Ranked #1443

Wasurenagumo

Young Animator Training Project/Anime Mirai short reviews: Part 6/12

Wasurenagumo tells the story of some nerdy researcher dude and a schoolgirl who has a crush on him, or is possibly his brother? I forget which, and since it’s Japan, they’re practically the same thing anyway. They discover a cutesy little monstrosity that is half adowabubble little girl and half giant spider, which treads this perfect line between the ka/owaii oh man see what I did there I’m so weeaboo it hurts. In my humble opinion, Wasurenagumo is the standout of all the young animator training projects so far. The two lead characters have actual personality and their relationship is pretty well realised, with an awful lot not being said but implied through their actions. The slapstick with the spider girl is genuinely funny, and that line they tread with her creepiness is so perfect it’s eerie. And then there’s the ending, which I won’t spoil, but it completely blindsided me and left me feeling dazed and confused for the rest of the day.

Verdict: Watch read more

The young animator project produces episodes of varying quality, and I believe this is one of the better ones.

With it being a single episode, there isn't time for a complicated plot or deep characters, however the characters here are quite likable, and I was surprisingly attached to them by the end. The plot is simple and the premise isn't even that interesting, but the show sticks with it, and the end you will be in for a surprise.

As to how the end to such a simple plot could be surprise, you'll have to find out, but I thought the defining point was done well, with almost perfect timing. It's what's made me rate it a 7. Many may not like the show for what occurs, but I think it works well here because of the one episode format.

So, if you have half an hour spare and you don't know what to do with yourself, I think it'd be well worth your time to give Wasurenagumo a look. read more