GOLDEN BOY

First Episode Impressions:
Although I kind of disliked how the main character was presented, with his typical anime protagonist pervert demeanour and cowardly nature, the plot twist near the end turns all of that previously established character development on its head and actually makes Kintaro a really intriguing character. The fact that he's some mega genuis feels like the punchline of the whole first episode, making the hook of this series quite interesting. The art and music itself are representative of anime at the time, which is quite charming, so I don't have a problem with that. The animation in particular seems to be quite lively, more so than other anime that I have seen from the time frame really giving the characters some life. The plot at this point, with the main character that it has developed, could go anywhere makign this seem like a very promising show to continue watching and thus I'm looking forward to what this has to offer.

Actual Review:
This anime surprised me for sure, I thought it was going to be about some degenerate and his antics, but with every new episode of the six 30-minute OVAs I felt a combination of comedy and emotional merit exude from the lively and kind of immature surface of the anime. These six OVAs are all episodic, all except the last episode do not feature anything about the characters from previous episodes or the events that took place. This is because of how the structure of the anime and the motivations of the protagonist are set up; Kintaro, the job-hopping, perverted genius is probably the most versatile character I've ever seen in an anime, let alone a comedy anime. Just the fact that he's actually a genius under the comic veil of his pervertedness allows him to get into situations where it can have some stupid fanservice, but also even tricks the audience in the first episode regarding the impressions of the main character. Throughout each episode, although formulaic, Kintaro is faced with a new job and a new girl to gawk at, and even though the varying situations from episode to episode end in a similar fashion, it's interesting to see how Kintaro manages to not only get himself out of the stupid situations he finds himself in, but also manages to charm the girl in the process. And what's so charming about this is that, because of the episodic nature of the series, Kintaro always has to leave at the end of the episode before the girl comes to the realisation that Kintaro is the perfect man creating the perfect tease for the character that has been developed over the course of the episode and for the audience as we continue to be dragged along with Kintaro and his antics. Not only is his comical nature complementing for the series as a whole, but in combination with his genuine kindness, it makes for interesting motivations, sort of tricking people with his outlandish behaviour at first. Even though Kintaro and the stuff he does makes him seem unrealisic, just the fact that he wants to help people and can do so on such a widespread scale because he's a job-hopper makes him feel grounded in a way and as such makes it feel like an anime that could actually just go on for 100 episodes although the plots may become a bit elaborate after that. I know there's a manga, but I wish that the show kept going on like this.
Regardless, the show does give a very wholesome experience, starting off strong and powering through each episode (whilst also satisfying the audience enough so that they are hooked at the end of each episode) and ending on such a high note that I really, really wished that there was more. For the conclusion, I feel like his work at an animation studio was a fitting end (to the anime at least) because it not only has some kind of stakes in how would Kintaro manage to complete this anime that he's involved in, but also manages to cram all of the other characters into the last episode. I know that in itself is cheesy, but just the fact that we get to see everyone again kind of makes it come full circle. Not only that, but seeing the anime succeed and have Kintaro bail once again in the midst of all of the girls that he has charmed leaves it on such a high note for me. Furthermore, the last girl that he has helped and charmed in a way, doesn't go after him because of what he has taught her about life and her perspective, which in itself becomes really heartwarming, adding both a comedic flair and an emotional ending.
Kintaro as a character succeeds so well because he can fit into any situation, making him so strong and easy to write for. The animation of his various facial reactions and actions also do sell his versatility and make the anime even more charming. Although this anime does get pretty out there with its sexual references, it doesn't feel out of character for a story surrounding Kintaro as the protagonist and I don't think it extends too far from the whole nature of the show. Rather, I think that this show needs Kintaro to be a pervert to get into all of these stupid situations. The way that they are delivered as well are quite well done, just in the punchline delivery and some of the recurring gags help to just make it that much more funny. In comparison to other comedies which rely on one kind of gag or archetypal funny character to deliver the jokes, just the various situations that Kintaro is involved in kind of differentiates this comedy anime from others. In fact, this anime kind of reminded me of Cowboy Bebop in a way, though the connection is kind of weak. Let me explain. In my opinion, Cowboy Bebop succeeded because of the versatility of its characters and how you can just imagine them in any kind of situation. It's the same for Kintaro, with the exception that his backstory is not elaborated on, but I don't think that the comedic nature of the show even needs that to happen since it's just summarised in a couple of lines by the narrator at the end of most of the episodes.
Anyways, if I had the time I would read the manga and see how Kintaro went with his studying hobby but I might just savour the wholesomeness of this anime for a while. 10/10 would smash Kintaro again.