Ushio to Tora: Anime Review
Why you should watch Ushio to Tora on Netflix
Ushio to Tora explained.
Ushio to Tora (or Ushio and Tora) is a Japanese manga serialized in Shogakukan’s Weekly Shōnen Sunday between 1990 and 1996. In this article, we’ll talk about Studio Mappa anime adaptation of 2015. The 90’s flavour of Ushio to Tora gives special taste to the storyplot. Ushio Aotsuki, is the protagonist of the series, the son of a temple priest and a lady shaman, destined to wield the Beast Spear. The series focus on his relationship with Tora, a tiger-like yokai who remained stuck in the basement of the temple due to the special power of the aforementioned spear. The storytalk proceeds in an interesting way for the audience, well balancing battles against mythological foes, light heart sequences and thrilling moments.
Ushio to Tora review
Ushio to Tora: the Yokai.
The influence of Japanese culture.
According to Japanese ideas of animism, spirit-like entities were believed to reside in all things. Yōkai (literally ghost, phantom, strange apparition) are a class of supernatural monsters, spirits, and demons in Japanese folklore. Yōkai range diversely from the malevolent to the mischievous, or occasionally bring good fortune to those who encounter them.
Yōkai often possess animal features, yet others appear mostly human. Some yōkai look like inanimate objects, while others have no discernible shape. They usually have spiritual or supernatural abilities, with shapeshifting being the most common.
During his trip, Ushio will discover the complex connection establishes between humans and nature. Yokai, like humans, are not completely evil nor completely good. There’s no sharp distinction such as black and white. The supernatural concept of Yokai it’s that of Miyazaki inspiration.
Where can I watch Ushio to Tora?
Ushio to Tora is currenly available on Netflix where you can find the complete series (Ushio to Tora season 1 and season 2). The show is also available on Crunchyroll (link here). If you want to give a glance to the official trailer of Ushio and Tora see there (Ushio to Tora official trailer).
Ushio to Tora anime show deserves a mention for the soundtracks and the openings that are, for sure, a strong point to enjoy the anime. You can find Ushio to Tora opening here.
The perfect partnership: Ushio and Tora anime.
The shows grows exponentially episodes by episodes. The first ones are dedicated to the introduction of the characters and in particular to the personality of Ushio and Tora. The power of the beast spear are gradually discovered and exploited in a plot which weaves up second by second. According to us, the true essence of the anime series is represented by Tora. Tora’s personality is the real hit of the storyplot: it has the perfect villain outline and proud as the prince of Sayan, Vegeta.
The perfect partnership between Ushio and Tora.
Usho to Tora: a great balance of moments.
The anime is great because the audience gets through mixed emotions in each episodes. Rampage battles, sentimental moments and funny pranks are perfectly balaced in Ushio to Tora. This ability is common in amny great animes, such as Full Metal Alchemist, for example.
The animation style adopted in Full Metal Alchemist and Ushio to Tora in funny scenes.
The meaning of Ushio to Tora ending.
The deep message that the story of Ushio to Tora wants to vehiculate is a noble one. The respect for the Nature which acquires humanoids appearances and behaviour in the Yokai. Humanity should live in respect of natural things to survive. The collaboration of the mankind, personified by Ushio with the legendary Yokai is the only opportunity to defeat the evil Hakumen no Mono. Very meaningful is the fact that Ushio, with the power of the Beast Spear recedes to a more primitive condition: only when he manages to control itself and its emotion he will be able to win the war between Good and Evil.
Hakumen no Mono: the power of loneliness.
Hakumen is an extremely powerful, white nine-tailed fox born from ancient times who enjoys destroying countries by manipulating the rulers and creating fear among humans and yokai. He feels great in spreading terror among humanity. However, the great villan of Ushio and Tora is only the result of his grew jealous of the warm chi that humans produced. Hakumen no Mono’s true desire was only to be considered and beloved as a normalu creature.
Studio MAPPA has done a magnificent work in Hakumen design
The Rankings
Ushio to Tora (Anime series)
