Just based on the title card, this looks like an anime about actors and popularity contests. Oh god, is this an Idol Anime? Please don’t be an Idol Anime.
It’s not an idol anime! Huzzah! It is about actors, though.
This anime was weird. I’m not sure if I enjoyed it or not. The animation was nice enough, though the character proportions were a little off and certain scenes had unnecessary or straight up strange cuts. The voice acting is decent. The plot, though…
Basically, the main character Takato Saijyo, is a veteran actor who has been in the business for twenty years, and is used to being number one. He’s recently been ousted from this position by greenhorn actor, Junta Azumaya. Saijyo’s very jealous. Azumaya, on the other hand, has a crush on Saijyo. This crush is patently obvious to anyone who sees the two interact, and background characters comment on it throughout the episode. Saijyo, a character with little to no romantic experience, does not notice. Which wouldn’t be a problem, and could actually have been a good source of comedy/tension, if not for how Azumaya handles the situation.
He tries to blackmail Saijyo into sleeping with him. Or, at least, it appears that way to Saijyo, and to some extent, to the audience. Azumaya even goes so far as to ‘steal a kiss’ from Saijyo – a common enough trope in romance anime, I know, but still not okay. Pro Tip, folks: if you’re trying to write a romance, leave the sexual harassment at home.
The dynamic between the two characters is fairly common in anime involving gay relationships, but Daikichi doesn’t handle it well. That’s not to say it won’t; this is the first episode, after all, and the obvious problems with the relationship might be addressed later on. I’m not all that hopeful, though. Azumaya has yet to suffer any consequences for his actions, and, indeed, is consistently rewarded throughout. Saijyo is consistently uncomfortable with his actions, and yet, Azumaya remains either oblivious or uninterested in what the man he claims to love actually wants. It’s unhealthy, and sets a bad precedent for the continuing relationship.
I don’t think I’ll be continuing with this one. I’d advise caution to anyone who does.
Ace Anime Reviews 