New Breed of Police! A Team of Talents Takes on a World-Cleaning Organization in Tokunana

In a world where dragons once ruled and left a legacy of belief, a religious cult emerges to worship them, giving rise to a special police unit called 'Tokunana' or 'Unit 7,' composed of talented individuals with their own inner demons. Tokunana is a Japanese anime series that aired in 2019 with 12 episodes, seamlessly blending action, adventure, and crime, taking us into a parallel world full of mystery and thrilling action.

Plot Summary (No Spoilers)

The story takes place in another Tokyo of a parallel world, where dragons once lived and left behind a rich cultural legacy. Currently, a mysterious organization called 'Nine' commits crimes driven by a fanatical obsession with dragons, prompting the Metropolitan Police Department to establish a special unit. That unit is 'Unit 7' or 'Tokunana', consisting of members with unique abilities, including a skilled fighter, a mage, and a weapons expert. They must work together to fight against the Nine organization and unravel the mysteries behind their actions.

Performance and Characters

The characters in Tokunana are diverse and intriguing, from Nijou Kujaku (voiced by Tatsuhisa Suzuki), the protagonist with special powers and a troubled past, to Kuro Shinju (voiced by Nobunaga Shimazaki), a cool-headed partner with high combat skills. Shikisai Akane (voiced by Yuhko Kaida) is a strong woman skilled in strategy, while Bellemer Cinq (voiced by Ari Ozawa) is a mysterious girl with magical powers. Warlock (voiced by Hiroaki Hirata) is a weapons expert, and Kiryuuin Sakon Zeroemon (voiced by Toshiyuki Morikawa) is the stern unit chief. The voice acting is excellent, conveying the characters' emotions clearly and drawing viewers into the story.

Direction, Visuals, and Music

The series is directed by Takayuki Kuriyama, who does a great job creating the atmosphere of a parallel world that is both modern and magical. The visuals from studio Satelight are vibrant, with smooth and exciting fight scenes, especially the unique designs of dragons and weapons. The music composed by Yoshihiro Ike is energetic and matches the mood of the story, particularly the opening theme “Twin Tails” performed by OLDCODEX, which adds to the enjoyment of watching.

Editorial Analysis

Tokunana is a series that boldly blends multiple genres seamlessly, including action, adventure, and crime with a fantasy twist. Its strengths lie in the detailed world-building of the parallel world and the character development, with each member having clear motivations and personal issues. However, the story may feel rushed in some episodes due to only 12 episodes, making some plot resolutions less deep than desired. Nevertheless, the camaraderie and teamwork among the Tokunana members make the series enjoyable and engaging.

Verdict

Tokunana is an anime series suitable for fans of action fantasy and special unit stories. Although the content is relatively short, it is full of action and character camaraderie. If you're looking for a light, fun, exciting series to watch without overthinking, Tokunana is the answer.