Tohai Densetsu Akagi: Episode 01

I’ve been acquainted with Mahjong since… well, forever. But I only learned the essentials (possibly a bastardized version) in high school. During my teen years, my sisters, my cousins, and I would hang around our grandparents’ vacation house during summer time. On quiet nights, we’ll take out the mahjong set and play like crazy. Sadly, I can hardly recall the rules. I remember the similarity to cards. I wonder if this new series Tohai Densetsu Akagi will jolt my memory.

If this title proves to become an unwatchable series, I will still acquire its soundtrack or at least the opening theme’s single. It is not my normal kind of music yet it oddly struck a cord in me even with the first few bars. Possibly because of the guitar. Anyhow, I like it and I know I must have it. Instant gratification, I guess.

Okay, I love the visual designs. Sharp thick lines for the characters, realistic backgrounds, and dark lighting. It seems to capture the mood of the entire show. Also, I enjoy the fact that the series revolves around a darker side of society. I’ve long associated mahjong to excessive gambling, chain-smoking, and not-so-respectable circles. Plenty have amassed gigantic debts from the game. My dad considered it unacceptable to play under his roof when I was younger. Seriously. And to focus on unscrupulous characters are very much welcome. And to think that Akagi Shigeru, the mahjong prodigy, is capable of blackmail in his young age of thirteen. (Did I hear it correctly that he is only thirteen?)

Someone must sub this series. My almost non-existent Japanese cannot keep up with it, in addition to the technical terms that I am not completely knowledgeable with. It’s very word-y. I know enough of the game mechanics to be able to grasp the hands played but there are more instances where I follow blindly. Anyhow, I’m looking forward to future episodes. The inclusion of a hit-and-run incident, an unlikely blackmail, and the appearance of a detective are enough to keep me interested. We’ll see how it goes for now.