Subculture Anime Blog

Tenko Kugen Detective Stories

Summary:

While out with the Takagami family as usual, Tenko manages to win yet another hot-springs trip for them. Due to various circumstances, only Tenko and Noboru decide to go this time. Because of her recent watching of detective television shows at home, Tenko quickly sets up her own mystery story upon reaching the hot-springs’ inn. With all of the characters in place, Tenko is also alerted of the legends of a snake’s cave close to the inn’s location. Soon after Noboru and Tenko settle in their room, a short blackout occurs. When the neighboring girls describe their fear from seeing a young woman looking into their room, Tenko quickly exits the building to investigate. She and Noboru return after a short while, however, then learning that a man’s wallet and camera have been stolen. After the last resident of the inn shows up, it is revealed that no one can enter or leave the inn.

Tenko learns from the inn’s managers that there have been rumors of spirits appearing at the spring, but Tenko takes note when the earlier employee does not know of this story. Tenko further tries to get information from the novelist who had showed up last, but this does not provide results. While in the baths later, Noboru notices that there is a fruity smell about the shampoo that the inn has provided. Tenko tries to come up with a scenario when she hears about this, but she soon becomes more interested in sleep. Noboru finds the earlier student’s wallet while he is outside, but is surprised to see white beads inside. The girls from earlier also find the student’s missing camera, but they find that the pictures taken of the cave earlier are no longer there. Noboru tries to alert Tenko of these developments, but she refuses to wake.

The next morning, Noboru finds Tenko chasing after the inn’s chef. When everyone gathers around the two outside, Tenko finally reveals that the inn’s manager is responsible for all of the previous events. The manager admits to this, revealing that the spirit from the previous night was actually a doll. The manager had actually attempted to make the inn a spirit’s location in order to save it’s reputation some how. Tenko announces her success with another blow to the landlady, but she is surprised when no one around is as enthusiastic as her. While Tenko and Noboru are at the bookstore on a later date, they find a novel based on the events that occurred at the springs.

Preview: Werewolf?

Impression:

Well, that was different. Being mislead by the preview from last week (as usual), I wasn’t expecting a Tenko and Noboru only episode this week. And despite being a hot-springs episode, the actual hot-springs portion of the inn was only shown for a few minutes. The majority of the episode consisted of the typical detective story parody, fueled by Tenko’s active imagination. It was funny seeing all of the developments taking place, and Tenko finally piecing it all together by the end, but the ending really kind of felt unsatisfying. Even if the theme of going without magic was brought up, I was kind of expecting some kind of spiritual element appear by the end. I mean, that is one of the major themes of this series. I would almost go as far as calling this a filler episode, especially with all the throw away characters that were introduced. But eh, oh well.

While watching this episode, I also started to wonder what the target age group for this series is. The anime is based on popular novels, and it really has a family atmosphere despite having small hints of fanservice. Younger teens typically wouldn’t watch the detective shows that this episode parodied either. I dunno, it’s something to think about. Next week looks to be getting back on track with Tenko’s usual activities. They’re still playing games with the preview though!