Himawari!

I had originally heard some bad things about this series and was actually recommended not to watch it, however, I'm glad I did. Let me start of by warning you, this series is full of clichéd, over-used gags, a plot and storyline that is completely ridiculous and personalities and themes that we have all seen before. I'll start by mentioning everything that I didn't like about it, even though there weren't that many things actually... First of all, like Naruto, the characters in this show aspire to become ninjas, however, to me, ninjas are dark-clothed assassins and spies who operate during the night, they don't skip andrun around in colorful outfits, being loud and noisy or using modern-time weapons such as machineguns and/or bazookas. Secondly, one of the characters called Yusura, who is utterly adorable and cute in every way, quickly uses up her endurability by always having an incompetent and unrelated animal-reference to nearly every event that occurs. Also, the Team Rocket-wannabees (though enjoyable) feel somewhat like a cheap rip-off. Things I'm indifferent to is the artwork and the music, yes, it's got nice animation and sometimes they shift it to the less serious style, but it's good enough to pass your standards like most shows. The music? Nothing special or particularly catchy, but nothing annoying or ear-numbing either. Moving on to the good things now. I'll be the first to admit, I truly and honestly enjoy shameless comedic gaggery, and this show has a lot it, and I mean a lot. Also, I've never before seen a show that made such a brilliant joke out of the phrase "Oh My God!". Secondly, the characters, sure they're stupid, cliché and in every aspect unoriginal, but this is what makes the show fun, because you know they're all these things and can just sit back and enjoy the idiocy. Also, a plus on this show is that even though it has a romantic element, it doesn't overplay and shift from comedy to romance/drama like many other shows, which is probably why I liked it so much. Some gags are perhaps used a bit too often and yes, it's a cheerful and sorrowless anime, but it works well despite this. So, how to summarise this? Well, the plot is weak and unoriginal, it feels like you're watching a very much improved and distant cousin to Naruto and it's full of clichés and overused jokes. However, it also contains moments of (in my experience) high comedic quality and if you start watching it I'll guarantee one pair of my own boxers that you'll be hooked, laugh and watch it through 'til the end. It's a fun, easy-going show, good for a few laughs and only up-tight blockheads with "sophisticated" humor would be able to not crack a smile at this series. In any case, I liked Himawari! and anyone who wants a cheap laugh should probably have a look at it aswell, and if you don't find it funny then feel free to come on over to my house and beat the living snot out of me with a trout!