The eclectic mix of things that work together surprisingly well.
Taxi drivers are like bartenders: they listen to you whine, they pour wisdom into you in the most unpredictable way, they offer you advice. And you don't pay attention to your driver — it's just another face, someone who offers his services to you. And that leads to them being in the center of the gossip, of the news, of whatever happens in the bustling city. Such is the story of Odakawa, a taxi driver who got into the whirlpool of intrigues and at the center of a few intricate storylines.
Odd Taxi, the anime released in 2021, is masterfully paced, every event unfolding at its own speed. The plot twists are wonderfully unpredictable, the changes in narration between the characters make the series feel dynamic and textured. Yet through these stories the show shines light on some deep societal issues: obsession with social media, mental health problems, addiction and the harshness of the entertainment industry.
The narrative is peppered with smart jokes referring to the culture and mass media, and they are woven into the story in the most organic way possible.
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As the events unfold, the stakes get higher, things that look simple on the surface become much more convoluted. Mundane and ordinary conversations between the taxi driver and his passengers intertwine and different crowds get mixed into one.
What You See Isn't Always What You Get: The Art and Visuals of Odd Taxi
The art style is quite unique for the Japanese animation: Odd Taxi looks like something that could've been produced by a Western studio. The anthropomorphic animals feel more like humans with animal features rather than just bipedal animals that can talk.
The way that everything is drawn is elevating the story, adding to the mood and the general vibe. Careful use of textures on the background contrasts with the cel-shaded characters and emphasizes the right things that the viewers should pay attention to.
It has a very distinct and diverse cast of characters, ones that change throughout the story as it shows more details about them and puts their defining traits into the spotlight. The storytelling aspect of Odd Taxi is something that makes this mysterious story intriguing and almost forces you to binge it episode by episode. Just one phrase right before the credits is enough to keep you on the edge of your seat.
The combination of the interesting story, captivating characters (not loveable, but understandable), and unique style is something that makes Odd Taxi stand out in the crowd of original shows.