Odd Taxi: Anime’s Most Unique Mystery You Need to Watch

Odd Taxi

2021 was a strange year. We were still recovering from the year when the virus forced us into our homes, and with media being the only thing we could rely on during those times, suddenly everyone became a critic, a connoisseur of every form of entertainment out there. I’m also talking about some questionable stuff, but let’s leave that subject for another day. But all that surely set the bar higher than ever, didn’t it? However, as the saying goes, excellent series don't concern themselves with that now, do they?

In the spring of that year, Odd Taxi emerged and immediately captivated us with its uniqueness. Of course, from an outsider's perspective, Odd Taxi may seem like a non-CG version of Beastars, but I assure you that it offers a lot more than you might expect. The show delivered with every other episode and cemented itself as one of the best and most unique series we've gotten in this new decade. If you haven't heard of this name for some reason, then you're genuinely in luck today, for we're about to introduce you to something that you're going to enjoy a lot. The walrus Odokawa is here to take you on a taxi ride with us in the backseat as we walk you through this series that's still quite underrated for some reason! People just don’t watch excellent series and then complain about the dogs and vending machines that get reincarnated into another world! Let's get started!

Being a Taxi Driver is Hard

There are quite a few myths and misconceptions surrounding taxi drivers, aren't there? Many people believe that taxi drivers make a lot of money, experience all sorts of crazy events in their cars, and serve as delivery systems for some of the most unthinkable items. But one thing's for sure: no walrus is driving a taxi in any form of media ever, right? If there were ever a live-action version of that, I would lose my mind.

Odd Taxi distinguishes itself by incorporating a twist and presenting a universe where various animals have assumed crucial roles in society. But what's fascinating is how they mix crime and suspense so well that it soon becomes a mystery/thriller you can't get enough of. The series commences with the walrus Odokawa serving as a taxi driver for various characters. From a nurse to a wannabe superstar to a comedic duo to even a yakuza, his taxi has seen its fair share of nutjobs, both in a good and a bad way.

But Odokawa is about to get caught in quite the mess thanks to both his nature and his day job, since, in a city known for all sorts of crimes and heinous acts, on top of him being a taxi driver, the dots connect even if I don't try to line them up next to each other. I like that Odd Taxi has ups and downs, but the ups are prioritized for most of the show. The show starts to slow down in the middle, but by the end, it has us questioning what we've just witnessed, as the show plays a game of 4D chess with us. I'll tell you that. Also, the show is only 13 episodes long, which might sound good for some newbies right now, given it’s an easy watch but let me tell you something: you'll be wanting more by the time you're done with it because it’s just one of those shows, you know what I mean?

Memorable Animals

Do you realize that different animals have been associated with various qualities and quirks since the beginning of time? Odd Taxi fills in the roles with these connections; keep that in mind, and you'll see how accurate they are. Additionally, the series doesn't make them seem out of place at all, which is something I had a problem with when it came to Beastars, as most of those characters feel out of place. This series presents a lot of content in its mere 13-episode count, making it almost impossible to pick favorites, especially since each character has a unique quirk that serves as a signature of their persona.

Whether it's the hardboiled Dobu, the mischievous Eiji, the obnoxious Yano, or the main man walrus Odokawa himself, the characters become one of the most significant selling points of the series in a heartbeat, and that's what keeps you going when it comes to binging this show in no time at all. Every character is different from the rest, and that just adds a lot more diversity to the mix, making this taxi ride through the city one that we won't be able to forget even five years down the road.

Animation That Fits and Sticks

OLM, the studio behind Odd Taxi, has been in operation for a long time. It has given us the likes of Inazuma Eleven, the show that made us wish superpowers existed on the soccer field. Some kids surely broke their bones trying those hissatsu shots, I’m sure. The studio continues to innovate today, releasing The Apothecary Diaries, a show that has garnered significant attention since its debut. When it comes to Odd Taxi, the studio delivers consistently with its animation style throughout the entire series. The best part of the whole series is how the animation style perfectly aligns with the show's theme, unlike BNA from Studio Trigger, for example.

Also, can we just stop and appreciate the magic they brewed with the opening sequence? That animation style feels like it was created by someone who had an intense experience with a substance like LSD, and I love it. Check the guys at the studio! They're abusing the hidden strat. Indeed, the style is ideal for such a setting, and when combined with a well-crafted narrative, it becomes a formula for success.

Unforgettable Music

You know you're getting some excellent music from an anime where a band named Mystery Kiss exists, right? That opening sequence is as catchy as it gets, with the first-take version on YouTube being something that's bound to end up on your playlist and just stay there for an eternity to come. The series features several excellent tracks, in addition to that, which makes the whole experience even better. Additionally, the Mystery Kiss group has an album available for listening, and I highly recommend checking it out. Can't miss out on any music from this anime now, can we?

Odd Taxi is a fantastic series. I’m still amazed that not many people know about this series, even after four years have passed since I remember it being quite famous during 2021. But it’s better late than never, right? Get on the binge-watching road and watch this anime ASAP. With the shows that are coming out right now, it’s better to watch something great, honestly. Odd Taxi effectively blends the anthropomorphic theme with the mystery and thriller genres, doing so in a way that’s natural, captivating, and consistently excellent.

The entire progression and world-building up until the conclusion are done in a significant way, and the last episode or two serve as the cherry on top, the series gifting us with the perfect dessert after we've made our way through the main course. I’d also recommend checking out the manga since even if there aren’t many changes compared to the series, there’s still new stuff that the anime doesn’t adapt on top of a spin-off that serves as a fantastic source to fill in the blanks and the void that’s left after being done with the series. I highly recommend this series, as it stands as one of my all-time favorites. One of the primary reasons for this is that it offers a unique perspective, a refreshing change from the norm, and I wholeheartedly embrace that. Don’t miss out on this taxi ride, I’m telling you!