Ronit J

Rooster Fighter Season 1 Synopsis:

Keiji is more than just an ordinary rooster-he’s humanity’s greatest defender. His opponents may be ten stories tall, but nothing is bigger than his stout heart and his fearsome battle cry-Kokekokko.

Rooster Fighter Season 1 Review:

I randomly stumbled upon this anime thanks to my Instagram feed. The premise was absurd enough to pique my interest, the visuals were stunning enough for me to start watching.

Long story short, I had a ton of fun! Remember One Punch Man Season 1? Rooster Fighter felt very much like a sister anime. It’s hilarious. It’s epic. Visually, it’s outstanding. And in many ways, it’s like a classic anime with all its tropes, but with a funny little twist.

Classic Action Anime

Admittedly, Rooster Fighter is super trope-y. You have Keiji (Kenta Miyake), an OP protagonist with a stoic attitude who is on a path of vengeance. You have unexplained kaiju-like demons plaguing Japan. Hell, you even have a stereotypical roster of supporting characters including Piyoko (Shiori Izawa) a weakling who’s inspired by the MC and eventually unleashes an overpowered dark secret, Elizabeth (Mariko Honda) a female support who’s ingenious but also in love with the MC, and Keisuke (Tomohiro Ōno), a younger character who’s arguably stronger than the MC. On paper, Rooster Fighter does nothing unique. Yet, the familiar things it does well, it does fantastically.

While it breaks no moulds, Rooster Fighter embraces all its tropes to deliver a familiar-yet-entertaining story. None of the characters are unique in any way, yet their stereotypical personalities shine throughout. Keiji’s stoicism, Elizabeth’s calm and calculated approach, as well as Piyoko’s relentless attempts to keep helping. I will admit, I hated how the female characters are portrayed here. Piyoko’s ‘love’ for Keiji was borderline creepy. Meanwhile, Elizabeth’s very interesting character felt sidelined for the two Goshikidori Roosters’ inherited powers. However, it’s unfortunately nothing new to see a Japanese anime treating its female characters like this.

All that being said, the anime was tremendously entertaining. Whether or not it will retain its personality and quality will depend on who produces the next season. I really do hope it doesn’t go down the One Punch Man route. I don’t think I have it in me to commit to another manga series that ends up feeling like a directionless drag after a point.

Good Parody, Good Watch

The first half, maybe even the first two-thirds of this show is hilarious and parody-like. The situations are absurd, and it’s never not funny to see these chickens strolling around like proud warriors. From the cat abducting Piyoko, to Keiji’s bonding with Morio, there are several heartfelt moments that are beautifully punctuated with gags and jokes to keep everything light and comfy. However, every episode always ends with kinetic action sequences that will remind you of DragonBall Z and the likes. Purely as a parody, it’s an entertaining watch. As just an anime, it’s still equally entertaining.

That being said, things become very serious in the last bit with the introduction of the Devils and the epic battles that ensue. We get some major lore-dump that may or may not appeal to you. The reveal of the Goshikidori family, Keisuke’s backstory, and the Devils all seem to complicate an otherwise simple and silly world. However, it never feels too out of place. After all, the funny parts were goofy, but the action parts were serious and epic. Normally, I’d be a little disappointed with something like this in an otherwise parody-like show. However, Rooster Fighter’s blend of serious and humour, all build around tropes kind of lets it get away with the generic twist.

Rooster Fighter is not the most unique or standout anime. It is, however, damn entertaining. I can’t wait to watch Season 2.

Rooster Fighter Season 1 Ending Explained

Like Keisuke, Keiji’s Righteous Egg also goes through a Second Awakening. However, his aura is red with darkness in it. With his new power, he shatters the Devil Sphere inside Hikari, supposedly killing the devil. The battle is over. As Keiji tells Piyoko about Morio, Morio wakes up to everyone’s surprise. They are about to celebrate, but even Hikari gets up and walks up to them.

In a flashback: we see Hikari living with his single mother who loves him very much. When she meets with a fatal car accident, Hikari’s pain and sorrow sprouts a demon bud on his neck, creating the demon Hikari. That’s when the Devil woman approaches him. Her name is Kugone, and she manipulates Hikari into believing she is his mother and makes him do her dirty work. Keiji’s power freed Hikari of her influence, and he thanks them. Later, he even tells them the full story of how he ended up being manipulated.

Hikari reveals that Kugone is second-in-command, creating more Devils across the world. Only the Goshikidori can stop them. The leader of these demons is a powerful demon in human form, known only as The White Demon. Keiji’s enemy. He wants Keiji’s Righteous Egg for some reason.

Elsewhere, Kugone tells The White Demon that Keiji’s Righteous Egg had a second awakening. To that, he responds ‘It’s almost time.’

Hikari still controls all those demons, and promises to surrender and help rebuild the towns they destroyed. Morio departs without saying goodbye because it’s too painful. Given that they have a common enemy, Keisuke joins Keiji, Elizabeth, and Piyoko. They carry their father, looking at the open sea and promising to keep hunting demons. Keiji promises to bring back Sarah, like he brought back Hikari.

Is Rooster Fighter Season 1 Worth Watching?

Depends. The novelty of the original is clearly lacking, and the often meta-humour was a little distracting at times. Yet, I’d say this is worth a watch, especially if you want to just sit back and relax with a charming, feel-good show.

Will there be a Rooster Fighter Season 2?

I certainly hope so. However, I really hope it doesn’t have drop in quality like One Punch Man.

In Conclusion:

Rooster Fighter Season 1 is an epic, hilarious, and tremendously entertaining anime that’s as absurd as it is engaging.

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• Island of the Dying Goddess

What did you think of Rooster Fighter Season 1? Let me know in the comments below.

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Until next time!