Akagi, aka Mahjong Legend Akagi: The Genius who Descended into the Darkness

 Anime Review by ShonenPunk

It is 1952, and Nangou is down on his luck. He’s deep in debt, and if he doesn’t win this round of Mahjong, he will be killed by the yakuza to collect his life insurance money as payment. Losing badly, Nangou is at the end of his hope, crying out for help from anyone, even the devil himself. At that moment, the door to the parlor opens, and a 13-year-old boy named Akagi Shigeru walks in. Despite not knowing a thing about the game, Akagi gives Nangou advice that allows him to win a round and barely survive. Recognizing the talent in the boy, Nangou asks Akagi to play for him, teaching him the rules of Mahjong. This is the beginning of the legend of the man who would one day run the underworld of Japan: Akagi Shigeru.

Let’s be honest here. This is an anime about Mahjong. If you don’t understand the game, then the early goings of the show will be a little hard to understand. Aside from that, though, the plot is rock solid, filled with intrigue and suspense. It’s a testament to the quality of the show that a game like Mahjong, a game that few people would call “intense”, manages to be so brilliant and gripping in the realm of the show. The Mahjong games are brilliantly crafted, portraying the many complex aspects of the games and help the viewer, slowly but surely, to pick up the concepts behind it. As long as you get used to the rules of Mahjong, then there’s nothing to complain about here. The only real problem is the ending: the show stops right in the middle of the action and gives only a pseudo-ending so as to give a feeling that something was finished. It is very likely that the show will continue at some point, as the manga is still ongoing, but right now it certainly feels unresolved.


Akagi takes a nontraditional approach by having the characters develop psychologically during the Mahjong games. A good amount of the show’s action takes place not just on the Mahjong tables, but inside the characters’ heads, contemplating the next moving and trying to understand their opponent’s strategy. This is used to brilliant effect, as characters who start out as very calm and composed become gradually unhinged by Akagi’s unusual play style, unable to comprehend how to beat him and being driven nearly mad by their inability to overcome him. Akagi himself is a unique character, unflappable even in the most desperate of situations and taking absurd risks that confound friends and opponents. The opponents all have interesting and unique personalities, none more so than Akagi’s chief opponent in the show’s last half, Washizu Iwao. These characters are made and used to complete perfection, and they deserve the highest praise.

The characters designs are unique, with a style to match that of the original manga. The long noses and unusual faces will probably turn off some viewers, but it’s really just a matter of preference. The animation itself is incredibly well done, and the art helps create a unique atmosphere that fits perfectly with the characters and them of the show. If you don’t mind the character designs, then there’s nothing wrong here.

The music, like the animation, works to build a dark atmosphere for the charcters to work in. It works very well in this regard, giving the show just the right feel. The OP, “Nantokanare”, hits the right notes and delivers you into the show well. The 2 EDs aren’t quite as good, but still manage to do an okay job. The background music captures to mood perfectly, and everything works pretty well together.

Akagi is the ultimate atmosphere show: it plunges you into this world and doesn’t let you out until it’s all said and done. The characters reel you in, and the art and music keep you on the edge of your seat with their incredible intensity. Even if you have no idea what Mahjong is, you should check out the first few episodes and give it a try. If the ending were a little less disappointing, Akagi might have earned a perfect score. But hey, maybe they’ll come back to the show to finish it off properly some day soon. I know I can’t wait.