Tactics Review: A Folklore Researcher and His Goblin Partner Solve Supernatural Cases in Taisho-Era Japan
by Sakura Kinoshita / Kazuko Higashiyama
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Quick Take
- A Taisho-era supernatural mystery with the folklore researcher/tengu partnership as the series' consistent appeal — Kantarou and Haruka have the established "long-dreamed-of partner" dynamic that creates genuine affection
- Kinoshita's art (Mythical Detective Loki) brings the same visual quality to Japanese mythology that she applied to Norse myth
- 10 volumes complete; pleasant complete Taisho supernatural mystery
Who Is This Manga For?
- Readers who want Japanese folklore manga with Taisho-era historical setting
- Anyone interested in tengu mythology in detective-adjacent structure
- Fans of Mythical Detective Loki Ragnarok author's Japanese mythology work
- Readers looking for complete short historical supernatural series
Content Warnings & Age Rating
Age Rating: T (Teen) Content Warnings: Supernatural beings and Japanese folklore; Taisho-era historical setting; light romantic subtext; mild supernatural action
T rating — historical supernatural within teen standards.
Yu's Rating
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Story Depth | ★★★☆☆ |
| Art Style | ★★★★☆ |
| Character Development | ★★★☆☆ |
| Accessibility for Non-Japanese Readers | ★★★★☆ |
| Reread Value | ★★★☆☆ |
Story Overview
Kantarou Ichinomiya has a gift and an obsession. The gift: he can see tengu, kappa, and other supernatural beings invisible to normal humans. The obsession: finding the legendary tengu said to devour gods, imprisoned somewhere in Japan, who Kantarou has been searching for since childhood.
When he finds and releases the tengu, he immediately names him Haruka — the name he always intended to give this figure — which gives him power over the tengu. Haruka is not pleased about this arrangement. Kantarou is delighted.
The series follows their partnership as Kantarou's folklore researcher work involves them in supernatural cases across Taisho Japan, with Haruka's considerable abilities providing the muscle and Kantarou's knowledge providing the direction.
Characters
Kantarou Ichinomiya — A researcher whose enthusiastic obsession with folklore is his defining quality; his years of searching for Haruka mean the relationship starts with a specific emotional weight on his side.
Haruka — The legendary tengu who is bound to Kantarou by the naming and develops the partnership despite initial unwillingness.
Youko — A female fox spirit who rounds out the household with her own personality and role in the supernatural cases.
Art Style
Kinoshita's art brings the same clean fantasy design to Japanese supernatural beings that she applied to Norse mythology in Mythical Detective Loki — tengu wings, kappa designs, and the Taisho-era visual details are rendered with historical attention. The art suits both the comedy and the mystery case structure.
Cultural Context
Tactics draws from the Taisho era (1912–1926), a period of specific cultural tension between Western modernization and traditional Japanese culture — the same historical moment as Otome Youkai Zakuro, approached as supernatural mystery comedy. The tengu, kappa, and other beings are from Japanese folklore tradition that the series depicts with reasonable accuracy.
What I Love About It
Kantarou spent his life searching for Haruka. The relationship starts with years of one-sided investment — Kantarou knows who Haruka is, has thought about this partnership for years, and Haruka has just been freed and is uncertain. The series develops the balance of that asymmetry over time.
What English-Speaking Fans Say
Western readers describe Tactics as a pleasant complete historical supernatural comedy — specifically noted for the Taisho-era setting being well-realized, for Kantarou and Haruka's dynamic being more interesting than standard researcher/supernatural-being partnerships, and for the folk mythology being used with genuine care. Recommended alongside Mythical Detective Loki Ragnarok.
Memorable Scene ⚠️ Spoiler Warning
The cases where Haruka's specific mythology — what the tengu-who-devours-gods actually is and what that means for him — becomes relevant are the series' most substantive content.
Similar Manga
- Mythical Detective Loki Ragnarok — Kinoshita's Norse mythology work in similar register
- Natsume's Book of Friends — Human with supernatural ability partnering with beings in similar atmosphere
- Otome Youkai Zakuro — Taisho-era human-supernatural partnership romance
- Kamisama Kiss — Human-supernatural partnership with similar dynamic
Reading Order / Where to Start
Volume 1 — Kantarou's search, Haruka's release, and the naming scene establish the partnership and the Taisho supernatural world.
Official English Translation Status
ADV Manga published the complete English series. All 10 volumes available (may require secondhand purchase as ADV Manga is defunct).
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Taisho-era Japanese folklore used with care
- Partnership dynamic has genuine history behind it
- Kinoshita's art suits the Japanese supernatural setting
- Complete in 10 volumes
Cons
- ADV Manga volumes may require secondhand purchase
- Series is lighter than the folklore subject might suggest
- Some cases more engaging than others
Format Comparison
| Format | Notes |
|---|---|
| Individual Volumes | ADV Manga; complete series (secondhand) |
| Digital | Limited availability |
Where to Buy
Get Tactics Vol. 1 on Amazon →
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*Affiliate link — I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Written by
Yu
Manga Enthusiast from Japan
I grew up in Japan and manga literally saved me during a tough time in elementary school. My English isn't perfect, but my love for manga is real — and I want to share it with you.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.