Super Cub
a review by AnimeDweeb
a review by AnimeDweeb
It's bizarre to think that so many of us collectively had our bustling lives come to a screeching halt within the walls of our homes. Waiting out the COVID-storm, it's all too easy to feel bored and boxed-in with your thoughts. There are certainly worse problems to have, but this is a problem nonetheless. I, like many others, have picked up hobbies to stay preoccupied and sane. What you're reading right now is a product of one of those hobbies, and I'm happy you're giving this article the time of day! There's something comforting involved in pursuing your passions, and an oft-ignored joy to be had in the small day-to-day victories. Super Cub (Cub for short) is a timely reminder of that very same happiness, and how our interests can bring color into our lives. This review will be spoiler-free, with a Tl;Dr included towards the end.
No family, no cash, no ambitions. She doesn't even appear to feel blue about the way things are; a few tears would at least add color to her monochrome life. The still mundanity of Hokuto City is made evident in Cub's quaint opening minutes, drawing us into a world the way Koguma sees it - devoid of color. By happenstance she meets a used Honda Super Cub, which (literally) brings vibrance to her vision and a longing like no other. Much of the show is then centered around Koguma's day-to-day experiences with her Super Cub. She's not on the open road alone though, and is soon accompanied by the strong-willed motorcycle enthusiast Reiko. Also droppin' in towards the end of the season is Shii, newly-avid cyclist and aficionado of all things Italy.
Someone could feasibly make a drinking game out of everytime a character says "This Cub can do anything." It's certainly not the first time a company tie-in was this obvious; Cub even goes as far as to reference Initial D with the urban myth surrounding Koguma's ride. But even if this is a case of selling out, there are certainly far worse ways going about it. Honda Motor Company reportedly supervised the writing behind Cub, ensuring consistent and realistic details that go beyond close-ups on the featured motorcycles. Speaking of mechanical eye-candy, this series is a visual treat. Pulling back the camera lens from the show's motorbike chassis, Cub looks as stunning from afar as it does up close, with scenic visuals of Mount Fuji and the surrounding countryside. Also neat is the show's visuals as they relate to Koguma's perspective. Cub transitions between washed-out, near-grayscale scenes to radiant, saturated colors. The whole show acting as a mood light for Koguma is a trick that thankfully never gets old. The series' OST is a mix of classical compositions and a handful of original tracks, all of which contribute to Cub soothing atmosphere. The cast of characters don't work against this calming background with over-the-top performances, but complement Cub nicely. Performances are lowkey and avoid "moe -blob" generalizations, all while standing out with their own enjoyable personalities. All-in-all, the world of Cub is as wholesome and relaxing as this season is gonna get. You could say that Cub is yet another case of a Cute Girls Doing Cute Things (CGDCT) anime about a niche topic, and I'd be inclined to agree. However, that take doesn't fully account for what this series aims to achieve. This chill watch isn't afraid to introduce momentary tonal shifts, as seen in an unexpected adventure throughout Episode 5 and a solemn incident in Episode 11. These engaging deviations to the formula are enjoyable in their own right and paint a clearer picture of what Cub is trying to convey: the healing power of hobbies.
This isn't the kind of show concerned with love triangles or girls running to school with toast in their mouths. Instead, this iyashikei has its sole focus on leaving viewers with a "healing feeling" every episode. To achieve this, Cub draws us in with its effective episodic story structure. Each instalment establishes clear needs, and patiently shows us the process undertaken to achieve those goals. Obstacles introduced are resolved by the end of each episode, and the audience winds up sharing the same satisfaction that our characters do. I know that this observation is hardly revelatory; set-up and payoff is the most basic writing concept there is. But Cub is noteworthy for how stripped-down its methodology is. With little else to distract us, we offer our undivided attention to the low-key lives of Cub's cast, and are rewarded with a cozy reprieve. The characters' love for the open road (and Italian espressos) is all there is, and those personal passions exude strongly due to the depth at which those interests are explored. A 50cc in the picturesque Yamanashi Prefecture isn't merely a mode of transportation, but a lifestyle. As high school girls, there is recreational value to be had in cruising down the highway, as the scenic views of Mount Fuji loom in the distance. Of course, there are considerations as well, which Koguma and her friends need to address in order to continually enjoy their leisurely drives. Plotlines see the girls getting comfortable with their Super Cubs, obsessing over Cub trivia, learning bike upkeep, purchasing affordable accessories, taking on odd jobs involving their motorcycles, and finding ways to stay warm while riding in winter months. I think Cub captures common bike-centric plights and scenarios with a great deal of accuracy. And biking fans seem to agree, judging from third-party accounts from communities far more familiar with biking than I am (we likely have Honda Co. Ltd. to thank for this.) Just like how last year's Eizouken ni wa Te wo Dasu na! was a passionate love letter to the process behind animation, Cub wears its heart on its sleeve and makes its love for biking known. Cub's attention to detail, and the unflinching trust in said detail to carry the show, leads us audience members to enjoy an otherwise unfamiliar interest alongside our girls. Even though most viewers can't tell the difference between a Super Cub and a Vespa, the dedication put into demonstrating these girls' hobbies still strikes a chord. Koguma, Reiko and Shii may share vastly different experiences from ours, but the roots of their passions are universal. The desire to achieve a goal, and overtaking the objectives that make such a reward even more worthwhile on a personal level. It's cathartic to see those desires realized, and Cub emulates that joy with each week. And sure, tasks like changing motor oil or delivering documents are tiny and unremarkable from a distance, but it is Something. And that means all the world to The Girl With Nothing.
It's the kind of quiet, meditative watch that I almost exclusively put on before bed. The calming nature of the show might put you to sleep in the worst way. Half of Cub's character development amounts to our stoic MC eventually picking up sarcasm. There's nothing all that interesting about window shopping with Koguma at hardware stores, and it's not the sort of storytelling all audiences would appreciate. My snobby ass might claim that the sophisticated Cub isn't bound by story conventions of a heightened reality, but others would probably say that it's "boring." Something like Yuru Camp achieves relatively similar things as Cub , while adding a light-hearted comedic presence and entertaining character dynamics. In spite of these elements, Yuru is sometimes dismissed as a boring CGDCT, and Cub manages to be even more stripped-down. There's little Cub does to convince audiences that aren't already fond of SoLs or the iyashikei genre, and I can't sugarcoat the show to argue otherwise. If you happen to enjoy works such as Mushishi and Aria , Cub should certainly be high up on your planning list. But if you are foreign to the meditative realm of iyashikei anime, I recommend that you try out at least the first two episodes of Cub. At worst, it's hardly an insulting loss of your time; at best, you just might stumble across some of the most immaculate vibes in anime this year.
Before wrapping up, I'd like to leave you with some sappy closing thoughts. It's been over a year since I began sharing reviews, and I've enjoyed (nearly) every second of it. Writing started out as a fun way to kill time, and I gradually grew to enjoy articulating my thoughts and experimenting with my craft. Sharing my rants has not only been a rewarding experience in its own right, but also a process that helped me open up to the anime community. I didn't exactly have IRL pals keeping me company during the ongoing hyperbolic apocalypse. Making these reviews emboldened me to put myself out there. Being inside my home over the past year, I found social circles online that kept my life as lively and fun as it's ever been. Amidst the virus, this hobby healed me. If you haven't already, I urge you to find wholesome endeavors of your own, and share those interests with others around you. It may seem awkward, but there's no shame in trying to enrich your life with activities you enjoy. And heck, if your passion is watching anime, Cub is certainly a great place to start.
Super Cub demonstrates how personal fixations can fix us. Besides the frequent bike trivia persistent throughout the series, Cub takes its time to revel in the joy of pursuing hobbies. Set to a calming soundtrack and stunning backdrops of the Yamanashi countryside, Cub puts us in the driver's seat through relaxing immersion. Viewers without motorcycles need not be worried about doing their homework before approaching this show, as the chill vibes and enjoyment is for everyone. So strap in, sit back and enjoy what this open road has to offer. 7/10~
You meet the nicest people on a Honda.
Thanks @ed3d
Thanks for stoppin' by! After writing all this, I could really go for one of Shii's coffees, ngl. If you happen to like my verbose rants, feel free to check out my other reviews for seasons past and present. I also frequently post writeups under my list updates, so definitely take a peek if you'd like to see me mald over anime as they hit the airwaves. Peace~
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