Takunomi. – 01 (First Impressions)

Takunomi is a good old-fashioned sitcom, centered on the lives of four young women who live together in Tokyo, and enjoy good food and good beer, particularly YEBISU premium beer.

That golden can is flashed on the screen so often you could make a drinking game out of it. But I didn’t really mind the blatant product placement, because A) I personally like Yebisu and B) the rest of the show is quick, simple, enjoyable enjoyable watch.

Takunomi isn’t trying to do that much, merely portray that Michiru had nothing to fear by moving to a Tokyo share-house with three strangers; they all turn out to be very friendly, kind, and generous. The first housemate she met, in fact, retrieved her purse from a thief at the station before they even knew each other, after all.

Everyone’s drawn to look at least five years younger than they are (Michiru is supposed to be 20), but it’s still good to have a show about adults who appreciate good beer, good food, and good company, and know how to properly kick back after the grind.

If I had to choose between Ramen Daisuki Koizumi-san and this—and I do—I’m choosing this. Kanpai!

Tsurezure Children – 01 (First Impressions)

Tsurezure Children is a simple school rom-com that focuses on four couples in its first 12-minute episode. The relationships this week vary from:

1. a guy being almost confessed to by the girl he has a crush on anyway;
2. a lazy girl who became a class rep because she liked the boy class rep and likes to mess with him;
3. a girl who is caught smoking by the class president, has a chat about prostitution that ends with a kiss and an appeal for her to quit; and
4. an astronomy club member who joined for love, properly confessing to the outgoing president.

Character designs are clean and straightforward, and several popular seiyuu are involved. Notably, everyone we meet is fairly “normal” as far as high school archetypes are concerned; though we don’t meet everyone in this first outing, so some weirdos may yet surface.

As a 4-koma based sequence of little stories about all the different scenarios of young love, TC is the definition of “okay.” It’s not unattractive or inoffensive, but it’s hardly groundbreaking must-see anime. More of an appealing snack than a feast.