"Hate the sin, but not the sinner."

Ousama Ranking is a positively anachronistic work. It draws its aesthetics and charm from adventure series of the 80-90s and repackages them in the form of a classic fairy tale, all while sidestepping the production issues that plague modern TV animation projects — a series of qualities that places it squarely outside of its own era. This mix of nostalgic elements makes it such a unique offering in the current landscape that everyone looking for a change of pace owes it to themselves to check it out.

To be more precise, Ousama Ranking is an animated fable: transparently moralistic and idealistic to the very end, but not lacking in nuance in its character writing despite an optimistic heart that can border on naïveté. Although it’s not particularly interested in detailing the mechanics of its world nor the societies within it, the magic of that fairy tale is completed by its enchanting setting—both its wildly original, very intricate writing and the visual depiction of that world by art director Yuji Kaneko and studio Aoshashin’s background artists. Mayuko’s appropriately whimsical musical score complements a fantasy world that effortlessly invites exploration, making every step in Bojji’s quest as enjoyable and lively as the previous one.

While its structure and focus shift in the second half of the show, becoming more stationary and narrowing that delightful sense of casual exploration, Ousama Ranking remains remarkably consistent. Its core character dynamics never lose their charm, and its direction goes hand in hand with the themes of this work throughout every single episode; techniques like subjective framing are a smart way to underline its message of not judging a book by its cover, best embodied by its tiny protagonist and his journey to prove that strength comes in more ways than one. Studio WIT also deserves major props for their management, which allowed them to maintain the animation’s appeal till the very end. Bojji and Kage move with loose joy anytime they’re on screen, and thanks to some smart corner cutting in the second half of the series, all the climactic action is a jaw-dropping mix of traditional and digital animation that needs to be seen to be believed.

Ousama Ranking is truly a pleasant treat for the eyes and soul, which can be seen as a challenge against the pessimistic and unforgiving nature many tales opt to encompass in this modern anime landscape. With its numerous twists and turns presenting latent grim and foreboding developments, a dull flame shimmers from the source of the strife, waiting for the roaring fire of life to be rekindled. Shortcomings are averted through the vibrant themes of kindness and sympathy. Understanding is a significant factor to solving the problems of the world, and our warm, patient, and heartfelt protagonist portrays that entirely.