I took on a challenge when I decided to start blogging this show, because Inu X Boku SS is really hard to write about. It’s so utterly outside the normal boundaries of narrative anime that it doesn’t lend itself to categorization or comparison. I like it – this week’s ep was a hell of a lot of fun – but it’s hard to describe why. I mean, it was basically just a bunch of really dumb gags strung together with some extreme cuteness and light but oddly sexy fanservice, with only the barest attempt at a plot at either end. So why should something like that be entertaining?
The answer – I don’t know, but it is. For me, anyway. The musk/mask gag made me laugh. The way the characters gamely tried to play along with the strange signs posted all over the building made me laugh. Yoshimasa Hosoya doing his deadpan bit and Miyano Mamoru vamping for the camera made me laugh. “I want to be a pencil” made me laugh. And I could watch Karuta and Watanuki all day long. Maybe my standards are too low, but I appreciate that this series goes for broke with the pointlessness most of the time. I even like the potato bug Tokyo drawings at the end.
What’s really astonishing is that the “drama” of the episode – the thing that drove what passed for a plot – was something so trivial as Ririchiyo fretting over her coffee “date” with Soushi. And it didn’t even happen! The episode ended before eight o’clock came – I guess this event was so monumental that is commanded a two-parter. The appearance of Kage at the end explained the commands posted on the doors, anyway, and gave Sugita-san a chance to try and match Miyano-san in the overacting department. With Kage involved there’s usually some nominal conflict, so I assume next week’s episode is going to be a little more plot-driven. At this point I’m really not bothered either way – my expectations for this series are modest, and episodes like this one meet them admirably.
Ishruns
March 9, 2012 at 7:42 amI too find this strangely entertaining, although I think its because that its so different from ANYTHING (anime, books, movies, etc.) that makes it appealing.
I tried explaining it to a friend and he didn't seem to understand at all why. I guess once you've seen way too much anime, ones like this become comfortably entertaining
Fencedude
March 9, 2012 at 8:31 amI was mostly amused at how Toyosaki did the "Mask Melon" gag in full Yui mode.
Kinny Riddle
March 9, 2012 at 6:02 pmNot to mention she was returning the boob poking compliment with Hikasa's character in Yui mode as well. Pity this isn't K-ON, or we'd be feasting on Yui molesting Mio.
deafvader
March 9, 2012 at 10:26 amWhy this is good? Simple: Cooking Master Boy Logic. Once you had super quality exquisite food all your life. Your taste buds get bored of it. Give the guy a simple bowl of simple food and he would fall in love.
First time Karuta was beaten in cuteness. Bunny lily cho
deafvader
March 9, 2012 at 11:06 amThe ED this time round…
It is good he became a secret service agent… if not he would be known as a stalker!! All those photos!!!
Spinarakk
March 9, 2012 at 2:21 pmWell not every anime needs to be massively plot driven in order to be entertaining does it? I view this show as merely about the character interactions, funny gags and the overwhelming cuteness. Now I could hardly care less about whether they go into Ririchiyo's past or not, as I find these kinds of episodes more entertaining, which should be the goal of any anime, entertain it's audience.
Actually, I found the backstory part of the manga really boring. Don't know why, I guess I'm a very simple guy who doesn't need every anime to give me a new philosophical view on life or something.
Anonymous
March 9, 2012 at 3:42 pmI've only read up to chapter 11/12 can't remember for the manga but really this story isn't plot driven at all so far despite the supernatural background, which usually makes you expect it to be. The most plot driven thing I can remember is talk are the background/past chapters.
I don't really care because I love watching the character interactions and seriously, some of the gags are absolutely hilarious. I have the image of this (despite it being shounen) show as a fluffy slice of life shoujo and it kind of surprises me just how much it can make me laugh.
Also Karuta and Watanuki <3
Kinny Riddle
March 9, 2012 at 6:00 pmLike Enzo, I'm struggling to define just what this show is about, but I find myself giggling at all the gags.
Gotta like Nobara's definition of her "Maniac-ness". That got me LOLing hard.
And then there's Miketsukami totally failing to follow through with Ririchiyo's intention to play the silent conversation game at the end, merely typing on his phone about how cute she was making all those gestures.
BTW, I don't think Sugita Tomokazu even needs to overact like Miyano Mamoru needs with Zange, such over-the-top characters IS his forte.
Kinny Riddle
March 9, 2012 at 6:06 pmBTW, Zange reminds me a lot of Bleach's Ichimaru Gin (AKA Aizen's right hand man), but with less creepiness and more fun.
daniela
March 9, 2012 at 6:26 pmso cute¡¡
jebnemo
March 10, 2012 at 1:56 amWere the potato bug drawings in the source material? They were the second Nausicaa reference this week.
Gee
March 13, 2012 at 1:29 pmyes maniac~! lol :))