, smells competition a mile away and drags Yuuto off to school before he can figure out the mystery woman's identity. The most exciting thing about a school day is deciding what to have for lunch, right? Wrong. During his lunch break, a demon attacks Yuuto, but the mystery woman—now less of a mystery and more of a savior—saves him.

 

 

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Say hello to Himari, a bodyguard extraordinaire who conveniently happens to be the busty woman from before (because who wouldn't want their bodyguard to double as a top model?). She transfers to Yuuto's school and moves in with him. Classic harem ecchi move, no? Now here's the kicker: Himari is a cat. That's right, folks. A cat. Meow. To clarify, she's a samurai cat spirit girl, because we're all about being specific.

 

 

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So, amidst all the classic harem shenanigans, we've got a colorful parade of girls who can't resist Yuuto's 'nice guy' allure. And all of this is set against a backdrop of demons, demon slayers, and quirky cat themes. If that doesn't scream 'typical anime plot,' I don't know what does.

 

 

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As for our main characters, we've got Yuuto, the ordinary guy turned demon-slaying heir, and Himari, the cat-spirit samurai girl sworn to protect him. It sounds simple enough. Well, throw in a childhood friend with a competitive streak, a demonic fiancée, and many other girls who can't keep their hands off Yuuto, and you've got a classic harem-style love polygon. And let's not forget our antagonist, the cunning and powerful demon Tama, who is hell-bent on ending Yuuto and his ragtag team of demons and demon slayers.

 

 

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When you embark on the journey into Omamori Himari's realm, you're not just signing up for another run-of-the-mill anime romp. Oh no, you're diving headlong into a dark abyss of myth, folklore, and reality where demons and humans are practically roommates. It's a cosmic carnival with a layered story that would make an onion cry.

 

 

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As the last of the Demon Slayer family, his sweet sixteenth isn't just cake and balloons. It's a door to a hellish nightmare, and boy, does he get a guardian angel! Or a catgirl samurai, Himari, who vows to shield him from all things fanged and frightful.

 

 

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This world, mind you, isn't all sunshine and rainbows. Omamori Himari weaves an intricate narrative of the Twelve Demon Slayer families, each possessing unique demon-whooping tricks up their sleeves. Despite their dwindling headcount, these bloodlines stand tall, fighting off the unending tide of Ayakashi demons like their lives depend on it, because they do.

 

 

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Our supernatural squad is as diverse as a demon slayer's nightmare. From the cat-spirit samurai Himari and the mood-swinging water demon Shizuku to the tea-chugging demon Lizlet L. Chelsie, each is a marvel of their own, showcasing their peculiar abilities and personas. It's a love-hate relationship with these beings; one moment, they're cute, and the next, they're lethal.

 

 

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One of the hilarious ironies throughout this dark comedy is Yuuto's sincere bid for peace between humans and Ayakashi. Yes, he's advocating for harmonious coexistence with the beings that constantly have him on their dinner menu! It's a laugh riot with a side of existential dread as Yuuto and his band of misfit allies walk a tightrope between nobility and sheer madness.

 

 

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And let's not forget the big bad wolf, Tamamo no Mae, or "Tama," one of Japan's top three demonic VIPs. This potent antagonist throws a proverbial wrench in Yuuto's peace-loving plan, adding more fire to an already chaotic mix.

 

 

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The world of Omamori Himari is a twistedly hilarious blend of supernatural antics, the struggles of demon slayers, and a quest for peace that's as elusive as a unicorn. As you view the world through Yuuto Amakawa's bewildered eyes, you're in for a roller-coaster ride that uncovers a web of histories, talents, and troubles. Buckle up, because it will be one hell of a ride!

 

 

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Omamori Himari, a ZEXCS production, demonstrates the team's skill in animation. ZEXCS is the company behind popular series like Eureka Seven, My-HiMe, and Umi Monogatari. The visual aesthetics are often praised for their sleek, vivid quality and for faithfully capturing the essence of the original manga.

 

 

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However, it is also worth mentioning that not all artistic choices have been universally embraced. Some fans have pointed out a discordance when CG effects are utilized in certain fight scenes, arguing that these effects appear somewhat inconsistent with the overall art style.

 

 

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As for the character designs, they're deeply rooted in Milan Matra's original manga, serving as an excellent tribute to the source material. Satoru Isono took the helm for the character design in the anime adaptation, while Naoko Kosakabe fulfilled the role of the art director.

 

 

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The character designs showcase various personas, from humans to demon slayers and ayakashi, each with unique appearances and personalities. Fans have lauded the diversity of these designs, highlighting conventional archetypes like the seemingly weak protagonist, Yuuto Amakawa, and the more memorable figures, such as the cat-spirit samurai girl, Himari. The appealing visuals of these characters enhance the viewer's experience and make the series more immersive.

 

 

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The animation and character design in Omamori Himari have garnered substantial fan approval. The series boasts an array of unique characters, each with distinctive personalities and appearances. While its slick, vibrant animation style is widely appreciated, some critics have been directed toward CG effects in fight scenes. These minor criticisms are relevant to the overall quality and appeal of the anime's artistry.

 

 

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The soundtrack of Omamori Himari provides an audacious yet harmonic accompaniment to the anime's visually rich narrative. The series starts with the spirited opening theme, "Oshichau zo!!" by AyaRuka, an enchanting duo comprising Aya Sakamoto and Ruka Kawada. The tune delivers a refreshing start to each episode, setting the pace for exciting developments.

 

 

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The series also features a revolving ending theme, "BEAM my BEAM," performed by Himarinko L. Shizukuesu, a group of the main female cast. This unique approach imparts a distinctive character to each episode, as from episodes seven through eleven, a different voice actress takes the lead in each rendition. Ami Koshimizu lends her voice in the seventh episode, followed by Iori Nomizu, Kei Shindo, Asuka Ōgame, and Yuki Matsuoka in subsequent episodes. This character-specific singing not only adds an intriguing layer to the narrative but also pays tribute to the talents of the diverse voice cast.

 

 

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For the twelfth and final episode, the protagonist Yuto Amakawa, voiced by Daisuke Hirakawa, sings the ending theme "Sakamichi no Hate" ("At the Bottom of the Hill"). This moving song is a fitting conclusion to the series, embodying the protagonist's journey and lending the final episode a profound resonance.

 

 

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Finally, it's worth noting that both "Oshichau zo!!" and "BEAM my BEAM" were launched as maxi singles by Columbia Music Entertainment on February 24th, 2010, letting fans of the series carry a piece of Omamori Himari's captivating world with them in the form of music.

 

 

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In the blood-soaked realm of anime, where blade-slashing samurais and ghoulish apparitions hold court, Omamori Himari is a beautifully deranged misfit. However, it's not without its devilishly odd bits. The most prominent among them? The all-encompassing harem theme Imagine Yuuto, our hapless hero, besieged by an all-female death squad with relentless amorous pursuits that sometimes push us into somewhat awkward spectacles.

 

 

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And how could we forget Omamori Himari's wicked fondness for fan service? Oh, how the series loves to set pulses racing with scanty attire and situations that ooze sauciness! To some, it might be the cherry on top of the anime cake, but for others who like their anime served with depth and a side of dignity, it might be more like biting into a wasabi-infused cherry.

 

 

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Dive more deeply, and you'll find that Omamori Himari is akin to a fiendishly complex bento box: it has a story that hooks you, characters as diverse as sushi rolls, and a world as immersive as a hot sake. Yet it unabashedly flaunts its harem theme and isn't shy about putting on a fan service show. Ultimately, it boils down to your palette and how much heat you can handle.

 

 

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Putting aside the sinfully seductive qualities of Omamori Himari, a characteristic of many anime, the personalities of a few of the characters could use more development. Some characters could use additional development, such as a thorough backstory or a glimpse into their perverted minds. However, the inner turmoil of characters such as Himari and Yuuto's transformation adds to the story's intrigue.

 

 

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"Omamori Himari" is like a supernatural cocktail with a harem twist, featuring an oddball cast of characters with peculiar ties and tribulations. Sure, it luxuriates in harem and ecchi tropes, but a certain dark charm will keep you chained to your screen, particularly if you have a taste for such genres.

 

 

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Omamori Himari Official Trailer

 

 

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