"There is demand for all of you, big or small," said Hoho, the group's manager. Understand this as you want.
This review may contain light spoilers.
Story: 7/10. This group of failed "quasi-celebrities" experiences the idol industry in a light atmosphere and with constant jokes, but the story has certain passages that can be frightening from the perspective of the characters. I like how this anime manages to, at the same time, reliably portray certain industry rot and joke with them. Like when the manager tells the girls, in preparation for their first concert, that they should choose panties that may appear because they need to appear. After all, there is a demand for that. The concept of demand is a recurring theme in the anime and the manager of these girls is constantly trying to make them meet the most varied demands of the public: ranging from autographs and handshakes to taking pictures of the sleeping girls to sell as merch or make dakimakura of each of them - without them knowing it. The anime is full of jokes about the demands of the public, the manager, the agency and even the girls themselves, sometimes for each other. It is impossible to end an episode without having a good laugh.
Art: 9/10. I really like the artistic style of this anime. The colors are cheerful and lively, while the art in general is very beautiful, despite its simplicity. The polka dot patterns and stylization in the character design remind me of Shaft animes such as Hidamari Sketch and contribute to Ochikobore Fruit Tart having a visual that draws attention and does not let its lack of a large budget be noticeable in a negative way.
Sound: 10/10. For an anime about a segment of the music industry, Ochikobore Fruit Tart got it right by having MONACA production studio responsible for the music, which always makes wonderful music. They are the same ones that made the music for Anne Happy, Nyaruko-san, Working!!, Oregairu, YuYuYu and some animes from the Monogatari series, among many others. Both in the songs performed by the idols and in the soundtrack, the anime shines. Ochikobore Fruit Tart has one of my favorite OST of the year.
Characters: 7/10. They are nothing extraordinary but they play their roles in a very functional way, besides being all charismatic and fun. They are exactly what this type of anime needs, no more, no less. I like the individuality of each one and the interactions between them are always fun.
Enjoyment: 9/10. The anime is cute, beautiful, fun, very well directed by Kawaguchi Keiichirou who gives the rhythm and tone that the work needs, this was one of my best experiences of the season.
Overall: 8/10. I really enjoyed watching Ochikobore Fruit Tart until the end. The charisma of the characters, the music, the jokes and the comic timing of the anime completely won me over. For those who like CGDCT with a light dose of ecchi, good music and an idol industry approach that makes fun of the fact that girls must "sell themselves" in a variety of ways, Ochikobore Fruit Tart does not disappoint.
