[Categories: Anime Reviews]
2007 in 12 day 11: Sayonara Zetsubou-sensei
Comedy is somewhat under-represented on this blog (an issue I’ll be addressing in another forthcoming editorial) but one series that did tickle me every time was the offbeat, dry and often pretty dark Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei. Chalk-and-cheese pairings have been a comedy staple since time immemorial but when the classic gag styles and plot devices are applied to the anime high school comedy the results are surprising…and brilliant.
Relax, you have a second season
The opening scene in which the eternally optimistic Kafuka meets the eternally pessimistic Itoshiki-sensei encapsulates everything that makes the show special: making light of taboos such as suicide, everyday situations exaggerated to great comedic effect, and the innovative Studio SHAFT artwork that is nothing short of gorgeous. While the imagery employed in the likes of ef -a tale of memories is kaleidoscopic to the point of being overwhelming at points, the artwork of SZS is more muted and lo-fi, but at the same time presents a glorious clash of sepia-tinged art deco with traditional Ukiyo-e which ironically makes it the most Japanese-looking anime I’ve seem in ages.
Memorable moment
Every one of the students who Itoshiki has the (mis)fortune to teach is a clever send-up of high school sterotypes, such as the girl with the tail fetish, the transfer student with the multiple personality disorder and the class rep who is effectively invisible. Even his family get a mention, including the unfortunate Dr. Death; then there’s the fantastic comic convention in which our hero is mistaken for a cosplayer and presents the concept of the 5-koma Comic of Dispair. All clever, all hilarious. Nevertheless, this image will forever stay with me:
That’s right folks: the Suicide Kit. Shifting off this mortal coil soon? Want to be prepared? The Suicide Kit has everything you need for the self-inflicted departure from this world. Genius!
Other ABC bloggers’ posts for the Twelve Days of Christmas
Drop your url into the comments section below if I’ve inadvertantly left you out. ^_^
Posted on December 25th, 2007 @ 2:37 am
For some reason, I’m reminded of the much more sobering Quietus kit in the movie version of Children of Men. But yes, in this context, it’s absolutely hilarious.
Posted on December 25th, 2007 @ 2:47 am
[...] Martin -http://www.concretebadger.net/blog/ [...]
Posted on December 25th, 2007 @ 5:30 pm
I nearly laughed up a lung at that scene, especially seeing that the “Best of Enya” is included in the kit. Now you can both get in the mood to off yourself and have the means to do so all in one place!
Posted on December 26th, 2007 @ 2:07 am
[...] Martin -http://www.concretebadger.net/blog/ [...]