Kill la Kill

Kill la Kill
[Full Review]
Trigger
Objective Score: 9
Personal Score: 9
Season 1 (24)
Times Watched: 1
Action, Comedy, Ecchi
Awards: Seal of Approval, Cultured Watch
Recent Changes: n/a
Back when Kill la Kill first released, pictures of half naked Ryuko circled the internet and I thought that I'd never watch this series because of just how horny it looked. Eight years later, after watching the incredible SSSS.GRIDMAN, I decided to give some love to Studio Trigger’s other works; mainly the black bird I thought I’d never watch, and arguably their most famous anime: Kill la Kill. From the outset, I knew I was in for a trip, but I had no idea how batshit crazy that trip would be. The story of a high school governed by people with clothing that gives them superpowers that morphs into essentially a war against alien clothing is a hilariously ridiculous premise that the show wholeheartedly takes seriously, and is absolutely incredible because of it. For how wacky the story is, the show does an excellent job with it’s worldbuilding without slowing the lightning fast pacing of the show. It’s also one of the funniest anime I've watched with some hilarious dialogue and visual comedy. The characters of Kill la Kill are unique and memorable in their own way. Ryuko ranks amongst some of my favorite protagonists. Mako is one precious cinnamon roll who bounces off Ryuko perfectly. Satsuki is at once a brilliant antagonist to Ryuko, but becomes an equally brilliant deuteragonist. The rest of the student council are great characters, but the standout is obviously Gamagoori, in no small part because of his absolutely adorable relationship with Mako. And I never thought I'd feel for a piece of clothing, but Senketsu has proven me wrong. You can’t talk about Kill la Kill or really any Studio Trigger works without mentioning the beautiful and insane style of the show. It’s jagged and rough yet butter smooth and incredibly pretty. The colors pop and the style helps amplify it’s already hilarious visual comedy. The animation for Kill la Kill is second to none. Like the style of most other Studio Trigger works, the a3nimation is slick and smooth, and one of the best features of the show. What surprised me most about the show, however, was the stellar music. Tracks are intense, emotional, and downright gorgeous most of the time. The voice actors are also doing an amazing job juggling the dramatic scenes with the comedic, with Ryuko’s va being an absolute standout. Ecchi anime are usually not my cup of tea even when I want to watch something horny and stupid, but Kill la Kill does it’s fanservice in some of the most tasteful ways I’ve ever seen. For every scene with half-naked girls, there is a scene with half-naked dude as well, which I totally respect. Kill la Kill was some of the most fun I’ve had watching an anime in a long time. If you can accept the show for what it is with it’s over-the-top premise, lightning fast pacing, tons of fanservice, and balls to the wall ridiculousness, then you will have one hell of a time with Kill la Kill.