● This is a spoiler-free review.
● 80+ in my rating means very good.
● I watched this work with a friend, so I assume that my enjoyment was better since we actually joked about the anime during the episodes.
● I've added one of the anime soundtracks(ED) to the sound section. If you wish, scroll down, start it, and use it as your background music while you read.
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The Story ════ ⋆★⋆ ════The story revolves around a detective who was a celebrated genius in high school but is now old, broke, and at a dead end. His mundane life is upended when a high school girl insists on becoming his apprentice, kicking off a series of bizarre cases.
The story itself is okay; it's a fitting setup for a comedy anime but offers nothing that will keep you deeply invested in an overarching plot. Most of the anime is episodic, with each case being crazy and disconnected from reality. Despite this, I found myself laughing out loud several times. While most of the individual cases are decent and a few are genuinely hilarious, I can only recall one that was truly bad and random. It's important to note that this was an exception, as the cases, despite their absurdity, are generally well-rounded and follow their own strange logic.════ ⋆★⋆ ════
The Art ════ ⋆★⋆ ════Considering this was a niche anime that I assume didn't have a massive budget, the art direction is incredible and non-ironically the strongest point of the show. The animation team did a fantastic job of using the visuals as a primary tool for comedy.
They frequently change the art style to land a joke, shifting from the standard anime look to exaggerated caricatures or chibi forms in an instant. The show is also filled with visual references to other anime, like Dragon Ball, which adds another layer of humor.
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The Characters ════ ⋆★⋆ ════There are not a lot of characters in this work, focusing mainly on the detective, his assistant, another rival detective duo, and a few side characters. This small cast works well, as their main purpose is to provide comedic relief, and they do so effectively. There's no real lack in this department because the characters serve their comedic roles perfectly.
The main character, Nagumo, is okay. He is often overruled and overshadowed by his high school assistant, Mashiro, who is the main comedy trigger of the anime. She's strong like an ape and has the absurd ability to store anything in her bra. With that said, Nagumo has his moments, especially with the relatable jokes about his age, like his back hurting or his general weariness with the world.
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The Sound ════ ⋆★⋆ ════There's nothing too crazy in this department. The overall soundtrack was okay, effectively supporting the comedic scenes without being particularly memorable. Personally, I didn't like the opening theme very much, but the ending was enjoyable. It's a serviceable soundtrack that is neither terrible nor great.
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Conclusion ════ ⋆★⋆ ════If you're like me, you skip everything and read only the conclusion because you don't want to get spoiled with other themes. So I will try to be brief on this point:
Try it.This is a good anime to watch if you're looking for something to just turn off your brain and enjoy some comedy non-sense. The story isn't deep and the characters are simple, but the visual gags are creative and the absurd humor often lands. You have to be in that kind of vibe to really appreciate it, but if you are, it’s a fun and lighthearted watch.