ACCA: 13-Territory Inspection Dept.: First Impressions

Usually, every season of anime brings forth something different but yet familiar. The familiar can be any genre of anime. Action, comedy, slice of life etc. This season we have ACCA: 13-Territory Inspection Dept. a.k.a. ACCA: 13-ku Kansatsu-ka. As for the something familiar it is drama series of this season and the first of its kind this year. Last year we had Joker Game and 91 days. Two very different shows within the same genre. This series is no stranger to this concept.

The story of ACCA takes place in the kingdom of Dowa. Dowa is subdivided into 13 states. During this time period of the story, we find Dowa to be in its most peaceful of times. Our main character Jean Otus is one of the members of ACCA. He is second-in-command of the inspection agency of ACCA. Jean’s job requires him to go on multiple business trips within the year to inspect all the agencies of ACCA. Within ACCA there are a group of people who are doing things behind the scenes and believe that someone is planning a coup within ACCA. Jean is our number one suspect may spice things up.

ACCA: 13-Territory Inspection Dept. was developed by Madhouse studios. This studio has made a huge variety of different anime. Here are a few examples.

ACCA is also directed by Shingo Natsume who directed One-Punch Man and Space Dandy.

When looking at all of this you wonder what brings Madhouse to create something like ACCA with the direction of Natsume. What we got was something new with something old.

The art style is very different than what you would see from Madhouse but the animation pleasantly brings it to life. It reminded me of how I saw Mob Psycho 100 for the first time. Very rough art, but animation bringing it to new life. The movements of the characters feel very natural and the framing of each scene is great.

ACCA’s music choice is interesting. The opening and ending really fit the story nicely and make them incredibly hard to skip. The opening has a very funky feeling to it. Once it begins and you hear the “HEY! C’MON C’MON! WATCH OUT! LET’S GO” you are hooked. It starts with some English rapping into a light vocal. It will most likely be in your top 5 of openings for winter 2017. The OST itself is great. It brings the scenes together very nicely.

ACCA’s downfall may just be the audience’s patience. The show started off with a ton of world building versus trying to catch the audience in the first episode. There is a lot of dialogue but watching Jean interact with the other characters do spice things up a bit. This story seems to be taking a very methodical route and may even have a battle of wits between Jean and the people of ACCA who suspect him.

I am really enjoying this series, as much it has just begun, it just feels very rewarding to watch to story unravel. If you were a fan of Joker Game and 91 days you may want to give this a shot. Leave a comment down below and let me know what you think. I can’t be the only one jamming to this opening!