Salaryman Kintarou

This is a hidden Seinen gem. It's one of those series that stuns you with an incredible balance between drama and ambitions, and it feels deeply rooted and natural, just what you want from a Senien show. Kintaro is as good as a main character could get. It's incredible to watch how his aura and ideals affect all other characters around him, and how that affects his life and career in Yamato construction in the most unpredictable ways. The plot is unfortunately only 20 episodes long, but it's very well written and all episodes are connected nicely. You're gonna love all the original characters Kintaro meets along hisrocky career. If you're a classics guy, and appreciate courage and manly tears, you don't want to miss on this.

Salaryman Kintaro tells the story of a former bike gang leader entering society as a businessman, starting from bellow his charismatic personality quickly creates bonds of respect and admiration with co-workers and important figures in the bureaucratic world. Honest, straightforward and always true to his nature he dashes through his career raising fast and steady. His personality clashes with several individuals and the few who don't sympathize with his nature in a corrupt bureaucratic world create many obstacles he needs to face. The story is about morals and how a single man can raise through hard work in a field hes inexperienced, features some comicmoments but is mostly serious, the dramatic scenes are abusively exaggerated ruining the involvement in the story, grown men crying like babies over small issues tries to display how deep their feelings are for each other, witch is impossible in such short time, leaving a phony feeling in those scenes. The music doesn't help much, old japanese classic themed music doesn't create the intended effect feeling misplaced and badly chosen, at least for the ocidental viewer like myself, I suspect it was more appropriate for the japanese viewers. Despite its shortcomings you still want to see what will happen ahead keeping you interested throughout the show. Overall its an entertaining show with some nice happy scenes leaving that "feel good" sensation on the viewer, the development is quite fast and so isn't boring. The ending is slightly abrupt but leaves an idea of what happens next. Definitely not a must see but still interesting enough to avoid being forgotten.

Btw, harem should be included in the genre. Even though it takes a very serious tone towards political and corporate corruption, it throws an over the top, too-farfetched-to-believe character. A number of cringeworthy scenes 'trying' to show how desirable the main character is, problems and solutions that fall into place all too perfectly well, and 'coincidental' and 'fateful' encounters that magically work in favor for our righteous hero slash salaryman. Yes, Kintaro is destined for greatness, loved by the heavens above, inevitably admired and cherished by everyone, even his enemies ... and the anime tries to ham it in every chance it gets. Even withall that, it is still interesting to watch. I did watch it all within two days, I'm just saying, it has some big flaws, but we try to watch even the most ridiculous stuff with an open mind ... a very open mind. EDIT: And to the people that say "if you like GTO, you'll like this", I'd say yes and no. Though they both have main characters that are notorious bike gang leaders but with straightforward and righteous attitudes, the charm in both is different. I also did mention this anime plays out a lot like a harem and a cheesy one at that.

Salaryman Kintarou: An Underrated Gem of 90s/00s Anime "Salaryman Kintarou," despite its dated animation style and occasionally hurried plot development, remains a remarkable and, dare I say, a masterpiece in its own right. This anime offers a gripping narrative filled with adult themes, an inspiring protagonist, and a beautiful soundtrack that collectively set it apart from its contemporaries. One of the most striking aspects of "Salaryman Kintarou" is its bold approach to adult themes. The series dives deep into the gritty realities of violence, rape, biker gangs (Bōsōzoku), organized crime, and high-level corruption within politics and corporations. These elements paint a vivid picture of late 20th-centuryJapan, providing a stark backdrop against which the story unfolds. Despite these heavy themes, the anime manages to maintain a light-hearted tone through clever use of tongue-in-cheek humor, comedic interludes during fight scenes, and a generous sprinkling of fan service and romance. This balance makes the series both engaging and accessible, never allowing the darker elements to overwhelm the viewer. Kintarou, the protagonist, embodies a refreshing non-cynical approach to life's challenges. Emerging from a past as a gang leader, Kintarou's transition to a white-collar employee and single father is marked by determination and resilience. Rather than succumbing to depressive defeatism or cynical escapism, he remains steadfastly focused on his goals. His actions and mindset showcase the importance of true leadership qualities, which, as the series aptly demonstrates, cannot be taught through theory and seminars alone but must be earned through real-life experiences. This message, rooted in a distinctly Japanese code of honor, commitment, and sacrifice, resonates deeply. Even with its supernatural fight scenes, the anime maintains a down-to-earth messaging, offering a refreshing outlook on overcoming life's hardships. Adding to the series' charm is its beautiful soundtrack. The ending theme, "Heaven～僕の中の天国～" ("We're in Heaven") by Norishige Takahashi, evokes a strong sense of nostalgia, even after more than a decade since my first viewing. The piano interludes scattered throughout the episodes enhance the 90s Japan movie and anime vibe, providing an auditory experience that is too exquisite to ignore. In conclusion, "Salaryman Kintarou" stands out not only for its compelling narrative and themes but also for its unique ability to blend humor and seriousness seamlessly. While the old-school animation and sometimes rushed plot development might be off-putting to some, the anime's core strengths make it a timeless classic worth revisiting. Its mature themes, inspiring protagonist, and memorable soundtrack collectively contribute to its status as an underrated gem in the world of anime.

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