HAKYU HOSHIN ENGI

After his clan is annihilated by a seductive demon, Taikobo is thrust into leadership of the Houshin Project, an operation charged with locating immortals hiding among ordinary people and sealing them away. He approaches the mission with a mix of mischief and steel, assembling allies, mapping targets, and engaging in violent confrontations that test his tactics and conscience. Complicating everything is the fact that a demon taught him how to hunt demons, which blurs the line between mentor and enemy and raises questions about motive and loyalty. The show follows Taikobo as he handles politics, skirmishes, and moral ambiguity while the human world edges toward supernatural upheaval.

Released in 2018, this TV anime adapts Ryū Fujisaki's manga, with Natsuko Takahashi among the creators credited. The cast includes Kensho Ono as Taikoubou, Yuichi Nakamura, KENN, Tomoaki Maeno, and Makoto Furukawa, who bring the main players to life.

Critical and fan reaction was mixed, matching a 6.0/10 average. Many viewers praised the series for its brisk action, colorful designs, and use of mythic source material, while others felt pacing and character development were uneven. Central themes include shifting loyalties, the cost of wielding power, and how ideology affects identity, with politics and combat often steering character choices rather than quiet introspection.

Though it never reached runaway popularity, the 2018 adaptation renewed interest in the Hoshin Engi franchise and prompted online discussion about adaptation choices and faithfulness to the original manga and older mythic texts. Niche communities produced fan art and debate about standout fight scenes and casting, keeping a steady, engaged audience rather than broad mainstream buzz.

The series did not collect major industry awards, but reviewers and fans singled out several voice performances and action sequences for praise. For viewers who like myth-infused action with moral gray areas, it’s a solid, if imperfect, modern take on a longer-running property.