Osomatsu-kun (1988)

As popular as Osomatsu-san is, it's really disappointing how under-looked Osomatsu-kun is. I genuinely love this show so much. Episodic comedies aren't for everyone, but for anyone who does, this is the perfect show. I love that the setup for an episode can literally be anything where characters are all in different positions in every episode. It leads to infinite possibilities and a bunch of fun scenarios that a more grounded show could never get away with. It's really impressive to me that there is a large cast of characters that all manage to fit into each episode without being forced or underutilized. Few shows ... can really make me cackle, but this show does it for me, I love goofy faces and slapstick. The art style is also really silly, and I love that they never hold back.

All the characters are awful personality-wise; they're all mean and selfish, BUT I love that about them. I'm happy the show isn't afraid to just have a bunch of losers beating each other up. (I mean, except for Hatabou, he is a god amongst man and I will always cherish his pure heart). But because of their characters, when they do show heart and have a real sincere moment, you feel it even more. When the love for characters is tested or in dire situations, these characters do care for each other. It's great to me that a series full of comedy can handle the genuine moments so well.
Admittedly, there are definitely some mid episodes, but all the ones that handle the character relationships are written so well I'd swear they spend more time on those because they always give me the feels.

But that's where my 9 comes in instead of a 10/10. Inevitably, a series that runs for 86 episodes is going to have some stinkers. I can't really think of any episode I outwardly hated, but there are just some where you can tell they were really reaching for a story that almost veers in "lol random" territory. Sometimes, they don't really have a direction, and it's just a series of random jokes.
That, and just Totoko as a character. I think Totoko herself is really funny, but I hate her constant weird sexualization. None of the characters' ages are given, and they constantly change for plot convenience, but there are definitely times when older characters are attracted to her and also do quite a few panty shots. It also just feels weird that they age her up at all, and the second she's considered an adult, they take full advantage to sexualize her. It's a shame, outside of some mid comedy at times, this is my main big hold-up. And I wish they weren't so unrelenting about this. I'd really like to enjoy Totoko more if they just decided to do anything else with her.

Anyway with that little bit out of the way, I still think this show deserves the watch, it's unique, it's fun, and has some of the funniest characters ever!

Things that are good about Osomatsu kun
This anime is overall pretty good, but has its bad episodes and stuff that is just straight up boring. For the positive stuff though, It doesn’t have much of a plot, and has a lot of episodes relating to alternative universes and stories adapted from the manga. Osomatsu kun most of the time, even in those AUs, is like a long stretched out fever dream with some possible slapstick, not taking itself seriously most of the time. Osomatsu kun also has memorable characters and gags, that will get reminded to the viewer multiple times. Even with all the goofiness, ... it can still take itself seriously, like in the episode where chibita becomes a father and takes care of an abandoned baby. It was surprisingly serious unlike most of the other osomatsu kun episodes, but even some of the osomatsu kun episodes can have serious and heart warming things between characters in episodes. Even some of the characters who are supposed to be bad people can turn around sometimes and be a good person. It just depends on the story, which gives the show a lot of variety.

Things that are bad about Osomatsu kun
Other than all the positive things the first paragraph mentioned I,will admit the problems of osomatsu kun as well. First, extremely repetitive background music, like they only play about 3 different background music, and do not have much music verity. Second, unfunny gags and horrible episodes. Some of the worst episodes of osomatsu kun have to be episode 28,episode 85, and episode 72. Thoes episodes are incredibley boring and unfunny, and episode 85 is just a filler episode for the much better last episode, with mostly just playing past clips and a few new animation cells. Lastly, iyatoto, an adult and a child. Now that’s just gross.
That’s about all I have to say about Osomatsu kun, go check it out.