When an evil force rises to bring on an apocalypse, of course there is a group of unsuspecting teenagers out there who are going to receive special powers to combat it. Yeah, it is not the most original premise for a story, but Tokyo Majin does have zombies and monsters.

The trouble all begins when a mysterious transfer student named Tatsuma Hiyu enters Magami High School in his senior year. Not content to let the enigmatic newcomer remain anonymous, the resident trouble maker, Kyouichi Horaiji, quickly challenges Hiyu to a fight. The two come to respect each other’s skills, and their bond is cemented when a local gang calls Horaiji out, and Hiyu steps in to help his new friend clean up the rabble.

Of course the student body president, Aoi Misato, is not about to just sit by and watch the new person get corrupted by Horaiji, and her ever protective best friend and president of the archery club, Komaki Sakurai, goes where she goes. Then, there’s Yuya Daigo, president of the wrestling club and a past delinquent with a grudge against Horaiji, who also feels a need to challenge the new guy to prove how macho he is.

When the five gather in an abandoned building, destiny ensues and they are imbued with the power to fight the darkness that threatens the world. They abruptly realize they may not be quite ready for what is to come as they encounter the initial demon, but this rude introduction is quickly followed by the emergence of their first ally who steps in to save them.

Along the way, the group of students encounters numerous enemies and allies, with many of the former switching sides to join them eventually. And given the threat posed by the true enemy, they will need all the help they can get to save the world.

Unfortunately, the story suffers from a lack of exposition, and the large cast just keeps growing as new characters are thrown into the mix, and many come with little to no background. For instance, while the audience is given intriguing glimpses of many individuals throughout the series that would seem to foreshadow a larger role, when their part is revealed, the disclosure seems shortchanged or downright confusing.

There is plenty of action, and the main cast is amiable enough, but superficial elucidation of the plot, and too little development of the supporting cast sink the show in the long run. The final two episodes are used to reiterate the childhoods of a few of the characters, but one cannot help to think the slots could have been put to better use setting up the final showdown, or delving more into neglected parts of the story.

Ultimately, this is not something that warrants a recommendation. Audiences would be better served looking elsewhere for their fill of monster-fighting action.