Osomatsu-kun (1988)

As popular as Osomatsu-san is, it's really disappointing how under-looked Osomatsu-kun is. I genuinely love this show so much. Episodic comedies aren't for everyone, but for anyone who does, this is the perfect show. I love that the setup for an episode can literally be anything where characters are all in different positions in every episode. It leads to infinite possibilities and a bunch of fun scenarios that a more grounded show could never get away with. It's really impressive to me that there is a large cast of characters that all manage to fit into each episode without being forced or underutilized. Few showscan really make me cackle, but this show does it for me, I love goofy faces and slapstick. The art style is also really silly, and I love that they never hold back. All the characters are awful personality-wise; they're all mean and selfish, BUT I love that about them. I'm happy the show isn't afraid to just have a bunch of losers beating each other up. (I mean, except for Hatabou, he is a god amongst man and I will always cherish his pure heart). But because of their characters, when they do show heart and have a real sincere moment, you feel it even more. When the love for characters is tested or in dire situations, these characters do care for each other. It's great to me that a series full of comedy can handle the genuine moments so well. Admittedly, there are definitely some mid episodes, but all the ones that handle the character relationships are written so well I'd swear they spend more time on those because they always give me the feels. But that's where my 9 comes in instead of a 10/10. Inevitably, a series that runs for 86 episodes is going to have some stinkers. I can't really think of any episode I outwardly hated, but there are just some where you can tell they were really reaching for a story that almost veers in "lol random" territory. Sometimes, they don't really have a direction, and it's just a series of random jokes. That, and just Totoko as a character. I think Totoko herself is really funny, but I hate her constant weird sexualization. None of the characters' ages are given, and they constantly change for plot convenience, but there are definitely times when older characters are attracted to her and also do quite a few panty shots. It also just feels weird that they age her up at all, and the second she's considered an adult, they take full advantage to sexualize her. It's a shame, outside of some mid comedy at times, this is my main big hold-up. And I wish they weren't so unrelenting about this. I'd really like to enjoy Totoko more if they just decided to do anything else with her. Anyway with that little bit out of the way, I still think this show deserves the watch, it's unique, it's fun, and has some of the funniest characters ever!