Bucchigiri?! Season 1
Director: Hiroko Utsumi
Cast: Genki Okawa, Yūsuke Hoshino, Anna Nagase, Masafumi Kobatake, Nozomu Sasaki
Bucchigiri?! is an original, bold and surreal fantasy‑action anime produced by MAPPA and directed by Hiroko Utsumi. Premiering in early 2024, the twelve‑episode arc delivers an unusual fusion of delinquent street‑gang drama and magical fantasy rooted loosely in motifs of One Thousand and One Nights.
The story follows Arajin Tomoshibi, who returns to his hometown and reunites with his childhood friend Matakara Asamine. Soon caught in the turf war between high‑school gangs—the Minato Kai and Siguma Squad—Arajin’s fate takes a strangec turn when he unintentionally summons a colossal genie named Senya. With Senya’s otherworldly strength, Arajin becomes embroiled in escalating brawls that escalate with comedic absurdity and dramatic stakes. Along the way he meets Mahoro, Matakara’s enigmatic sister, whose presence adds emotional depth amid rivalries and scrambles for power. Crunchyroll+5Wikipedia+5Prime Video+5
Director Utsumi’s work is visually sharp, with vibrant character designs by Takahiro Kagami and dynamic choreography of fight sequences. Michiru Ōshima’s music punctuates emotional turning points and amplifies surreal moments with a bombastic yet melancholy tone. The theme of unlikely friendship underlies much of the narrative: Arajin’s growth is spurred less by his own initiative than by Matakara’s loyalty and the influence of supporting characters like Senya and Mahoro. bucchigiri.fandom.com
Genki Okawa’s performance as Arajin captures a hesitant but earnest protagonist, while Yūsuke Hoshino and Anna Nagase lend charisma to Matakara and Mahoro respectively. The ensemble delivers strong voice work that balances comedic timing with emotional vulnerability. Production value is solid: MAPPA’s fluid animation and imaginative action sequences offer a high‑energy visual experience, even when the plot leans into campy or over‑the‑top territory.
Though some viewers critique Arajin as a passive lead—particularly the pacing around episodes 6 and 12—fans praise the show’s off‑beat tone, world‑building, and eccentric supporting cast. This series stands out as a fresh, irreverent blend of street‑level conflict and supernatural spectacle—a spirited debut season that offers style and strangeness in equal measure.
Bucchigiri?! is an original, bold and surreal fantasy‑action anime produced by MAPPA and directed by Hiroko Utsumi. Premiering in early 2024, the twelve‑episode arc delivers an unusual fusion of delinquent street‑gang drama and magical fantasy rooted loosely in motifs of One Thousand and One Nights.
The story follows Arajin Tomoshibi, who returns to his hometown and reunites with his childhood friend Matakara Asamine. Soon caught in the turf war between high‑school gangs—the Minato Kai and Siguma Squad—Arajin’s fate takes a strangec turn when he unintentionally summons a colossal genie named Senya. With Senya’s otherworldly strength, Arajin becomes embroiled in escalating brawls that escalate with comedic absurdity and dramatic stakes. Along the way he meets Mahoro, Matakara’s enigmatic sister, whose presence adds emotional depth amid rivalries and scrambles for power. Crunchyroll+5Wikipedia+5Prime Video+5
Director Utsumi’s work is visually sharp, with vibrant character designs by Takahiro Kagami and dynamic choreography of fight sequences. Michiru Ōshima’s music punctuates emotional turning points and amplifies surreal moments with a bombastic yet melancholy tone. The theme of unlikely friendship underlies much of the narrative: Arajin’s growth is spurred less by his own initiative than by Matakara’s loyalty and the influence of supporting characters like Senya and Mahoro. bucchigiri.fandom.com
Genki Okawa’s performance as Arajin captures a hesitant but earnest protagonist, while Yūsuke Hoshino and Anna Nagase lend charisma to Matakara and Mahoro respectively. The ensemble delivers strong voice work that balances comedic timing with emotional vulnerability. Production value is solid: MAPPA’s fluid animation and imaginative action sequences offer a high‑energy visual experience, even when the plot leans into campy or over‑the‑top territory.
Though some viewers critique Arajin as a passive lead—particularly the pacing around episodes 6 and 12—fans praise the show’s off‑beat tone, world‑building, and eccentric supporting cast. This series stands out as a fresh, irreverent blend of street‑level conflict and supernatural spectacle—a spirited debut season that offers style and strangeness in equal measure.