Back to CaviarMeths's Profile CaviarMeths's Profile

Well, I think we can all agree that this indeed was a thing that happened.

Pupa has gained notoriety for its awful quality, but in truth, there's really nothing in it that should spark such outrage or woe. We're not talking about a highly anticipated anime, announced with fanfare as a long-awaited adaptation of universally acclaimed manga and featuring an all-star cast and production crew. No. Pupa was a barely passable manga by some guy you've never heard of with no noteworthy fanbase that Studio Deen, in their infinite wisdom, decided to green light. They waffled around for a while about ... a budget and structure, ultimately deciding to fling out a supbar budget in 3-minute installments. Should we be surprised that it was the anime equivalent of accidentally sitting on your own testicles? This outcome was as predictable as the ending of Co-Ed Dorm Orgy Jamboree 17. Spoiler: Everybody came.

Anyway.

I feel it should be said that not everything in Pupa was an utter trainwreck. There were some things done right. Instead of focusing on the negative, I'll try to highlight the, er, highlights.

------------------
Story - 2/10
------------------

There is something here that could arguably be called an interesting premise under heavy influence of narcotics and sleep deprivation.

A cute, doe-eyed teenage girl turns out to be the demons and develops a craving for manflesh. We're treated to some backstory, where certain circumstances have driven her to undying (huehuehue) love for her older brother. Her brother, in turn, feels a strong sense of duty towards his sister. It's rather touching, really. Literally.

Yeah.

------------------
Art - 3/10
------------------

Have you ever been to an art museum and looked a piece that you didn't immediately understand? You tried tilting your head, squinting, and scratching and sniffing to derive hidden meanings?

Well, this isn't one of those times. If you hate vague and indecipherable art, you will probably not want to kill yourself after looking at the images in Pupa. There's no doubt about it. Two arms. Two legs. A face. Those are definitely people. Human people. The artist's intention was clear and effectively conveyed.

------------------
Sound - 4/10
------------------

As a music enthusiast, I can say with resolution that there was indeed all evidence pointing to the existence of a soundtrack. I would surmise that a musician was brought into a recording studio and hit keys on a variety of instruments, producing notes in a succession that one might call music.

It's actually not awful. The music is good enough that you forget it exists. I marathoned the show, so I was treated to the opening song every four minutes for the better part of an hour. At the time, I thought "hey, this 30 second tune is actually kinda catchy." Of course, I completely forget what it sounded like now, a few hours later. I think there was a guitar involved? I believe the word "Pupa" was repeated while the title card helpfully flashed on the screen. I also recall a piano piece used a couple of times throughout the series.

------------------
Characters - 1/10
------------------

R.I.P. Yamamoto :'(

------------------
Enjoyment - 1/10
------------------

It's the anime that has everybody talking about how shitty it is! Join in on the fun!

------------------
Overall - 2/10
------------------

One of the most important things about this anime is that it opens so many questions. Perhaps the sadists involved in this piece had intended for a sequel, or perhaps to draw interest to the manga (I haven't read it, but I can only assume that it provides an answer or two).

If you sit through this series, you'll be asking yourself a lot of questions, such as:

1) Why was the mother hospitalized?
2) What the shit is up with that dad, for real?
3) What?
4) What did this shit have to do with any of that shit?
5) What happened to the pregnant lady?
6) Why?
7) What happened to the girl's monster form?
8) Wait, go over the effects of that virus one more time?
9) Actually, never mind, I don't want to know?
10) These aren't even questions anymore, but I'm still baffled?

Look forward to Pupa 2: Onii-Chan's Giving Birth, Probably