Kekkaishi

Cartoon done well, however, I preferred the manga.

For the plot it is nothing original because there are dozens of other Anime with very similar plots but the characters are very well developed and I also liked the protagonist who at some point developed in a direction that I did not expect.

The series revolves around a 14 year old boy named Yoshimori Sumimura the legitimate heir as kekkaishi in his family. For hundreds of years his family has served as kekkaishi, or in simpler terms exterminators of ayakashi (monsters). However the Sumimuras aren't the only kekkaishi, their rivals and next door neighbors, the Yukimura's are also descendants of kekkaishi. The Yukimura's legitimate heir is 16 year old Tokine Yukimora. Yoshimori and Tokine have known each other since they were children, although their relationship is rather complex they view each other more as friends opposed to rival kekkaishi. Yoshimori and Tokine, with the aid of their ayakashi hunting ghost dogs Madarao and Huckibee, must defend Karasumori, a sacred ground that attracts and strengthens ayakashi. In order to protect the people he loves from harm Yoshimori must become stronger, and train his body and mind to control his given powers.

If you watch it to the end, all 52 episodes, it has a well written plot and has a good clean finished ending. Far too many anime fail to do this.

The 52 episodes are 24 minutes long which includes a opening song and a song that plays during the ending credits. . . Opening song for all episodes is:

"Sha la la - Ayakashi NIGHT" (Sha la la-アヤカシNIGHT-) by Saeka Uura . . Ending song that plays during the ending credits:

#1: "Akai Ito" (赤い糸; "Red String")

by Koshi Inaba

Plays at end of episodes 1-15, 38, 40, 48, 52

#2: "Sekaijū doko o Sagashite mo" (世界中どこを探しても)

by Aiko Kitahara

Plays at end of episodes 16-23, 39, 44, 51

#3: "My Mirai" (マイミライ; "My Future")

by Saeka Uura

Plays at end of episodes 24-30, 41, 46, 49

#4: "Kyūkei Jikan Juppun" (休憩時間10分; "10 Minute Recess")

by Saeka Uura

Plays at end of episodes 31-37, 42-43, 45, 47, 50 . . .

*** Summary ***

Yoshimori Sumimura, a 14-year-old junior high school boy and a Kekkaishi/Demon Exterminator, but wants more than anything to be a Patissier/Maker of Western style deserts and sweets.

Yoshimori Sumimura is very bad at using his powers, yet strives to get better and eventually becomes stronger.

The girl, Tokine Yumikura, is few years older than he and much more skilled at using her powers. She is his childhood friend and helped him with using his powers when he was young.

Yoshimori Sumimura is forced to compete with Tokine Yumikura, a girl and also a Kekkaishi/Demon Exterminator. They are competing to become the heir/next leader/next boss of the Sumimura clan. The power will allow him to save his school friends and others from the dangerous the Ayakashi/Youkai/ Demons/Monsters/Ghosts. . .

* Anime BackgroundInforamtion that is VERY helpful to know *

Five hundred years ago, as legend goes, a feudal lord was attacked by demons wanting to retrieve his mysterious inner power to take over the human world. The famous mage, Tokimori Hazama, was called upon, and with his 2 students, managed to save the whole land. But they fell ill for three days, and upon returning to the manor, found everyone inside the house dead, including the lord. The lord's power was also buried with him at the site of the Karasumori manor.

In the present day, Yoshimori Sumimura and Tokine Yukimura, heirs of the clans of Hazama's assistants, became the kekkaishi protecting the land and the power. They use a technique called Kekkai, a form of magical barrier, used to capture and destroy Ayakashi that are drawn to this land. Any demons that come near the power will become stronger and therefore Yoshimori and Tokine are to guard the land from intrusion of the Ayakashi.

But some of the demons form a powerful organization to take over that mysterious power. Yoshimori plans to destroy not only the demons, but also to gain the power to completely save the world from being controlled by demons and seal the power of Karasumori. To do that, he first needs to know what the power actually is, and also strengthen his kekkai skills.

* Good to Know * Tokine's grandmother hates Yoshimori Sumimura's grandfather and the feelings are mutual. His grandfather will have none of Yoshimori becoming anything but a demon killer.

This anime is worth watching, especially for teenagers.