Gleipnir

Shuichi Kagaya looks like an ordinary high school kid living in a quiet town that seems stuck in place. That calm shatters when a warehouse fire traps a beautiful classmate and forces him to reveal a secret power. He can transform into a furry dog with an oversized revolver and a visible zipper down his back. He saves her life and admits the truth about his gift, only to learn she has her own dangerous plan. She is hunting the sister who killed her family and intends to use Shuichi as a means to reach that goal, no matter what it does to him. The turn of events kicks off a tense, chaotic dynamic between them.

Created by Shin'ichi Inotsume, Gleipnir arrived in 2020 as an animated series. Cast includes Natsuki Hanae as Shuichi Kagaya, Nao Toyama as Clair Aoki, Kana Hanazawa as Elena Aoki, Takahiro Sakurai as Alien, and Miku Ito as Nana Mifune. The show blends mystery with brisk action and a comic edge.

Critics have been divided on Gleipnir, praising its audacious concept and kinetic visuals while noting uneven tonal shifts. The show leans into brisk mystery and dark humor, anchored by a central clash between Shuichi's reluctant humanity and Clair's ruthless ambition. Central themes orbit power and control, the pressure of hidden identities, and the moral costs of manipulation. The dynamic between a reluctant protector and a coercive ally fuels suspense, while the surreal creature design amplifies the sense that trust is a loose thread.

Among anime fans Gleipnir has carved a niche following. Its bold premise and distinctive visuals spark talks about power dynamics and ethics in using others to reach goals. The transforming form and the oversized revolver leave a memorable mark, making Gleipnir one of those offbeat titles fans return to for its strange, comic edge.