As expected, it seems that for the most part, most spring season shows are now being pushed back due to covid-19. Instead of letting the blog go without any content, we are going to start covering some shows from the backlog. As you would expect, there is still a good number of shows that I haven’t got the chance to watch.
With how this works is that I will cover three episodes each week for a given series until I complete it and review it. Unlike regular episodic impressions where I cover the episodes overall, I will only touch on the aspects I find interesting and enjoyable. With the first series I will cover in the backlog is the first three episodes of Sansha Sanyou.
Believe it or not, the reason I kind of wanted to watch Sansha Sanyou after managing to pull a five-star Nishikawa Youko. I didn’t realize that the mangaka, Cherry Arai, who created this series also made Mikakunin De Shinkoukei. That title is in Miracle Girls Festival. Aside from that, Doga Kobo worked on both of these series with pretty much the same staff.
Either way, I have to admit that Youko is a very enjoyable character for obvious reasons. She has a personality of a rich girl but has her status due to her father’s business going bankrupt. It’s easy to feel sorry for her since she has to live on bread crusts and mayonnaise. She also doesn’t have any friends. By chance, she meets two girls that will become her friends. Hayama Teru who is the class representative that chases after a kitten after seeing it. Meanwhile, Odagiri Futaba with all the food tries to take a shortcut while heading to the classroom since she is very hungry.
By chance, the ran into Youko and they decide to become friends. I guess it’s bound to happen, especially since Teru and Futaba are so amazed by Youko speaking in Keigo (polite speech in Japanese). Youko seems scared that they would hate her, but it’s not necessarily the case. I guess the rice balls, which she tried to make, which consisted of just plain rice shaped as rounded triangles were enough. So far, I have to admit that Youko is the best girl of the three. It’s not too surprising since I used her a lot in Kirara Fantasia since she is a magic user.
As for Youko’s former butler, Yamaji, I didn’t care much about him. Yes, he feels out of place in a schoolgirl slice of life comedy. From the looks of it, he is mostly harmless giving food that is about to expire to Youko. Still, he seems very overprotective, especially when Sonobe Shino hires her to work at her bakery. More on that later.
Of course, things get funnier in the second episode. We find out that Hayama’s first name and also her older sister. Yes, Hayama’s name is Teru, which she finds embarrassing for others to use. She also finds a bunch of kittens abandoned. However, there is more about her underneath her innocent appearance.
Also, Teru has a strong love for animals since she finds them cute, especially cats. The funny thing is that she gives one to Serina. This is funny because Serina seems annoyed that Teru is class representative and has better grades than her. Teru’s innocent looks deceiving since she is actually pretty mean, especially towards Serina.
Despite Teru and Serina being complete opposites, they have some things in common and Serina is willing to accept Teru’s offer of taking the cat. I guess Teru felt bad for Serina since her cat died. With that, are they a potential pairing? Maybe. Even so, I find it funny how Serina gets back at Teru as she struggles with the meter run with Futaba behind her. Despite this, it’s quite amusing how she gets back at Serina by mentioning her weight.
Of course, there is Teru’s sister, Kou. Believe it or not, she is so worried about Teru’s health that she became a health freak. Yes, this means cooking healthy food that doesn’t taste good. She kind of reminds me of Peta who cooks disgusting food. Even so, this is not too surprising since Teru used to have a bad illness. Thanks to Kou’s help, Teru is able to overcome it. Still, I find it funny how Youko forced down Kou’s terrible cooking. I guess she doesn’t want to offend her.
At last, this leaves us the third episode. Youko decides to find a job and eventually finds a flyer for a bakery. Believe it or not, it’s run by her former family maid, Sonobe Shino. I find it funny how she came to the city in the same way as Mary Poppins did, with an umbrella. This gives the mysterious vibe to her, especially since she still wears a maid outfit despite not working as one.
Despite her childlike appearance, I find it amusing that she has the voice that resembles somewhat of a stereotypical old lady. In reality, she is only 30 years old, which is surprising since she doesn’t look like it. She also has mad fighting skills, which is apparent when she throws kitchen supplies against Yamaji.
Also, it’s hilarious how she creates a counterfeit uniform and wears it to deliver leftover food to Youko. Of course, there is a motive. She wants to live life as a high school girl while trying to advertise her business. This makes me wonder if she has a strong interest in cosplay, just like the other girl who runs a bakery, Suzu Moe.
So far, Sansha Sanyou is a fun show so far. While some find it run of the mill since Manga Time Kirara shows nowadays are focused on cute girls doing club activities/sports or have an over the top plot. This show reminds me more of the early 2010s and late 2009 adaptations like A Channel, Hidamari Sketch, and probably GA Geijutsuka Art Design Class. This is not too surprising since the manga started in 2005. But so far, this show does live up to the other Manga Time Kirara adaptations Doga Kobo done so far such as New Game, Anima Yell, and Koisuru Asteroid. Aside from that, I look forward to watching the rest of the episodes.
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