Yotsuba&! Anime Episode 1 Review

Am I the only one who was bothered by the first episode?

I was so excited about the first episode of Yotsuba that I actually went back and reread the first volume of the original manga. It would be a logical place to start, with the two-member Koiwai family moving into the neighborhood and getting into all sorts of tomfoolery as soon as Yotsuba sets her foot on pavement. Imagine my confusion when the show opened not with the interior view of a family van, but of the Koiwai living room, with Yotsuba and her dad playing jan-ken-pon. They even introduced that arrogant jackass Yanda early on, a character who isn’t supposed to make himself known until Chapter 30.

With the show slated for 24 episodes, my guess is that the director wanted to forgo all of the formalities and just take a nosedive into what the audience really wants. It’s understandable, given that Yotsuba is such an iconic manga. At the least, they’re going to slot one of those sentimental flashback or recap episodes somewhere in the middle of its run.

While I’m glad that Hiroshi Nishikiori, the director responsible for the Azumanga Daioh Anime adaptation, was able to reprise his role for the Yotsuba anime, it doesn’t carry that same effervescent quality of eternal childhood that was executed flawlessly in the former. They should have focused more on the kids rather than the adults. For example, they really dragged out the badminton fight between Jumbo and Yotsuba’s dad. Not to say that it wasn’t humorous, but they really didn’t have to spend more than a few minutes on the scene.

The seiyuu cast for Yotsuba is stellar. The actor for Yotsuba’s dad, Yuto Nakano, definitely exudes some likeness to his interpretation of Ginko from Mushi-shi with his smoky, placid voice. It has a real earthen quality that fits his laid-back personality. Yotsuba herself was played by none other than her spiritual fraternal twin of Chiyo, Tomoko Kaneda. She generally hits all the correct pitches for the impulsive and quixotic titular character, but can sometimes come off as a bit docile. I never thought I’d say this, but she needs to make Yotsuba sound a little crazier. Yanda was voiced by Katsuyuki Konishi, something I was not prepared for in the show’s only real ‘antagonist,’ if you can even call him that. I mean, you just can’t unhear Kamina! Finally, there was Jumbo voiced by Jouji Nakata, also known for lending his voice in the Count in Gankutsuou. Jumbo’s supposed to be someone whose bark is stronger than his bite, a lovable oaf of sorts, so no complaints on that end.

There wasn’t an OP song for the first episode, which I’m hoping they’ll fix later in the series. Opening theme songs make shows a hell of a lot more memorable in the long run. They did, however, keep the Yotsuba instrumental soundtrack for the musical score, which was a nice touch. The ED song, Weepin’rains, makes me smile. It reminded me of the first time I watched and fell in love with the Azumanga series. Coupled with the bizarre kaleidoscopic artwork of flower petals and four-leaf clovers, it’s a very heartwarming sequence.

So as long as they don’t pull any more fast ones, the Yotsuba&! Anime is likely to be the best show this season next to 20th Century Boys and Mirai Nikki. Next week just can’t come soon enough!

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I’m dead inside, guys.