Brief Description:
"Minimum" - a special inborn power found in a limited number of human beings, known as "minimum holders." In Yokohama, the detective team Hamatora, formed by two minimum holders named Nice and Murasaki, comes across information connected to a serial killer being pursued by their old friend Art. It turns out all the victims are minimum holders like them. Unwillingly at first, the two detectives become involved in the investigation.
Genres: action, comedy, drama, mystery, supernatural
Themes: detectives, game, superpowers
Internet Streaming: Crunchyroll
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=15752
Aired: 2014
US Release date: Not Yet
US Distributor: Not Yet
My Anime List Rating: PG-13 - Teens 13 or older
Hamatora is complete at 12 episodes.
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Violence / Gore: Yes, though this show might seem bright and fun (especially thanks to the animation), there is quite a bit of violent scenes to look out for. People being beat up is what normally happens at least twice per episode. However, the worst scenes are when certain characters are put at gun point and shot repeatedly both on screen and off screen. Another is when a person is blown up from the inside and blood sprays everywhere... truly, an unpleasant sight. Thus, this is probably the main topic to consider when debating whether or not to watch this series.
Nudity / Sexual Content: This show has a little fan-service in a hot spring episode where guys are topless and girls are scene by guys on the way to the spring (they have either just started to remove their shirts or have towels wrapped around them). There is also one beach episode that has lots of people in swimsuits.
Theological Themes: I believe, one character becomes a "priest" or something to atone for some sins in his past. His "special power" involves a prayer. Also, speaking of special powers, most of the main characters have a special power called a "minimum" that gives them great strength, amazing intellects, speed, and more.
Other potentially problematic themes: This show has its main characters have their base at a bar... so of course there is going to be alcohol. Drugs play a role as well. Being a mystery series, it is easy to bring in a darker side to this bright and colorful show. Overall, some of the topics concerning equal rights for people with or without super powers, the harsh childhoods of some of the characters, the betrayal and clearly evil villain of the series, and much more make this show somewhat "dark". With themes this serious, it should be viewed by only those that can handle this type of material.
FINAL THOUGHTS: If someone asked me whether I liked this show, it wouldn't be too hard to respond in the affirmative. Yes, the pacing of the show was all over the place. We jumped from having episodic stories, to watching one man do sit ups for five minutes, to bringing in a dark and overarching story, to returning straight to another fun episode at the beach, and then back to a dismal story with a shocking-season ending scene. I get that there normally needs to be comedic relief to dark situations, but it was not handled that well in this series. Yet, there are some good parts. Though the characters are only able to receive minimum development, they are still enjoyable to see on screen. The music and art are great. Also, even with its faults, I still feel really excited about another season - and that is the staple of a successful show.
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