Do you want to watch something that will smile on your face regardless of what mood you are in? Specifically, an anime that has one particular character that has the charisma and charm to make an entire series into a glorious package of fun and cuteness all by herself? Oh boy, do I have an anime for you if you do.
Himouto Umaru-chan is one experience that still perplexes me as I am writing this. Not just because of how much I loved it, but also how something like this could exist. It is essentially a gag comedy anime with the most generic formula you could ever witness if you read this idea on paper. She is an otaku girl who tries to keep her otaku secret from the people around her, even her close friends. Only her brother is aware of this and takes care of her despite her wacky and almost nerve-racking antics driving him to insanity. When you read these two sentences, more often than not, you would most likely shrug off and browse off to the next anime on the anime list. But hear me out for a spare moment of your time.
I’ll start with the most substantial positive to Himouto Umaru-chan: Umaru-chan. There is no denying her cuteness exists. There is not. But since I know cuteness is not a character structure that is very clear to many people, I will explain her merits with less vague terms than just being cute. What character merits she has, one, in particular, she manages to show off with high tenacity and spark is charisma. Thanks to how she transitions from your stereotypical perfect girl to a wild chibi character who loves to play games, drink copious amounts of cola, and read the latest manga issue. After all, who could not relate to a character that exhibits these quirks?
Two aspects make it enjoyable: how seamlessly the art style shifts from average to chibi character design and how the voice actress shifts her voice pitch from this transition. It gives Umaru-chan a great sense of character, not really from a development standard, but an engaging one. Her presence demands your attention to her in many ways that could become annoying when poorly done. But to the writer’s credit, they know how to pace off the comedic chibi bits and add in new and exciting subtle ways to make the jokes involving her seem fresh and new with each episode. Even when she is outright selfish and acts like a crybaby, she still comes off as incredibly lovable thanks to the considerable charm that he inhibited from her over-the-top design and personality.
Another aspect of her that I enjoy immensely is her relationship with her brother, Taihei. You could say it is a relationship, albeit a bit exaggerated, that is hilarious and somewhat realistic if you’ve ever had an annoying little sister or brother who annoyed you. Despite her constant barraging of wants and needs to her big brother, they still form a close relationship of sibling love that is honestly touching in a few episodes. Taihei does good things for her out of his heart's kindness and vice versa with Umaru-chan. Her over-the-top personality doesn't overshadow him. He carries himself as another funny character in what can be described as the best sibling duo in anime in recent memory.
Himouto Umaru-chan’s brand of comedy is one other big positive that sets itself higher than most comedies that center around otaku life. For one, it does not overly state that the otaku lifestyle is inherently tremendous or destructive at the same time. It mostly keeps the message subtle so that it does not distract us from the comedy bits too much. It has no well-defined message written into the narrative or characters since it knows what type of show it is and runs with it as a silly comedy. This is where the subject matter of being an otaku is seen better than most that try to because it can be enjoyed by everyone who has a particular view on this specific issue that can be against or for it.
As for the comedy jokes themselves, most of them hit the mark quite well. Much of it centers around satire of real-life issues that we all go through, whether we go through the internet, social situations, or our need for material goods more than anything else. What’s great about it is that you do not have to be a self-described otaku, or know the culture for the matter, to get the jokes. Such as not getting any internet connection for today, realizing how life seems meaningless without it, etc. The banter between Umaru-chan and her brother is always the biggest highlight of the show’s comedy, as I’ve mentioned before about the great relationship. And there are even some funny moments with the supporting cast; unfortunately, they are not on the same comedic level as our two siblings.
The supporting cast, which little there is, garners a significant role in a specific arc and has their moments here and there. Umaru-chan’s best friend, Ebina, is undoubtedly one note in how she is continuously shy whenever she is near people. Not to say that they are not funny by any stretch. It does not raise the bar for one of the best shy girls in anime. Sylphinford is pretty hilarious as Umaru-chan’s gaming rival. Kirie Motoba, however, is my least favorite of the cast. It mostly comes down to the fact that whenever she is with any other character, like Umaru-chan, her personality gets overshadowed by how bland it is.
I want to give an honorable mention to the OP/ED, which I rarely ever do in reviews, only if it is something special. Umaru-chan’s is quite the special one continually sets the stage for what you are in for. Just the first ten seconds of the OP always makes me bob my body up and down to the rhythm of the cute repetition of Umaru-chan shouting “Umr hai” repeatedly makes me giddy with excitement every time. Aimi Tanaka’s performance proves she can be exciting with her voice-over and her singing, even if it isn’t the best voice in the business.
Finding an excellent otaku comedy is hard to come by. Some are good or decent enough to think of it as a good time waster, and some are wholly average or below that do not have any punch to their jokes. Himouto Umaru-chan has officially raised my optimism for more comedies like this one to come out more often. It succeeded in proving to me that this type of comedy is far from dead. I know some may groan at that notion, but if more studios take notes from Himouto Umaru-chan, I’m all for it.
Grade: A-