In a world where 'small miracles' or 'Minimum' are special powers granted to only a chosen few, Hamatora introduces us to the detective duo Nice and Murasaki of the 'Hamatora' agency in Yokohama, 2014. When a serial murder case their police friend is pursuing becomes mysteriously linked to these powers, the series plunges you into a labyrinth of shadows hidden beneath the city's neon lights.
Plot Summary (No Spoilers)
The story begins at Cafe 'Nowhere,' which doubles as both a coffee shop and the office of detective duo 'Nice' and 'Murasaki.' They take on small jobs but find that each case connects to 'Minimum,' a special power possessed only by the chosen few. Meanwhile, their police friend 'Art' is chasing a serial killer who seems to target Minimum holders. The relationships between characters and hidden mysteries gradually unfold through action-packed and humorous investigations.
Performance and Characters
Though animated, the voice acting by top performers like Hiroshi Kamiya (Art) and Wataru Hatano (Murasaki) brings emotions to life vividly. Nice (Ryota Osaka) is cheerful and optimistic, while Murasaki is quiet and serious. Their teamwork adds color and balance to the series. Supporting characters like 'Birthday,' 'Ratio,' and 'Honey' are charming and play key roles in driving the story. Although some characters are underutilized, the voice acting and character design are overall well done.
Direction, Visuals, and Music
The series is directed by Seiji Kishi, whose storytelling style is fun and action-focused. The visuals by Naoji Yamauchi (director of photography) are vibrant and use fast editing that matches the story's pace. The music by Yuki Kajiura creates both thrilling and warm atmospheres, especially the opening theme 'FLAT' by Yui Horie, which is catchy and reflects themes of friendship and adventure.
Editorial Analysis
Hamatora attempts to blend investigation, action, and superpowers but suffers from a rushed plot that lacks depth in some areas. However, its strengths lie in the main characters' friendship and beautifully designed action scenes. The series may not be a masterpiece, but it has a unique charm that keeps viewers watching until the end, especially fans of 'buddy' stories and superpowers.
Verdict
For fans of action-investigation anime with superpowers and buddy dynamics, Hamatora is a fun and enjoyable choice. Though the story isn't deep, it has charm and beautiful fight scenes worth watching for genre enthusiasts.
Screenshots
👍 Pros
- +Great chemistry between Nice and Murasaki
- +Beautiful and fluid action scenes
- +Catchy opening and soundtrack
- +Interesting concept of Minimum
👎 Cons
- −Plot moves too fast and lacks depth
- −Some characters underutilized
- −Complex plot may be confusing at times
Top Cast
FAQ
It has 24 episodes total, split into 2 seasons of 12 episodes each.
It's an action, investigation, and supernatural anime about people with special powers called Minimum.
Yes, a sequel titled 'Re: Hamatora' aired as the second season in 2014.
Currently, it's available on streaming platforms like Crunchyroll or Funimation (may require subscription).
