God I’m actually so glad I was finally forced to watch this after leaving it in plan-to-watch limbo for years. I think this may have dethroned Hinamatsuri as the funniest anime I’ve ever seen. Skit based comedies can be really hit or miss for me, but I don’t think there was a single one that I didn’t find funny across all 44, and that’s saying a lot.
#Plot (8/10)
I’m not even sure if there’s truly a “plot” in this show other than the Pasttimers Club screwing around 24/7 but I don’t really care. Starting out with the “origin story” of the club was very smart, considering we get to see how our three unlikely heroes end up together.
Although nothing really “progresses”, I don’t think good comedy anime need super developed plots.
#World/Setting (7.7/10)
So this may be me just yapping, but I think the world of Asobi Asobase is actually more developed than you would think. And maybe I’m only thinking this because my wife has shoved Conformity Gate content down my throat for the last 3 weeks, but Maeda’s existence proves there is more out there past their middle school.
Somehow despite this show being “grounded” in reality, they introduce characters who’s backstories make sense, despite them being completely irrational. Other than that, the school generally is the main setting for the show which is to be expected
#Characters (10/10)
THIS IS THE NEW BIG 3 AND I DONT CARE WHAT ANYONE ELSE HAS TO SAY
Forget Team 7, or Tanjiro and friends, Luffy and the pirate crew, Eren and his lackeys, etc. I cannot imagine a trio of characters having better chemistry than Kasumi, Hanako, and Olivia. The stoic, secret pervert that looks slightly smarter than she actually is. The very clearly foreign girl who could not speak a lick of english if her life depended on it with spicy armpits. And the seemingly dumb as bricks girl who is actually a lowkey genius that craves popularity despite having zero fashion sense. I genuinely think this trio is peak. The other side characters constantly introduced are also excellent as foils to the main group. Particularly the president serves as a grim reminder that some people are born to be cogs while others have all the fun. Life truly isn't fair…
#Visuals (8.5/10)
I actually really liked the “simplistic” art style here a lot more than I thought I would. It feels like it truly fits the “Pasttimer’s Club” aesthetic of a couple of middle schoolers goofing off after school. Not that this had crazy action, but the animation was consistent as well.
#Audio (8/10)
I was listening to this ED waaaay before I realized it was from this show. The OST and sound effects for certain gags were also great.
#Enjoyment (10/10)
As mentioned previously, this is the funniest anime I’ve seen to date. For clarity’s sake, I'd say my ranking (in terms of humor) is something like:
Humor can be super hit or miss for me, as I’ve dropped way more “pure comedy” anime than those I’ve completed. IMO, it is hard for an anime to stay funny without some other theme or genre mixed in to drive some kind of plot forward (like Konosuba).
Asobi Asobase ran 44 skits and every single one had me bent over laughing. Hopefully I don't start shooting lasers out of my butt too…
7 out of 7 users liked this review
