Working!! Review.
Much to my surprise, this week’s episode was the last episode of the series. So that’s two animes that I won’t be able to look forward to watching when I get home from work now.
Working!! is a four-panel comic strip, written and illustrated by Karino Takatsu. The manga is still on-going and the anime aired April 4, 2010 - June 26, 2010, consisting of 13 episodes.
Set in a family restaurant situated in Hokkaido, the story follows a series of characters - all of whom works in this restaurant. The story beginning with the restaurant recruiting new staff members - Taneshima Poplar, a 17 year old student who currently works at the restaurant is sent to recruit new staff. After hours of searching she stumbles across Takanashi Souta, a 16 year old student, who admittedly mistakes the older girl for an elementary student due to her short stature. Long story short, he gets hired as a part-time waiter and meets several of his strange co-workers;
Taneshima Poplar, a 17 year old who is easily mistaken for an elementary or middle schooler.
Shirafuji Kyoko, the apathetic manager of the restaurant who never does any work.
Todoroki Yachiyo, an employee who carries a katana around the workplace and has a strange obsession with looking after Kyoko.
Satou Jun, the head chef who appears to be cool and collect; and Souma Hiiroshi, a kitchen assistant who seems to know everyone’s dark secret.
Takanashi Souta himself not being normal as he appears, he has a creepy love for small cute things like puppies and children.
All seems perfectly normal until the manager pairs a shift with another student, Inami Mahiru - a girl who suffers from severe Androphobia (fear of men) - and upon their meeting Souta is harshly punched just for being near her (and surprising her). After been given the task of curing her Androphobia, he ends up in many comedic situations which usually ends with him flat on his back.
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I started watching this series when episode 3 was aired. I don’t know what drew me to the series to begin with, but it had to be good to have me coming back to watch each episode as it airs.
My initial thoughts were how many of the characters voices sounds suspiciously familiar, like I had recently heard them in something else. Much to my surprise, the 3 main male characters of Working!! happened to be one of my OTPs of Durarara!! Kishitani Shinra (Takanashi Souta), Heiwajima Shizuo (Satou Jun) and Oirhara Izaya (Souma Hiiroshi) respectably. Also the fact when I first saw Satou I immediately thought he was Sanji from One Piece.
Those characters aside, the series have a nice flow - the contrasting characters and relationships blooming between co-workers makes the series and characters easy to relate to. The slice of life, upbeat nature the series has makes it more enjoyable -especially to those who want to idle around and pass the time. This is probably my second favourite anime aired so far this year. It’s worth a watch if you like a slice of life, upbeat comedy with an undertone of romance.
