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PSA: Unless you are a Merman, please don’t sleep in the bath. |
This show was everything I wanted it to be, and for that I am thankful.
It’s nice when you predict that you’re going to really enjoy an anime, and then you end up loving it. I expected cute mermen, borderline shounen-ai, and a hell of a lot of fun in the the bath. As is turns out, that is just what Orenchi no Furo Jijou was all about. It may not have been packed with surprises or twists, but every episode delivered something both amusing and sweet… and occasionally lewd as well.
From the first episode I was in love with the visuals. They’re simple, yet effective. The colour palette is soft and fitting to the tone of the series, except of course for the opening, which was much more dramatic, black and white, and strangely sinister in comparison to the happy go lucky attitude that the show seemed to have. But as we got through the episodes and eventually reached a semi-serious scene where Wakasa leaves his bath in search for a missing Tatsumi, it starts to came sense why the opening was like that.
Each episode provided a new story, some better than others, but all quick, entertaining, and endearing in their own way. Whether it be Tatsumi finding Wakasa by the river, the consequences of excess bubbles in the bath, Halloween costumes and celebrations, octopus tentacles giving Tatsumi a tickle, or something as simple as a friendly hug – everything about it was just right. But if I had to pick my least favourite part of the series, it would be Tatsumi’s younger sister and her rather passionate love for her brother. It’s a common trope but one that felt very weird compared to all the shounen-ai undertones that were going on – and don’t try and say they weren’t there, cause we got it in abundance. As for the characters, all of them provided something fun and unique. For one, Takasu’s tentacles grabbing Tatsumi (how lewd…) isn’t something I’m going to forget any time soon. Tatsumi being smitten with Mikuni whenever he appeared was also very cute, and Maki was certainly a weird one, to say the least. But obviously, Wakasa is the star of the show, arguably the best merman in cinematic history (mainly because I can’t think of many more – why aren’t there more?). His growing friendship relationship bond with Tatsumi was obvious from the beginning, but by the end these two are genuine lovers friends who really appreciate each other’s company, which is damn cute if you ask me. Now I want to befriend a sparkly merman…
It’s hard to be critical about Orenchi no Furo Jijou. It’s obvious what type of anime this would be from the get go, but it’s one I’m glad existed. It may not be remembered by many in years to come, but I certainly won’t be forgetting this little gem any time soon.
This anime ejaculated so much yaoi vibes…
FUJOSHIS APPROVE! ❤♡（*＾3＾）♡❤
I’m not into fujoshism but I agree with you. Though I actually didn’t watch the anime as I’m already reading the manga, it’s nice to see it getting a bit of recognition.
Kinda did not even noticed that much the yaoi vibes (that aren’t even my thing at all), this was hilarious to the point I just considered that all things were just being played for laughs lol
It reminds me of the bromance vibes in Baka-Test (which I really liked).
It deserves a second season for sure!
*pick up the manga*
agreed and agreed! baka test was fun!!….yeah really wasn’t getting to much gay vibes from this….but then i had to drop it at episode 4 because it really was not funny enough to me.
that older show though..what was it called? seto no hay…..i don’t know the rest……that was a laugh RIOT!!!!
I think you’re referring to Seto no Hanayome? Similar mermaid theme, that was definitely very funny 😛
I watched a few eps of this show, the humor is light hearted and it certainly served it’s niche audience well
Delicious
It’s nice that this post review isn’t a bash at the anime like some others I’ve seen around forums. If my curiosity didn’t pique for this show, I would have missed out some laughs and fun to be had. The circumstances that gave opportunities for Wakasa and Tatsumi to deepen their unlikely relationship (more like a close roommate or in this case bath-roommate if you ask me) would go beyond one’s predictability by which is due to some unexpected “developments” or other character involvement. In some way or another I’ve watched all the episodes and I could say it was interesting to watch since it fits my imagination of meeting a talking sea creature/merman hypothetically.
Me and my sister have taken to calling this anime ‘Harenchi no furo jijou’ for obvious reasons ;P
But yea a really enjoyable short with lots of cute characters, especially if you watch Free! beforehand (anyone else thinks that the OP is a paroday of Free! ES?)
The Best Bathtub Ever really does sum this series up. lol It’s soo random and sweet at times with just enough on the fence humour that it was just fun to watch.