Wait, what is this I hear? That isn't Japanese. The Journal Of Mysterious Creatures is a Chinese/Japanese production based on a Chinese web novel. If that is a dealbreaker just move along. If you are open to the different (but I promise familiar) experience, you wont be dissapointed. The story is 100% a tropefest. I mean it's jam packed and overstuffed with cliche happenings you have probably seen before, but this is far from a negative fact. The show opens quickly, and gives us a protagonist who is "broke and needs the money", a humble groundwork for the devil may care pace of the series. Through forces yet unknown, a quick secession from poverty is made available in the form of new tenants for his spacious home. The tenants of course, two feuding species of monster girls in need of a place to stay. While that feels like a brief synopsis, I merily use it as a quick example. The protagonist is motivated by economic hardship along with his good nature. The co-cast are all very diverse and unique from the protagonist, creating this sort of pot luck of possibilities. The main piloting plot would be the protagonist finding his purpose, even if his journey is heavily dependent on guidance from the people around him. The joy of the series comes from the characters and their charming banter throughout. Story review: A familiar feeling fable in a foreign foreign language. [ 3.5 / 5 ]
Animation is a bit interesting, The art of it all is very clean and pretty. I think what stood out to me the most would be the contrast of daytime versus the nighttime in the general landscapes. That aspect felt perfectly done in a way you don't normally see. When the sun was up this world was bright, warm, and alive with color, while the night felt cooler and sleepy with effort paid to how streetlights and moonlight would still leave objects with a little glow. The movement though, some of the movement is a little rigid. The big detraction was definitely the chops. The mouths just did not seem to sync with the language, but I will admit that could be 1000% cause I know nothing about the Chinese languages. Maybe a native speaker would watch this anime and claim the sync was fabulous, but I have to admit it felt a little off. This is not to take away from the dialogue, jsut the visuals, and that was definitely not a deal breaker for me. When you factor in the scenary and the occasional smoothness of the combat scenes, I found it to be perfectly average as a whole. Animation review, a slightly ventriloquy feeling [ 2.5 / 5 ]
My sound reviews cover OP, ED, OST, mood and voice actor performances. The opening and ending themes for this show are "Anime AF '' sounding. I absolutely had a blast with them. While I don't understand chinese, I eventually picked up on key phrases making the banter between the characters even more charming. A viewer will find it super easy to accept the money troubled noble blood sect vampire girl, the airheaded werewolf beast girl, or any of the characters for what they are trying to be. The tones fit, the timing feels right, and performance wise that is super impressive considering I am completely culturally ignorant of the language. Sound review, a solid [ 3.5 / 5 ].
Characters! I couldn't get enough of them. While parts of the story did feel a little gratuitous, these were some fun individuals. The constant bickering and domestic roles assigned to them were just so much fun to watch. Have I seen similar characters in the past? I sure have, but that didn't stop me from reexperiencing and loving these time tested tropes. This show even has a tool using, neutrally antagonistic, punching bag with a sister complex. While they don't feel original at all, they were all still a treat to get to know. Absolutely, these beast people and their landlord shackled with consecrated employment earned an admittedly nostalgically generous [ 4 / 5 ]
If you have ever enjoyed any Anime, where the theme involves an impromptu gathering of opposing characters in a comedic domestic setting, then you will probably also enjoy Journal of the Mysterious Creatures. While I love the fact it's a tropefest, I get certain people might be put off over a lack of originality. That's okay, I just hope my review helped decide whether or not to invest your time! Overall Review, A short fun series with familiar characters all the way from China, [ 3.5 / 5 ]
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