Futoku no Guild

Immoral Guild

Characters

Hitamu Kyan

MAIN

Kikuru Madan

MAIN

Maidena Angers

MAIN

Tokishikko Dannar

MAIN

Hanabata Nohkins

MAIN

Noma Rune

MAIN

Resumisu Care

SUPPORTING

Enome

SUPPORTING

Esyne

SUPPORTING

Immoral Guild Season 1: A Bold, Chaotic Dive into Ecchi Fantasy

Immoral Guild (known as Futoku no Guild in Japanese), a 2022 anime adaptation of Taichi Kawazoe’s manga, is a polarizing yet audacious entry in the ecchi-comedy-fantasy genre. Directed by Takuya Asaoka and produced by TNK, this 12-episode series aired from October to December 2022 and has sparked heated discussions among anime fans for its unapologetic blend of humor, fan service, and surprisingly layered world-building. This review dissects Immoral Guild Season 1, exploring its strengths, flaws, and unique position in the anime landscape without shying away from its controversial elements.

A Premise That Sets the Stage for Chaos

At its core, Immoral Guild follows Kikuru Madan, a skilled monster hunter in the Mebuki Town Guild, who dreams of retiring to enjoy his youth before it slips away. His plans are derailed when he’s tasked with mentoring a group of inexperienced female recruits: Hitamu Kyan, a clumsy martial artist; Maidena Ange, a haughty white mage; Toxico Dannar, a lazy black mage; and Hanabata Nohkins, a drunken warrior. What starts as a seemingly straightforward adventurer’s tale quickly spirals into a whirlwind of comedic misadventures, with monsters showing an unusual… interest in the female cast, leading to a barrage of ecchi scenarios.

The premise is deceptively simple, drawing from classic fantasy tropes like guild-based adventuring and monster hunting. However, Immoral Guild distinguishes itself by leaning heavily into its ecchi roots, using fan service not just as a gimmick but as a narrative driver. This approach is both its greatest strength and its most divisive quality, as the show doesn’t pretend to be anything other than what it is: a raunchy, self-aware comedy that revels in its absurdity.

Visuals and Animation: A Mixed Bag of Charm and Compromise

TNK, known for High School DxD and Redo of Healer, brings a familiar aesthetic to Immoral Guild. The character designs, crafted by Hiraku Kaneko, are vibrant and expressive, with each heroine visually distinct to reflect their personalities—Hitamu’s energetic spunk, Maidena’s regal poise, Toxico’s gothic lethargy, and Hanabata’s chaotic exuberance. The fantasy world of Mebuki is lush, with colorful forests and medieval-inspired towns that evoke JRPG settings like Final Fantasy or Dragon Quest. These elements lend the show a nostalgic charm, appealing to fans of classic RPG aesthetics.

However, the animation quality is inconsistent. Early episodes boast fluid fight scenes and detailed backgrounds, but as the series progresses, there’s a noticeable dip in polish. Some fans have pointed out that the animation quality wanes in later episodes, with simpler character movements and less dynamic monster encounters. This decline may reflect budget constraints or a deliberate choice to prioritize ecchi scenes over action, but it’s a flaw that detracts from the show’s potential as a fantasy epic. Despite this, the “Totally Immoral Director’s Cut” version, released by AT-X, offers uncensored visuals that enhance the intended experience for its target audience, delivering on the show’s unapologetic aesthetic.

Characters: Depth Beneath the Fanservice

One of Immoral Guild’s unexpected strengths is its character development. Kikuru, voiced by Katsumi Fukuhara, is more than a generic straight-man protagonist. His internal conflict—balancing his desire for a normal life with his sense of duty to the guild—adds a relatable layer to his character. His exasperation with his recruits’ antics is played for laughs but also humanizes him as someone grappling with responsibility in a chaotic world.

The female cast, while initially appearing as ecchi archetypes, gradually reveal distinct personalities. Hitamu’s earnest incompetence makes her endearing, even as she stumbles into compromising situations. Maidena’s sharp tongue and hidden insecurities provide comedic and emotional depth. Toxico’s deadpan humor and surprising magical prowess steal scenes, while Hanabata’s unpredictable energy keeps the group dynamic lively. The interplay among the characters—particularly their attempts at teamwork despite clashing personalities—creates moments of genuine comedy and camaraderie that elevate the show beyond mere fan service.

However, the relentless focus on ecchi scenarios can overshadow these character moments. The monsters’ bizarre attraction to the heroines, driven by Hitamu’s mana, often feels like a contrived excuse for lewd humor. While the show’s self-awareness mitigates some of the criticism, it risks alienating viewers who might otherwise appreciate its character-driven humor and fantasy elements.

Themes and Tone: Walking a Fine Line

Immoral Guild is, at its heart, a comedy that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Its humor ranges from slapstick to risqué, with a surprising amount of wit in its dialogue, thanks to Kazuyuki Fudeyasu’s sharp scriptwriting. The show pokes fun at fantasy tropes—guild quests, overpowered heroes, and incompetent newbies—while embracing the absurdity of its premise. Moments like Kikuru’s futile attempts to maintain professionalism amid chaos or Toxico’s deadpan one-liners land well, offering laughs that don’t rely solely on fan service.

Thematically, the series touches on the tension between duty and personal desire, as seen through Kikuru’s struggle to retire. There’s also a subtle commentary on mentorship, as he learns to guide his recruits despite their flaws. However, these themes are often buried under the show’s primary focus: ecchi-driven comedy. The world-building, praised by some critics for its “genuinely unique setup,” hints at a deeper lore—mana-driven monster behavior, guild politics, and a vibrant fantasy ecosystem—but it’s underexplored in favor of humor and fan service. This imbalance leaves the show feeling like a missed opportunity to fully integrate its fantasy and comedic elements.

Reception and Controversy

Immoral Guild has divided audiences. On platforms like MyAnimeList, it holds a median rating of “Good” (6.77/10), with fans praising its humor and ecchi appeal but criticizing its repetitive formula. Anime News Network’s Christopher Farris gave it a C rating, noting that its fanservice-heavy approach overshadows its comedic and world-building strengths, though he acknowledged its “surprisingly high-effort” moments. On Reddit, fans expressed frustration with the censored version on HIDIVE, with some arguing that the uncensored AT-X release is essential for appreciating the show’s intent. Others dismissed it as “filler with ecchi scenes,” with one IMDb reviewer bluntly stating, “Only watch episode 1; all others are a lost cause.”

The show’s unapologetic lewdness has also sparked debate. For fans of ecchi anime, Immoral Guild delivers exactly what it promises: a mix of comedy, fantasy, and risqué content that doesn’t pretend to be high art. Its connection to Redo of Healer’s creators has fueled expectations of boundary-pushing content, which it meets without apology. However, for viewers seeking a more balanced fantasy narrative, the relentless fan service can feel gratuitous, undermining the show’s potential as a genre-blending comedy.

Cultural and Genre Context

Immoral Guild sits comfortably within the ecchi-fantasy niche, alongside titles like Interspecies Reviewers and High School DxD. Its manga, serialized in Square Enix’s Monthly Shōnen Gangan since 2017, has sold over 1.75 million copies as of September 2023, indicating a strong fanbase. The anime’s appeal lies in its ability to cater to this audience while sprinkling in enough self-aware humor and world-building to keep things fresh. Yet, it also reflects a broader trend in anime where fan service is both a selling point and a lightning rod for criticism, raising questions about how far the genre can push boundaries before alienating viewers.

Final Verdict: A Guilty Pleasure with Untapped Potential

Immoral Guild Season 1 is a wild, unapologetic ride that knows its audience and delivers for them. Its blend of JRPG-inspired fantasy, sharp comedy, and brazen ecchi content makes it a standout in its niche, but its overreliance on fan service and inconsistent animation hold it back from broader appeal. For fans of ecchi anime, it’s a delightful guilty pleasure, with memorable characters and laugh-out-loud moments. For others, it’s a frustrating case of a show with a promising setup that prioritizes titillation over substance.

The series shines brightest when it balances its humor, character dynamics, and fantasy elements, but it often stumbles by leaning too heavily into its lewd premise. With no confirmed second season as of August 2025, Immoral Guild remains a bold experiment that leaves viewers wanting more—not just of its fan service, but of the deeper story it hints at but never fully explores.

Rating: 7/10
Recommended for: Fans of ecchi-comedy anime, JRPG enthusiasts, and viewers who enjoy self-aware humor.
Not recommended for: Those seeking a serious fantasy narrative or sensitive to explicit content.