Anime writing is a derisive term invoking onedimensional characters and deadsimple exposition but The Eccentric Family is an exception to the conventions of TV anime. It helps that its based on a series of novels of the nonlight 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 Kyto 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 bestlaid plans of evildoers who count on the clockwork rhythm of Kytoan 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 Kytoan 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 animes credit one doesnt need to know Japanese to pick up on that at least I dont 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.