The Eccentric Family

About The Eccentric Family

Here is what The Eccentric Family (Uchouten Kazoku) is about, retold in plain terms: a fantasy, comedy and slice of life anime by P.A. Works (2013). The setup: Kyoto has been populated by groups of tanuki and tengu for years, living alongside humans who are oblivious to the existence of these creatures. Yasaburou Shimogamo is the third son of an influential tanuki family who spends his carefree days taking care of an old tengu, observing humans through his ability to shapeshift, and dealing with the unexplained woman named Benten.

Beyond that: Behind the peace and tranquility, however, is a painful memory from long ago as Yasaburou's father, head of the tanuki community, was killed and eaten by a group of humans known as the Friday Fellows. Uchouten Kazoku follows the trials and tribulations of the Shimogamo brothers as they struggle to avoid their own grisly demise while coming ever closer to unraveling the truth behind their father's death.

As a fantasy title, world-building, magic systems and creature design set the tone. This one is best suited to fans of magic, kingdoms and invented worlds.

Production & Appeal

P.A. Works is the studio behind The Eccentric Family, and its direction shapes everything from character design to motion. The fantasy focus matters here: world-building, magic systems and creature design set the tone. At 7.9/10 it earns a solid reception, a safe pick for fans of the genre. It aired in 2013, which makes it easy to place in the wider anime calendar.