Fuuto PI

“The Captivating Anime Series Based on Kamen Rider W”

As children, we all embraced our inner detectives during our playtime, embarking on whimsical adventures with outrageous storylines. Whether inspired by "The X-Files" or enthralled by Sherlock Holmes's brilliance, our imaginations knew no bounds. From searching for hidden treasures to unraveling mysterious puzzles, we set off on thrilling journeys that ignited our sense of wonder and curiosity. Those childhood escapades shaped us, sparking a lifelong fascination with mysteries and investigations.

Studio Kai is the company behind the Japanese anime series Fuuto PI, also known as "Fūto Tantei." Yousuke Kabashima is the director, while Tatsuto Higuchi handles the series' composition. Hidekazu Ebina designs the characters, and the music is composed by Kōtarō Nakagawa and Shuhei Naruse.

The series premiered on the streaming platform U-Next on August 1, 2022, before airing on Tokyo MX on August 8. After Sony acquired the platform, Crunchyroll bought the initial license from Funimation. Muse Communication licenses the Southeast Asian series, distributing the Kamen Rider series in Taiwan.

The Fuuto Tantei TV anime series consists of 12 episodes based on manga source material. It falls under the genres of action, mystery, and supernatural, with a central theme of detective. The series' target demographic is Seinen, and each episode lasts approximately 25 minutes. The show carries a PG-13 rating, making it suitable for viewers aged 13 or older.

Riku Sanjo wrote, and Masaki Sato drew the manga series "Fuuto PI." It serves as a follow-up to the tokusatsu live-action drama "Kamen Rider W," which was part of the Kamen Rider franchise and debuted in 2009. Fuuto PI has been serialized in Shogakukan's manga magazine, Big Comic Spirits, since August 2017. As of November 2023, it has been compiled into 15 tankōbon volumes, collecting its chapters.

In the bustling city of Fuuto, where shadows hold secrets and mysteries linger in every corner, a unique duo emerges as the beacon of truth. The extraordinary partnership between Phillip and Shotaro, two detectives with a knack for uncovering the hidden truths that lie beneath the surface, leads to quite the tale.

The story follows the adventures of these two private investigators and explores how they protect the city of Fuuto from various nefarious elements. While they may seem like ordinary detectives, their true power lies in their ability to combine into the hero Kamen Rider W when faced with the threat of Gaia Memories. These devices transform people into monstrous Dopants.

Together, they utilize the Gaia Memories to bring justice to the city and unravel the mysteries surrounding Shadow Fuuto. Alongside their enigmatic assistant, Tokime, who attracts attention effortlessly, the quirky cast of the Narumi Detective Agency navigates a bizarre and sometimes confusing world.

Although the show assumes prior knowledge from its audience and may need to provide more guidance for newcomers, it manages to stand independently as a captivating and eccentric superhero series. The strength of Fuuto PI lies in its well-crafted storytelling and endearing and diverse characters, including entertaining side characters and delightfully exaggerated villains. Additionally, the series boasts stunning art and animation that add to its visual appeal. While it may take some time to adjust to the unique world-building, once you become immersed in its peculiar charm, Fuuto PI has the ability to captivate and entertain.

Shotaro Hidari, our main hero, is the self-proclaimed "hard-boiled detective" and one-half of Kamen Rider W. He is confident. He boasts about his abilities, which, to some extent, he can back up. With his intelligence and keen observation skills, he proves to be a competent detective at the Narumi Detective Agency. However, his interactions with women leave much to be desired, as he is portrayed as clueless and inept.

Despite his good intentions, Shotaro's behavior is often obnoxious and lacks the professionalism one would expect from a detective. It can be frustrating to witness his actions, as he comes across as more irritating than endearing. His survival throughout the series can be attributed to an incredibly thick plot armor that seemingly protects him at all costs. Unfortunately, Shotaro's character falls short of his potential, becoming a lesser imitation of Spike Spiegel from another popular series. This disappointment may evoke feelings of frustration and disappointment among viewers.

Philip, the second detective at the Narumi Detective Agency, contrasts sharply with Shotaro. With a calm and collected demeanor, he rarely lets his emotions cloud his judgment and isn't afraid to speak his mind, even if it leads to conflict. Many viewers find him to be the standout character of the show.

As the other half of Kamen Rider W, he plays a crucial role, but unlike Shotaro, his transformed body requires extra care and protection, leaving him vulnerable for some time. To aid in their investigations of Dopant-related cases, Philip relies on the Gaia Library, showcasing his intellectual prowess and analytical skills. While he may struggle with emotions, viewers witness his gradual growth and development in understanding and navigating the complexities of human feelings. Philip's character adds depth and intrigue to the series, making him a fan-favorite component of the show.

Tokime, a pink-haired girl with amnesia, possesses a mysterious power that allows her to sense the presence of Dopants or active memories. Initially portrayed as a villain, she engages in theft, including money from men and clothes from women, and becomes a suspect in a murder case during the first arc. However, after the murder charge is dropped, she becomes Shotaro's assistant.

Despite her kind nature and ambition to become a worthy assistant detective, Tokime is perceived as rather dull. She lacks standout characteristics or traits, but she does undergo the most character development throughout the show.

Studio Kai successfully captures the atmosphere reminiscent of the game "LA Noire" in the city and complements it with an impressive original soundtrack. The animation stays true to the manga's art style, breathing life into the characters. Although each member of the Narumi Detective Agency has their own quirks, their intense chemistry comes through thanks to excellent voice acting. This combination contributes to the show's strong sense of humor.

The show features vibrant colors that stand out against the dark backgrounds, creating visually appealing scenes. However, it's worth noting that a significant amount of fan service involves female characters (excluding Akiko). This aspect may appeal to some viewers, but it may only be some people's preference.

The Dopants in the series have unique and peculiar designs, each possessing interesting powers such as bug control, nuclear reactor abilities, and even the power of intoxication. Watching the team engage in battles against these Dopants while simultaneously unraveling the surrounding cases is enjoyable. The animation, particularly during the fight sequences, is outstanding. Since the limitations of live-action filming do not bind the fights, they are more dynamic and thrilling.

The opening theme song, "Private Eye" by Big Gadgets, featuring Aya Kamiki w TAKUYA, sets the tone for the series. In contrast, the ending theme song, "Tsumi to Batsu to Underground" (“Crime, Punishment, and the Underground") by Mitsuru Matsuoka and Kōji Kikkawa, adds a fitting conclusion. Both artists have previously portrayed Kamen Riders Eternal and Skull, adding to the connection between the music and the Kamen Rider franchise.

While I enjoyed "Fuuto PI," I acknowledge that the lack of initial context regarding the world-building and characters may hinder some viewers' enjoyment. Additionally, there is a disturbing instance where a villain coerces Tokime into removing her clothes, which feels jarring, and relies on a cheap writing trick to create tension. However, as you continue watching, more context is provided, and by episode 12, the story becomes much more fulfilling.

One aspect that stands out is the unique superpower of one character, who can transform into a motorbike—an undeniably excellent concept that adds to the show's appeal. "Fuuto PI" demonstrates how simplicity can create a compelling and enjoyable anime. The series starts as an exciting, action-packed adventure, and the animation by Studio Kai is exceptional. As the episodes progress, the animation improves and becomes even more enjoyable, particularly in the second half.

The writing took a noticeable dive as the show progressed, resulting in a dull and predictable storyline. The initial premise of Phillip and Shotaro as partners in an exciting story was intriguing. However, the overall narrative became a mindless action experience where viewers were expected to turn off their brains. This description aptly captures the essence of "Fuuto Tantei."

Unfortunately, the second half of the series lost the charm that made it stand out despite the outstanding voice acting, solid animation, and captivating theme song. One prominent issue is the unnecessary fanservice, particularly the explicit display of Tokime's body during fight scenes, which feels out of place and detracts from the overall experience.

Despite these shortcomings, the show still retains some level of interest, especially for fans of detective stories. Witnessing the brilliant detectives' deduction skills can be entertaining. If you're open to generic Power-Ranger-style fights and seeking a moderately engaging mystery to fill a few hours, "Fuuto Tantei" might be worth considering.