Really, Tonagura! is an anime that requires a certain taste to enjoy. So let me do some people a favor and say, if your here for a plot filled romantic / comedic adventure, then leave now as you won't be amazed. Likewise if you are here for something completely different... then unless you haven't watched any comedic anime before, you might as well leave as well. What Tonagura! does, is scrap the story, and pull together a lovable cast of characters, some simple and not very original, but overall very enjoyable. It then ties it all together with a great many great comedic moments. Soif you think THAT may interest you, then read on dreamer.
Now like I said, the story is simple... and probably came together in the authors mind in about 20 minutes. Childhood friends leave for a long time, and now their reunion is bitter sweet, as the boy is a pervert and the girl is a bit of a Tsundere (gasp). But why did you enter here expecting a plot, if you want a good story go watch Haruhi or something, we'll instead move onto:
Characters. This is the big part of the anime. So you've got your main couple of this romantic comedy, Yuuji Kagura, and Kazuki Arisaka. At first glance, each character seems... meh, alright but nothing special. But when they are together, you start to feel a little differently. There's something profoundly touching and cute about this little couple. Despite kazuki always taking her anger out on Yuuji with her fists... you really do feel that he kind of deserves it. I mean, anyone who comes in a girl changing, and then proceeds to pounce on her deserves a bit of a beating (laughs). And its not all one sided either, a great deal of effort is put into chastising Kazuki for her over the top reactions. What's really most touching about these two is the amount of growth they go through. Each grows, trying to change slightly so that the other will like them a little bit more, and at the same time, try to accept the personality of the other. Its that little warm fuzzy feeling you get in your heart as the two grow, that made me realize what great characterization went into these two, and is one of the reasons why this anime is probably in my top 10.
Of course there are other characters, most notably are the sisters of the main 2. These 2 are probably the most memorable of the series. Kazuki's older sister, Hatsune, a doting, but schemeing older sister who always tries to do the best thing for her younger sister (but usually in a way that will provide the most enjoyment for Hatsune herself XD). And the younger sister of Yuuji, Marie, a tough gun slinging girl, who won't allow for any sexual deviation from her perverted older brother. Both are probably the most "unique" characters of this series and probably provide the most comedy overall. They definitely don't go through quite as much growth as Kazuki and Yuuji, but you love them all the same.
Now with all that being said, it can't be all good news. Really... although you shouldn't expect a deep and fufilling story, it doesn't mean the author couldn't have come up with a little bit more original of a premise. Also, there is an extreme amount of fan service that really didn't need to be there... and might turn a few people off the show. But still, no deal breakers anyway. I will recommend Tonagura! to anyone that wants a few laughs and a heart warming story to lighten a boring afternoon.
Mixed Feelings
This anime being a simple childhood love story, is pretty good. It can be great but it lacks some important things in the creativity department. This is not a "must-watch", but it's also not a "not-watch" Tonagura starts out well. A girl's fantasy that went wrong and then the funniness begins. It has good comedy, enough to make you laugh sometimes and it has a bit of drama too. Good, satisfactory story. The art is the main problem here. It wasn't consistently good. Everything looked fine, but just fine and nothing past that. I'm most disappointed by the hairstyles. Most characters don't look very good because ofthat. The violence lacks creativity too. The first two punches are funny, then it begins to loose its magic, but it regains a little afterwards. It's a zigzag of improvement and disappointment. Anyway, all is fair. The art isn't that bad. Only some characters and some animation punchlines were made disappointing.
Sounds are okay. Just at the okay limit, nothing to be impressed about and nothing to be depressed about either.
The characters give hope to the show and somehow saves it from completely failing. The main boy, Yuuji, is the one that keeps the show good and funny. Supporting characters, Marie her sister, and Hatsune-neechan are there for backup when Yuuji starts to become boring. The other characters are just for story completion.
Tonagura is enjoyable, but not so much. Watch it incase you run out of comedy titles.
totorrapamii
January 27, 2015
Mixed Feelings
Ever wanted to find a good rom-com anime that'll make you think, "Hey! That was probably one of the best anime I've ever watched, sad to see that there's no season 2 of it," well look no further, because you won't be definitely thinking that after you've seen this anime. Story: 5/10 Barely any story, it was just basically a "Hey, that happened so let's add on to that!" type anime. It wasn't done that badly, though. The comedy side on this anime is light-hearted, but it happens mostly when Yuuji is being perverted either towards Kazuki or someone else. If this was just a romance anime,I would've voted the story a 2, as it was mostly a one-sided romance anime.
Art: 7/10
When I was going to review this anime, I would've thought it was an anime that was made around 2010-2011, but when I looked at the date that it was aired, I was very surprised. The art was above average, with somewhat smooth animation.
Sound: 6/10
Soundtracks that play at scenes were average, it wasn't overused. The OP reminds you of a very normal school, romance comedy anime so does the ED.
Character: 6/10
I'll just state my sentences on the 4 characters: Yuuji, Kazuki, Marie and Hatsune.
Kagura Yuuji, Kazuki's childhood friend, the perverted-type protagonist, which the kind I dislike but an exception for him. He can be serious sometimes, which made me like him as a character.
Kazuki Arisaka, Yuuji's childhood friend, the character I hated the most in this anime. Why do I hate her? It's because she can't make her mind up. It's either she hates Yuuji or she loves Yuuji, choose one for fucks sake. On top of that, she makes Yuuji feel bad, by making him think that she likes this person or she likes that person, even though she knows and accepts the feelings she has for Yuuji. Mainly at the last 5 episodes, I felt really pitiful for Yuuji.
Kagura Marie, the quiet, yet the type who always punishes her brother for doing indecent actions. She's unsocial, but good friends with Niina.
Kazuki Hatsune, the type you would think that would fit best as a princess/queen, because of her elegant speeches, how she does everything perfectly and her nice, kind attitude.
Enjoyment: 7/10
Though I disliked a lot of points about this anime, I still managed to enjoy this anime. Would I re-watch this anime? 95% no.
Overall: 6/10
Looking for a rom-com title that will kill some time until you find a better one? This anime may be for you.
Recommended
If there's one thing I definitely did while watching Tonagura!... it was laugh. Throughout the story there has been so much going on in the comedy department; that I consider it a miracle if one does not enjoy this Anime. However, does this Anime have more to offer than it's splendid comedy? Not as much in the story department. There is close to no story going on; and the story that does goes on is as typical as it can get, of course there is also -who wouldn't have guessed it- a child promise and childhood friend to be found. But don't get me wrong; because evencliches like Tonagura can have plenty to offer. For one, it's visuals. It is drawn quite perverted as that is where most humor is based on. So then it is nothing more than your every day Harem/Comedy/Romance anime? So it indeed had nothing more to offer the viewer besides some boobies, panties, main character being knocked out and sexual harassment?
You see, the main character is a funny fellow who has the funniest of looks on his face when he sees nudity. Besides that, he is actually a pretty good guy.
The reason Tonagura stands out of being a generic harem, is because of this guy. He IS perverted, so when perverted things happen it is more than logical and probably one of the reasons I really enjoyed the series.
But of course, just a story with a pervert isn't an exciting one and definitely not one I, nor you, would like to check out. It's like an empty shell. But no worries there, Tonagura! is a 13 episodes having Anime that throws in enjoyment, but also a mediocre story, mediocre artwork and some drama. All that to wrap things up in a package called 'generic comedy/harem'. But take my words as an advice for this Anime when I say it differentiates itself from other comedy/harems by it's excellent use of comedy and character development. And that within the short limits of time (13 episodes) this Anime has made a remarkable memory in my mind.
Tonagura! is definitely worth the watch and has, besides humor, also a befitting story going on. Sure it does not stand out on a first look; but it sure as hell is worth your time. Because you know what, this Anime made me smile for days. And whenever I think back of this (same as I had with Midori no Hibi), I laugh. Because this Anime is the vivid laughter of ones day and will -will you decide to watch it- make you too enjoy it and all it's characters (especially the main character) and brighten your day.
