“Anime writing” is a derisive term, invoking one-dimensional characters and dead-simple exposition, but ”The Eccentric Family” is an exception to the conventions of TV anime. It helps that it’s based on a series of novels of the non-light variety. Its characters speak in formalities — what they say is rarely what they mean. This gives every dialog layers of meaning, painting a portrait of Kyōto that goes deeper than its iconic exterior.

Uchouten Kazoku reveals a rich interior world; a tapestry of families, clans, and clubs, all with their own culture of traditions, titles, ceremonies and protocol. Our protagonist, part of a family of shapeshifting tanuki, penetrates these hidden societal layers through his myriad connections, at one point landing in literal Hell (Jigoku), revealed as simply a realm where demons live and work; he tries his best to fit in. As the “fool” of the series, he inadvertently or deliberately sows chaos, and disrupts the best-laid plans of evildoers who count on the clockwork rhythm of Kyōtoan society to sway in their favor.

Each scene and conversation exists within a hierarchy of societal context, and the dialog serves as a critical guide, communicating the relationship between characters and their affiliations through degrees of formality. To my gaijin noggin, this seems not just an extrapolation of Kyōtoan culture (which is steeped in tradition and exclusivity, e.g. with geisha), but of Japanese society itself, and the way its language is built to serve it.

To the anime’s credit, one doesn’t need to know Japanese to pick up on that, at least I don’t think. But its writing does put the audience in a very different mindset — a more active level of engagement — than the average anime. And for that, along with its many other superb aspects (storyboarding, design, animation), Uchouten Kazoku is a TV anime of rare sophistication.