A Poetic Tale of Tanuki and Human Coexistence
Some anime slip quietly through the trends yet leave an indelible mark. The Eccentric Family (Uchouten Kazoku), aired in 2013 (Season 1) and 2017 (Season 2), directed by Masayuki Yoshihara and produced by P.A. Works, belongs to this precious category. Set in a Kyoto inhabited by tanuki, tengu, and humans, it tells a story of family, grief, and transformation against a backdrop of reimagined Japanese traditions.
Yasaburō – The Shape-Shifting Protagonist
At the heart of this strange, poetic tale is Yasaburō, a quick-witted tanuki who can transform at will. He navigates between modern humans and spirits in a city where magic meets technology, where carefree attitudes mask deep wounds. His only goal: preserve life’s “fun” as taught by his father – the former tanuki clan leader mysteriously disappeared… then eaten at the annual human banquet.
Visual Poetry – Kyoto as Magical Backdrop
The anime’s visual style is elegant and fluid, with warm, comforting colors. Kyoto becomes sublime, almost dreamlike – its temples, alleys, and bridges transform into stages for humans, spirits, and tanuki. The animation focuses on lively details, expressive mannerisms, and poetic transformations rather than flashy effects.
Complex Family Dynamics
Beneath its lighthearted surface, The Eccentric Family delicately explores grief, lineage, betrayal, and reinvention. Each Shimogamo family member copes differently with their father’s absence and past tensions. The series balances melancholy and levity, intimate tragedy and burlesque comedy.
Memorable Characters and Soundtrack
The narrative patiently develops its characters: the four tanuki brothers with opposing personalities, the enigmatic Benten (a human turned feared goddess), and disgraced old tengu. Yoshiaki Fujisawa’s soundtrack perfectly complements this blend of fantasy and daily life.
The Infamous Tanuki Banquet
A pivotal Season 1 moment – the human tanuki-eating banquet – mixes black humor with tension. This scene embodies the series’ ambiguity: where wonder meets cruelty, traditions become traps, and family love clashes with selfish interests.
THE ECCENTRIC FAMILY – PA Works Hidden Gem of Urban Fantasy
Table of Contents
A Poetic Tale of Tanuki and Human Coexistence
Some anime slip quietly through the trends yet leave an indelible mark. The Eccentric Family (Uchouten Kazoku), aired in 2013 (Season 1) and 2017 (Season 2), directed by Masayuki Yoshihara and produced by P.A. Works, belongs to this precious category. Set in a Kyoto inhabited by tanuki, tengu, and humans, it tells a story of family, grief, and transformation against a backdrop of reimagined Japanese traditions.
Yasaburō – The Shape-Shifting Protagonist
At the heart of this strange, poetic tale is Yasaburō, a quick-witted tanuki who can transform at will. He navigates between modern humans and spirits in a city where magic meets technology, where carefree attitudes mask deep wounds. His only goal: preserve life’s “fun” as taught by his father – the former tanuki clan leader mysteriously disappeared… then eaten at the annual human banquet.
Visual Poetry – Kyoto as Magical Backdrop
The anime’s visual style is elegant and fluid, with warm, comforting colors. Kyoto becomes sublime, almost dreamlike – its temples, alleys, and bridges transform into stages for humans, spirits, and tanuki. The animation focuses on lively details, expressive mannerisms, and poetic transformations rather than flashy effects.
Complex Family Dynamics
Beneath its lighthearted surface, The Eccentric Family delicately explores grief, lineage, betrayal, and reinvention. Each Shimogamo family member copes differently with their father’s absence and past tensions. The series balances melancholy and levity, intimate tragedy and burlesque comedy.
Memorable Characters and Soundtrack
The narrative patiently develops its characters: the four tanuki brothers with opposing personalities, the enigmatic Benten (a human turned feared goddess), and disgraced old tengu. Yoshiaki Fujisawa’s soundtrack perfectly complements this blend of fantasy and daily life.
The Infamous Tanuki Banquet
A pivotal Season 1 moment – the human tanuki-eating banquet – mixes black humor with tension. This scene embodies the series’ ambiguity: where wonder meets cruelty, traditions become traps, and family love clashes with selfish interests.