Triage X Season 1: A Gritty Blend of Action, Ecchi, and Vigilante Justice

Written by SON HAK (Admin)

Triage X Season 1, a 2015 anime adaptation of Shōji Sato’s manga, dives into a world where medical professionals moonlight as vigilante assassins. Produced by Xebec and spanning 10 episodes with an additional OVA, the series aired on Tokyo MX from April 8 to June 10, 2015. Known for its provocative art style and bold themes, Triage X combines high-octane action, explicit fan-service, and a morally gray narrative, appealing to fans of Sato’s earlier work, Highschool of the Dead. While it delivers on entertainment, the show’s polarizing elements and incomplete story leave a mixed impression.

Plot and Premise

Set in the fictional city of Tobioka, Triage X follows Arashi Mikami, a 17-year-old high-school student and the newest member of Black Label, a secret vigilante group operating out of Mochizuki General Hospital. Led by the enigmatic hospital director, Dr. Mochizuki, Black Label comprises doctors, nurses, and teenagers who eliminate society’s “cancers”—criminals like drug lords, corrupt politicians, and gangsters who evade justice. The group’s name draws from medical triage, where they label these societal “tumors” with black tags, marking them for execution.

Arashi, the sole survivor of a terrorist bombing years prior, joins Black Label after receiving an organ transplant from his best friend, Ryu, facilitated by Dr. Mochizuki. Driven by a desire to honor Ryu’s sacrifice, Arashi teams up with characters like Mikoto Kiba, a tough high-schooler and fellow assassin; Yuko Sagiri, a sword-wielding nurse; and Oriha Nashida, an idol with a knack for explosives. Together, they tackle missions involving arms dealers, human traffickers, and other underworld figures, all while balancing their daytime lives at the hospital or school.

The narrative unfolds episodically, with each arc (labeled as “CASE”) focusing on a new target. While the show hints at a larger conspiracy involving a mysterious antagonist, Season 1 prioritizes standalone missions, blending intense gunfights, motorcycle chases, and fan-service-heavy character interactions.

Strengths

Action and Animation: Triage X excels in delivering fast-paced action. Xebec’s animation, though dated by 2015 standards, captures the chaos of Black Label’s missions with dynamic gunplay and choreography. Shōji Sato’s character designs, known for their exaggerated proportions, translate well to the screen, giving the series a distinct visual identity. Fans of Highschool of the Dead will appreciate the familiar aesthetic, with sleek motorcycles and busty heroines dominating the frame. The soundtrack, including the opening theme “triage” by Saeko Zogo, complements the high-energy sequences, adding a theatrical flair.

Character Dynamics: Despite its brevity, the show offers glimpses of character depth. Arashi’s stoic determination and haunted past make him a compelling lead, while his interactions with Mikoto hint at a potential romance. Supporting characters like Sayo Hitsugi, a nurse with a berserker streak, and Oriha, the quirky idol, bring variety to the team. Each member’s troubled backstory—often involving loss or trauma—adds weight to their vigilante crusade, though the anime only scratches the surface of these arcs.

Thematic Ambition: The concept of medical professionals as assassins is intriguing, framing crime as a societal disease. The show’s use of triage terminology—labeling criminals as “black” for death—creates a morally complex premise, questioning whether Black Label’s extrajudicial killings are justified. While not deeply explored, this idea sets Triage X apart from typical action anime.

Weaknesses

Fan-Service Overload: Triage X leans heavily into ecchi, often to its detriment. Nearly every female character is depicted with exaggerated physiques, and the camera lingers on revealing angles during action scenes, bathing sequences, and even moments of violence. While some viewers may enjoy the fan-service, others find it gratuitous, especially when paired with disturbing themes like sexual violence. One episode, featuring female hostages in their underwear facing execution, feels particularly exploitative, undermining the show’s serious tone.

Incomplete Story: With only 10 episodes, Season 1 feels like a teaser for a larger narrative. The final episode, a fan-service-heavy filler set in a hot spring, sidesteps any resolution, leaving plot threads—like the identity of the overarching villain—unresolved. The OVA, bundled with the manga’s 12th volume, adds little closure. Fans hoping for a continuation are disappointed, as no second season has been announced, forcing them to turn to the ongoing manga (29 volumes as of February 2025) for answers.

Dated Production and Pacing: The animation, while competent, feels like a product of the late 2000s, with flat character designs and inconsistent quality. The story’s episodic nature, coupled with rushed pacing, prevents deeper engagement with the characters or world. Action scenes, though exciting, lack the visceral impact of gorier anime, making some sequences feel oddly restrained despite the mature themes.

Reception and Legacy

Triage X Season 1 received mixed reviews. On MyAnimeList, it holds a 6.0/10 rating, reflecting its niche appeal. Fans praise its action and Sato’s art style, comparing it favorably to Highschool of the Dead for its blend of ecchi and violence. Critics, however, slam its excessive fan-service and lack of narrative cohesion. A Reddit review called it “the second worst anime” of Spring 2015, citing its poor storytelling, though some users found it entertaining as a guilty pleasure.

The series was licensed by Sentai Filmworks for North American release, with subtitled streaming on Crunchyroll and a Blu-ray collection including the OVA. Despite its cult following, the anime’s limited run and lack of an English dub (noted as a missed opportunity by reviewers) hindered its mainstream success.

Should You Watch It?

Triage X Season 1 is a polarizing anime that thrives on its unapologetic mix of action, ecchi, and vigilante justice. If you’re a fan of Shōji Sato’s work or enjoy titles like Black Lagoon and Highschool DxD, its stylish violence and provocative visuals may entertain you. However, those sensitive to gratuitous fan-service or seeking a complete story might want to skip it or opt for the manga, which offers more depth and continuity.

For a 10-episode binge, Triage X delivers mindless fun but falls short of its potential. It’s a guilty pleasure best enjoyed with low expectations—and perhaps a tolerance for jiggling physics.

Where to Watch: As of June 2025, Triage X Season 1 is not widely available for streaming due to expired rights on platforms like Netflix and Prime Video. Check Crunchyroll or purchase the Blu-ray collection from retailers like Amazon for access.

Final Verdict: 6.5/10. A flawed but entertaining ride for fans of ecchi-action anime, Triage X Season 1 is a bold experiment that doesn’t quite stick the landing.