The most severely underrated show of the season. Not that it is any good, but it ain't bad either! Quite enjoyable though. Just by looking at the series title, you've guessed it: it's the names of the central characters of the story: Robby and Hatchi. These yaoi boys, met by fate, go on a journey together to reach the farthest place that space could ever go: to this planet called Isekandar, the place of hopes and dreams that one could ever have. What could absolutely go wrong? The story is plain nonsensical to say the least, with series composer Hirogo Kanesugi (who composed NouCome) at thehelm, plus director Shinji Takamatsu (Gintama, Grand Blue) for his inputs as well. A sorta rip-off of Space Dandy, not exactly, but sub-par to boot.
But where RobiHachi excels, is at its characters, mainly the 2 characters (plus a talking robot). Robby is carefree, doesn't give a damn about the consequences of his circumstances, a ladies' man (figuratively) and all about that money and fame. Easygoing, vulnerable and gullible. While Hatchi is the "bros before hoes" guy, someone who is selfless and watches out for everyone (Yes, that includes Robby and his mind-boggling actions), a young man with a heart of gold. Oh, and did I forget to mention that he is a prince? Rounding up the Hizakuriger crew is the rabbit robot-looking Ikku, whose demeanor is quite the feat. It (or he) is insanely funny at cracking the jokes of the duo, and alleviating any potential problem the duo faces along their journey to Isekandar.
Oh yea, plus the debt-collector crew of Mr. Yang and his 2 minions. Apparently Robby, in order to live a high life, he borrowed money from Mr. Yang and squandered it all, only for him to find out that Robby's endeavour to Isekandar would be a tremendous one, in order for Robby to pay back the insane debt amount. Sometimes I see that Mr. Yang and his 2 minions exist as an antagonist role, though foreshadowing them in this way would not suffice.
So far, characters have been the primary reason to watch this series. But what about the others?
It's been very long since I've watched a Studio Comet show (last was their flagship series School Rumble), but they're in the reins of (the current) J.C.Staff and Liden Films, when concerning about art and animation. Again, nothing great to boot, but also there's quite a substantial amount of it to retain some followers. Some good-looking backgrounds and sprinkle in some 3D imagery, this is plentiful for what it is.
Musicality-wise, I was surprised at how good, no, awesome the music was, from the aforementioned opening dialogue to the OP song, plus Mr Yang and Co.'s ED, to the BGM. Definitely capturing that Space Dandy feel.
Even with the seamless and endless amount of insanity and running jokes with gags that get boring pretty quickly, I still find this a fun snooze time to watch on the wayside. It's no Space Dandy, but at least its a joyride on free time.
Not Recommended
Welcome to Mars! Where you can eat a fried octopus and 'eat out’ a live octopus, too. Don’t do it at the same time…Or, at least make certain your friends and family don’t discover your depraved proclivities. One has to wonder the resale value of Robby Yaji’s organs, especially considering the high costs of space travel. The cost-benefit analysis, obviously, does not favor the debt collectors (Yan’s group). Unless we consider the consequences of a lost reputation, and the exploitation of future debtors. In which case, the end justifies the means. “Oh my god! It’s a f—king comedy, dude. Stopoverthinking it!”
True enough. But the dynamic of the timid friend learning from his ‘looney’ counterpart is redundant. Furthermore, Robby and Hacchi failed as the comedic underpinnings of the series. The joke regarding the “lower half” and the “upper half” lacked the oomph to foster a humorous moment — plus, it dragged on forever. Gags that overstay their welcome rarely, if ever, produce genuine laughter from the audience. Moreover, the childish nature of the main characters was infuriating and monotonous.
Robby and Hacchi were essentially a pseudo-married couple with their constant bickering back and forth. To exemplify this point, in episode 10, they were arguing over bathroom cleanliness and the ‘correct’ way to rip toilet paper. Then Hacchi scolded Robby for concealing nudie magazines and an inflatable sex doll. It’s like the writer’s took their real life relationship issues, bitched about it in the writer’s room, then decided to ‘comedically’ integrate it into the story by making Hacchi the ‘wife’ and Robby the ‘husband.’
As for the cat-and-mouse chase through space (with tacky mecha fights), it lacked exhilaration. And given the lack of entertainment, puerile jokes and flat characters, there’s no reason for anyone to watch this series. Unless you enjoy a Japanese, Futurama knockoff with none of the staying power.
Recommended
This show has everything: from over-the-top randomness to action-packed magnum opuses. After watching the 1st episode, you wouldn't think of it as anything special, probably even calling it a "Space Dandy and Cowboy Bebop rip-off". Once you reach the middle of the series though, everything you've been saying up to that point - void and null. All the tables have turned on you, whether its the modern cliches, stereotypes about Japan or the redundant themes in anime shows; none of that is in here. Everything about it is as original as it can get, just like the show itself. Feel like you've watched every single Gundamshow and you're still confused about their lore? Not a problem: Hizakuriger is the only Mecha in this show you'll need to know about its history. It's short, sweet and most of all - epic.
Can't stand the cringy humor in today's "comedic" shows that is clearly intended for the western audience to get all of its Japanese humor in one go, without the translator's explanations? This show is surprisingly up-to-date with every societal events happening in the world. No matter what ethnic group you fall into, you can get a kick out of this equally with other ethnic minorities along side with you. Speaking of equality...
You don't think that this industry promotes anything LGBT-related in our PG programming? Yuri on Ice isn't enough for you? Then allow me to present the embodiment of yaoi romance in our current age of Entertainment, presented by a covert bromance turned into to a homosexual relationship between two main characters. Aside from that, you have a flamboyant villain (?) with a growing yearning for one of the main characters. If this isn't enough to motivate you continue writing gay fan-fictions about your oc's that you made 10 years ago, then I don't know what is.
Soundtracks don't hype you out anymore as much as they did 15-20 years ago? You still want to feel like a kid trying to reminisce about the golden years of your childhood? With this Super Sentai-like ost, combined with jazz-like tunes to let you get a feel of this shows mood, you'll feel right at home, as if you're tuning into your favorite Saturday Morning shows from the 80s and 90s. You'll be jumping out of your seat, while singing the Hizakuriger song and dancing to the show's ED. It's pretty groovy, if you ask me.
Art? Well yeah, this anime is art.
Overall, it's pretty good. 10/10
Mixed Feelings
Robihachi was a weird experience for me, enjoyable but strange. It reminded me of a lot of Space Dandy except less perverted and with more a focus on food and travel. Robi, the main guy, is very much the lovable idiot. He has gotten himself massively in debt falling for schemes pitched to him by pretty ladies, be they alien or human. As a result of this, he is tracked down by Hachi, a mysterious man working for mister Yang, the debt collector who we find out has a sort of crush on Robby. To cure his financial woes in his flight from Yang, Robby setsout for Iskandar to get one of their crystals to change his luck. Hachi initially is shanghaied onto Robby's ship but sticks around as he was looking for adventure.
The show then consists of them traveling to planets on the way to Iskandar, enjoying the local fare, and solving the world's current woes. How they go about solving those woes often made me compare the show to the Big Lebowsky in that they tend to solve the problem in very outlandish ways.
Robbi and Hachi play off each other like an odd couple with the ship robot often playing the straight man. It makes for an enjoyable dynamic.
Overall, RoboHachi is a fun show. I don't like it enough to recommend it but I enjoyed my time with it.
