Grand Blue takes the simple formula of providing a setting, an aspiring student trying to dip his feet in the adult world and completely turns it on its heel. This is a diving anime for all intensive purposes.

…well maybe 20 minutes total of the 12 episodes. And for all that is said and done, it works beautifully. Anyone that is looking forward to university, beginning or has already experienced it, this show is a fantastic example of what that really is. One of the selling points of this slice of life comedy is that it’s real. Social group of comradry, laughs and anguish, it’s there in full view. There’s a lot more freedom compared to high school and the first couple of episodes definitely show that diversion. Iori makes it his goal to have fun in his first year of classes, and the comedy that comes with that goal is definitely not one to miss out on. He’s half naked going to his first class. The foundation is set, you know what you’re in for.

While the stereotypes are there, the jokes and gags never grow stale. The Grand Blue diving club is a hysterical cast of misfits just trying to enjoy themselves parent-free. It’s a refreshing take on comedies that take themselves too seriously. These characters know fully well of their actions, and the show never attempts to disguise it otherwise. The ongoing gags of nakedness, alcoholism, complete lack of academic prowess in lectures, it panders to those who have lived it, and it’ll relate to everyone that is lucky enough to experience it. A college life in every sense of the word.

The dynamic duo of Iori and Kouhei never missteps in its absurdity. Complete opposites when it comes to interests, the two provide incredible chemistry in their ability to screw everything up. Within their own friend group, the Grand Blue club and even their futile attempt at picking up women, we see throughout the 12 episode season that their relationship, while hostile at first glance, grows into a brother-like bond that shines in its final episodes. Supporting cast of Asuza, Chisa, Nanaka, the power duo of Ryuujirou and Shinji, they all have their moments in the spotlight. The chemistry is one of the best I’ve seen in an assemble of characters. The quick jabs after a heated argument, out of no where curve-balls that send you on the floor in laughter, its a group that sets itself up for disaster, but always turns out into a hilarious outcome that leaves both you, and the characters themselves in a better mood afterwards. In particular, the tennis match, and alcohol tasting scenes are wonderful, and are regarded by many as the funniest scenes in the comedy genre.

The story itself isn’t something spectacular, and in retrospect, it falls quite short in that aspect of character development and cohesion. We really get nowhere by the final episode, and I can almost argue we didn’t even move an inch from the initial introduction. As a comedy though, it lends itself as a true patron of the genre. You can’t take any of this seriously and as an enjoyment factor, this is a definite strong suit of the show. Going in line with the manga, the show did feel a bit rushed at some points, leaving out some scenes, and the ones that were kept, some did not capture the same magic when converted in the adaptation.

Animation is spectacular. On the handful of diving scenes you do encounter here, the artistic backgrounds and animation is top tier, and definitely amounted in Zero-G’s commitment to give this manga justice when converting it. Cool easter eggs and nods to the studios’ admiration of other anime works really show their heart was in this piece. I can safely say this is one of the studio’s finest works. Voice acting is just as good, and each character fits their voices in very nuance ways. The soft voice of Nanaka to the vibrant, but cold voice of Chisa, the VA’s have perfectly put their emotion in each character. Azusa’s in particular is fantastic and fits her upbeat and cheerful attitude perfectly.

Grand Blue is not for everyone, but it definitely can be if you go into the show with a open mindset. While it boasts the real world characteristics of the post high school life, it should be enjoyed as exactly what it is, a comedic hit of the ages that absolutely never takes itself to seriously. Would I recommend you watch it? Yeah I would, but only if this immediately caught your interest on the premise. For me at least, it is the epitome of comedy anime, and will be one of the pieces that measures all others after it.

(+) - Top tier ensemble of characters
(+) - Character chemistry is immaculate
(+) - Visual animations & voice acting

(-) - No story driven plot at all
(-) - Running gags may not be for everyone, especially nudity and excessive use of alcohol
(-) - Typical troupes are present here: Siscon, relative-love interest plot