Arakawa Under the Bridge

“Regardless of that, he’s living life as he wants because that’s the way of living he treasures!”

• P-Ko, Episode 7

Arakawa Under the Bridge is a fun series that demonstrates how well absurdist comedy can challenge societal norms. The premise of throwing a (seemingly) normal man into the bizarre group of people living under a bridge immediately sets up the series comedic style but also establishes an intriguing philosophical debate about what it means to have a strong sense of self. Using Arakawa as a point of familiarity and normality really works well with the comedic style of this series and is utilised by the animators; with the use of reactions and responses made by background characters.

Arakawa Under the Bridge’s premise sets up a couple of interesting dichotomies that play well off of each other. This is especially true when concerning Kou, the main character, as he attempts to navigate the strange situation that he finds himself in. It’s also refreshing to see a series not favouring the idea of having to fit into the rest of society; allowing the characters to reject societal pressure without always needing a grand reason to do so. The plot doesn’t become too reliant on this element, however, which allows the series to remain fun and fresh rather than becoming monotonous.

The series is consistently funny, especially for those who like more segmented formats and gag shows. Most of the gags land well, matching the pacing of the manga while meaning that those which don’t are passed over quickly. This quicker pacing may be off-putting for some as it can leave some of the more interesting ideas being explored only at a surface level. There is, however, the risk that some of the episodes will feel cramped as a lot of ideas are packed into a short time frame. Having the relationship between the main characters act as the centre for Arakawa Under the Bridge allows for the series to retain some tension while having some genuinely heart-warming moments; especially when concerning Nino.

The cast of Arakawa Under the Bridge is what really holds this series together. A major issue that can arise from absurd comedy is that characters begin to merge together; especially when they share a similar defining characteristic. In this case, the characters all being outcasts works in Arakawa Under the Bridge’s favour as there is enough scope to make each character stand out in their own way. There is also a decent amount of irony where the main character is concerned which makes his interactions with the rest of the cast enjoyable; especially when his own philosophies end up being more absurd than those he is criticising. His lack of self-awareness is a good addition to his character that prevents him from being too much of a straight man, however, it may be a little bit repetitive for some. The mystery around Nino is also well-handled, with it playing an important part in the story without it overshadowing the rest of the characters.

Secondary characters are also handled well; each being consistent and working cohesively with each other; offering their own perspective on the world without it feeling too far-fetched. This is aided by their steady introductions that allow their unconventional ways of living to grow on the audience, rather than having it all appear at once. It is nice to see that all the characters are flawed in odd, but relatable, ways that allow for some characterisation outside of the comedy moments. This extends itself to the more antagonistic characters who, while a little one-note, still offer a bit of depth to the world around them. This is pretty impressive for a short series.

The animation is easy on the eye and easily captures both the serious and more emotional moments of the series. The scenery is calming, perfectly offsetting the characters who interact with it. Using gradient shapes in the foreground works well to convey the more peaceful tone of the setting and narrative. The art style also does a good job of capturing the comedy moments, switching to more stylised graphics with ease. The anime takes a more liberal approach to changing art styles than the manga, which works well to differentiate it from its source while still staying true to its source.

The character designs are fun, with each character standing out while encapsulating key aspects of their personalities. This is reflected in the voice acting which is strong and can make for some very entertaining moments with little additions, such as Maria’s opening, being fun and allowing the cast to lean into their strengths. Ending each episode with a talent show type skit is also a great way of developing the characters in a way that doesn’t revolve around the main character. They also brilliantly capture the relationships in a concise manner that replicates what we see later on.

Arakawa Under the Bridge also shows a lovely appreciation for the tender moments; especially between Kou and Nino. While it doesn’t dwell on these moments for too long, often quickly returning to comedy, it shows enough for their developing relationship to feel real. This is especially true for the grass boat scene that allows the audience to see how much Kou has developed over the course of the series. The idea of community is nicely played with, stretching its definition and how relationships change and can be redefined; especially with a main character that has such an opposing ideology at the beginning of the series.

Overall, Arakawa Under the Bridge is definitely a good series for those who like bizarre comedies that verge on the absurd. One of the biggest sticking points for some will be the quick cuts between sketches; especially with how jarring a couple of them can be. There is little focus on forward momentum, with characters remaining stagnant, but that is to be expected from a comedy series. It is not built for characters to have dramatic development and do they really need it? This is a series about being true to yourself and it really commits to this idea. The heartfelt and tender moments make the audience care more about the characters. It is difficult to not get pulled into the strange world that exists underneath an everyday bridge.