Tactics: Episode 01

For years, Kantarou, a scholar/exorcist, obsessed over his so-called life’s work: finding a legendary tengu called Onikui. During one of his regular ‘outings’, he encountered a man imprisoned in ice. He successfully freed the victim and then continued his search on the surrounding area where he located the seal of Onikui. May it be the combination of fortune, power, and skill, Kantarou broke the seal, released the so-called monster eater, and named him Haruka. From then on, Haruka would serve Kantarou as his master.

For the most part, the stellar animation used varied lighting effects. The music was so-so except for that horrid, cringe-worthy Charlie’s Angels-like theme during the psychedelic chant scene. Was that really necessary? It was even used as the background theme played during previews.

Overall, Tactics had a decent and solid pilot for the new season. While the premise may not be considered original, the blend of darkness, humor, and subtle sexual undertones (tastefully done, I might add) succeeded on providing an interesting pilot. And if one looks for angst in her anime diet, I think Haruka may be the biggest contributor. An angst-y bishonen, eh?