The Eccentric Family

Tomihiko Morimi, known for his works set in Kyoto, wanted to break away from his previous stories focusing on university students.

He explored new narrative possibilities by using animals, specifically tanuki, as protagonists.

After meeting with Gentosha, Morimi was finally able to realize his long-held idea of a tanuki-themed story.

Influenced by the manga “Dainihon Tengu Party Illustrated” by Kuroda Iou, he decided to add tengu to deepen the magical world.

His experiences and interests in Kyoto's culture and folklore directly inspired the creation and atmosphere of The Eccentric Family.

Kyoto is depicted as a city where humans, tanuki, and tengu live secretly side by side.

Tanuki possess the ability to shapeshift into anything, from people to inanimate objects.

The Shimogamo family, once led by the great patriarch Sōichirō, are a prestigious tanuki clan.

Power struggles and family feuds, especially with the arrogant Ebisugawa family, are central.

Tengu are proud beings with supernatural powers, such as flying and controlling the weather. One notable tengu is Professor Akadama, who has fallen on hard times due to an incident with Yasaburō and Benten.

Humans are largely unaware of these magic-wielding creatures, except for a secret society called Friday Fellows (or Friday Club), whose tradition includes eating tanuki hotpot at their annual gathering.

A unique blend of the mundane and extraordinary, Kyoto is lively with magical politics, hidden societies, and emotional connections.

Yasaburō Shimogamo, the third son, pursues an "interesting life" after the death of his father, Sōichirō, once head of the tanuki community (Fake Emon).

Sōichirō's death—he was cooked in a tanuki hotpot by humans—shakes the family and community.

Yasaburō supports his serious older brother Yaichirō, who aspires to succeed as the next Fake Emon, eccentric inventor Yashirō, and the withdrawn frog-in-a-well, Yajirō.

The family interacts with Professor Akadama, a proud yet quirky tengu, and Benten, a beautiful human woman granted tengu powers.

A rivalry with the Ebisugawa family, dangerous run-ins with Friday Fellows, and a tangle of personal relationships ensue.

When the truth behind Sōichirō’s death is revealed and Friday Fellows targets the Shimogamo family again, Yasaburō and his brothers must band together for their family's survival.

In the second part, Nidaime, the British-educated son of Professor Akadama, returns to Kyoto, stirring up new conflicts.

Family ties are tested, and old wounds resurface, leading to a dramatic confrontation between Benten and Nidaime.

Tanuki:

Shape-shifting raccoon-dog creatures in Japanese folklore.

They live secretly among humans, and their society mirrors human hierarchies and customs.

Fake Emon:

The leader of the tanuki community in Kyoto, chosen by elders in an election.

Tengu:

Supernatural beings with magical abilities like flight and weather manipulation.

Tengu have strong pride and tend to look down on others.

Friday Fellows (Friday Club):

A secret human society that meets monthly, most notably consuming tanuki hotpot at their year-end party.

Wind and Thunder God Fan:

A magical fan that creates storms or lightning, depending on which side is waved.

Fake Eizan Train:

A tanuki transformation mimicking a real train, famously used in an incident involving Sōichirō and Yajirō.

Benten:

Once a human girl, now a formidable magical being thanks to tengu training. Eccentric and mysterious, she threatens both tanuki and tengu alike.

• Novel series by Tomihiko Morimi (planned trilogy, two volumes published so far).
• Manga adaptation illustrated by Yū Okada, with original character drafts by Kōji Kumeta.
• TV anime adaptation by P.A. Works, two seasons (2013 and 2017), highly praised for its colorful and expressive visual style.
• Radio drama broadcasted on NHK-FM's "Youth Adventure."
• Stage adaptations produced in 2014 and again in 2024, featuring well-known Japanese stage actors.
• Puppet theater performances by Ningyo-Gekidan Clarte.
• Multiple audio and drama CDs, film comics, and special event tie-ins.

Morimi struggled to move beyond his earlier “college life” stories.

He wanted a new narrator style and felt a disconnect from mainstream literature, driving him to build a story around non-human characters.

Encouraged by support from publishing staff and feedback from manga, Morimi expanded his world by incorporating various magical beings.

The sequels were more difficult to write, as he aimed to both satisfy fans and explore new creative directions.

Anime Season 1:

• Opening: "Uchōten Jinsei" by milktub
• Ending: "Que Será Será" by fhána

Anime Season 2:

• Opening: "Narugamama Sawagumama" by milktub
• Ending: "Moon River" by fhána

These catchy, energetic songs contributed greatly to the anime's unique and lively atmosphere.

• Finalist, 39th Seiun Award for Japanese Long Novel (2008)
• 3rd Place, 5th Japan Bookseller's Award (2008)
• Excellence Award, Animation Division, Agency for Cultural Affairs Media Arts Festival (2013)

As of March 2017, the series had over 550,000 copies in print.

Anime and manga adaptations garnered critical acclaim for their visual style and faithful representation of Kyoto's atmosphere.

The story's blend of humor, family warmth, and urban fantasy set it apart in the Japanese literature and anime world.

Special collaborations included themed trains, stage events at historic theaters, and mascot campaigns with Kyoto’s local authorities.

Related works by Tomihiko Morimi:

• Night Is Short, Walk on Girl (shares characters and settings)
• The Adventure of the Holy Lazybones (features tanuki society and Friday Fellows)

Key locations like Kamo Shrine, Eizan Electric Railway, and South Theater in Kyoto also appear in The Eccentric Family's real-world tie-ins.

The story has inspired tours, collaboration goods, and a lasting legacy as a “must-experience” tale of magical Kyoto.