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Jul 30, 2024
Largely unfamiliar with the source material, but I am aware of Fujiko Fujio's impact on the industry and their heraled success with the iconic Doraemon. Bones' 90th Anniversary re-adaptation of a hidden classic covers familiar ground, which I think play to the show's strengths. The episodic nature captures a nostalgic viewing experience, while using exploration of historical time periods as the main hook, i.e. Magic Tree House, Time Warp Trio. Plots revolve around travelling backwards in time to save an ordinary person from demise. It's not a wholly original concept, but it's one I'm fairly certain was much more of a novelty at the time
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of the original's debut.
Each episode's narrative has you being spoonfed retroactive tidbits of human melodrama in the vein of, say, To Your Eternity. Bon is a fairly simple-minded protagonist and acts as a decent conduit for a child audience (clumsy, slacks off, but bursting with heart); yet, the series does delve into a lot of historical violence that gives the impression of a family show with surprisingly more adult themes. Its exploration of said themes, however, feel mostly surface level, intent on the resolution of children's programming that resets the status quo, rarely dragging conflict into the subsequent episode, with some exceptions, including the finale.
As a result, this is a difficult recommendation for the more hardened anime fan wanting a "mature" show, but its appeal is steeped in a nostalgic factor that is certain to capture the attention of audiences craving an accessible "comfort show" with mild educational value and a cutesy, "retro" artstyle thrown into the mix.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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May 20, 2024
Often in romcom anime, secondary characters are there to hype up or damper the main relationship through a flare for the situational without much characterization, but the cast of eccentrics living at the Astro-sou boarding house already feel unique and entertaining as meritable characters in their own right. The supporting cast consist of an unemployed single father, an independent idol with a penchant for booze, a grade schooler with aspirations to crossdress, a recluse mistaken for a spirit and a baby-faced senior citizen. It's an oddball cast that sells the tone of the show as bizarrely wholesome and authentically comedic.
The low-stakes and cartoonishly zany atmosphere,
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paired with unique but familiar aesthetics, generate an experience tinged with nostalgia. The main dynamic between our leads, the bumbling chef Takumi and kindred alien and landlady, Mira, actually slows to a halt in favor of taking any number of episodic detours (i.e. an adorable mission involving a frantic pursuit to deliver a boy's field trip bento) that leaves you earnestly wanting more. Personally, it's a welcome change from the thematics-heavy, preachy quality of a lot of other anime. I think lower ratings indicate an unwillingness to indulge in something that is unabashedly silly, even childish, and wears it on its sleeve.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Apr 15, 2024
Humor, heart and intrigue color this anime original, with the caveat of many limited runs being a rushed, mostly mediocre conclusion. The reality-warped post-apocalypse setting serves the absurdist elements of the narrative really well. While our bubbly, young leads feel fairly archetypal, there are enough inklings of character growth etched out through fun banter and some contextual gags that flesh out the world a bit. (The train conductor who's granted five minutes of sanity a day and, otherwise, speaks in "choo choo" noises is a genuinely "wtf" concept that warrants a good laugh.) The journey to find a missing friend feels appreciatively familiar. Plus, the
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anime's lighthearted, almost "slice-of-life" tone, already distinguishes this from most other post-apocalyptic media that tend to view the characters and setting through more cynical eyes.
That being said, the anti-climactic finale sort of loses this appeal, even if its heart remains mostly intact. Decidedly, it's one of those shows that captures your attention, but then derails itself slightly by the end. Fun visuals and concepts are held back by passable animation. This is not a massive drawback, as I don't often hold a show's quality to that criteria alone. It's the destination that leaves much to be desired. Considering how charming the rest of the show is, the resolution and buildup feel mostly expected and humdrum.
Everything, from people turning into animals to braindead fungi, still feels like a fun mashup of past concepts within the genre, despite my overall nitpicking. All of it rolled into a cutesy, wholesome package that has you solidly along for the ride.
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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Feb 25, 2024
I really want to keep up with this one because of what I thought was a solid first episode, as well as a banger OP and ED. And I will considering there's only another six episodes left anyway. But by god, is this protagonist a wet sock of a person and this actually does kind of break the show for me.
Continuously brushes off and actively ignores his childhood best friend whose a golden retriever incarnate for a mid girl with a brother complex? Check. Thinks almost exclusively with his dick? Check. (This wouldn't be a crucifixion. Characters like Denji, Sanji or hell even the
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whining, sniveling mess that is Zenitsu from Demon Slayer at least have redeeming qualities to balance the horny whilst playing with the same trope. Arajin almost does not.) Not to mention he's a complete shithead to his mother who only ever loves and supports him.
This is, funny enough, kind of the reverse of, say, Takemichi from that other delinquent anime Tokyo Revengers who is physically weak and cries a lot but strong of moral conviction. Arajin is an asshat of weak character given a power he clearly does not deserve. I won't write off the show just yet, but need that second half to cook. Lot of fun concepts and interesting lore setup that meanders around because of a lackluster MC.
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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