In Hakata, fully 3% of the population work as the most dangerous of profession: hitmen. In this ward, a series of events has been set in motion involving the city’s mayor, his bodyguards, and his murderous son; a detective and his allies, close on the case; a group of avengers hired to kill a college student, but who take a timid and new hitman hostage instead; and a cross-dressing killer who is seeking to free a loved one. Their paths will all cross—as could those of a hitmen hitman, whose prey could be any of them.
After doing research, I write down a list of new shows I intend to try out each season. I couldn’t remember what drew me to Hakata Tonkotsu Ramens, but I assumed it had something to do with moe girl and food. Two minutes in (and two murders in), I realized I was very, very wrong. But that’s maybe a good thing. Fully confusing and maybe a bit too much like DRRR (but without the style), this opening episode of the series does its best to give us the basics: the major conflict, the cast, and the “good guys,” as much as they are. Our “heroic pair” are interesting indeed, and might make the story worth watching if it can all come together well, but that’s a big if—this series is hinging on some complicated scenarios. We’ll see if the material can live up to it.
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Hakata Tonkotsu Ramens is available for streaming on Crunchyroll.
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