Watch Omnyou Tasenki

Omnyou Tasenki is a Japanese television series loosely based on the classical story, "Fengshen Yanyi," a novel from the Chinese literature. The show, produced by TV Tokyo, made its debut on January 5, 1999, and ran for a total of 26 episodes, concluding on June 29, 1999. The series was directed by Norio Kashima and written by Yasuko Kobayashi.

Set in ancient China, the show follows the story of Taikoubou, a carefree and lighthearted immortal, who has been tasked with subduing the evil spirits causing chaos and unrest in the human world. He joins the ranks of the Houshin Project, an initiative launched by the Heavenly Emperor to create a team of accomplished immortals and demons to help him conquer the malevolent invasions unleashed by the Hun invasion.

Throughout the show, Taikoubou encounters many challenges and opponents, including Youzen, a fox demon with ice-cold demeanor, and Dakki, an evil fox spirit who infiltrated the royal palace and controls the Emperor's mind. Along with his merry companions, including a dragon deity and a girl possessed by a sword spirit, Taikoubou fights to subdue the malevolent spirits, the most dangerous of them being the ambitious King Chuu Ou.

The story is rich in mythology and folklore, with the Houshin Project based firmly on the Tenkai and Youkai legends that impact the lives of humans in ancient China. Though not entirely accurate in its depiction of Chinese culture, the series still manages to capture the beauty and charm of the ancient world, with stunning visuals and emotive characters who force the viewer to keep coming back for more.

The characters themselves are one of the most praiseworthy aspects of the show, each possessing an air of individuality that sets them apart from traditional mythological characters. Taikoubou, for example, is often carefree and instills levity in the story, while Youzen offers a foil for him, embodying utmost discipline, and seriousness of his job at all times. The show has an excellent mix of characters, some funny, some serious, and some whom we genuinely care about.

Along with the characters come their specific abilities, which are a delight to watch in their fluid movements and unique attacks. The animation is of high quality and brings to life the diverse cast of characters with a level of finesse that has yet to be matched in modern anime and cartoons.

The music in the show is another key reason for its success, with a close collaboration between the author and the musicians who came to life a stunning range of scores that move the audience deeply. They range from ethereal notes that emphasize the mystical and otherworldly aspects of the journey to the upbeat and lively tunes that frame the fun and spontaneous adventures of our heroes.

The pacing of the show is also commendable, primarily due to how the plot is structured. The series incorporates a good bit of flashbacks within each episode that expands the universe of the show and provides insight into how relationships between characters came to be. This augments the characters' backstory, immersing the viewers into the world created by the author. With this development in mind, Omnyou Tasenki does an excellent job of balancing plot and character development throughout the show run.

In conclusion, Omnyou Tasenki is a classic, and while it is from the late 90s, it remains one of the best anime to come out of Japan. The show excels in every regard and is a prime example of what modern-day anime should strive to be; compelling, poignant and entertaining. The show packs a satisfying conclusion and hence is a treat for anyone looking for a classic anime that they can binge-watch. The setting, the animation, the music, and the overall world-building are excellent and combine to create a very memorable and underrated show that foreshadows the end of an era.