Title: Yuyushiki
Director: Kaori
Author: Narsuko Takahashi
Studio: Kinema Citrus
U. S. Distributor: Sentai Filmworks / Section 23
U. S. Release Date: Aug. 5th, 2014
Format: Blu-ray / 12 Epsisodes / 300 Minutes
Genre: Comedy, Slice of Life
Age Rating: TV 14 (but really should be PG 13)
Overall Personal Rating: A-
Synopsis:
Everyone knows you can learn a lot on the internet, and some of it is even true. But if you want to know what’s REALLY going on and important, then there’s just one place to go: the computer club!
Okay, so maybe it’s not the club itself, but the three girls you’re most likely to find there. And maybe they do spend more time chatting about their social lives and debating things like the virtues of ketchup versus mayonnaise than they do learning about the ins and outs of a keyboard, but whatever they’re up to, it’s sure to put a smile on your face.
So come learn what the mysterious YuiYukari Formula is all about and join serious Yui, hyperactive Yuzuko and lovable but not quite in touch with reality Yukari as they experience life’s ups, downs, surprises, and occasionally, the internet!
Commentary:
In the world of anime there is a classic formula that seem to attract creators to it like moths to a flame. That formal is the girl high school club slice of life. Yuyushiki is one of the moths at manage not to get too close to the flame and burn itself. It follows the simple formula of putting some girls into a club, that really has no purpose, and follow their lives and silliness though their early high school experiences. I’ve seen this formulae work and sometime it crashes and burns, but Yuyushiki manages to stand up to other classics like K-On and Lucky Star.
The one thing that gives me some pause is the style of animation that they depict these young ladies. They do everything possible to make them the older style archetype with big eyes and no nose and their heads are oversized for their bodies. It took me a few episodes to get used to this older comedic image and even though it is light and slightly funny I still find it distracting from the real strength of the series.
Overall Grade: A-
In today’s anime world of killing giant mutants to crazy slasher dramas it is great to get a taste of simple fun that comes from following a group of girls though the somewhat silly early years of their high school lives. I’m not sure why this series was listed at TV 14, I didn’t find anything that I wouldn’t allow a 13 year old to see. Maybe they are trying to attract an older age group, but I see this rather naive humor to be great for so many age groups that I wouldn’t rate over PG 13. The writing is great and the story made me laugh out loud several times and kept a smile on my face throughout the entire series.
The harmless humor that doesn’t have a mean bone in it keeps these girls likable and easy to watch. It reminds me of how great series like Lucky Star, K-On, Tari Tari and even Daily Lives of High School Boys are. I now have another series to recommend when someone is looking for a light hearted series that simply makes you feel good. So, if you want to smile then Yuyushiki is something you will need to get as soon as it comes out.
