Umisho (Review)
Synopsis:
Kaname Okimura, is a student of prefectoral Umineko Shougyou High ”Umisho” for short, he joined the school’s swimming club in order to learn how to swim. But the club is filled with weirdoes, let alone people who will teach him how to swim. Then a sunny happy go lucky girl named Amuro Ninagawa who was transferred from Okinawa to Umisho joins the club.
Story:
The story follows Kaname Okimura as he trains the local school girls/boys for the inter school swimming championship. (They have never won it since they started taking part in it.) Then one day he meets a sunny, happy go lucky girl named Amuro Ninagawa who was transferred from Okinawa to Umisho.
This is a light hearted series filled with loads of comedy commentary on Japanese society and of course good old fanservice. When people hear the word fanservice they get scared off pretty fast and their is this saying in the Anime community: “More tail less tale” which is pretty much true if you consider a show like Ikkitousen: Dragons Destiny.
I have no idea why, but I never get tired of fanservice shows like Love Hina, Girls Bravo and Airgear. And now I can add Umisho to that ever growing list of pervertedness. Before I continue let me just say the level of fanservice in Umisho isn’t say as high as shows like Ikkitousen: Dragons Destiny rather it is a show that reminded me of a mix between Love Hina and Girls Bravo.
For those of you who don’t know Umisho it is based on the Shonen jump manga by the same name, the manga is very similar overall but is less censored than the anime counter part. Also the plot in the Manga is also better defined than in the Anime.
If you are looking for an Anime with deep involving plot looks elsewhere and if fanservice isn’t your thing then definitely give this show a miss. Finally, the jokes in the show made me laugh because I was over thinking those jokes and thinking how stupid they really were. I good example would be why did it take her that long to notice that he’s got his face in her boobs?
Characters:
This is definitely the only strong point I can give Umisho credit for is the huge amount of colorful characters that can be found running around during the course of the show. From the big and busty Mirei Shizuoka, who is admired by the boys because of her generous measurements and polite demeanor. And Masa Ikariya the team Captain, nicknamed Ikamasa. Third year muscle bound and obsessed with shaving his and other people’s body hair, and wearing revealing speedo bikini swim suits.
Amuro’s extraordinary underwater speed and unorthodox swimming style (Plus her personal habit of swimming in the nude.) surprised every club member. Especially Okimura, because she reminds him a mermaid like creature he saw only once in his early childhood. Kaname is a bit girl shy and this leads to Amuro teasing him about it.
She is the complete opposite of Kaname being a totally open person, she’s totally unphased by him seeing her nude. And this just complicates matters even further, not to mention the fact that he is a swimming coach but he himself can’t swim. The list of characters goes on and on, there is a dozen colorful characters that make there appearance during the show. All of these make up the swimming team of Umisho and saves the show from being totally mediocre.
Animation:
I really took a likening to the animation if you read any of the Manga you would know what I mean it is like they ripped out some of the pages from the Manga and used it as reference in the show. I love the drawing style especially the facial expressions and features. And since it’s an Anime that takes place around water the colors are fresh and vibrant and gives u something nice to look at.
Sound/Music:
Like the Animation the soundtrack is vibrant and in your face especially the opening (Dolphin Jet) and ending (Splash Blue) theme and the rest of the soundtrack consists of upbeat track and acoustic melodies.
Enjoyment:
If you are looking to take a break from watching Anime shows that revolves around deep serious plots and character intrigue, then this is the perfect show to watch when you need to take a breather. It is only 13 episodes so it fits the bill perfectly. If you don’t like silly fanservice shows then give this one a miss, as it would not appeal to you. But if you enjoy a fanservice show every now and then like me then is definitely your cup of tea.
