This Week in Anime

K-Drama Llama

Coop
That's true, Sylvia... But there's one thing I'm sure of: You took so many screenshots of a certain terminally ill girl who likes Radiohead.

Oh, we'll just throw you in a nondescript dump filled with toxic chemicals and gender fluid. You'll be right as rain almost instantly!

Or sprout some scales...

I'll admit, it was the hit of "Creep" that prompted me to toss this one on our viewing list for the evening. Well, and that Chae-ni's a character whose outlook on the world made me go: "Oh, yep... They've got Sylvia already, and she hasn't even seen it yet." The Wonderfools kicks off with Chae-ni crashing out after being told that her once-treatable congenital heart disease has become terminal. Honestly, I was heartened (pun not intended) to see our heroine lose it in public, because if I were in her shoes, I'd have a hard time holding myself back.

Oh, and there's a cult of those super people too!

Who also happen to be the same folks raving about the oncoming apocalypse. Despite all the strings being pepe silvia'd up on the cork board here, Wonderfools' premiere does a pretty good job of weaving said strings together. Particularly with introductions of those aforementioned knuckleheads and the hunky public servant who's just rolled into town.

There's also the implication he might be a "Clark Kent" of sorts.

As I said, they got you.

Also, I don't know if this is an intentional link, but a stray clipping from Clark Kent's conspiracy book seems to imply The Wonderfools might be connected to the Sweet Home TV series? Which, of course, everyone knows of due to the original film's foundational ties to the Resident Evil series. However, I could be very wrong.

But also yes, Chae-ni.

What about a romantic dramedy that would make the tokusatsu sickos go off in the comments if I didn't mention that Sōta Fukushi, Kamen Rider Fourze himself, is in it?

Bugmen aside, I quite enjoyed this premiere.

I was surprised just how much of the episode takes place in Japan despite the historically rocky relations between the nation and their Korean neighbors to the northwest.

Mu-hee's also a girl who thought she'd order a bowl of ramen by shoving her phone into a waitress's face.

I've heard from friends who've recently lived in or visited Japan that tourists throwing translation apps at people has become a common sight. And that it's greatly unappreciated too. It's kind of no wonder that Ho-jin was avoiding her at first.

Homie, Ho-jin proves in this moment that he's not only considerate, but he's one hell of a smooth operator.

And hey, Mu-hee got the final word in too.

On the topic of understanding language's many nuances, I appreciated how the episode's early goings highlighted rapport between interpreters and their clients. In this case, Ho-jin and the author he's been touring Japan with. Having interviewed a handful of folks with the assistance of a translator, I've often felt any lingering nervous tension melt away when the interviewee happens to be tight with the translator.

Kind of like that one flick with Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn, right?

If that's the case, what if Overboard was a crime drama too?

Overboard with an underworld edge is a short, sweet, and surprisingly accurate way of describing Our Sticky Love. However, I couldn't help but cackle when this little detail is tossed into the ruse.

To Our Sticky Love's credit, the framing of this first half does quite a bit to disarm the viewer before the twist is fully revealed. Be it the mile-a-minute jokes, the ludicrous sitcom moments, or that MIDI cover of Celine Dion's "The Power of Love."

I'll admit, this was another one where I was going "Oh, Sylvia's going to be saying 'mood' at every single one of these lines as she gets screenshots."

Taking notes!

Girl had the fit game on lock before the last thirty seconds of The Sopranos happened to her.

I've only seen a handful of K-dramas, but I've had the same setting impressions as well. So between this and The Wonderfools, it's been nice to see some small townery going on. Oddly, I found myself thinking of Blue Velvet a time or two because that's just how my brain works.

Damn, it's been a bit since I've seen a character turn directly to the camera and hit me with one of these.

That moment when I get quoted on the Wikipedia page for isekai again because I referred to this show as a "Turkey!-like"

Deeply niche in-jokes aside, I love how our time-displaced Iron Chef winner is so confident that the titular royal is just a cosplayer. Well, that is until she actually runs into another person.

No seriously, she's an Iron/Master/[insert competitive cooking show on Food Network that ends in]Chef champion. In fact, Ji-young was supposed to be starting a job at a three-star Michelin joint before getting Cursed Ancient Tome-kun'd.

I appreciated the occasional lower-third with relevant information on-hand, but boy do I wish it was consistently subtitled. I'd like a little extra context for the details or history that's being expanded upon.

However, I admit it's probably asking for a little too much given how Netflix implements its subtitles. Anime subtitles have spoiled us.

The bibimap she makes ends up hitting him so hard, he has a Ratatouille.

Also, the classic "person with a baby mouth discovers how good spice can be" reaction.

Don't you just love it when aggrieved spirits materialize in your workplace?

While we're at it, let's pour one out for the job hunters who've been dealing with constant rejections and all the AI nonsense tied into it.

Ghosts who are suffering from that despair just as much as the people still living it.

After saying "screw it, I'll do it myself" and opening up his own practice, I-rang finds himself representing the widow of a man who died due to medical malpractice. And thanks to the shamanic shenanigans going on in his office, I-rang can see the man too.

But with emotions running so high, the man ends up possessing I-rang a few times and lets the world have a piece of his mind... Which isn't great when you're trying to avoid being held in contempt.

However, you can't help but feel for the guy because the doctor who killed him lies through his teeth on the stand. Our dearly departed friend can't get a word in at all. Well, unless he starts possessing people.

Well, we do have another "So, you're wondering how I got myself into this" to follow up on, so...

Provocative, indeed.

The idea of "mercenary teacher who shows up at schools to beat up the bullies" is admittedly cathartic for those of us who've been bullied (myself included). However, I can't help but think of all the screams of "what the hell are you doing, dude?" that'd come out of our teacher colleagues' mouths while watching Teach You a Lesson's premiere.

I'd have to agree with you. I have no clue how to take its setup, but if you look at Teach You a Lesson through the lens of an over-the-top action flick a la The Substitute... Yeah, it's a blast.

It's still confusing. This premiere is hammering home real issues and seemingly has its heart in the right place in regard to looking after kids who're being bullied. However, the reality surrounding it all is so heightened, I couldn't tell whether it was trying to really say something or just lean into the bit.

If the promo clip on Netflix is to be believed, I believe Mr. Child-Puncher has a Benson to his Stabler... Which is an oddly fitting comparison given where that character goes.

Thankfully, I'm pretty sure your girl sticks to beating on weird dudes.