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Bonnouji concerns two youngs adults, Oyamada and Ozawa, and their growing relationship. The two hang out in Oyamada's apartment which is filled with miscellaneous objects Oyamada's brother has purchased and sent to him. This eccentric collections serves as the spark in the series, along with Oyamada's friend, Shimamoto.

Honestly, I'm partially enamored with this series due to similarities to one of my past relationships. I think it speaks to the author's strong characterization that little details of the interactions between Oyamada and Ozawa can hit so close to home. The author paces out each scene in time, so it's not apparent how long between each story ... takes place until a character points out something like, "Oh, we've known each other for half a year now," or something like that. It gives the idea that we're just getting a peek into the lives of our characters.

As simple and sweet the series seems, there is a certain sadness to Ozawa's narration. We often see her challenging her own perceptions, fighting that struggle between happiness and despair that can come with relationships. She's fighting back certain fears about the inevitability of the end. It elevates her from a good character to a great character.

I don't think the art necessarily matches the level of the story-telling, but the details the author gives to the apartment and its various items of interest do give the sense of a place filled with oddities and charm. It can be a little sloppy, but it gives the story a solid sense of place. I don't really like the author's visual shorthand for who's talking when the character aren't in frame by having their facial features underneath the dialogue. The definitely start off more detailed and easily recognizable, but by the end I was straining to make out who the face was supposed to portray.

Bonnouji is definitely something to check out if you like relationship stories with a limited cast and strong characters, especially if you've struggled with ideas of what happiness is supposed to entail.

Space Dandy is a dandy, in space. Beyond that, it's a chance for Watanabe and his crew to tell inventive science fiction tales with a strong cast. The animation is wonderful and varies depending on the episode director's personal style. Colorful and unique in so many ways, including some great, far out alien designs. The only two episodes that didn't completely wow me was the first episode, which is unfortunate, and the race episode, which recalls Redline too much without being as interesting. Neither episode is bad, however, so at its worst, it's still an enjoyable show.