Anime Review: Tiger & Bunny

Genre: Action, Comedy, Drama, Hero, Supernatural
Episodes: 25
Aired: 2011

Producers: Sunrise, Viz Media

This title brings to mind some macho chavinistic pig (MCP) and his sexy sidekick, which probably isn't too far from the truth. Although the MCP is a clumsy, bumbling middle-aged man with a 10-year-old daughter and the sidekick is a young, good-looking newcomer breaking into the Heroes scene.

Wild Tiger is a veteran Hero in the city of Sternbild, where people with superhero powers, also known as 'Next' are masked, stamped on with sponsor brands and put on live TV as the most popular entertainment reality series. The idea is quite intriguing really, that heroic duties can become like a sport and be commercialised in this manner, and heroes themselves are commodities that advertisers buy.

Tiger and Bunny is a good old superhero story where its characters shine through. This is one of the few animes I have come across where the main protagonist really steals the show. Wild Tiger, Kaburagi Kotetsu, is genuinely likeable as a papa bear kind of guy who thinks of others before himself. He's touted as an 'old man' in the show because his comradaries, or rivals, are all young adults, but really, he looks to be just in his mid 30s.

Here - papa Kotetsu.

His dream is to save people with his Hundred powers, which is a burst of extra strength and speed for 5 minutes (after which he has to recharge for an hour).

He starts off in an ugly blue spandex hero outfit but changes into a cool-looking armour into the series.

When the show opens, he's at the bottom of the ranking, as he tends to destroy buildings and other property more than arrest criminals or protect citizens. Each good deed comes tagged with points - 200 points for each bad guy arrested and 100 points for each citizen saved. Their activities are documented on the popular programme known as Hero TV, which ranks the Heroes according to the points scored, and crowns a 'King of Heroes' annually.

The current King of Heroes is Sky High, who wields the power to control wind. In reality, Sky High is like the kind-hearted and polite popular jock, and a little of an airhead. He often repeats himself as he wants to make sure that everyone understands him, his catchphrase being "Thank you... and thank you!" which is really quite funny as it tends to annoy Kotetsu.

Barnaby Brooks Jr is the newcomer who takes over as King of Heroes as the series continue. His powers are the same as Kotetsu, and their boss teams them up together as the city's first Superhero pair. Unlike Kotetsu, Barnaby has an agenda in becoming a Hero - he's looking for his parents' murderer, and he's bent on raking in the points to take over as King of Heroes. He starts off on the wrong foot with Kotetsu and, in relation to his name Barnaby, and the fact that his Hero suit has two long protruding ears, Kotetsu calls him Bunny.

In the 25 episodes, much of the storyline revolves around Barnaby's history and his search for the killer. During which, the relationships between the Heroes play out. Kotetsu and Rock Bison, who has the strength of an ox as his name suggests, are good friends outside of their suits. Bison is another veteran who is strong and good-natured, but is usually in the background otherwise.

Fire Emblem is a flamboyant guy who thinks himself as one of the girls, and has the ability to create flames. He's constantly flirting with the guys and is the one to relieve the tension and put out the fire in most heated situations, ironically. His cape is amazingly depicted though, it looks alive as though it is really made of his flames.

Blue Rose casts ice and initially we see her doing the lightest of Hero work and staying out of harm's way. Her dream is actually to become a singing idol, but her sponsoring company has used that as a negotiating tool to make her a Hero first and Idol second. She gradually falls for Tiger and his caring ways, and begins to take her Hero responsibilities seriously. The only beef I have with her is the two 'tentacles' that protrude from her back as part of her costume. They are ugly,  useless and do not value-add in any way.

The other real girl among the Heroes is Dragon Kid, who is supposedly of Chinese descent and possesses lightning ability as well as kung-fu fighting skills. She helps Tiger understand his own daughter better, given the similarity of their age. The 2 round Mickey Mouse signboards on her head are the epitome of advertising. She's practically a walking billboard for Calbees and DMM.com.

Lastly is Origami Cyclone, who initially does nothing but show up in the background when other Heroes are being interviewed on Hero TV, in a bid to raise the profiles of his sponsors. We soon find out why: his ability is being able to transform himself into others. Given that their duties are to arrest bad guys and save people, it's not a skill that comes in handy often. One wonders how he came to be part of the Heroes in the first place.

Overall, an interesting cast led by a strong protagonist. The only oddity is probably Barnaby's 180 degree change in attitude towards Tiger in the middle of he series, without an in-depth explanation why, which would have been a boon given that this series is centred around their relationship as partners.

Still, enjoyed it very much and wish there are more animes like this.

Rating: 9/10