Tougen Anki Episode 1 kicks off the long-awaited anime adaptation with a mix of moody atmosphere, messy pacing, and one of anime’s most overused setups — the dead dad trope. In this review, we break down how Episode 1 handles its introduction, what works, what doesn’t, and whether the premiere sets up the series for success.br br We cover:br br The opening tragedy and its impact on Shikibr br How the “dead dad” reveal feels rushed — or intentionally vaguebr br Animation quality, pacing, and tonebr br First impressions of the supporting castbr br Strengths, weaknesses, and what Episode 1 means for the season aheadbr br Whether the adaptation captures the manga’s intensitybr br If you’re a manga reader or an anime-only viewer, this episode gives plenty to talk about — from the supernatural reveals to the emotional beats that land… and the ones that don’t.