Kochikame TV Special 1 Anime Review

Kochikame TV Special 1 aired on April 13, 1997, and is the first TV special of KochiKame. 

It is structured as a set of four segments:

1) 噂の海パン刑事登場 (The Rumoured Speedo Detective Appears)

2) ハイパー小学生 vs 両津 (The Hyper Elementary Student vs Ryotsu)

3) 部長よ! あれがパリの灯だ (Chief! That’s the Light of Paris)

4) 激突! 神 vs 両津 (Clash! God vs Ryotsu) 

In the first segment, a mysterious detective known as “Kaipan (Speedo) Detective” appears at Kameari station, wearing only a tie and a Speedo swimsuit, shocking everyone with his unconventional appearance. 

The special then shifts tone in the later segments: in “Light of Paris” for example, an amusing foreign trip dynamic develops between the chief Ohara and Ryotsu. And in the final “God vs Ryotsu,” Ryotsu ventures into comedic existential territory, confronting “God” about karma and misfortune.

Because KochiKame generally favors episodic gag comedy over long plot threads, these vignettes are loosely connected by character and tone rather than by a single unifying arc. 

One of the biggest draws is how the special amplifies the eccentricities of its characters. The “Speedo Detective” is a perfect example: bizarre, memorable, and yet strangely fitting in the kooky KochiKame universe. In fact, that detective (汚野 武, Kitano “Kitalo/Taken” in special role) is part of the “special detective division” concept in KochiKame lore. 

Ryotsu’s relentless energy, opportunism, and comic reactions remain front and center; even in absurd scenarios, he feels like himself, which is vital for sustaining viewer investment.

Though all comedy, the special shifts through different flavors: from slapstick (the Speedo detective episode) to travel comedy (Paris) to semi-philosophical absurdism (God vs Ryotsu). That variety helps prevent monotony over its ~1 h 14 min runtime. 

For longtime KochiKame fans, the special brings in recurring elements (the special detective gimmick, bits of character history) and gives them room to play out in exaggerated, “special event” fashion. 

If you're looking for tightly plotted narratives or suspense, this isn’t your show. Many events are absurd beyond explanation, and character motivations are often mere excuses for gags. That’s part of its charm, but can frustrate more critically minded viewers.

Because it's a special and leans into franchise in-jokes, newcomers might miss the full impact of character relationships or recurring jokes. Some comedic beats hinge on knowing who Ryotsu, Ohara, Nakagawa, etc. already are.

At 1h14, it must juggle four segments, so some feel somewhat compressed. Some gags or setups might feel rushed compared to a full-length episode with more breathing room.

If you’re already invested in KochiKame, TVSP1 is a satisfying and fun showcase of what makes the series beloved: bold silliness, larger-than-life character antics, and a refusal to take itself too seriously. It doesn’t necessarily break new ground, but it delivers what fans want over-the-top humor, character interactions, and memorable absurdity.

If you’re new to KochiKame, this special may feel odd or scattered in places, but it's still a worthwhile sample of the franchise’s tone and eccentric spirit.