Reviews

Denki-gai no Honya-san is a funny, irreverent romp, steeped in otaku culture and self-aware to the very end. Still, even as it manages to sow the seeds of compelling characterization, it ultimately fails to follow through and become more than it is, what I feel it is meant to be. Beginning with the story, it is simple and episodic throughout, while managing to be consistently funny and in many cases heartwarming, even if it is far hornier than one would expect at first glance. It is simplest in the first half, but grows with the struggles faced by the employees of Umanohone, and builds up several storylines which seem at first to promise later payoff. Be it the various romances or career aspirations, I found myself invested by the end, only to have all the loose threads left blowing in the wind, and nothing to show for it. Indeed, for all the fanservice they managed to cram in 12 episodes, it would seem they're pretty damn nervous about a kiss or two! The art is the strong point of this anime, far exceeding all standards of quality one would expect from either the time period or genre. The color palette is vibrant and reflects the spirit of the show, the backgrounds are fully detailed and painstakingly worked, the character designs are pleasing to the eye and distinctive in a variety of ways, and the fluidity of the visual gags speak to the talent of the team behind it, as well as their cohesion with the writers which shows itself in its impeccable comedic timing. The sound is surprisingly good, with a fun, emotive soundtrack, engaging voice work, and sounds of life which make the world feel more grounded and believable. The characters of course provide major forward momentum for the show as a whole, and through rock solid line delivery coupled with a kinetic visual language, prove themselves as more than just vehicles for the story or comedic elements, but instead as surprisingly three dimensional characters which enthusiastically drive the show towards its conclusion. Many comedy anime feel as though they abandon their characters to the whims of the story or for the sake of comedy, but they avoid that pitfall here. From the large and engaging cast, I have to say the best characters are Sommelier and Sensei, though Kameko was the most personally engaging for her unique position among the cast and distinct characterization from the rest of the Umanohone girls. Overall, I feel it must be said that this anime is a 6 only because it straddles the line too much. If it remained a lighthearted comedy with no aspirations of character growth or romantic culmination, then it would be a 7, or if it managed to stick the landing and give the audience a satisfying ending, then it would also be a 7. Unfortunately it does neither, and is demoted to a 6. Still, if you enjoy shows dealing with the chaos of retail or otaku culture, then you'll find both here.