I find the almost total anonymity Bucchigiri seems to be operating under a little puzzling. It may be in a sort of anti-sweet spot where it doesn’t bait the BL fandom hard enough to draw them (like Bravern does), but does so too much (and lacks enough cute girls) to satisfy everyone else. A dead zone between Ikebukuro and Akihabara, you might say. And the sort of retro feel it’s selling just may not be catching the interest of the casual fan. Still, as a beautifully-animated MAPPA series (and those two things going hand-in-hand by no means are a given) with relentless energy and wit really should be making more of a splash.
I’m having fun, what can I say. I’m going to enjoy this for as long as the production holds out, though based on rumors it shouldn’t be buying any green bananas. I didn’t find this episode quite as winning as the first two, but it was still solidly entertaining. The sheer lunacy of the piece was toned down a bit for sure, though that’s a relative term where Bucchigiri is concerned. It’s too early to say whether it’s a clear case of the crazier it is the better it works, though that’s certainly one possibility.
We do meet a new character, “The Emperor“, and he’s clearly an important player going forward. Neither a part of Minato or Siguma, he seems to be the leader of a group called the “NG Boys”. And his boys are trouble-makers to be sure, with a seeming agenda of starting a full-on war between the other two factions. Why? That’s unknown at this point, but it may have something to do with the history of pre-Marito Siguma, as hinted at this week.
The upshot of this is there’s clearly an honor code which the two main gangs operate under – a conceit to be sure, but this isn’t a show targeting hard-core realism. There seems to be some mutual trust between Marito and Kenichirou, though enough incidents are happening to put that to the test. For whatever reason neither principal seems to suspect the NG Boys, despite the fact that they’re hardly bothering to hide their involvement. Could they be outsiders to Yokohama altogether? Unlikely, as both sides seem to at least be aware of their existence.
As for Ara-teen, he’s already regretting his joining Siguma after the “debauchery” of his welcome party turns out to be the Acchi Muite Hoi! game from Hell. Matakara seeks out Mahoro to try and get to the bottom of what happened, but she shoots him down in no uncertain terms. He still pines for Arajin, Arajin still shuns him for unknown reasons, and eventually Mahoro begs Arajin to take over Siguma (so her brother will be free to be by her side). Mahoro is the true villain of the piece so far, a real scoundrel, though she may get a redemption at some point (maybe after legit falling for Arajin). And Senya just wants to merge – leading to one of the most preposterous musical numbers I’ve seen in a long time.
Snowball
January 29, 2024 at 6:18 amI feel that what you said about Sengoku Youko kind of applies to this show, too. High school battle series (with lots of cute girls) were quite a thing in the late 90s and early 00s. They weren’t my cup of tea to be honest, but this one kind of clicks with me.
Guardian Enzo
January 29, 2024 at 6:34 amYeah, there’s definitely an element of that. The difference being this one is overtly recalling that era for stylistic effect, but the impact on popularity may be the same.
Nicc
January 29, 2024 at 10:24 amSaturdays are stacked (Over a dozen shows on that day) and I’m guessing that “Solo Leveling” is getting most of the attention when it comes to an action series. However, I’m still enjoying what I’m seeing here too. Arajin is now an official member of Siguma (We learn Siguma was formed when their predecessors were defeated by the Minato. Marito then took over the leadership and the old group became Siguma) and it’s party time to welcome the new member. However, there’s no debauchery in store for Arajin (As far as I can tell, there are no girls in any factions) and there’s just more fighting involved. We do get an introduction to the third faction, the “NG Boys”. We already saw them first in the OP and they get an introduction here. We learn a few things about them, such as how their members are required to bring in money or they’ll be in big trouble. We see some of them trying to shake down somebody in Siguma territory before Marito beat them up.
They’re also the ones who are trying to get Minato and Siguma to start a war against each other after creating some incidents. Mahoro decides to change her tactics and to get Arajin to take over Siguma so that she can have her big bro all to herself. At the very least, it gets Arajin motivated to work better with Senya.
Raikou
January 30, 2024 at 11:16 amI still don’t know should I follow this series after 3 episodes, and Utsumi Hiroko’s track record with original anime (SK8) is not the best (love it until halfway).
But maybe I’ll stick, there’s something about this series that I can’t explain.
Guardian Enzo
January 30, 2024 at 11:52 amMore important is Kishimoto Taku’s record with original anime, since he’s writing it. And that has 91 Days on it.
Raikou
January 30, 2024 at 12:16 pm91 Days is one of my favorite original anime at that year. That’s good enough reason.
Joshua
February 3, 2024 at 4:20 amSo the big complaint I’m hearing is how Arajin may be one of the most unlikable, detestable protagonists of this season, which is why it seems like it’s getting less attention lately. And for what reason? Because he keeps trying to get the girl who keeps rejecting her and being hostile towards Matakara? Is that why the fujos are abandoning this show?
I really don’t see it, because I know that he’s clearly due for some soul searching, what with how his friendship with Matakara was burned to begin with, and that his pursuit of chasing after Mahoro (from his wishes) has only caused more harm then good. Perhaps the factions are about to ignite a gang war over him, and that this other faction manipulating them want Senya for themselves. And maybe Arajin needs to find his true strength by knowing who he really loves rather than wishing for power and love. It’s like Aladdin in a way.
It’s still a better narrative than a violent, abusive skater/politician needing a little love and friendship in his life so he can be redeemed.
Guardian Enzo
February 3, 2024 at 9:26 amI don’t get it. He seems like a pretty normal guy. Maybe it’s hostility because Matakara is trying so hard to be his waifu and he keeps rejecting him (with no reason yet given).
Joshua
February 3, 2024 at 2:46 pmI guess because he’s trying to put on a facade of sorts in order to act tough enough to impress Mahoro or something. But it was enough to make some audiences despise his guts because of his attitude towards his friends, his numerous actions that made them label him as brainless, cowardly and weak, his lack of self-respect, and his constant lusting after the girl above any rationality, which goes against the stereotypical delinquent archetype like hell, any of those bishonen in Tokyo Revengers.
I still have hopes that he’s going to go through one hell of a redemption arc that will make sense of why he’d act this way initially, and even owe up to the mistakes that he made. But I worry, whether through the production potentially collapsing, or more people getting fed up with Arajin before that pivotal moment, that the audience will have the patience for something like that. It’s not like SK8 where clearly Utsumi was so infatuated with such a detestable villain that she allowed her protagonists (the polar opposite to Bucchigiri’s protagonists in a way) to essentially let him off the hook so easily.
Joshua
February 3, 2024 at 2:55 pm*the audience won’t have the patience
Seriously, I’m seeing people say that Arajin is completely irredeemable and worthless as a character. I still say there’s a chance for him soon enough.