Review of Tenjho Tenge Volume 1
© Holly Ellingwood
Thus starts my introduction to one of the most surprising animes I've enjoyed this year: Tenjho Tenge Volume 1. The first episode gives you a good grasp of the primary characters. The two main delinquents, Souichiro and Bob, come to a school to take it over by beating up everyone. They're in for a shock (one of several) when they find out that they have chosen to take on the most formidable martial artists of any high school in Japan!
Add an Executive Student Council that sends out hired assassins, a dojo on campus with a female student who has some crazy powers and has a sister with powers of her own (their family has a very strange custom which will prove to be a thorn in Souichiro's side), and you have a strange blend that makes for a surprisingly addictive anime series. All in all, a very promising start.
By the third episode it is obvious why this anime is rated ages 16 and up. The graphic violence and mature themes that enter in belie the lighter comedic tone in the first couple of episodes. By the end of Volume 1, the characters and plot were well under development.
Even though I'm not overall a fan of martial art anime series, I find I can't wait for the next volume to come out and discover what will become of these diverse characters. The art style strives to be very faithful to the manga and the sound played well.
The blend of zany comedic moments contrasted by stark violence and drama are well done and make for a compelling series where unlikely alliances are formed, hard choices are made, and enemies lie in wait everywhere with their own hidden agendas. Tenjho Tenge rates eight kendo swords out of ten and one katana for sheer off the wall creativity. It is well worth watching.
Volume 1, containing episodes 1 to 4, is available June 7th.
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