Tenjho Tenge - Reviews

Alt title: Tenjou Tenge

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PhdInCartoons's avatar
Feb 27, 2013

Story

A little more than you would expect. However in trying to surprise you with a violent show that actually has a storyline they went a little too far. The storyline in the middle gets a little grating. It is more than just a vehicle to have more whup-ass on screen though so this has to be commended. 

Animation

The animation is above par for action anime. It copes well with the violence, which is good because there is a lot. I particularly enjoyed how it dealt with the differing styles of fighting. 

Sound

The opening sequence is pretty bad, like laughably bad. The music in the rest of the show is ok and sets the tone well. The dubbed version is pretty average, although at some points poor translation lets it down. 

Characters

Some are a little deeper than they at first seem. The side characters do hold this part of the anime up. The main characters, both male and female, are a little 1-D, although they make up for this slightly by being aware of this fact. 

Overall

Good, go in knowing how much violence is in it. This nearly excessive amount of violence will not be to everyone’s taste. If you can get past the weird flashback bit it is worth it. 

7/10 story
8/10 animation
5/10 sound
7/10 characters
6.8/10 overall
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james4888's avatar
Oct 13, 2010

Fighting, good looking girls, fanservice... Ikkitousen? No this isnt ikkitousen but close. Its about two punks joining a school and thinking there gunna take it over with ease. they run across some characters that give them more then they bargined for.

?/10 story
?/10 animation
?/10 sound
?/10 characters
7/10 overall
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MAK2Hybrid's avatar
Aug 12, 2013



Everything about this title just reminds of one other show which has something to do with it being a shounen title and most of the time, I can get easily bored with shounen anime with dragged out storylines, flashbacks and stilted frames of fights instead of actual fights being animated onto there but what I heard from the manga adaptation, it has plenty of intense fight scenes, completely uncensored and outstanding artwork. But how can I compare the manga to the anime considering I haven’t read the manga and from what I know, the manga was still running at the time after the anime was finished and the manga was finished printing in August 2010……6 years after the anime adaptation. Let’s just get into the plot summary.

Souchirou Nagi and Bob Makihara (also named the Knuckle Bomb) are two delinquents who arrive at Toudou Academy with the objective of ruling over the school with their strength. But on their first day, they encountered the Jyuken Club, a martial arts group of the school. Members of the group, Maya Natsume, her sister Aya, and Masataka Takayanagi easily overpowered Souchirou and Bob. And what's more, due to what was assumed to be their "connections" with the Jyuken Club, the two were attacked by members of the Enforcement Group, which oversees the martial arts groups of the school. Drawn into the personal conflicts between Jyuken Club and the Enforcement Group, Souchirou and Bob have no choice but to join up with Maya Natsume's group and to hone their skills to become even stronger.

Before I began to watch this series, I did not know that it had some fan service and ecchi moments on there and believe me, if you drink any time you see panty shots when the ladies are fighting, you will get fucked up. Most of the fights in the anime are not exactly animated well. It is mostly stilted fight stills and throws and sure the animation background looks pretty but still for a fighting anime, the fights are not that exciting. Plus, you notice that every female character on this show has…….(well, guess)

Not that I’m complaining but two things: 1) this is a much exaggerated design on the female characters. Sure, this is to appease the fan service crowd but I think they have a bit of more variety. 2) No love for the booty lovers. We like them, too. Also, I think the plotline about the past of Shin Natsume, Maya & Aya’s brother, should have had more focus in the beginning rather than in the middle where everything would’ve been more organized and not as confusing.

For characters, I think the show Bleach has been somewhat of an influence despite Tenjho Tenge (manga - 1999-2010) being released earlier before Bleach (manga – 2001-2012) so that means Tenjho Tenge was the predecessor of everything that the first season of Bleach was before it got too annoying. Also, I think most of the English voice actors in Bleach were in this show or at least two that I recognize.

Music wise, the series’ opening theme is m.c.A.T's "Bomb A Head!" and while it can corny at first, it’s an enjoyable and quotable song, and by quotable I meant the “Bomb A Head” part of the song. The rest of the music is pretty average for a shounen anime and the ending sequence is pretty awkward and weird to watch, especially the background art of the sequence.

FINAL VERDICT: While this show has mostly the same flaws as Ikki Tousen, I find this more enjoyable than that. Most of the characters in the show are likable (and some are pretty damn stupid), especially Bob & Chiaki – my favorite characters, and they don’t irritate me too much. This is also what I consider a guilty pleasure for me like how much I enjoy the movie Shoot ‘Em Up. But I think if you wanted more fights and uncensored content, then read the manga and this is coming from a guy who went in completely unknown of the manga.

But yet, I’m rating Tenjho Tenge
6.5/10
Planet Tyro rating: Solid Watchable.

?/10 story
?/10 animation
?/10 sound
?/10 characters
6.5/10 overall
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SEGHE's avatar
Sep 21, 2023

Tenjho Tenge - A Martial Arts Anime with Style and Flaws

Story (6/10): "Tenjho Tenge" is an anime that revolves around martial arts, high school drama, and supernatural elements. The story follows two siblings, Souichiro and Maya, as they enter the Todo Academy and become involved in the school's powerful martial arts clubs. The plot is engaging, especially if you're a fan of action-packed series. However, it's worth noting that the anime diverges from the manga source material, and this results in a lack of closure and some confusion regarding certain character arcs. The pacing can also be uneven at times.

Animation (7/10): One of the standout features of "Tenjho Tenge" is its animation quality, especially when it comes to fight scenes. The battles are well-animated, fluid, and visually impressive. Character designs are detailed, and the series uses a darker color palette to match its more mature themes. Overall, the animation does justice to the martial arts elements of the story.

Sound (6/10): The sound in "Tenjho Tenge" is decent but not particularly memorable. The opening and ending themes are catchy, but the background music during the episodes can be forgettable. The voice acting is competent, though it doesn't stand out compared to some other anime of its time.

Characters (7/10): The characters in "Tenjho Tenge" are a mixed bag. On one hand, you have well-designed and intriguing characters like Maya and Aya Natsume, who have depth and complexity. On the other hand, some characters lack development and exist primarily as combat fodder. The interactions and rivalries within the various martial arts clubs add layers to the characters and make the anime more engaging.

Overall (6/10): "Tenjho Tenge" is an anime that's worth a watch if you enjoy martial arts action, supernatural elements, and high school drama. Its stylish animation and engaging battles are its strong points. However, the deviations from the manga source material and the lack of a satisfying conclusion can be frustrating. If you're willing to overlook these flaws and focus on the action and character dynamics, you'll likely find some enjoyment in this series.

My overall score for "Tenjho Tenge" is 6/10. It's a series that offers excitement but falls short of being a masterpiece due to its narrative inconsistencies and unfinished storyline. If you find yourself invested in the characters and their struggles, you might be motivated to explore the manga for a more complete experience.

6/10 story
7/10 animation
6/10 sound
7/10 characters
6/10 overall
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Jordante's avatar
May 3, 2021

first off I prefer dub anime. now for the complaint. the main character is some ugly haired blond punk and he gets the attractive girl instead of the half loli that the real main character has and what im saying is the brown haired guy should of had the spotlight instead, but the black guy friend was a good add to the anime bc its rare and he gave fanservice with his gf anyways its not worth watching but it depends on what type of characters you prefer in my opinion and thats that for my first review on this trash anime that could of been better if not for that blond ####

7/10 story
5/10 animation
3/10 sound
2/10 characters
1.5/10 overall
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