The Summer 2025 anime season is packed with big titles, and one of the new dark shonen entries on everyone’s radar is Tougen Anki. Adapted from Yura Urushibara’s manga, the series blends Oni vs. Momotaro folklore with over-the-top action and heavy shonen tropes. With the first two episodes now streaming on Crunchyroll, Netflix, and Amazon Prime, fans are already debating whether this series is stylish junk food or just another edgy clone.
The Story Setup – Oni Blood vs. Momotaro Legacy
Tougen Anki follows Shiki Ichinose, a rebellious teen with Oni blood running through his veins. His adoptive father, a descendant of Momotaro (the sworn enemy of Oni), chose to raise Shiki instead of killing him at birth. But when the Momotaro Agency hunts down and kills his father, Shiki’s rage awakens his hidden powers: the ability to manifest weapons and firearms from his own blood.
Now caught between two worlds, Shiki is recruited into Rasetsu Academy, a secretive organization training Oni descendants to fight against Momotaro’s forces. The premise promises revenge, blood-soaked battles, and plenty of supernatural worldbuilding.
Episode 1 – A Flashy but Familiar Start
The premiere wastes no time diving into tragedy and transformation. Within minutes, Shiki’s strained relationship with his father sets up the inevitable death that fuels his quest for revenge. As predictable as the beats are, the payoff is visually striking: Shiki’s first battle against his father’s killer shows off the anime’s best asset—stylish, gun-powered Oni abilities.
The fight choreography is sharp, with glowing red visuals and gun-slinging carnage that channel a ‘90s comic book vibe. Fans have compared the aesthetic to Spawn, Blue Exorcist, and Deadman Wonderland. Unfortunately, outside the action, the characters fall flat. Shiki is painted as the classic “angry shonen delinquent,” and his father’s role feels rushed, making the emotional climax more cliché than impactful.
Still, as junk-food anime goes, Episode 1 delivers enough energy to grab attention.
Episode 1 Verdict: Fun action, weak setup. A flashy but very predictable start.
Episode 2 – Slowing Down with Heavy Exposition
If Episode 1 was all speed, Episode 2 hits the brakes hard. Nearly the entire episode takes place in a single room, where Shiki meets the eccentric Naito, a Rasetsu instructor obsessed with “efficiency.” While the character’s roller skates and umbrella gimmick are quirky, the script leans too heavily on repetitive dialogue. Every few minutes, we’re reminded that Shiki is angry and Naito likes efficiency.
The episode tries to expand the worldbuilding—explaining Oni blood powers, emotional control, and Rasetsu Academy—but the delivery is clunky. Exposition is dumped through endless monologues instead of being shown through action or storytelling. The one fight sequence between Shiki and Naito has brief flashes of energy, but the pacing feels slow and the visuals can’t save the dull setup.
Episode 2 Verdict: Heavy on exposition, light on excitement. A weaker follow-up that risks losing viewers.
Strengths of Tougen Anki
- Stylish Action: The Oni blood powers, especially Shiki’s gun transformations, are visually creative and fun to watch.
- Fast Setup: Unlike some slow-burn shonen, Tougen Anki jumps right into tragedy, powers, and revenge.
- Dark Vibe: The series leans into edgy, violent energy that may appeal to fans of Tokyo Ghoul or Deadman Wonderland.
Weaknesses of Tougen Anki
- Cliché Characters: Shiki is the stereotypical angry protagonist with little depth so far.
- Predictable Plot: Episode 1 hits every shonen checklist beat-for-beat, with few surprises.
- Clunky Exposition: Episode 2 slows the story with repetitive dialogue and weak pacing.
- Lack of Identity: Feels like a mash-up of Blue Exorcist, Jujutsu Kaisen, and Chainsaw Man without adding anything unique.
Final Impressions – Should You Watch Tougen Anki?
Tougen Anki is shaping up to be stylish but shallow. If you’re craving bloody action scenes with flashy powers, the show delivers in short bursts. But if you’re hoping for strong writing, compelling characters, or unique worldbuilding, the first two episodes don’t inspire much confidence.
It’s the kind of anime that feels like a bag of chips: crunchy, salty, and fun in the moment—but ultimately empty if you want a full meal.
Overall Rating (Episodes 1 & 2): 3/5 – entertaining junk food shonen, but not much substance yet.