Frozen Mahjong Tiles: Underground Mahjong Battle Record

Few people realize one of the city's deadliest mahjong talents is a reticent high schooler named Kei. Quiet and observant, he survives by reading opponents and betting everything on his calm, relentless play. He shelters Amina, a young woman who entered the country without papers, and shields her from deportation while balancing school life and the nocturnal underworld of high-stakes games. Kei naps through classes, scans every table for challengers, and spends nights staking himself against wealthy, dangerous rivals who run the underground circuit. He holds a stubborn sense of duty toward Amina too.

Released in 2024, Frozen Mahjong Tiles was created by Koji Shinasaka and Mariko Kunisawa, produced as an animated drama and featuring voice performances from Kousuke Tanabe, Shunsuke Takeuchi and Fairouz Ai, with a noir-influenced visual palette and tense sound design.

As of its 2024 debut the series has not earned major industry awards, though it has been mentioned in niche animation roundups and festival lineups. Its limited run and niche subject have kept it off major award shortlists so far. Expect potential recognition in future niche awards circuits worldwide soon.

Though not a mainstream hit, the show sparked niche interest in mahjong among anime fans, prompting guide videos, strategy breakdowns and fan art. Its stark table cinematography and tension-filled rounds have been shared online, helping the series develop a small but active community that discusses tactics and character dynamics.

Audience response is mixed, reflected in a 6.4/10 user average. Critics and viewers point to strong match choreography and tight atmosphere, while noting slow pacing. Thematically it looks at loyalty, survival, immigration issues and how skill upends social hierarchies. Others commend its quieter moments, though more plot speed would help.