Ushio and Tora (2015)

"Ushio and Tora" (うしおととら) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Kazuhiro Fujita, which was later adapted into an anime. In 2015, MAPPA and Studio VOLN co-produced a television anime series, which is a faithful adaptation of the manga. "Ushio and Tora" tells the story of Ushio Aotsuki, the son of a temple keeper, who accidentally releases a powerful monster named Tora, who was sealed beneath the temple. To fight against various monsters that threaten humanity, Ushio is forced to cooperate with Tora and wields the ancestral Beast Spear. The anime series is divided into two parts, totaling 39 episodes, with the first part airing from July to December 2015 (26 episodes), and the second part airing from April to June 2016 (13 episodes). The anime is praised for its excellent action sequences, engaging plot, and profound character relationships, particularly the complex emotional shift between Ushio and Tora from hostility to trust. The series preserves the essence of the manga while providing a richer experience for new audiences.