When I watched the first few episodes of Working, it felt like it was going to be a typical slapstick comedy anime. Not to mention, the running gag of Inami punching men was getting out of hand that I complained about it. However, that pretty much changed when we got to the more interesting and entertaining parts with Souta’s sisters, Yamada who now lives at the restaurant and Souta crossdressing to save Inami from her father.
Working is not like the typical slice of life comedy shows like Lucky Star, K-ON!, Seitokai no Ichizon, etc as it doesn’t take place in a school setting (a reason why you shouldn’t compare it to these type of shows). Working is a parody of a workplace, which in this case is a restaurant. Include a wacky and rather eccentric cast and you will get one strange restaurant. We know that the fun and excitement in Working can never happen in real life. If it did, who wouldn’t want to work?
The characters… We have:
- Souta who likes small and cute things. He doesn’t like to crossdress even though he looks 10x better as a girl.
- Popura is a well endowed, but short girl. She is made fun of by Satou because of her height. Popura is the main reason why Souta is working at the restaurant
- Inami is another girl who does not like men and punches them thanks to her father. She won’t punch males if they dress up like a girl. Also, she is a pettaneko.
- Yachiyo is a waitress who carries a katana/sword around ever since she got bullied. Seems to like Kyouko and gives her parfaits. Also have some interest for Satou.
- Souma is a smarty pants cook that knows embarrassing secrets of everyone who is working. Because of that, he is highly unlikable.
- Kyouko is a manager who doesn’t do anything but eat parfaits and other type of foods.
- Yamada who lives at the restaurant that takes things without asking and wants attention.
- Satou is a cook and a former delinquent, which doesn’t do much except smoke during breaks.
- Maya is the last new comer, which was introduced in the last minute. She is completely normal and is afraid of the rather eccentric employees who work at the restaurant.
Needless to say, these characters personalities are pretty unrealistic by looking at the quirky qualities of the character. This cast is what drives the really funny jokes and gags that is shown throughout the whole season.
The problem I see with the content is that they spent too much time on Inami and neglected Popura. I would have thought that they would spend more time with Popura since she is the girl that Souta liked the most. I’m guessing that the producers wanted to focus on solving Inami’s Arrhenphobia before anything else. Heck, they only covered 4 volumes out of the 8 volumes manga material, which is ongoing. Perhaps they will make another season with the remaining 4 volumes and even make it longer in length (26 episodes). Lastly, I think that the introduction of Maya should have been done earlier or put in the next season. I found it pretty uncanny to introduce a new character in the last minute since the viewers hardly get any background information about her whatsoever.
Lastly, the animation style of Working looks vastly familiar to Kannagi animation style, which is another production by A-1 Pictures and Ordet. Needless to say, the animation is pretty good for their second time of making a slice of life comedy anime. The animation is really colorful and appealing to the eye.
In conclusion, Working was the most enjoyable slice of life comedy of this season (excluding the multi-season K-ON!! and Kaichou wa Maid-sama). If you can get through the first few episodes of overused jokes and watch the more enjoyable episodes that happen later on, then watch it! It may not be the greatest comedy ever made, but don’t underestimate the laughter that Working gives you because you will be doing it a lot.
Verdict
8.65/10, B/B+, Outstanding
Attribution Infomation
Fanart used in this post is made by yuna
I really enjoyed Working. It’s true more time could or should have been spent on Popura, who is just adorable, but on the other hand, she has so far no story associated with her, so it was more natural to follow Inami and Souta’s story, which allows for some sense of continuity.Takanashi/Katanashi liked Popura for being cute and small (well, not all Popura is small you know, ahem), but I don’t think he has romantic feelings for her
That is true… He only seems to like Popura because she is short and cute… Probably some kind of moe…
Yamada who lives at the restaurant that takes things without asking and wants attention.
Yamada is sugoi! XD Hmm, guess they do have enough material for a new season, but there’s so many other things I’d rather see get a 2nd. :/
What other things you talk about that you want a second season for? :p
Then again, there are always shows that need a third season.
Yamada is a mini-goddess of comedy, that much is 100% certain. The anime world has blessed us with the undeniable greatness that is Yamada and I am eternally grateful for having seen her in all her glory and splendor.
What I’m looking forward to the most in the upcoming 2nd season is Miss “normal” getting a larger role other than being a teaser background character until FINALLY given a script in the season finale. I also look forward to more from the Takanashi sisters.
In short, good review and THIS is how you do Androphobia right, unlike a certain other blue haired girl I know.