Kyousou Giga
If you could craft a world with your hands, what would it be like? Would it be a utopia as imagined by all or custom-made to suit your tastes? In hindsight, such a world could do you no wrong, and you might feel content living there forever, but such feelings are often eroded by time. You may just end up tired of your design or even yearn to return to the old world, where things were ugly yet beautiful at the same time. Meanwhile, some would argue that such a perfect life is simply too dull and that it retards human growth in a world that’s not always fair…
“Kyousou Giga” is a 10-episode TV Anime series that aired from the 10th of October until the 19th of December in Fall 2013. It was produced by Asatsu DK, Dwango, Sony Music Communications, Bandai Channel, and Aoni Production; licensed by Discotek Media; and brought to life by Studio Toei Animation. The main staff behind it includes Matsumoto Rie as Director and on Script, Storyboard, and Series Composition; Itou Naoyuki as Episode Director and on Key Animation; Kakudou Hiroyuki, also as Episode Director and on Storyboard; and Mori Hirotaka, also as Episode Director. This is an Original series featuring Action and Fantasy, with each episode 25 minutes long, earning a PG-13 rating for teenagers 13 years or older.
A summary series was released as a TV special, featuring just two episodes titled “Kyousou Giga (TV) Recaps.” It aired from the 03rd of October until the 26th of December, 2013, and was produced by the same Studio. These episodes run 26 minutes each and recap the ONA (Episode 0) and the 2013 TV Series (Episode 10.5). The aforementioned ONA is titled “Kyousou Giga (2012)” and ran for 05 episodes from the 31st of August until the 22nd of December, 2012. It was produced by Bandai Channel and the same studio, with each episode running only 10 minutes. It tells the story of three peculiar kids who happen to be stuck within a strange city and are also causing massive mayhem across the land. However, their chaos serves a purpose as they search for a special rabbit that will allow them to return home. Among the three, Koto is the eldest and has a strange connection to this place, ruled by a monk, a demon, and a priest.
The main series begins with the story of a monk named Myoue, who lived long ago and possessed the supernatural ability to bring anything he drew to life. Despite this great power, he chose to live a peaceful, quiet life with his wife, Koto, who happened to be a black rabbit in human form, and their three kids, Yakushimaru, Kurama, and Yase. However, their joyful lives are disrupted when the high priest of the land decides that Myoue's drawings are causing far too many problems for the locals and orders him to find a long-term solution. This causes the family to flee in secrecy to an alternate world crafted by the monk’s own hands, titled the Looking Glass City.
The family then continues life as usual here until Myoue and Koto abruptly disappear without a word. This sudden turn of events leaves the three children to care for the entire city, and Yakushimaru goes on to inherit both his father’s name and duties. This doesn’t change the fact that they are essentially now stranded in this alternate world, and things only get more hectic with the appearance of a young girl also named Koto. She literally falls from the sky and declares that she is seeking the older Myoue and Koto, but achieving her goal is not going to be easy, as things stand. Now armed with a giant hammer and two rowdy familiars, this new Koto might just be the key to liberating everyone from the eternal paper city!
Kyousou Giga is a bizarre anime, but in a good way. There are only a few series out there that are similar in style, and there’s just so much to unpack and enjoy here. Starting with the story, the show wastes no time in hurling us into this strange world and chooses not to explain anything, and this is where its expert execution comes to play. While other series leave audiences confused and frustrated, this one leaves you with questions you want answered, no matter what, and prompts you to keep watching amidst the intrigue. I was able to form some working speculations for the first few episodes, and this uncertainty makes the watch more fun. They also reward you for noticing tiny details most would miss, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in this series, which follows an intentional, rapid pace to avoid stagnation.
But I will admit that there were a few things I wished they explained, like the timeline, which was very confusing to me. They would abruptly jump to the past without warning for half an episode sometimes, and then casually return to the present, leaving me to figure out where everything fit in. There are title cards scattered throughout the episode that act as signposts, but certain events still left me confused. The show also throws random things at us and expects us to accept them without explanation, which adds to the chaotic fun. I will stop there to avoid spoilers, because this is one hazardous mess you must experience for yourself.
I loved all the characters because they’re each distinct and intriguing in their own way. All the siblings receive character arcs that develop their personalities and motivations, which made me care for Yase, Kurama, and young Myoue more than I initially expected. Myoue, the priest, is very attracted to women and enjoys neglecting his duties thanks to his lazy disposition. Yase, the demon, loves tea and places heavy emphasis on memories and bonds, wishing never to part from them. Kurama, the monk, is the responsible big brother whose actions and influence serve a concrete purpose and add more meaning to the story. Even the supporting cast, including Shouko, the residents of Mirror Kyoto, and those without names of their own, are captivating in their own right, with solid purpose within the narrative.
Meanwhile, young Koto represents the human child, keeping the screen lit with her vivid personality and occasional crybaby persona. She is brave, but her reactions to the odd situations she encounters feel very natural and unforced, and despite her appearance, she acts very mature at times, which I can respect in MC. Lastly, the parents, Koto and Myoue, now known as Inari, serve as the motif around which the plot progresses, exerting the most significant influence, either directly or indirectly, over the main cast. They’re also very odd and enigmatic, and their motivations for just disappearing are never fully explained. Simultaneously, their mysterious connection to young Koto appears out of nowhere, devoid of any logic.
What can I say about the Art and Animation department other than that it’s the perfect fit for this show? The color palette is nearly endless, and all these vibrant hues clash and mix in different art styles to best portray everything in this show. What may seem lazy at the surface level carries weight and meaning from the narrative perspective. For instance, this mirror of Kyoto depicts unimportant characters as mere blocks of color, thereby illustrating the strangeness of this world. The simplistic yet symbolic style, along with the chaotic animation, fits perfectly here, as it emphasizes or exaggerates the characters’ emotions and actions. It’s like one of the greatest artists in history threw up on a canvas with unorthodox angles in the best way possible!
The Sounds and Music department is just as lively and fun. The Opening theme is "Koko" by Tamurapan, which I found tough to skip, thanks to its fun, fast-beat tune that showcases the vibrant, chaotic yet enigmatic world it's set in. The Ending theme is "Shissou Ginga" by TEPPAN, which is also fast-paced and uses multiple shapes and colors rotating around as visuals. I didn’t enjoy it as much as the opening, and watching it is kind of discombobulating, so I won’t recommend more than the initial watch. The OSTs don’t necessarily stand out, but they always suited the mood and were captivating on occasion, helping the feels hit. Voice Acting is superb across the board; nothing else to say.
Overall, "Kyousou Giga" achieves its objectives in a chaotic yet enjoyable way. The only con is that they don’t explain things they really should have, intentionally confusing you for extra effect. Regardless, the story is incredibly unique, brimming with mystery and charm, and propelled forward by a lovable cast that ensures there are never any dull moments. So it’s best to follow the 3-episode rule and see what it has to offer before you commit, because it is an atypical anime that won't appeal to everyone. However, if you share my passion for intricate narrative details, captivating worldbuilding, and characters driven by purpose, I heartily endorse this show!
