Reviews

Jun 18, 2020
"What's your secret?"


For Kakushi Goto, everything changed the day Hime was born. Holding his newborn daughter in his arms, the doctor asks Goto, "Hey, aren't you that manga artist? I read Balls of Fury all the time!" To which a nurse responds, "Oh I know, it's that really dirty one!" ... From that moment on, Goto's life of secrecy began.

From the author of Sayonara Zetsubo Sensei and Joshiraku, Kouji Kumeta and Studio Ajia-do bring us Kakushigoto - the story of a gag mangaka who has vowed to keep his job a secret from his daughter.

Kakushigoto is a lot of things. It's a meta-commentary on the manga industry, it's a workplace comedy, it's a wholesome family slice-of-life, and it's a mystery/drama. Despite a loaded portfolio, Kakushigoto tells its story in a succinct 12 episodes. It's a character-driven narrative backed by excellent writing, stellar voice acting, and a simple, yet charming art design.

Kouji Kumeta's appealing pop-art manga style translates fluently into anime form, but it's his writing that carries Kakushigoto. Goto and Hime are an adorable main duo, their daddy-daughter interplay is rife with lessons about parenting, communication, and learning social cues. The supporting cast covers a range of personalities and perspectives, adding many layers to a seemingly simple plot.

And that's the thing that'll hook you to Kakushigoto. On the surface, it's just a light-hearted comedy, but beneath that is a mystery that grows more suspenseful with each passing episode. By the end, I was deeply invested in Goto-sensei and Hime's story, and episode 12 offers a satisfying conclusion to that season-long build-up.

Kouji Kumeta once again proves his chops as a master storyteller. Kakushigoto was an emotional rollercoaster and I couldn't be happier with its entire presentation. The secret's out - Kakushigoto is a must-watch for 2020!!
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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