Unlike his previous works, Kakushigoto contains quite possibly the most positive (or least negative) self-depiction of Kumeta himself. No longer is he some loser whose eternally bitter about his assistant's successes or other works outselling him, Kakushigoto is instead a more wholesome or less cynical take on the manga industry through the eyes of a doting father. While this less cynical (I use the term because in no way is this work entirely wholesome or positive) work is somewhat refreshing, the fact of the matter is that it ultimately leads to an at best above average slice of life comedy that is somewhat forgettable by its conclusion.
A central motive to the show is nostalgia. Present day scenes are beautifully animated with a different style to the past scenes, and, the ED especially nails the tone to a T. I've also felt some nostalgia watching this throughout the past 3 months or so since I was constantly reminded of Shaft's SZS, that elusive golden past that is long gone, one way or another. The majority of the show with its slice-of-life comedy is not enough of a hook to draw me in unfortunately. There are some nice moments here and there , some good jokes or observations occasionally, but without the usual cynical or pessimistic worldview or even satire. It's just so normal. The only thing I could recall with any bit of clarity is that one bit in Episode 11 where it just turned to SZS for about 10 minutes. It's hilarious yet so out of place at the same time.
The fact that I've struggled to write out any more of this review without referencing SZS in any fashion speaks volumes, even the show itself can't escape being in the shadow of SZS given how many references both direct and indirect it has to it. Kakushigoto is just okay, even above average in a few instances, but I've come to expect so much more given the author's previous works and style. And no, even if you have gotten Golden Age Era Shaft to animate this, it wouldn't have been any better.
5/10
