Cool Doji Danshi

This short half-length episode series is the epitome of: "Week XX of saying I hate how damn relatable this anime is." Because it's really a lot of fun, and a hell lot better than we've ever bargained for.

We have the CGDCT genre: Cute Girls Doing Cute Things. But have you ever stopped to think of what's on the opposite side of the spectrum, with guys? And boy, do I have the answer for you, it's (also) CGDCT: Cool Guys Doing Clumsy Things! And no, it's not BL.

Female mangaka Kokone Nata's comedic slice-of-life, web manga-coloured series Cool Doji Danshi a.k.a Play It Cool, Guys, is the ... half-episode length short that never in my life, have I needed such mesmerizing 11-minute moments ogling at cute, cool, yet clumsy guys just doing their own thing, much more so other than their likability that touches and throbs the hearts of not just the original demographic of the Josei audience from the manga, but also anime-onlies too. And within the space of its adapted 24 episodes covering all of the 4 volumes and 24 chapters released (with the 5th just released at the time of the anime's premiere), don't expect a Season 2 for this to come anytime soon, but think of this show has like the near-perfect open-and-shut case manga adaptation that'll satsify not just the manga readers, but anime-oniies as well.

These are the case files for the 5 guys:
- Hayate Ichikura, the Blue normal bear type who reflect on the past in embarrassment. The 20-year-old university student majoring in economics. He loves animals and enjoys reading.
- Shun Futami, the Yellow spiked hair bear stoic type that pretends to be tough. The 17-year-old high school student who is athletic. He enjoys playing sports and is supported by his older sister Asami by her own café.
- Takayuki Mima, the Pink glasses bear type that is unaware and affected by their clumsiness. The 27-year-old salaryman who is seen as a mascot by his co-workers. He is childhood friends with Motoharu Igarashi.
- Souma Shiki, the turquoise cap-laden bear type that is accepting and positive. The 19-year-old vocational student studying at a vocational design school.
- Last but not least, Igarashi Motoharu, the grey one-sided eye-covering hair bear type that is the genius and self-sufficient type. The 27-year-old author and a friend of Mima's from elementary school.

The 5 guys here are VERY likable, VERY relatable, and above all, shows in who they are as young men: COOL. Read any description/synopses and you can see the similarity that it's all but in good heart, because: They may even exist around you -- Guys who are cool, handsome, but a little...clumsy. This is a story about their lives and how they will always look cool, no matter how clumsy they are. And that is a recipe for success in my book, that makes for an entertaining watch from start to finish in record time that will not cost you a lot of time: a little total of just under 4 hours (give or take if you add in the OP/ED theme songs).

Studio Pierrot, par for the course of shows under their belt, and I can tell you that this show doesn't show an inch of the credibility of the studio's low-budget production. In fact, I would say that the show has been produced very nicely, even with little animation that's subtle with the cool guys' clumsy action, that is nothing but a delight to watch, while following the manga in a relative 1-to-1 perfect replication of the pacing and art style. Good job to the Clown.

The OST is very much desired for the show, it seems like it's tailored fit just for this purpose, and I can say that what came out of it, is very good. Starting with Mafumafu's "Seishun Kippu" (lit. Youth Ticket) for the 1st Cour's OP, I knew that it would not just be an song that fits the show to a T, but an outstanding and highly engaging song that's worth many listens on repeat outside of the show, especially if you can get around to watching the MV for the song (which is available in YouTube), which is symbolic and emotionally heavy. I simply LOVE Mafumafu's song to bits, but when it came time for the seasonal refresh to the 2nd Cour, Syudou's "Warau na!" (lit. "Don't Laugh!")...was kinda of a disappointment to be honest. It still retains the excitement factor, but something about the song just doesn't gel quite as nice and in tune with the show's thematics, which is a shame. For both EDs, the cool guys (minus Igarashi's VA) under the PICG unit helm the songs, and I really like the contrast between both "Flash!" and "Taisetsu" (lit. "Precious") for both cours, the 1st being in the same cool fashion as the show, and the 2nd being a more cohesive approach to friendship and bonds, not to mention both songs being just as fantastic in their own right.

Really, if there is an underrated short of the modern day that wholly BEGS for people to watch, it's this show. Seriously, this show is diabetes to the heart, that earns smiles and chuckles onto the face, which gives it so much appeal that whether male or female, anyone could pick this up and have a good time. I know I have, and that's why I promote this with my entire being that while the manga is good, the anime is even better.

I'm really going to miss this half-episode short with all my heart, gaining nothing but happy pleasures with hilarity for the past 6 months, that's for sure.

This is an extremely light hearted anime focuses on four clumsy guys and their everyday lives. It is also short and easy to get into (especially since the episodes are also so short, so its easy to binge as well). As someone who has read the manga, its safe to say that the anime closely follows it in its pacing and art style. The anime does a good job with the voice acting and providing distinction between the characters that was a bit harder for me to tell apart when reading the manga. So far, the series has been good!

Would recommend this if you ... need something easy to get into and binge!

I was surprised by how much i enjoyed this show. This show is just a bunch of likable characters doing clumsy things that's all. But I'm really enjoying this show because the humour in this show is really good and the things they do are super relatable. This is just one of those sit back and have fun shows. The animation is really pretty and fluid obviously Studio Pierrot, Voice acting was really great and op and ed were great as well. Overall this is a pretty chill show. If you like those kind of shows then this is highly recommend .

Play It Cool, Guys is a true comfort show to me. Like a warm and cozy blanket, I feel at home.

Iyashikei anime, also known as shows that focus on healing the audience, are amongst some of my favorites. Play It Cool, Guys goes a step further by introducing us to a bunch of cute guys of varying ages that are just super clumsy in their own way. And let me tell you that every one of their interactions with each other is truly entertaining to watch. In fact, I don’t have a favorite amongst the boys because they’re all so special in their own way. ... This may sound like a reach but in a way, this is similar to the found family trope to me. The guys in this show feel supported and happy while they're together. They motivate each other, do fun stuff together and have good conversations. Even when another character is added later on, they are always so friendly. It feels like they've known each other for years, their bond is beautiful to watch. They're truly themselves while together. The show also excels at both the funny moments and the more serious moments. It discuses expectations for the future, living in the moment and what a certain friendship means to you.

There’s definitely more to this show than the amazing characters. The studio behind it also invested much time and effort into bringing these characters to life and provide the show with a warm and sincere atmosphere. I'm honestly really surprised as I was not sure if they were going to nail it, but they sure did! The color palette is comforting, and the soundtrack is tranquil. Both OPs and EDs are amazing and tell a story in their own way. Furthermore, the animation is smooth, and the comedic timing is well done. All in all, a feast for the eyes!

The episodes are quite short, you’ll feel sad once they are over. Though, I would say that there’s still a cohesive plot going on and different episodes are interconnected. I was truly NEVER bored.
To be honest, I’m sad while writing this. Having been watching this show since October 2022 and it suddenly being over is making me feel melancholic. That’s how much I loved Play It Cool, Guys. I think this show will entertain many different people so if you’re in need of something comforting and relaxing please give it a try. As for me, I'm going to miss my boys tremendously. I’m going to be reading the manga to fill the void!

Cool Doji Danshi is basically Derp: The Anime. It’s a fun, easy watch, with each episode being around 10 minutes. The anime is about four good-looking guys who are clumsy or socially awkward; a fifth guy later joins the group.

With the originality of a creator capturing derpiness and turning it into wholesome slice-of-life, the guys are literally named One (Hayate Ichikura), Two (Shun Futami), Three (Takayuki Mima), Four (Souma Shiki), and Five (Motoharu Igarashi). They each have their unique quirks, which I love—they aren’t just carbon copy characters, but each has his own charm. Whether it’s the shy fanboy or the play-it-cool kid, you’ll be ... able to relate to at least one of them, and you’ll definitely root for all or most of them.

The character interactions are also fantastic. Even in the first four episodes, which focus on each of the original four main characters, there’s still a sense of connection—it’s the idea that derp connects people, which is always fun. Then the characters begin to have proper interactions. Some of them are cute and shippable, if you’re into that. What I especially like about these interactions is that they feel genuine and are so wholesome, that whether or not you ship them, they’re fun to watch.

The art style is simple and light. At times, it’s like watching an animated manga, which fits the genre. And the visual effects make everything look so fluffy!

The soundtrack also helps set the fun, cheerful tone, and both OPs are wonderful. Bonus points for Mafumafu being featured on the first OP!

I recommend Cool Doji Danshi if you’re in the mood for slice-of-life, want fun and short episodes, and don’t mind a bit of second-hand embarrassment for very relatable/derp moments. ^^

I actually read the colored web manga before and I was shocked when the trailer of anime came out. I thought to myself that the animation might be mediocre like a powerpoint but when I tried watching it, it actually exceeded my expectation!

The animation and the colors of this anime is so good that it makes me want to draw. As for the story, it's so cute and it makes you fall in love in the characters' personalities. Others may find it boring to watch an anime about slice-of-life but for me it is cute how it shows their daily lives and how each ... boys cope up with their clumsiness.

The comedy here is also good, it made me laugh about how cute they make a mistake lmao.

This anime should 100% not be taken too seriously, it's light-hearted and doesn't deal with anything serious, which is a positive!

I had read a few chapters of the manga a while back after being recommended it, but I certainly didn't think it would be getting an anime! A friend of mine told me that they were watching it and enjoyed it, but I wanted to wait until all episodes came out before binging it. (I failed to wait.)

The visuals are pretty good! No goofy frames, the art seems to match the manga really well, the colours are nice and pretty and most of all, the ... anime boys are super cute. It's pretty great, if you like anime with ikemen then this should be right up your alley, the plot is LITERALLY cute boys doing goofy things, it's amazing.

While watching Cool Doji Danshi, your mind is generally empty the whole time, no need to think, talk, breathe, get confused or think about funky lore, it's great. I really enjoy anime where I get to think about nothing the whole time so I really enjoyed the episodes that are out at the moment. If you want to watch something funny and get some giggles out of it without using too much brain power, then this should be perfect.

Some may think that the whole plot of this is stupid or dumb, but that really isn't the point and as I said before you should not take it too seriously since it really is just a light comedy with pretty boys in it, there really isn't anything to get mad over as long as you're not looking at it from such a harsh perspective. It's a cute anime, and personally I don't find anything to dislike about it.

The dumb little situations the boys find themselves in make me cringe, but it's the entertaining type of cringe so I don't really mind.

It's good!

I didn't expect to like it this much, but I do, and so will you. If this is what you like:

Light hearted shows.

A cast of reasonably adorable looking characters.

You're clumsy and it bothers you.

It's feels good all throughout, and very heartwarming.

... Cute OP and ED theme

Adorable animation (clearly running out of adjectives to describe the show)

Has a decent level of introspection I wouldn't have expected from shows following this format, you know, all male cast, shorter episodes, simpler premises, it basically lists the different ways in which people deal with their clumsiness, and I can't describe how much I relate, and it put me at ease in a way, I recommend the show fully, again, for the reasons listed above.

We all know that someone: the cool and mysterious type who manages to make everything look casual and effortless, but who knows what goes on through their head in acting that way? "Cool Doji Doshi" examines those very personalities with no room left in between using four, and eventually five, personable characters. Although they are all equally clumsy, each showcases their own charms and unique ways of dealing with their deficiencies to a hilariously relatable effect. Aside from the premise behind each character's personality, this half-long episode series weaves an intricate tale of how the bubble these characters occupy intersects with one another. bringing these ... like-minded people together. What's special about "Cool Doji Doshi" is the seamless transition from the series' plainly episodic trajectory to one that tells a story of men in different places in their lives who find a thing or two to learn from one another. At times near the end of the 24-episode run, audiences almost forget what it is they originally came for in favor of something greater because the series has done so well to emphasize story building and key moments of character growth rather than, without progress, continuously latch onto its original premise of cool yet somewhat graceless men. Characters without much substance can only go so far, and it's a delight to see genuine articles of continuity throughout that reward the viewer for legitimizing the bond between these characters. "Cool Doji Doshi" tells us that no matter how outwardly cool and confident one appears, it's the small and stupid everyday mistakes that shape who we are.

Are you cool? Are you good-looking? Are you clumsy? And most importantly, are you a boy? If you answered to any of those with yes (or no doesn't really matter) then this is the anime for you.

It has been a while since I recommended a simple relaxing and heart warming slice of life anime. I think the last one was the Yuru Camp Movie and that was for obvious reasons but other than that, there have been less and less relaxing anime which is sad considering it is my favorite genre. So with this one, an anime about just clumsy good looking guys trying ... their best and their every day life, felt like it was a perfect match for me. A show where I can relax once again and forget about anything for the brief 10-12 minutes every week.

While the anime's premise is simple, it had some very surprising moments. A good cast with some mature guys and some younger ones, all having to face troubles in their lives. Confidence, issues at work and simple overthinking. Each one was presented in a comedic way yet they all had mature moments that made me surprised. It really has an amazing yet normal cast and plot that it feels like you are watching your friends on anime form. Truly remarkable.

The art, osts, animation, characters and voice acting were all amazing. The directing also made this show feel so wholesome and relaxing I really felt like I wanted to recommend it. The comedy was also well-presented that I literally laughed at times specially when one of the guys was so worried about something he sent only to find that he sent the wrong thing after spending 2 episodes on it :D

For the religious section/Parental advisory section, please skip the later sections of episode 23 as it had some nudity (swimsuits) in it.
It's very clean apart from that.

Overall, I would give it an 8/10. I really liked it and looking forward to seeing (hopefully) more of it and more like it in the future.
Would recommend it.

I gave up on writing reviews a long time ago, but after watching this show, I really wanted to write another one. At first, I thought this anime was going to a little boring, a little slow paced... but it turned out to be amazing. It's your typical slice of life with no deep plot, just a few guys living their lives.
After introducing themselves one by one, they slowly start getting to know each other, becoming friends and then even better friends. The anime with four guys living their individual lives suddenly turns into one of the most wholesome friendship stories I've ever seen. ... Then there comes a fifth guy and things get even more wholesome. There was just something so comforting in watching them live their lives, mess up every day, spend time together and follow their dreams... the silly mistakes they were making were really funny, I laughed many times. Not only they were relatable (and I felt understood, kind of), I also fell in love with the characters and seeing them be flawed like normal humans was amazing.
I've seen some people say the art wasn't the best, and I agree, but do we need more? This isn't any deep anime with fight scenes where art matters to immerse you in the story. The simple and cute animation this show has just supports the comforting and peaceful atmosphere, so in my opinion, it was enough.
Another things I want to mention is the age difference between the characters. I absolutely loved it. The interactions, conversations and whole relationships were really diverse and refreshing. This anime didn't pull the popular "school is everything" trope, where the characters are unable to leave the school grounds and there's nothing more to it. The characetrs were flawed, they had distinct personalities, which made them interesting and I felt like they were real people.
Of course this anime is not for everyone. I understand that a lot of people found it boring. But if you're looking for a calm safe space where you can laugh, fall in friendly love and lower your stress levels, I definitely recommend Cool doji danshi. It's nice to take breaks from the intense plot heavy series, and this anime is perfect for that break, thanks to being filled with such a sweet atmosphere. I'm even planning to buy the mangas to relive all the moments again. Definitely worth it.

NOW THIS, this is straight up my alley. An anime about guys fumbling about clumsily but recovering themselves with their coolness? Kakkoi ne? Waving at someone and turns out they were waving to someone behind you and you just play it off, NOW WHO HASN'T BEEN IN THAT SITUATION AND DON'T LIE TO ME, HOW MANY OF YOU SHRUNK BACK IN EMBARRASSMENT AND WANTED TO CRAWL UNDER THE TABLE AND STRANGLE YOURSELVES HMM?
Well, hahaha. This anime is all that but instead of hiding their face into their arms they come up with a great way to pretend they were doing something else ("I was ... just stretching my hand") and play it off to preserve their reputation (or so they think they succeeded) despite having been embarrassed. And it comes in delectable lengths of 11 minutes per episode?
SIGN ME UP.
We are introduced to our cast of characters, normal decent members of society, going about their daily lives, all with their relatable human quirks and worries.
What I really liked about the anime was how they all met each other and became connected throughout the episodes (I love progress) , with the cafe serving as their main hub. I love the dialogue as well as it isn't anime-esque at all, you get the feel that actual humans are talking.
Its a really neat slice of life which will brighten up anyone's day and has a nice pace and amazing opening and ending songs ( Man I was surprised to hear Mafumafu XD)
Though it does start getting a bit reptitive, I like seeing each of them grow and appreciate their quirks and learn to accept themselves as they are.
Though this anime isn't finished I like the way its going and would certainly like another season!
Its a really wholesome anime perfect for taking a break from any brain destroying, stress inducing, rage busting anime.
I'd recommend it for anyone wanting to take it slow!

If you like hot, cool, cute, clumsy, studious, hardworking, strict, and all of the above guys combined into one anime, lets be friends. This is so wholesome and cute because there isn’t someone they’re all flirting with and fighting each other for. It just shows how everyone has their imperfections, even popular and hot guys that you would see around school. We’ve seen enough behind the scenes of girls, and its time for guys to relate to these things too. Forgetting your keys or leaving the milk out is something that we all do, and I’m glad it was addressed in such a wholesome and ... polite way.

This anime is simply delightful. The episodes are light and short (unfortunately too short ╥⁠﹏⁠╥⁠), but it's impressive how there is so much character development in such a short time without it feeling rushed. The story has a beginning, middle and end, that is, it is a closed story despite occurring in an ''episodic'' manner, with specific events in the characters' daily lives. Furthermore, it is very easy to identify with the characters. I saw myself reflected in several scenes (I am Hayate and Hayate is me haha). Anyway, it's a quick anime that can even be watched in 1 day, ... but it's very worth it.

This show is a hidden gem! First off, the premise follows a group of guys who do clumsy/embarrassing things, but try to play it off in a cool way. Despite the story itself feeling very basic, it's really wholesome and light-hearted! As someone who finished hxh, this was an amazing comfort anime to help soothe my emotions. The cute animation coupled with the simple storytelling made it such a joy to watch!

My only con of the show is it's just too short :(

Wish there was more to it because I love the dynamic between each of the characters and how they compliment each other. ... Also, the hidden life messages/quotes throughout the story help relate the characters more to ourselves and that's something I truly appreciate from the show.

So overall, if you're looking for a funny, short, and extremely light-hearted anime you should give Play it cool, guys a chance!!

I've been indulging myself with this series in between several psychological series that are currently on my watchlist.

The art style for this series befits the flow of the story and the pastel colour palette is just so appealing to a SPY X Family fan such as myself.

Even though the main characters are all cool-looking yet having awkward personalities, they all have unique sides to themselves too hence every of their stories are interesting to watch especially if you're putting yourselves among the people surrounding these characters.

I honestly think that people with busy schedules and in need of a short yet enjoyable break ... like during lunch hour would enjoy this as every episode gives me such a positive vibe and I'm looking forward to watching the rest of it.

I like this anime. first, it's full of ikemen second the story.
it reminds me of Kimi to Boku somehow it has the same vibe. it's a slice of life and fluffy with some comedy.

I think it's good to watch it once but I don't think I'm going to rewatch it.



Is the story unique? If it was predictable, did you enjoy it anyway because you like this genre/set-up? yes
Do you think the art style is fitting for the story? yes
Were the characters well-rounded? Did they have flaws and strengths, or were they unusually strong/smart/stupid? ... stupid but cute
Did the characters react to situations and events in a realistic way? yes
Do you think others will enjoy/dislike this series, even if you didn't? Why? yes

I really liked this one, one of the best anime this season its very heart warming type of anime i guess its very interesting to see there daily life and mistakes sometimes i can also see myself in them😅😅 but this was a refreshing anime for sure and i fully recommend it
Storyline was good animation was also well done short anime really does come a super pack songs are catchy the character design was great and the unexpected additional character was a good touch to the story really enjoyed this one through the ups and downs of anime this season.
But only a little complaint ... from side i wanted it to be a bit lengthy it was that attractive to watch

If you like himbos and wholesome bromances then this is the show for you. This lighthearted slice of life show follows a bunch of dudes who all deal with their awkwardness in different ways, either laughing things off, trying not to acknowledge it, etc. We're introduced to them individually, and slowly but surely really cute relationships begin to form between them as they start to notice each other at the same places. The show is incredibly lighthearted but at the samw time it's a really well-thought out exploration of the different ways people deal with embarrasment, and how sometimes we think inside out heads that ... everyone around us thinks we're ridiculous, when that couldn't be further from the truth! The artstyle and soundtrack are increadibly pleasing as well. Definitely give this show an opportunity! You'll immediately fall in love with these dummies.

This is a fun and chill anime to watch, i’m clumsy af myself so this hits a bit too close to home. Had a lot of good laughs at how accurate and relatable how much of an airhead the characters can be. Animation is nice, OSTs are catchy enough for me as well. Kinda reminds me of Danshi Koukusei but less of the playful silliness. This is like the mature version haha. I also like how the ages of the main charas are very diverse, we have a highschooler, 2 college students, and a late twenties working adult.
Anyway this is highly enjoyable and very ... chill. It’s 11mins per ep only so give it a try :)