Today sees the release of Tiger & Bunny - Part 1. Not quite the cute and fluffy anime as the title may suggest (if we were to make assumptions).
Our setting is Sternbild City, which is an impressive futuristic megapolis, home to a group of people possessing abilities. In this heroic release we see some super-charged, high-powered individuals, known as NEXT (Noted Entities with eXtraordinary Talents). For a seemingly unknown reason, a mutation occurred 45 years prior to the beginning of our story, and the NEXT began appearing. Powers vary with each individual, however it is not unknown that two can possess the same ability, as we witness.

So city meets heroes, and not your typical ‘cool’ heroes either. After all it’s not about the praise, or the spotlight, but helping and doing good (something some of our heroes discover along the way). When they’re not fighting chaos, crime and injustice, our heroes are living out regular lives. Each hero is sponsored by the cities biggest companies, with merchandise sold to fans, and branding on their heroic attire, making it their full-time paid job (heroes have to pay bills too). But a job that most of our heroes do without revealing their true identity, that is until Barnaby Brooks Jr. comes into the public eye and certainly isn’t afraid to take the limelight.

Our heroes’ quest for what is right, is documented and broadcast on a television show called “Hero TV” and through the process accumulate points. By the end of each year, one hero is crowned the overall winner, gaining the title of “King of Heroes”.

The underdog and veteran known as Wild Tiger (real name: Kotetsu Kaburagi), is more of an old fashioned-hero with good old-fashioned values. With the belief firmly intact that a hero’s identity should remain a secret. From what we can tell from these episodes he’s a widower, and the father of one. But his daughter isn’t aware of his heroic job. This lone ranger soon finds his sponsors and employers informing him that from now on he will be partnered up with the new cool kid on the block and the mysterious Barnaby Brooks Jr. (nicknamed Bunny). Bring on a change of costume, and high-powered technology. Sparks may fly, but the super-duo must learn that they are at their best when they work together.

These seven episodes are light, easy and really enjoyable to watch. Certainly enough to get you hooked. The plot isn’t complex, being pretty straightforward. Sometimes you don’t want something that requires too much brainpower to follow, you just want to sit back, relax, and enjoy. To begin with each episode has its own mini plot, but soon things begin to come to light, showing the direction that the series may be heading.

For an anime based on the concept of superheroes saving the day, there’s not a whole lot of fighting or action. There are also a few laughs thrown in as well. This all works in its favour, which will help to appeal to a wider audience, and allows us to get to know these likeable characters. I guess you could say it’s mainly about the Tiger & Bunny relationship, and each hero as individuals in opposed to just them as branded heroes, saving the day. The series itself is quite encouraging. Giving us feel those good values and messages. Because, our heroes believe that where there’s life, there’s hope, and a hero should never give up. And in life, we shouldn’t either.

Tiger & Bunny part 1 is Out Now on DVD/Blu-ray combo from Manga Entertainment

Review by Samantha Buttigieg