Anime Hajime Review: Joshiraku

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Joshiraku. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

This anime is full of ordinary dialogue so that viewers can fully enjoy how cute the girls are.

-Joshiraku Episode 1

In the dressing room of a small theater sit five rakugo comedians.

Marii Buratei (voiced by Ayane Sakura) is the loudest and most spontaneous of the group. She is often the spark of discussion or the butt of many jokes.

Kigurumi Harokitei (voiced by Kotori Koiwai) is the youngest. To match her childlike appearance, she behaves and talks in a cute and innocent fashion. A clever act to hide her true, ruder nature.

Tetora Bohatei (voiced by Nozomi Yamamoto) is always laid back and carefree. She almost never succumbs to stress or hardship. Her level of good fortune is the stuff of legend.

Gankyo Kurubiyutei (voiced by Yoshino Nanjo) is the most level-headed. Despite her analytical mind, she can turn violent. She harbors a short fuse and limited patience.

Kukuru Anrakutei (voiced by Saori Goto) is the quietest of the group. Yet her emotions are unstable. She finds pleasure in negativity.

During lulls in performances, the girls enjoy talking with each other. Their favorite topic, whatever the hell catches their attention.

Series Positives

It hit me after I watched the first episode. It was then reinforced throughout the series. It turns out I loved this show. I had so much fun with it.

This was the first real slice of life anime I’ve seen in a long time. It was a good reminder why I like this genre so much.

Dialogue-Driven Comedy

This was a funny show.

A wonderful blend of physical and slapstick humor. All performed by a superb, albeit standard, cast of characters. This series was brimming with laugh out loud moments. Sure, a ton of scenes comprised of someone falling down or getting hit in the head. But the true driving force of Joshiraku was the dialogue.

This series wasted no time letting you know exactly what you were in for. Fast-talking, high-energy comedy mixed with plenty of satirical and self-referential jabs. The opening joke was questioning why anyone would turn a manga comprised of dialogue in an anime.

None of the material was particularly highbrow. In fact, it was pretty much only random BS conversations with no real substance or point.

Nevertheless, it was entertaining. We’ve all had these kinds of instances with our friends and family. You start talking about one thing. Which leads to something else. Which leads to another thing. Before you know it, twenty minutes have passed. You're now discussing something with little to nothing to do with the original topic.

This isn't easy to replicate. When done right it’s great. Joshiraku did a fantastic job at doing that.

A Textbook Slice of Life

Odyssey, shouldn’t a show have some kind of tension or problem that needs a resolution? Something to keep the viewer invested and a little on edge?

Why? Sometimes nothing is everything. Gripping stories and thought-provoking plots stand out. Yet, seeing that in series after series is mentally exhausting if given no breaks.

Shows like Nichijou, Seitokai Yakuindomo, Azumanga Daioh don’t have stories. They focus on characters' day to day lives. Through that, they have produced some of the best anime has to offer.

Joshiraku follows in that tradition and has secured its place amongst their ranks.

Series Negatives

The main thing going against this show is its competition. That and some other problems.

Pacing

I’ve already said the dialogue driven comedy was outstanding. It was hilarious. Most of the time.

Joshiraku suffered from the same thing that plagued Bakemonogatari. Well written, yes, but there was too much going on way too fast. The pacing was off-kilter more than a few times.

The pacing problem may push a lot of people away. At least Bakemonogatari had an end goal. Joshiraku was random. You never knew know where a subject would lead. If you got lost, good luck finding the path again.

Watching Joshiraku can be like watching one of your friends talk with a group of their other friends. They have their own inside jokes. Their own energy. Their own atmosphere. Something you wouldn't have enough experience with to feel part of the group dynamic. So you’re left sitting there listening. Trying to figure out as much as you can and only laughing at what appear to be the appropriate times.

From left to right: Tetora, Kukuru, Marii, Gankyo, Kigurumi 

Final Thoughts

I said it before and I’ll say it again, I loved this show. It was funny, well-written, and relaxing.

The dialogue-heavy comedy worked more often than not. There were some pacing issues. However, it's nothing too big to prevent you from enjoying this series.

As a slice of life anime, Joshiraku is a worthy companion to some of the best out there.

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