Inuyashiki: The Last Hero....4 1/2 of 5 ⭐
Ichirou Inuyashiki....remember the name. He's 58 years old, father to teenagers, husband, office worker, and the most unconventional and human hero I've seen in a very long time.
Inuyashiki: The Last Hero is based on the popular manga written by Hiroya Oku, who is also known for writing another well know manga, Gantz. Adapted for television, Inuyashiki is set in present day Japan, and focuses on two characters who's lives are forever changed one fateful night.
Ichirou is the protagonist and old man who leads a bland, and pitiful life. Wife nags. Kids dont care. 58 and a dead end office job. All he has is a dog who loves him, Hanako. He is Ichirou's only reprieve at times.
Enters cancer, and 3 months to live. He's devastated. Ichirou attempts to tell his family, but they are to preoccupied with their own lives to notice his turmoil, and move about their day oblivious.
In a deep depression, he takes Hanako for a walk and ends up in a park. Depressed and dying, he's frantic and crying hysterically as he holds Hanako tightly in a hug. He realizes there is someone else there with him, and turns sees a young man standing behind him and facing away.
Suddenly an alien space craft materializes on the very spot they were on and kills them instantly.
An alien voice speaks. "No damage to the ship, but we have destroyed 2 sentient life forms." Another response. "Then rebuild them. We only have weapon units, but it's not our problem."
Ichirou wakes up and doesnt remember what happened, only remembering his inevitable demise. Not realizing he has just become a weapon powerful enough to obliterate the planet.
As he comes to terms, in the coming days, with his new found machine powers, and new found perfect health, he learns he can help people. Not just save them from harms way, but even heal the dying and sick. Having found his calling, he makes it his life's mission to help as many as he can.
Remeber the young man I spoke of that was there with Ichirou that night. Well he's a machine too, and his name is Hiro Shishigami. A "Jump" manga super fan, high school student, and close friends to Naoyuki Ando (remember him.) Hiro does not react the same way to his new abilities as Ichirou did. Despite growing up a normal kid, divorced yet loving parents, kind friends, he becomes the antagonist; the villain.
This anime tells their two stories of who they become after that fateful night. 11 episodes, countless deaths, countless lives saved, and sooooo many of my own feels later, I am very excited about this anime. It was so well animated, written, and told. I gave this anime 4 1/2 out of 5 stars, for its ability to tell such a beautiful and unconventional hero versus villian story. A story of how humanity, and good can exist anywhere and triumph over adversity.
