"The Eccentric Family" is a supernatural drama set in modern-day Kyoto, where humans coexist with shape-shifting tanuki (raccoon dogs) and other mystical beings. The story centers on the Shimogamo family, a clan of tanuki led by the late patriarch Souichiro, who was once a revered figure in the tanuki community. After Souichiro's mysterious death, his family struggles to maintain their unity and reputation in a world where tanuki are often hunted or exploited by humans and other supernatural entities.
The protagonist, Yasaburou Shimogamo, is the third son of the family and a carefree, mischievous tanuki who often takes the form of a human. Yasaburou navigates the complexities of tanuki society while dealing with his family's internal conflicts and external threats. His older brother, Yaichirou, is the responsible heir who strives to uphold the family's legacy, while the second brother, Yajirou, has transformed into a frog after a traumatic event and lives in a well, refusing to return to his tanuki form. Their mother, Prof. Yasaburou, is a strong-willed and resourceful figure who supports her sons despite their struggles.
The narrative intertwines themes of family, identity, and tradition with the whimsical and often perilous lives of the tanuki. Yasaburou's interactions with other characters, such as Benten, a powerful and enigmatic human woman with ties to his father's death, and the Friday Fellows, a secretive group of humans who hunt and eat tanuki, drive much of the plot. The story also explores the relationships between tanuki and tengu, a race of bird-like beings, particularly through the character of Professor Akadama, a tengu mentor to Yasaburou and his brothers.
As the Shimogamo family confronts their past and present challenges, the series delves into the cultural and spiritual significance of tanuki in Japanese folklore, blending humor, melancholy, and moments of introspection. The narrative builds toward a climactic resolution involving the Friday Fellows, Benten's mysterious motives, and the Shimogamo family's efforts to honor their father's legacy while forging their own paths. Through its rich storytelling and exploration of familial bonds, "The Eccentric Family" offers a unique and engaging portrayal of a hidden world within Kyoto.
Titles
The Eccentric Family
🇯🇵 有頂天家族
Genre
DramaComedy
Settings
Fantasy
Information
Number13
Official Website
07.07.2013 - 30.11.-0001
Production
Animation Production:
P.A. Works
Production:
P.A. Works Good Smile Company Yomiuri Telecasting Corporation Bandai Visual Kids Station Lantis Uchōten Kazoku Production Committee
Staff
Director:
Masayuki Yoshihara
Series Composition:
Shōtarō Suga
Script:
Shōtarō Suga Ryou Higaki
Storyboard:
Tensai Okamura Masaki Tachibana Masayuki Yoshihara Heo Jong Nichio Kishi
Episode Director:
Hideki Ito Kenichi Imaizumi Eiyoh Kurakawa Takeyuki Sadohara Fumihiko Suganuma Heo Jong