Shounen Hollywood has been an absolute pleasure to watch thus far, and this episode solidified this sentiment. We've had insights into why everyone's in the idol business and what drives them to stick around, but an episode that details what actually got them started, as well as insights into the previous generation's success and departure, all leading up to the reformation of the group? This added another dimension to the show that I truly appreciate. This whole anime has been laid back and sentimental, but there has always been this underlying melancholic feeling that's never too prominent, at least until everyone's insecurities come afloat during key moments, such as the last few episodes of the first season.
I recently found out that this series was actually based on a novel that told the story of the previous generation, which I find really fascinating. I won't be checking it out, but since that story exists, it makes sense for the anime to be constantly referencing past events. There seems to be a good amount of material to work off of, but I appreciate the show for not revealing everything about the past, instead keeping a sense of mystery and mysticism about the previous generation.
We've had various members drop in on the current members to give words of wisdom, but I wasn't too interested in what they were saying. To be specific, I greatly enjoyed the aspect of older members giving the younger generation pointers in terms of both show business and life experiences, but what I truly enjoyed by their visits was seeing how they've matured since departing from Shounen Hollywood. They're no longer teen idols. They're in idol industry pushing newcomers to fulfill their potentials. They're taking up solo careers. They have families, their own non-idol aspirations, and passions that branched off from their original dreams. To put this into perspective, this is something I'd more so expect from Bartender than an idol anime. These are real, tangible stories presented in a down-to-earth fashion.
Still, as an anime-only viewer, all I know about the previous generation is that they were a tight-nit group with big dreams and a world of success before them. Now, the new generation of Shounen Hollywood has to somehow fill in those shoes in the face of a multitude of expectations: from the industry, from the past members, from their fans, and from themselves.
Despite being an idol anime, there's not much emphasis on actual performances. I'm not really big on all the bells and whistles associated with idol anime though. The flashing lights, choreographed dance routines, and inoffensive pop songs aren't really my thing. As such, the absence of actual idol activities and a super exaggerated aesthetic doesn't phase me. If anything, I'd say the presence of such distractions would undermine the personal stories being told here.
Looking at the score for the first season, I expected an anime I could disrespect and watch on the side while working on other stuff. I quickly found that this anime was using silence quite well, which I've always held as a sign of a good anime. Being loud, excited, dramatic and impactful seem to be the go-to tactics to garner attention, which I've been numbed to in recent times. I'm instead more attentive to shows that instead take slower approaches to their stories, if just for moments at a time. Shounen Hollywood gave me that and much more.
Looking at some of the reviews for the past season, I can see it was branded as boring, uneventful, and unimpressive. I actually enjoy boring, uneventful shows like this that are about daily life, as they highlight smaller nuances of characters rather than relying on gimmicks and sound bytes to flesh them out. These characters really feel like people I could meet on the street which, I'd say, is impressive in and of itself. There's really no dire need for arc-based stories, intense traumas, rivalries and overtly eccentric aesthetics. Simple stories like these can stand on their own merits, which is the inherent strength of slice of life. |