Kemono Jihen
Synopsis
Kohachi Inugami, a detective who specializes in the occult, arrives at a remote village in the Japanese countryside, tasked by a hostess at a local inn to investigate a string of incidents involving rotting and mutilated livestock corpses that have been appearing for seemingly no reason. While surveying, Inugami notices a peculiar young boy working in the fields. Evaded by his peers and called "Dorotabou" for his stench, the young farmhand is surprised that anybody would take an interest in him. Inugami, piqued with curiosity, enlists Dorotabou in helping him with the investigation, despite scorned looks from the villagers. Unbeknownst to Dorotabou, this investigation will reveal a strange new world to him—one of the beast-like entities known as Kemono existing in tandem with humans—along with breathing new purpose into his previously empty life. [Written by MAL Rewrite]
Audience Consensus
Overall, Kemono Jihen is well-received as a hidden gem within the shounen genre, praised for its engaging characters, intriguing mysteries, and balance of dark and lighthearted elements. Some viewers found the plot and character development lacking, and the animation inconsistent. Despite its flaws, most hope for a second season to continue the story.
Strengths
- Endearing characters with well-developed backstories.
- Good balance of dark themes with lighthearted moments.
- Interesting plot with unique powers and mysteries.
- Excellent opening theme and generally good soundtrack.
- Strong emphasis on teamwork and character relationships.
Weaknesses
- Inconsistent animation quality.
- Uneven character development, with some characters feeling underdeveloped or relying on tropes.
- Plot can be predictable or lack a clear overarching narrative.
- Some viewers found the 'edgy' or 'mature' themes to be poorly executed or gratuitous.
- Cliffhanger ending with no guarantee of a second season frustrates some viewers.