Tokyo Revengers: A Shallow and Disrespectful Anime?
When it comes to anime, there’s no shortage of new series to try out every season. One of the anime that recently made waves in the community is Tokyo Revengers. However, the show’s popularity also attracted criticism from some viewers. Some called it “decadent,” “shallow,” and “lacking substance” while others praised it for its entertainment value. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at Tokyo Revengers and explore its strengths and weaknesses.
Overview
At first glance, Tokyo Revengers seems like any other delinquent anime out there: a protagonist who travels back to the past to prevent a tragedy. However, as viewers dive deeper into the show, they may find several issues with its execution, such as:
- Lack of coherency and consistency of characters
- Shallow plot and character development
- Low-quality action scenes and animation
A Shallow Plot and Character Development
Tokyo Revengers introduced us to Takemichi, a seemingly average guy who travels through time and tries to save his loved ones. While Takemichi is a sympathetic character, his development throughout the anime is negligible. Meanwhile, several supporting characters introduced throughout the show have little to no backstory or character growth.
Shallow Characters
Takemichi’s interactions with the supporting characters feel rushed and lacking in depth. The dialogue between them often feels stilted, and the character’s motivations and personalities are never fully fleshed out. This lack of character development may be frustrating for viewers looking for something more substantial.
A Predictable Plot
Another criticism that Tokyo Revengers may face is its predictable plot. The series follows a formulaic structure that’s been explored in several other anime. As a result, many viewers may find themselves already guessing the next plot twist, making the show less engaging and suspenseful.
Lack of Coherency and Consistency of Characters
One of the most significant issues that Tokyo Revengers has is its inconsistent and incoherent character writing. Takemichi, as the main character, is undoubtedly likable, but often displays no intelligence or intuition whatsoever when it comes to problem-solving.
Takemichi’s Inconsistencies
Throughout Tokyo Revengers, Takemichi makes questionable choices that run contrary to what viewers might expect from a character who’s supposed to come from the future. For example, Takemichi’s poor judgment repeatedly leads to his allies being injured or killed. Given his plight, one would think that Takemichi should act smarter and more decisively to prevent his loved ones from dying, but this rarely happens.
Poorly Developed Antagonists
Most of the antagonists in Tokyo Revengers are one-dimensional characters who serve only to beat up the protagonists. As a result, the show lacks any compelling rivalries, tension, or depth in character interactions. In other words, the antagonists exist only to provide a challenge for the protagonists to overcome without ever becoming fully-realized characters in their own right.
Low-Quality Action and Animation
Lastly, Tokyo Revengers’ animation quality is mediocre, at best. Several scenes are poorly choreographed, and the action sequences lack any sense of flow, making them confusing and hard to follow.
Stiff Animation
The animation’s stiffness accentuates a particular character’s lack of movement, leading to a sense that characters are standing still. There’s little sense of momentum or weight to the characters’ movements, which makes the fight scenes look stilted and robotic.
Poor Pacing
The anime’s pacing is also poor – some scenes are too short, while others feel dragged out. As a result, the pacing makes the story feel choppy, muddled, and without a clear purpose.
Conclusion
Tokyo Revengers is an anime that tries to balance heart-rending stories and high-octane action, but it fails on several levels. Its inconsistent characters, slow development, and mediocre animation make for a frustrating viewing experience.
FAQs
1. Is Tokyo Revengers worth a watch?
It depends on your expectations. If you’re looking for a good delinquent anime, you might find better ones out there. However, if you’re merely looking for something to kill some time, you might find enjoyment in it.
2. Why is Tokyo Revengers criticised for its plot?
One of the main reasons why the show is criticised is its repetitive plot structure. Several anime fans have noted the formulaic nature of the story, making it predictable and lacking in suspense.
3. What are some of the show’s strengths?
The anime’s strengths lie in its emotional moments and character designs. Some viewers might also appreciate the sense of nostalgia the anime gives off.
4. Is the show’s animation that bad?
The animation’s quality is average, at best. Several scenes are poorly choreographed, and the action sequences lack any sense of flow, making them confusing and hard to follow.
5. Are there any other delinquent anime out there worth watching?
Yes, there are several delinquent anime worth watching. Some of the best ones include Kokou no Hito, Rokudenashi Blues, Slam Dunk, and Great Teacher Onizuka.
