"My exit turned into an entrance!!!" -Ozu
So what even is Strange+?
Well, I'm glad you asked.
'Cause I haven't the slightest clue myself.
Seriously, Strange+ is, well, what it sounds like. Strange on a whole 'nother level. Supposedly it's supposed to be about detective work or something (well, according to MAL's description). Lemme say this, however - if Strange+ is about detective work, then my cat may as well be a walrus (...that was a dumb analogy. Whatever, you get the point.)
Story: 1/10 (Would be a zero, but I can't do that so meh.)
The thing I love about this series is that it's so stupidly incoherent to the point that the total lack of a story is completely irrelevant. This miniseries doesn't NEED a story. Then again, do miniseries ever actually need one? You can't exactly fit much into 3-minute episodes. That's why I have to give credit to this series for managing to make me laugh my ass off almost constantly (which, as my friends would know, isn't easy!). The level of stupidity of the plot - which is virtually nonexistant in the first place - just adds to the hilarity of it all.
Art: 8/10
Not much to say here. Pretty normal animation. I must say some of the facial expressions are pretty damn funny. And let's not forget Takuma farting into a vending machine...
Sound: 7/10
Again, nothing special. Voices are pretty good, soundtrack is fine, blah blah.
Character: 7/10
Episode-to-episode, our "fearless detectives" have to do odd jobs and meet the weirdest of people. And let's put a huge - and I mean HUGE - emphasis on WEIRD. Let's see here - we've got Takuma the "beauty boy", who looks like a girl, crossdresses...aaaand decides to strip at regular intervals. If that's not a recipe for disaster I don't know what is. Miwa seemingly cosplays as something different each episode, as far as I can tell. You've got the hardass Masamune, and then the totally clueless protagonist Kou. This character lineup - along with the equally peculiar background roles (RUSTY NAIL!) - just adds to the fun, as most of the characters seemingly don't have a speck of intelligence (or common sense to boot). The characters leave something to be desired, but then again, I guess their overall idiot-ness (that's a word now) really makes the series what it is. Besides, how much characterization can you really fit into 3 minutes?
Enjoyment: 10/10
STUPDILY HILARIOUS. The only phrase I think describes Strange+, in all honestly. There's no coherent plot and no coherent characters - and that's exactly why I enjoyed it so much. Honestly, I couldn't stop laughing for the most part.
Overall: 8/10
You want something serious and actiony? Don't watch Strange+.
You want a good laugh? Watch Strange+.
Simple as that! :)
