Fan Service and Sparkles: Orenchi no Furu Jijou

Synopsis

A high school student named Tatsumi encounters an unconscious man near the lake and decides to help him. But as he goes to help him, he discovers that the man is in fact a merman named Wakasa and decides to give him a home in his bathtub. Thus begins Tatsumi’s new life with a merman in his bathtub and the friends that decide to visit him.

The Good

To use only a single location throughout most of a series and a bathroom at that is something that not many series can pull off but somehow this series made it work and made different scenarios with each episode without repeating itself. With only a few episodes and how short the episodes are, the anime also managed to present the different unique quirks that each character possesses. The comedy moments worked well enough and the relationship build throughout the series for each character are unique and hold a different depth.

Another thing that may be enjoyed for the female audience in the series is the amount of fan service garnered from the show of skin and muscle from the different characters and the affection shown by them as friends may set off quite a few fujoshis.

The Bad

While the art style is somewhat unique, the palette of the series may at times come off as overly bright to the viewers with only certain moments of relief but it doesn’t get any better with how much bubbles and sparkles are added to the mix. Being such a short series there isn’t much that can be said in regards to the development of the characters. Then there is the opening; for those who create impressions of the series from the opening along, they will find that what the opening presents is far from what the anime actually is.

Then there is also moments of repetitiveness that may be seen in certain ways that the characters act and animation work which may not appeal to certain viewers.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a series with quick laughs, bright colors and a decent amount of fan service then this is the series is for you. While the opening may come off as deceiving but the overall series is still enjoyable enough. Depending on the viewer, the bright colors and sparkly works in the background may either be a hit or miss. The characters are all unique and quirky in their own way and makes up the series and taking place in only one location is commendable and unique for the series.

Rating: 6.5/10