‘Tokyo Revengers’ Needs To Be At The Top of Your Anime List 

Article contributed by Tyler Constable

Each new season of anime can always feel overwhelming for dedicated fans due to the sheer abundance of titles. Mix that volume in with the production value and quality of this past winter season and you’ve got a lot of great weekly TV to sink your teeth into. With the success of the winter line-up, one might think it would be hard to follow it, but that’s definitely not the case. 

The latest additions to the weekly line-up include season 5 of My Hero Academia and the long-awaited remake of Shaman King so it was always going to be exciting, but there’s one particular show that’s swept in and taken everyone by surprise. Does a captivatingly blended sci-fi, gangster fuelled action story grab your attention? If so, you better sit back, relax, and let us tell you why Tokyo Revengers needs to be at the top of your anime list right now!

Adapted by Liden Films (Senyu, Berserk 2016) from Ken Wakui’s manga, Tokyo Revengers follows 26-year-old Takemichi Hanagaki, a dropout who spends his time floating between menial part-time jobs, left with no drive or direction in life. One day he discovers that his middle school girlfriend, Hinata Tachibana, and her younger brother, Naoto, were killed in an incident perpetrated by the merciless Tokyo Manji Gang. A striking revelation that comes shortly before he’s pushed in-front of an oncoming commuter train. 

In what he believes to be his life flashing before his eyes, Takemichi is transported back to 2005 where instead of a dishevelled messy haired man, he’s now an overly confident bleach blonde wannabe street punk roaming the halls of his middle school and the streets of Tokyo with a close knit group of friends. Takemichi relives the day and is able to reveal Hina’s fate to Naoto before returning to the present, realising that he’s caused a time paradox where Naoto has survived and, in striving to protect his sister, has become a detective. Naoto is revealed to have been the person who saved him from being hit by the train and deduces that Takemichi can travel exactly 12 years to the past by shaking his hand. With their new allegiance formed, Takemichi vows to use his abilities and knowledge to infiltrate the Tokyo Manji Gang, change the past, and save Hinata. 

The premise of Tokyo Revengers is captivating enough, but it’s the characters that really shine through and make this series special. Takemichi is a typical underdog Shonen protagonist, perhaps even more so than usual because only 7 episodes in, he’s already taken a myriad of beatdowns but he never rises to the violence surrounding him in the Manji gang’s world, opting to instead take his licks to gain the respect of those around him, all in the aid of succeeding to save his loved ones. This makes him extremely likeable, as does seeing how tackling his past head on truly effects him and his shift from a downtrodden, unmotivated slacker to a strong willed, determined hero is incredibly rewarding. 

Naoto in comparison is cool and collected and although their interactions are few and far between, as most episodes concentrate on Takemichi in the past, whenever he lands back in the present, the pair provide some great comedic chemistry. 

Early on, Takemichi earns the attention of the Gang’s carefree and charismatic leader, Mikey, as well as his second in command, Draken. Similar to our protagonist and his partner, the gang members are essentially polar opposite personalities, successfully balancing one another out. Watching Takemichi both befriend the pair and piece together the events that will ultimately lead them down the worst possible path is enticing. And as Takemichi grows closer to those responsible for Hina’s death, so do we as viewers and we soon find ourselves hoping everybody can make it out alive. 

With its complicated but lovable array of characters, intricate and interesting premise, and perfectly blended genres, Tokyo Revengers is one of the most uniquely exciting anime’s currently airing. If you’re a fan of time bending tales like Steins Gate and Erased, love a bit of classic Shonen action, or just want to be caught up on the next big thing then start watching and join the ranks of the Manji gang. We promise, you won’t regret it because so far, it’s been one hell of a ride! 

You can watch the latest episodes of Tokyo Revengers every Saturday on Crunchyroll.  

Find the official series trailer below!