If regular animes are becoming too predictable, you are looking for something…weirder,  “Rooster Fighter” might be worth a try.

“Rooster Fighter,” produced by Sanzigen and adapted from a manga of same title, premiered internationally in March. As of now, the full 12 episodes have not been released.

And yes, this anime is “weird.” The protagonists are chickens, who speak in exaggerated voices: the main protagonist, KeiJi (ケイジ ), sounds like Kujo Jotaro (空条 承太郎) from “Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure.” KeiJi is a chicken who has no filter and sometimes unleashes his animal instinct, or acts as the “comedian” of the group. The contrast between the appearance and voice just made the anime so unserious to a point of being relaxing.

Aside from the weird part, the background and story line are well written and tightly connected. The main conflict of “Rooster Fighter” comes from the Mutant Monsters; creatures that originate from people’s strong emotions such as the seven deadly sins: pride, envy, wrath, gluttony, lust, sloth and greed. However, some Mutants come from positive emotions, ending up helping humans. It is easy to see how humanity and their emotions cause trouble.

The art style is interesting, with traditional ink style and an approach to cel shading (a highly stylised visual artform that uses computers to give 3D characters a hand-drawn, 2D appearance), which appeared also in “Girls Band Cry.” It may feel too heavy at the start but as viewers get used to it, it becomes more lovely.

Keiji’s main goal is to get revenge, and he is sort of selfish for it. But the series did not make him look greedy and stingy, it made his character more real and understandable. His selfishness only shows on the very surface, as he does not want nor will he help with a vague concept, like saving humanity or something moral—he does things for his own benefit, maybe for a promise, or to help out a friend with their will.

The thickness of the characters’ personality is what makes the anime enjoyable to watch, with its humor and weirdness as a cherry on top, though not the major focus—it brings freshness and relaxation. As of now, the anime has seven episodes, and characters are still being introduced, but the existing characters already leave an impression; they are far from formulaic. 

Overall, this anime is highly recommended to watch and anticipate, with its developing storyline and lore. It’s definitely a gem for those who enjoy light humor and fun, with some occasional ironic moments.