from every pore of its sharply designed body, and it's absolutely delightful." Høgset added that while some aspects feel "a bit basic and dated at times", "Ushio's cheerful idiocy and bursting enthusiasm is a nice break from the snarky anti-hero knowitalls and tellitnones of today." Reviewing the second season, Høgset noted that due to the cut down on its episode number, its pace "really picks up." Høgset called the conclusion a "bittersweet, but magnificent end", concluding: [Ushio & Tora is] still a classic with memorable characters, fun interactions and a heart as big as the sun." Gareth Evans of Starburst commented that the lighter tone of the series' first half switched to a more serious one in the second half seems "unbalancing when considering all of the episodes together, but it is a change that is earned", concluding: "[t]he series itself is an action-packed fantasy, with elements of classic Japanese horror. It can feel a bit overly complex at times, but the narrative ultimately comes together in a satisfying way that builds on earlier story threads." Three critics of The Fandom Post reviewed the series' home video release. Chris Beveridge particularly highlighted the use of older designs through modern animation techniques, retaining the elements that make them identifiable from their period of origin, which "allows it to stand out well against everything else today and provide a nod to old school fans that see something familiar and nostalgic." Chris Homer commented that the "amount of love for this remake is obvious" and that despite compressing thirty-three volumes into thirty-nine episodes, the series "does get through the story as best as it can." Homer conclude: "[i]t is a high octane action show at heart, with lots of fighting and cool looking monsters, combined with the sometimes comic, sometimes serious dynamic between Ushio and Tora means that it is definitely worth going for the ride." Brandon Varnell commented that the series has a "convoluted plot with a number of twists that sometimes work and sometimes don’t", stating as well that while the relationship between Ushio and Tora is "easily the highlight of this series", the "half-assed romance" between Ushio and several other girls, including Asako, feels "forced", "inconclusive" and a waste of screen time, also criticizing Ushio's lack of development through the story. Varnell, however, ultimately called it "a series that shounen fans will enjoy." Gabriella Ekens of Anime News Network commented