Midterm Review of Fall 2020 Anime by Anime Writers [Anime Column].

We are now in the middle of the anime season, which started in the fall of 2020. Here are five notable titles. Love Live! series new anime "Love Live! Nijigasaki Gakuen School Idol Club", "Maou Shoujo de Oyasumi" serialized in "Weekly Shonen Sunday", "Gymnastics Zamurai", a new series "Himitsu Kessha Taka no Tsume: Golden Spell" after 4 years, and a short anime "Kneeling on the Ground Asking for I asked him to get down on his knees.

Love Live! Nijigasaki Gakuen School Idol Club

Love Live! is a closed school. In the first work, Otonokizaka Gakuin was in danger of being closed from the very beginning, and in the second work, Uranohoshi Jogakuin was decided to be closed halfway through the story. However, although Nijigasaki Gakuen is not involved in the dramatic story related to the closure of the school, it has a greater presence than in the past. This is probably because we know very well that that building is not a school, but is actually used as an exhibition hall.
The artist depicts a place that is not a school in any way as a school. It is clear from the live performances of the school idols that this act is not a mere fraud, but is carried out with a certain conviction. The live part of the film contains elements of a music video (MV) that is independent of the main story, and the stage changes one after another while the songs are being sung. Ordinary staircases become stage sets, lush grasses and flowers grow from the hard floor, and even scorching magma rises up to inspire the audience. In other words, school idol songs have the power to change the world. The fact that the title bears the name of the school is nothing more than a high-minded declaration of the place the girls have changed.

Good Night at the Demon King's Castle

A fantasy comedy in which Princess Suyaris, imprisoned in the Demon King's castle, strolls around the castle to find a comfortable sleeping environment. Princess Suyaris is really cute as she DIYs a variety of sleep goods, starting with a fine pillow, a bed, a lamp, a mosquito net, a bath, and so on. She sleeps soundly, satisfied with her home-made goods, and even carefully depicts how her body rises and falls with deep breathing.
The monsters that are pushed around by the princess and sometimes become materials for the goods are also rich in variety. There is a Haritoge Madiro, which looks like a giant hedgehog and has a fluffy belly; Red Siberian Kai, which has fluffy chest hair; and Dobiakuma, a stuffed bear who looks like a caretaker. This work is sure to make you want to buy new bedding and press pressure points for a good night's sleep.

Gymnastics Zamurai

This original title by anime production company MAPPA is set in the world of Japanese gymnastics. The story of medalist Jotaro Aragaki, once nicknamed "Samurai," who tries to make a comeback is reminiscent of the company's "Yuri! on ICE," but the story takes place a generation earlier, in 2002. The theme song "Shanghai Honey" sung by the cast, Tama-chan of Tamagawa, Ganguro Gyaru, ring tones, color gangs, Beckham hair, and every other boom of the early 00s are incorporated in the story to provide a refreshing break from the more serious plot than necessary.
Perhaps because Rei, the daughter of a fourth grader, and Leonardo, a ninja enthusiast who lives in the house, are movie buffs, Western music used in Hollywood movies is also used as an insert song. Since it can only be heard in the on-air version, we look forward to Saturday's late-night broadcast.

Secret Society Eagle Talon: Golden Spell

The "Talon of the Hawk" series, which has been running since 2006, returns to late-night animation after an 11-year absence. The story is a series of episodes rather than a complete one, and depicts a conspiracy surrounding the "Golden Spell," a spell that allows the user to manipulate others with just a few words. What is most noteworthy is the representation of the Corona Disaster. The leader of the group is fired from his part-time job, the group takes over the world while maintaining social distance, and the secret society of evil is subjected to occupational discrimination in that it is not eligible for sustaining benefits. ...... The light footwork of this work, which was born as a FLASH animation, is used to maximum effect. The on-air version was produced by Nissin Foods, Inc.
The on-air version also features a commercial in collaboration with Nissin Foods. Each commercial advertises a different product, and the work also has an aspect of a food terror anime. It is also uploaded to the official YouTube channel as a reflection animation, so don't forget to watch it as well.

I asked him to get down on his knees.

Two major Japanese cultures, anime and dojiza (getting down on one's knees), have finally collaborated. In this short anime, the main character, Dogesuwaru, cries to a girl and asks her to fulfill his impure request. The film adopts a first-person perspective, with only the target girl in the frame, not the main character. However, the protagonist is not the silent one that is often seen in such layouts, but rather, he worships the girls to the point of annoyance with his machine gun talk.
Tomokazu Sugita is in charge of the cast. The desperate pleas of the girls to show their bare skin are so convincing that one wonders if their lives would have been different if they had this kind of pushy attitude. The beauty of the way she leaves the scene as soon as she has achieved her goal is also something you will want to emulate.

(Text by Katsunori Takahashi)

(C) Project Love Live! Nijigasaki Gakuen School Idol Club
(c) Kumanomata Kagitsugu, Shogakukan / Demon King's Castle Sleep Promotion Committee
(c) "Gymnastics Zamurai" Production Committee
(c) DLE
(C) Funatsu Tsuzuki / DMM pictures