“Dad”—Protagonist’s Tearful Voice Leaves Viewers Sobbing from Episode One… The Farewell to His Adoptive Father Sparks “What a Painful Beginning” in the Anime “Tougen Anki”

The anime adaptation of “Tougen Anki” began airing on July 11. In the scene where the protagonist, Shiki Ichinose (voiced by Kazuki Ura), tearfully calls out “Dad” in the face of his adoptive father’s death, viewers were moved to tears right from the first episode, with comments like “I totally sobbed…” and “Shiki’s tears are heart-wrenching.”

In episode 1, “Oni Blood,” Shiki is suddenly attacked at home by Samidare Momoya (voiced by Yasunori Masutani), a member of the “Momotaro Agency.” Sensing a reason behind the attack, Shiki’s non-biological father, Tsuyoshi Ichinose (voiced by Tsuyoshi Koyama), escapes together with Shiki.

Tsuyoshi explains that Shiki has inherited the blood of an Oni (demon), and that Samidare, who just attacked them, has inherited the blood of Momotaro. The familiar folk tale of Momotaro is, in fact, a reality—Momotaro and Oni descendants have been embroiled in war for generations, spanning thousands of years.

As Samidare catches up and the situation becomes grave, Tsuyoshi begins to fight back, revealing that he was once a member of the Momotaro Agency himself. While Tsuyoshi manages to drive Samidare away, he is fatally wounded in the process...

Before passing away, Tsuyoshi tells Shiki, “I can’t…stay by your side anymore…so get stronger… Don’t let anyone destroy your happiness… It’s a promise between men.” He leaves behind these words and wishes, “If only Oni and Momotaro could live like this, shoulder to shoulder…”

No matter how desperately Shiki calls out, Tsuyoshi does not wake up. Shiki, who had always referred to him as “old man” (oyaji), now says, “Answer me… Dad…” and he sheds large tears.