So here’s the deal. Ishozuku Reviewers made me realize something. Anime perhaps has some of the most unique and varied premises in regards to the episodic video format (ya boi don’t read enough to speak on print mediums). I mean, where the fuck else do you find a show about two dudes and a hermaphrodite angel fucking different species of fantasy girls to post reviews on the local bar’s bulletin board? Even disregarding that anime, this season alone offers a show about fucking runway fashion. An anime about a girl who wants to support her favorite idol. An anime about a toilet ghost. A rugby, volleyball, and basketball anime all airing at the same time. Then there's Dorohedoro where I’m seven episodes in and still not exactly sure what the premise is, but I’m interested.
The other night I was stuck watching some commercials for TV for some reason, and I just sat there going “wow”. TONIGHT at 8...watch as Cool Guy Cop works around the clock to stop Bad Guy Terrorist before it’s too late. TONIGHT at 9… watch as Cool Girl Firewoman stops fires and saves lives by making HEATED choices. TONIGHT at 10, Cool Guy F.B.I. Man isn’t spending enough time with his family… will he learn to love them before it’s TOO LATE!?!?!? I was like damn, are they really about to air the same show three times tonight? Now don’t get me wrong, I know there’s a lot of the more interesting stuff coming out on other avenues such as Netflix. I still need to check out The Witcher, You, and some other hot topics that actually have something unique going for them. My point is, even in Netflixland, I’m not about to find a show about two dudes fucking girls and posting the results. Hell, I’m not even gonna find a show about a toilet ghost.
"Heard you were talking shit about cop shows..."
As much as I love to shill out for anime, there are some times that fucking hurt though. So many anime have interesting premise ideas that are so good that sometimes they forget to make the show good. Do y'all remember Love and Lies? This shit was egregious. Here, let’s play a game. I want you to read this premise and try to imagine what this anime would be like. Let’s go.
In a futuristic society, Japan has implemented a complex system referred to as "The Red Threads of Science" to encourage successful marriages and combat increasingly low birthrates. Based on a compatibility calculation, young people at the age of 16 are assigned marriage partners by the government, with severe repercussions awaiting those who disobey the arrangement. For Yukari Nejima, a teen that considers himself average in every way, this system might be his best shot at living a fulfilling life.
However, spurred by his infatuation for his classmate and long-time crush, Misaki Takasaki, Yukari defies the system and confesses his love. After some initial reluctance, Misaki reciprocates his feelings in a moment of passion. Unfortunately, before the two can further their relationship, Yukari receives his marriage notice. He is then thrown into a confusing web of love and lies when his less-than-thrilled assigned partner, Ririna Sanada, becomes fascinated with his illicit romance.
Damn son. This could get crazy. So we got my main dude, who is gonna have to outsmart the entire government on some Light Yagami shit in order to get his girl? There are high stakes for fucking up, plenty of ways to write tense as hell scenes, and a philosophical question of whether or not it would be better for society in the long run to have assigned marriages in order to perfectly control population growth? This could be an anime of the year right here. Spoiler: this shit was fucking garbage. There was never any attention paid to the government aspect of the premise. He just dicked around with the two girls for twelve episodes and wasted my damn time.
My man back there must be stepping all over the goddamn premise.
So yeah, having an uncommon premise doesn’t guarantee a good production by any means. But it is a nice starting point. And in a world where it feels like every show on television these days is about a Cool Cop Guy, a show somehow involving the drug world and crime, and the same moral dilemmas over and over again, I’m happy to know anime will be there for a wild ride. As long as it actually executes what the premise sets up…
Do you like anime premises? Do you think most TV shows all seem the same? Weigh in below!
