Rec

After being stood up for a movie date, marketing employee Fumihiko Matsumaru is about to throw away his tickets when he is stopped by a girl who implores him to let her accompany him instead. Thanks to his upbeat and eccentric companion Aka Onda, an aspiring voice actress, Fumihiko enjoys his evening. While walking home together, they find out that they live in the same neighborhood. Mere hours later, Fumihiko wakes up from a nightmare and hears sirens outside his window. Going outside to check the situation, he sees that Aka's apartment has burned down, along with all her possessions. Fumihiko invites the distressed Aka to stay at his place, leading to them sleeping together.

In the aftermath of that fateful night, their personal and professional lives become inextricably intertwined. Not only do they begin living together platonically despite their one-night stand, they also discover that Aka will be voicing the mascot Fumihiko designed for his company's newest product. While trying to keep their live-in relationship under wraps for fear of scrutiny, the two begin to support each other throughout the difficulties in their respective careers.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Onda, Aka Main

Sakai, Kanako Japanese

Matsumaru, Fumihiko Main

Yasumura, Makoto Japanese

Tanaka Supporting

Koyama, Kimiko Japanese

Yoshioka Supporting

Toyoguchi, Megumi Japanese

Hatakeda, Yoshio Supporting

Ono, Daisuke Japanese

Nakamura, Shinichi Producer

Kubota, Mitsutoshi Producer

Kananiwa, Kozue Producer

Tanaka, Junichirou Assistant Producer

Reviews

Sep 27, 2008

Tenchio

Recommended

REC only spans ten episodes (counting the DVD special) and those episodes aren't even full-length, yet it manages to be more heartwarming and entertaining than many longer series. It isn't groundbreaking at all, but if you don't hate predictable romance anime, it is a perfect way to cheer you up when you're feeling a little down.

Onda Aka is a rookie voice actress who one day encounters the salary man Matsumaru Fumihiko, who's been stood up by his date, in front of the cinema. Long story short, Aka makes Matsumaru watch the movie together with her and the flames of love are ignited. Later the same ... night, Aka's apartment catches fire and she is taken in by Matsumaru. Romantic events ensue, but when waking up the next day, neither of them regards themselves as a real couple. Incidentally, they end up working together with the marketing of Matsumaru's latest invention: a leaf-shaped crisp. Aka is - of course - voicing the product's mascot, Neko-ki - a tree with a cat's head.

The focal point of the story is, not surprisingly, the development of the two main characters' relationship and how it is affected by Aka's rise in popularity; is it right for her to prioritize her career even though it leads to her not being able to spend time with Matsumaru? Though the story is far from original, I still really cared about Aka and Matsumaru. Because REC is, unlike most other anime belonging in this genre, not full of unnecessary melodrama or supernatural elements - it is realistic, and that makes it so much more engaging.

Animation studio SHAFT, of Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei and ef - a tale of memories fame, is responsible for the animation. REC's visuals don't impress at all, but they suffice; Aka is heart-wrenchingly cute and Matsumaru is... well... ordinary. Backgrounds and the like are good as well.

The seiyuu (voice actors) did a great job with all the characters, including the minor ones, enhancing the warm atmosphere of the anime greatly. Music was always fitting though far from memorable. The opening wasn't my cup of tea, but, then again, I couldn't care less.

To summarize, REC isn't the most innovative romance anime around, but it's realistic approach to the genre makes it refreshing and the chemistry between the characters (who are the series' greatest strength) is wonderful and Aka and Matsumaru's feelings toward each other feel genuine. I would not have complained had it been longer, but it's shortness may also be a strength; it never got even close to boring, even though I watched it all in one sitting.

A highly recommended anime to all romance fans.

Reviewer’s Rating: 7

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Jun 7, 2016

milkblob

Mixed Feelings

REC is a relatively enjoyable short watch that goes through an adult romance, which is a rarity in anime.

Its upshot its some of its interesting premises, such as the episodes being themed by various Audrey Hepburn movies. REC unfortunately tends to devolve into the same "MC is as dense as a brick, which causes misunderstandings" comedy/drama that is horrifically common.

All in all it's an enjoyable enough watch for it's length (short). The only caveat is under no circumstances should anyone ever read the original manga. It jumps off a cliff violently shortly after the anime ends, in the worst of ways.

Reviewer’s Rating: 6

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Jun 6, 2012

ktulu007

Not Recommended

Rec is a romantic comedy about an aspiring voice actress. The manga was written by Hanamizawa Q-Tarou in 2002 and is still ongoing. In 2006 it got a nine episode anime adaptation. I've never read the manga, but how does a long running series translate into nine twelve minute episodes? Let's take a look at Rec and find out.

The plot is very simple. A guy, Matsumaru, gets stood up for a movie date. As he's about to throw the tickets away he's approached by a girl, Aka, who tells him not to waste them. They go to the movies and then drinking together. After they ... part ways her apartment burns down and she doesn't have any family or friends whatsoever so she ends up moving in with Matsumaru, how very convenient. Actually, convenient is the wrong word, contrived would be more accurate. The series is about her and Matsumaru living together and trying to keep their connection a secret for no adequately explained reason. It's every bit as stupid as it sounds. Does the comedy work? No, there are no funny moments in Rec, not one. Just the contrived romance.

The characters don't help matters. Aka and Matsumaru have no chemistry which makes the romance aspect just seem even more forced. They're also complete morons, as are all of the minor characters. Which makes them just annoying to watch.

The art is the best part of the series. It's pretty well done with some good details. There are some moments where the sound is out of sync with the characters' mouths but that isn't a major issue.

The voice acting isn't bad. It's not anything spectacular or with any stand out performances but it's decent. The actors probably could've done better if they'd had decent dialogue. The music isn't bad but it's not good either. It's pretty forgettable.

The yuri factor is a 1/10. There is no yuri in this.

My final rating for Rec is a 2/10. It's a terrible anime. The decent art and average voice acting can't make up for the terrible story, failed humour or moronic characters.

Reviewer’s Rating: 2

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