''Tactics'' (stylized as ''tactics'') is a Japanese
manga
Manga (Japanese: 漫画 ) are comics or graphic novels originating from Japan. Most manga conform to a style developed in Japan in the late 19th century, and the form has a long prehistory in earlier Japanese art. The term ''manga'' is u ...
series written as a collaboration between
Sakura Kinoshita
is a Japanese Mangaka, manga artist. She's most famous for two of her works: Matantei Loki Ragnarok and Tactics (manga), Tactics (with Kazuko Higashiyama).
Biography
Kinoshita wrote ''The Mythical Detective Loki Ragnarok, The Mythical Detecti ...
and Kazuko Higashiyama. It was serialized in ''
Comic Blade Masamune
was a bi-monthly Japanese shōnen manga magazine, published by Mag Garden that contains manga and information about those series. It began in December 2002, and ceased publication on June 15, 2007, to be revamped as a new magazine called ''Comi ...
''. Kinoshita supplied the character "Kantarou", and Higashiyama supplied the character "Haruka". While the manga was previously licensed for released in English in paperback by both
ADV Manga
A.D. Vision Holdings, Inc. (known simply as ADV and also referred to as ADV Films) was an American multimedia entertainment distributor headquartered in Houston, Texas, and founded in 1992 by video game fan John Ledford and anime fans Matt Gree ...
and
Tokyopop
Tokyopop (styled TOKYOPOP; formerly known as Mixx Entertainment) is an American distributor, licensor and publisher of anime, manga, manhwa and Western manga-style works. The German publishing division produces German translations of licensed J ...
, the manga was only available in English in digital format on
JManga
JManga was an American website and international online community focused on the promotion, distribution, and monetization of digital comics (specifically manga) as well as the development of other manga related services. Founded in December 20 ...
for two years before it was no longer accessible.
The animation studio
Studio Deen
is a Japanese animation studio founded in 1975 by Sunrise producer Hiroshi Hasegawa and ex-Sunrise animators. The studio owns three subsidiaries: Danny Donghua (丹尼動画), a Chinese sub-contracting studio; Megumi (め組), a digital work sub-c ...
adapted the ''Tactics'' manga into a 25-episode
anime
is Traditional animation, hand-drawn and computer animation, computer-generated animation originating from Japan. Outside of Japan and in English, ''anime'' refers specifically to animation produced in Japan. However, in Japan and in Japane ...
series, which ran on Japanese television from October 5, 2004, to March 29, 2005. The English dub of the anime was distributed by
Manga Entertainment
Manga Entertainment was a producer, licensee, and distributor of anime in the United States and the United Kingdom. Originally founded in the UK in 1987, the UK branch became Funimation UK and Ireland in 2021, also currently known as Crunchyro ...
in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.
''Tactics'' resumed serialization on January 18, 2018, as ''tactics 新説'' on pixiv comics.
Plot
Set in Japan during the
Taishō period (in the anime, the manga is set during the late
Meiji period
The is an era of Japanese history that extended from October 23, 1868 to July 30, 1912.
The Meiji era was the first half of the Empire of Japan, when the Japanese people moved from being an isolated feudal society at risk of colonization ...
), ''Tactics'' is the story of Kantarou Ichinomiya, a young man with the ability to see
youkai and other mythical beasts. When he was a child, this ability resulted in him being ostracized by humans. His youkai friends told him that in order to be stronger, he must find the
oni
An is a kind of ''yōkai'', demon, orc, ogre, or troll in Japanese folklore. Oni are mostly known for their fierce and evil nature manifested in their propensity for murder and cannibalism. Notwithstanding their evil reputation, oni possess ...
-eating
tengu
are a type of legendary creature found in Japanese folk religion (Shinto). They are considered a type of ''yōkai'' (supernatural beings) or Shinto ''kami'' (gods). The ''Tengu'' were originally thought to take the forms of birds of prey and a ...
. The young Kantarou then vows to find it and name it. By naming one, a human becomes master and the name contract is only broken if the master chooses. As Kantarou grows up, he finds a career as a
folklorist
Folklore studies, less often known as folkloristics, and occasionally tradition studies or folk life studies in the United Kingdom, is the branch of anthropology devoted to the study of folklore. This term, along with its synonyms, gained currenc ...
and a part-time
exorcist
In some religions, an exorcist (from the Greek „ἐξορκιστής“) is a person who is believed to be able to cast out the devil or performs the ridding of demons or other supernatural beings who are alleged to have possessed a person, ...
, alongside his youkai friend Youko. An assignment leads Kantarou to a mountain where a shrine marks the place where the tengu had been sealed away. Calling upon the tengu by the name Haruka, Kantarou breaks the seal and becomes Haruka's master. As time goes on, Kantarou, Youko, and Haruka develop a close friendship. However, this relationship is threatened by Haruka's returning memories and his yearning to know more about his past.
Characters
;
:
: Kantarou is a young folklorist and part-time exorcist with an ability to see
youkai. Kantarou is highly intelligent and is quite sneaky and manipulative. He is able to trick others into doing what he wants and anticipate their reactions. This trait has resulted in him being called a tactician by Haruka, hence the title of the series. Despite this, Kantarou has a good heart and feels deeply for
youkai. Although it is customary for an
exorcist
In some religions, an exorcist (from the Greek „ἐξορκιστής“) is a person who is believed to be able to cast out the devil or performs the ridding of demons or other supernatural beings who are alleged to have possessed a person, ...
to kill
youkai, Kantarou chooses to reason with them and sees his line of work as a way to help them. His attitude has been criticized by both Haruka and Sugino, as they feel it may endanger him.
;
:
: Haruka is an
oni
An is a kind of ''yōkai'', demon, orc, ogre, or troll in Japanese folklore. Oni are mostly known for their fierce and evil nature manifested in their propensity for murder and cannibalism. Notwithstanding their evil reputation, oni possess ...
-eating
tengu
are a type of legendary creature found in Japanese folk religion (Shinto). They are considered a type of ''yōkai'' (supernatural beings) or Shinto ''kami'' (gods). The ''Tengu'' were originally thought to take the forms of birds of prey and a ...
, the strongest of all
youkai. Kantarou, having named him, became his master and friend. Haruka has the ability to control lightning. Occasionally, such as when he is attacking
oni
An is a kind of ''yōkai'', demon, orc, ogre, or troll in Japanese folklore. Oni are mostly known for their fierce and evil nature manifested in their propensity for murder and cannibalism. Notwithstanding their evil reputation, oni possess ...
, Haruka can transfigure into his true
youkai form. His nails grow sharper and longer, his fangs grow longer, and his eyes constrict. Usually, he appears as a tall, dark-haired man with black wings that he can either hide or reveal. Haruka is troubled by his lack of memories, inability to eat youkai, and loss of power, which starts to affect his sense of self. Haruka's name under his previous master, an
onmyōdō
is a system of natural science, astronomy, almanac, divination and Magic (supernatural), magic that developed independently in Japan based on the Chinese philosophies of yin and yang and Wuxing (Chinese philosophy), wuxing (five elements). The p ...
practitioner, was ''Rin''. As Rin, he did not have a good relationship with his master, and it is hinted that she took advantage of his subservient status for sexual purposes.
;
:
: Youko is a female
kitsune
In Japanese folklore, , are foxes that possess paranormal abilities that increase as they get older and wiser. According to ''yōkai'' folklore, all foxes have the ability to shapeshift into human form. While some folktales speak of employing t ...
youkai whom Kantarou named. At the beginning of ''Tactics'', Youko had already been living with Kantarou. She is loud and impulsive, and often loses her temper towards Kantaoru. Youko has the ability to make her fox ears appear and disappear at will, and can turn into her fox form if she wishes. Youko is shown to be deeply concerned about the household expenses and pesters Kantarou about finishing his book manuscripts. Before joining Kantarou, Youko was initially a lonely youkai who deceived travellers into thinking she was a member of their family. Youko pretends to be Kantarou's wife, but Kantarou soon reveals her to be a youkai, and invites her to join his household.
;
:
: Suzu is a rich teenage girl who constantly helps Katarou on his cases. She first met him in episode 1 and after that usually hangs out in his house. Suzu is often addressed as "Suzu-chan" and she maintains a very close relationship with Youko. She has a crush on Haruka, but often treats Kantarou harshly. Her character was created for the anime, but she has appeared in several of the manga's
omake
''Omake'' (, usually written ) means ''extra'' in Japanese language, Japanese. Its primary meaning is general and widespread. It is used as an anime and manga term to mean "extra or bonus." In the United States, the term is most often used in ...
since.
;
:
: Sugino is a white tengu and the "god" of Sugino Village. As such, he is often called Sugino-
sama. Unlike a black tengu, who is born a tengu, a white tengu is originally a powerful, overly-proud human priest or monk who changed into a tengu. Before Kantarou, Sugino had attempted to break Haruka's seal, but failed. Sugino has a great amount of dislike for the human race, having been a human himself. Sugino is married to Muu-chan, a small, green youkai. Upon being asked how they would reproduce, Sugino states that their relationship is platonic. Prior to meeting Muu-chan, Sugino was a cruel character who earned the nickname of 'violent tengu'. His cruelty caused him to be lonely and hate his immortality.
;
:
: Muu-chan is a small, green youkai who is married to Sugino and only says 'Muu'. Muu-chan has the ability to vacuum up demons and spells using its mouth.
;
: A handsome young wealthy nobleman, main opponent of series. He is the leader of the government's Demon Extermination Squad. He wants to make Kantarou cancel his name contract with Haruka so Haruka will get his memories back and become the "real" demon eating tengu he wishes to defeat. He hates that Kantarou was able to unseal the demon-eating tengu but he himself could not. He wields Minamoto's Legendary sword. His allies are Watanabe and Ibaragi.
Media
Manga
The manga was first released in North America by
ADV Manga
A.D. Vision Holdings, Inc. (known simply as ADV and also referred to as ADV Films) was an American multimedia entertainment distributor headquartered in Houston, Texas, and founded in 1992 by video game fan John Ledford and anime fans Matt Gree ...
in 2004. Afterwards, the US license was transferred to
Tokyopop
Tokyopop (styled TOKYOPOP; formerly known as Mixx Entertainment) is an American distributor, licensor and publisher of anime, manga, manhwa and Western manga-style works. The German publishing division produces German translations of licensed J ...
, who released 8 volumes before they shut down their American branch. Volumes 1–12 were available on JManga until its closure in May 2013.
;Volume list
Anime
''Tactics'' originally aired in Japan on ''
TV Tokyo
JOTX-DTV (channel 7), branded as and known colloquially as , is a television station headquartered in the Sumitomo Fudosan Roppongi Grand Tower in Roppongi, Minato, Tokyo, Japan, owned and operated by the subsidiary of listed certified b ...
'' from October 5, 2004, to March 29, 2005.
The series consists of 25 episodes. The series was directed by
Hiroshi Watanabe and was produced by
Studio Deen
is a Japanese animation studio founded in 1975 by Sunrise producer Hiroshi Hasegawa and ex-Sunrise animators. The studio owns three subsidiaries: Danny Donghua (丹尼動画), a Chinese sub-contracting studio; Megumi (め組), a digital work sub-c ...
. ''Tactics'' was licensed for English release and distributed by ''
Manga Entertainment
Manga Entertainment was a producer, licensee, and distributor of anime in the United States and the United Kingdom. Originally founded in the UK in 1987, the UK branch became Funimation UK and Ireland in 2021, also currently known as Crunchyro ...
''.
In the United States, it was featured on the Ani-Monday program from January 7, 2008, to April 21, 2008, on the
Sci Fi Channel
Syfy (formerly Sci-Fi Channel, later shortened to Sci Fi; stylized as SYFY) is an American basic cable channel owned by the NBCUniversal Television and Streaming division of Comcast's NBCUniversal through NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment. Lau ...
. The opening theme for ''Tactics'' was ''Secret World'' and the ending theme was . Both were sung by Miki Akiyama.
;Anime production staff
*Director: Hiroshi Watanabe
*Series composition: Kenichi Kanemaki
*Dubbing director:
Kazuhiko Inoue
is a Japanese actor, voice actor and narrator. His notable works include Kakashi Hatake in ''Naruto'' , Kars in ''JoJo's Bizarre Adventure'', Toichirou Suzuki in ''Mob Psycho 100'' and Gildarts Clive in ''Fairy Tail''.
Biography
Since his deb ...
*Script: Kanemaki Kenichi
*Screenplay: Hiroyuki Kawasaki, Katsuhiko Takayama, Masashi Kubota, Masashi Suzuki
*Storyboard: Chiaki Ima, Hiroshi Watanabe, Masashi Kojima, Mitsuko Oyake, Shinpei Miyashita
*Episode director: Chiaki Ima, Hiroshi Watanabe, Shigeru Ueda
*Music: Kei Haneoka
*Character design: Mariko Oka
*Art director: Michiyo Akutsu
*Chief animation director: Mariko Oka
*Animation director: Minefumi Harada, Miyako Tsuji, Youichi Ishikawa, Yukiko Ban
*Director of Photography: Akio Abe
Music
A CD for season 1 of the ''Tactics'' anime was released on June 27, 2006
;Opening Theme:
:"Secret World"
:Lyrics by: Yuriko Mori
:Composition by: Kazuya Nishioka
:Arrangement by: Kazuya Nishioka
:Performed by: Miki Akiyama
;Ending Theme:
:
:Lyrics by: Yuriko Mori
:Composition by: Kazuya Nishioka
:Arrangement by: Kazuya Nishioka
:Performed by: Miki Akiyama
Light Novels
Three official light novels exist, all written by Nanami Nari, with the approval of Sakura Kinoshita and Kazuko Higashiyama. They have remained unlocalized, and do not possess English titles. They are published by
Mag Garden Novels Mag, MAG or mags may refer to:
Arts, entertainment and media
* ''MAG'' (video game), 2010
* ''Mag'' (Slovenian magazine), 1995–2010
* ''The Mag'', a British music magazine
Businesses and organisations
* MacKenzie Art Gallery, in Regina, Saskat ...
, a subsidiary of
Mag Garden
is a Japanese publishing company that focuses on manga-related publications and is also involved in the development of anime and live-action adaptations. It was founded on June 5, 2001 by Yoshihiro Hosaka along with former manga artists of Enix ...
.
*小説 tactics[天狗祭嫁取伝説異聞](本文:七海鳴)
*小説 tactics 第2巻[巷説妖狐残夢奇譚](本文:七海鳴)
*小説 tactics 第3巻[鬼種異界流離咒歌](本文:七海鳴)
Dōjinshi
Kinoshita and Higashiyama form a
dōjinshi
, also romanized as ', is the Japanese term for self-published print works, such as magazines, manga, and novels. Part of a wider category of '' doujin'' (self-published) works, ''doujinshi'' are often derivative of existing works and created ...
circle called Mad Cookie Monster. They individually go by the pseudonyms Wasabi Katsuo and Wasabi Maguro, respectively. This circle has released many dōjinshi for their own series, including ''Tactics'', some of them containing explicit
yaoi
''Yaoi'' (; ja, やおい ), also known by the ''wasei-eigo'' construction and its abbreviation , is a genre of fictional media originating in Japan that features Homoeroticism, homoerotic relationships between male characters. It is typi ...
pornography. One of the rarest and best known of these titles is ''Love Sick'', a 72-page dōjinshi containing an illustrated short novel and an explicit
yaoi
''Yaoi'' (; ja, やおい ), also known by the ''wasei-eigo'' construction and its abbreviation , is a genre of fictional media originating in Japan that features Homoeroticism, homoerotic relationships between male characters. It is typi ...
comic, featuring the pairing Haruka x Kantarou. Other dōjinshi based on ''Tactics'' are ''El Principe'', which features mild Haruka x Kantarou, and ''Lil' Crazy'', which features Raikou x Haruka.
References
Further reading
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
External links
Official ''Tactics'' Manga Website
''Tactics'' @ FrontierWorks
TV-Tokyo's Official ''Tactics'' Anime Website
*
{{Studio Deen
2001 manga
2004 anime television series debuts
ADV Manga
Exorcism in anime and manga
IG Port franchises
Japanese mythology in anime and manga
Mag Garden manga
Occult detective anime and manga
Odex
Shōjo manga
Shōnen manga
Studio Deen
TV Tokyo original programming
Tokyopop titles
Works about tengu
Yōkai in anime and manga