Hello friends, it’s ya boy Tré, and it is my solemn duty to tell you all to (deep inhale) watch OddTaxi. I know, you’ve probably been busy. Your time is precious, and you can’t watch every anime that comes out. Honestly, the first half of 2021 has spoiled us for choice with Jujustu Kaisen, That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime, Fruits Basket, To Your Eternity, and so many more. However, one anime you cannot let slip past your radar is OddTaxi.
OddTaxi is truly a masterpiece that needs to be experienced. My words alone may not be enough to convince you, but if I can pique your interest even slightly, I know you will get hooked on the OP alone.
How can I best describe OddTaxi? It is a Quentin Tarantino movie as an anime. OddTaxi has dialogue and pacing that really hold your attention. And there is no detail too small in this story. If something small happens in episode 1, then it will have an impactful payoff in episode 12. Meaning, after watching OddTaxi the first time, you’ll want to go through it again just to find something you most definitely missed.
The following section will contain spoilers for ODDTAXI
The story of OddTaxi is hard to summarize, without giving too much away. Our protagonist is a taxi driver in Tokyo named Odokawa. He’s not very energetic or charismatic, but he does have a melancholic charm to him. In most anime, if the protagonist is 41 and working a “dead-end” job, you would think he would be super jaded and cynical. The only problem Odokawa seems to have is that he has trouble sleeping, and we all can relate to that experience.
Odokawa is a simple man. He seems almost mundane compared to the fares who hop into his taxi. These fares include a college student looking to go viral on the internet, an up-and-coming idol group, and a gang member. Other important cast members: Odokawa’s friends, Dr. Gouriki and Kakibana, potential love interest Shirakawa (best girl), a comedy duo known as the Homosapiens, and a man obsessed with a gacha game (not like any of us could relate, right).
All the characters meet and interact with Odokawa and each other. They then become entangled in a web of mystery, crime, and revenge. The main mystery unraveled in OddTaxi is that of a missing girl who was last seen getting into a taxi.
OddTaxi has some great commentary on corruption in the police, dating in the internet age, and the idol industry. This show does a lot to give the audience both a thrilling story and some high-level thinking if you are looking for it. I can’t really think of anything else interesting about OddTaxi … oh right, all the characters are anthropomorphic animals. No big deal. Odokawa is a walrus. Shirakawa is an alpaca. There is also a porcupine yakuza member who raps. Once again, no big deal.
I would be remiss to not talk about OddTaxi’s opening theme “ODDTAXI” by Skirt & PUNPEE. Both the OP visuals and the official music video have plenty of clues for the show if you pay attention. The song itself is a bop with a hummable melody and clean rap. You’ll have it playing on repeat by episode 5.
I don’t know what else I can tell you about OddTaxi. It is simply a show you must experience. In the immortal words of Geoff Thew (Mother’s Basement on YouTube), you will grab your friends, sit them down (rope and duct tape optional), and have them experience it with you. I promise you, the show is that good. But if you think I’m wrong after watching this show, feel free to complain on Twitter. You can find me at @tre_hanzy.
But since I know you will enjoy the show, I hope you’ll give me a follow. As well as follow @advent_seven, like us on Facebook, and subscribe to our YouTube channel.
From Advent Seven, I’m Tré, and I hope you all enjoy OddTaxi. All 13 episodes are available on Crunchyroll and VRV.
TL/DR: OddTaxi is a great anime.
SCORE: 10/10
Advent Seven 
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