Anime

The Tactics anime was produced by Studio Deen, with 25 episodes that aired on TV Tokyo from October 2004 through March 2005. The episodes were grouped into six Japanese DVD volumes, released between January and June 2005.

The series was licensed for English release by Manga Entertainment, with the first volume released in June 2006. Episodes were shown on tv in the US from January to April 2008 as part of the Ani-Monday program on the Sci-Fi channel (now SyFy).

The opening theme is "Secret World" and the ending theme is "Mienai Chikara" (Unseen Strength), both sung by Miki Akiyama. Full versions of both songs were released on the single Tactics opening and ending single, Secret World.

Many episodes were original or changed from the story arcs in the manga, including the circumstances surrounding Kantarou's first encounter with Haruka. The anime also featured a new character: a young girl named Suzu who joined the group for most of their adventures.

Storylines and events common to both the anime and manga include:

Ep. 8 - Youko meets Muu-chan and Sugino in the forest.
  • Sugino & The Missing Children — Anime Episode 3 • Manga Volume 2
  • The Youkai Kidnapper — Anime Episode 8 • Manga Volume 1
    • Both feature a tanuki who traps youkai for a stage show to gain fame. However, Youko is the one he takes in the anime, while in the manga it was Haruka.
  • Numata-sensei & Hasumi — Anime Episode 9 • Manga Volume 3
    • Hasumi and Kantarou compete to solve a case in both instances. In the anime, they are sent to a “man-eating” island, while the manga has them searching for a kappa’s ladle.
  • The Suzakuin family —  Anime Episodes 10-11 • Manga Volume 3
  • The Infested Mansion —  Anime Episode 12 • Manga Volume 4
    Episode 12 - Ibaragi captures Haruka.
    • The manga has Sakurazawa, an accomplice of Ibaragi, trap Haruka and drug him with
      opium, which she has been smuggling. In the anime, this is changed to Ibaragi disguising herself as Sakurazawa, with paintings being smuggled, and Haruka being weakened with roses.
  • Rosalie & Edwards —  Episode 17 • Manga Volume 2
    • Their initial appearance revolves around a church in both versions. In the anime, the plot solely involves Edwards’ interest in Rosalie, excluding the priest in the manga who had an interest in Haruka.
  • The Hair Monster —  Anime Episode 18 • Manga Volume 4
    Episode 18 - Keukegen on Hasumi's head.
    • Keukegen is first found at a client’s house in the anime, but only at Kantarou’s house in the manga. This story is combined with Hasumi’s research society.
  • The Paranormal Research Society —  Anime Episode 18 • Manga Volume 5
    • Hasumi and Kantarou compete on several different cases for clients in the anime, while in the manga the main focus involves the society building itself. Both introduce Ayame, but she has no further significance after the anime episode concludes.
  • Haruka’s Bodyguard Job —  Anime Episode 20 • Manga Volume 5
    • Kantarou volunteers him in the anime, while he finds the job on his own in the manga. Yuri is used in an attempt to bring out Haruka’s true form after she falls in love with him in both. The anime then reveals directly that Ibaragi is behind the plot, and she is working with Minamoto.

Another major point of difference is the cause of Haruka being sealed. In the anime, it was done by one of Kantarou’s ancestors, causing Haruka to bear an instinctive grudge against his bloodline when his memories start to return. In the manga, the sealing is done by his previous master, Fuji, with Shuten Douji.