Mr. Villain's Day Off: An Evil Alien's Pursuit of Pandas and Relaxation

Mr. Villain's Day Off

“An Evil Alien's Pursuit of Pandas and Relaxation”

Have you ever immersed yourself in your job? There are so many things to be done, but our human capabilities can only go so far, which often leaves us stressed. At times like this, it is essential to take a day or two to relax and be in your zone. So yes, ample rest is necessary for all of us, and we need to release all the pent-up steam less destructively. So, the next time you feel the world weighing down on your shoulders, take a step back and have a nice day off! Who knows? It will work miracles for you, or things may take a surprising turn.

“Mr. Villain's Day Off," also known as “Kyuujitsu no Warumono-san, is a 12-episode TV anime series that aired from the 8th of January until the 25th of March in Winter 2024. Studios SynergySP and Shin-Ei Animation brought it to life while working with TV Tokyo, VAP, Square Enix, TV Osaka, DAX Production, KlockWorx, Nikkatsu, MAGNET, and Scissors Blitz on its production.

The central staff behind it included Ozawa Fumihiro, Hirokawa Kouji, Yamauchi Mirai, and Tashiro Naoko as producers. Featuring the genres of fantasy and slice of life alongside the theme of Iyashikei, it received a rating of PG-13 for teenagers 13 years of age or older for their 23-minute episodes.

The anime is based on the web manga with the same title. It began publication on December 15th, 2018 and is still ongoing, serialized in Gangan pixiv. It is the work of author and artist Morikawa Yuu. Square Enix released the series digitally in English via Manga UP! and Comikey on June 25, 2023. Similarly, Square Enix has been publishing the volumes since August 15, 2023.

Everyone needs a day off, even if you work for a very malevolent organization that commits many evils. One member of said organization is the extraterrestrial General who is tasked with invading Earth and wiping out the entirety of humanity. But no matter his power, he also wants some days to rest.

Some will stand in his way, though, like the Rangers, a team extremely dedicated to defeating this General and all his colleagues. However, none of them can stop the protagonist from visiting the Zoo to see the Pandas, going to the convenience store to get ice cream, and enjoying his day off. This is his well-deserved rest from committing all the evil deeds he’s done in the past!

Mr. Villain's Day Off is a neat little slice-of-life comedy series that isn’t that tough to make, but sometimes it makes it difficult to separate reality from fiction. This is the perfect show to watch on a lazy day while sprawled all over your couch at home. It speaks to how vital rest is for everybody, especially if you have a demanding job that monopolizes most of your time.

Work is never-ending, and the clash of good and evil is just as eternal in the name of balance in the universe. However, this raises problems for the most elite of villains because there’s no end to their chaotic schemes either. But Warumono’s character simply wishes for a calm life of collectedness, where he is free to engage in what he wants.

He wants to watch cute animals in a zoo, where his heart is stolen by pandas, prompting a wholesome obsession with them. Not even the Rangers can stand in his way when it comes to pastimes like this. This MC will seek out pandas, enjoy panda-themed products, and rest unconditionally on his well-deserved day off!

There isn’t much to say in the story department because there’s little plot here. It’s almost entirely irrelevant to the enjoyment of this show! All you need to know is what’s stated in the synopsis: Warumono-san is the powerful General of great evil forces, determined to wipe out humanity and seize control of the earth.

But this is not an everyday chore because even this badass villain needs days off. As such, the plotline is a situational comedy, where we see a number of short stories that are largely unrelated to each other, so don’t try to look for a consistent plot or overarching meaning here. This is an adorable set of episodes in which the protagonist gradually learns the beauty of human society and all it has to offer.

Be it love, happiness, or even pandas, he grows comfortable within them. If you like pandas, this program will be a delightful watch, as you will find spiritual resonance with the MC. This show has a ton of cuteness, enough even to melt the heart of the most evil alien General! On the other hand, Mr. Villain's Day Off’s comedy aspect isn’t as strong because their focus was a very casual show set in a tranquil atmosphere, topped off with ample pandas.

The main character, Warumono, is rife with devil-like thematics, depicting pure evil at first. He constantly talks about good and evil, but he is shown to be surprisingly pure and understandingly deep inside as the show goes on. He is simultaneously impressed by life on earth and threatened by the cuteness of pandas, experiencing a higher state in the midst of it all and vowing to get revenge.

How? By getting Panda-themed treats! This is all made possible by the hard work of his assistant, Rooney, who handles the backend for him. Rooney is a jolly character, but he is the same brand of evil as his master.

The Rangers are more normal than you expect, including Akatsuki Red, who has a lousy sense of direction but is still very caring; the Green twins Mugi and Sora; Shinonome Pink, who is the only girl in their all-boys group; and Yoiyami Black, who is the founder but is mysteriously absent more often than not. While they live a peaceful life most of the time, they still fight evil. Each episode also features some completely ordinary folk whose influence makes the MC more human with each passing day.

Two Studios worked on this series, and the result is pretty good. It is not difficult to bring a show like this to life visually, but they did a great job in the art and animation department, regardless. The art style is simple and minimalistic, but it has this fantastic glowing effect from all the effort that was put into it. There's little action here, but the animation remains fluid and consistent. The character designs are equally simple but stay unique and memorable, perfectly reflecting the vibe of each character in each situation.

The music and sound departments are expertly done because they exemplify the vibe of this show on another level. The OSTs are very serene and take you to the location on-screen in their own way. The opening theme, "Yuuho" by Ivudot, is akin to a calm, quiet stroll in a park during the silence of the night. In contrast, the ending theme, “Kyuusoku Juuden" by GLASGOW, offers a nice contrast by being a cheerful number with total hope for what’s to come.

Both of these songs are extremely soothing and pleasant to the ears, which is why they are such ideal complements to this series. In the voice acting department, I have nothing but praise for Asanuma Shintarou’s performance as Warumono. While he may not fit the character’s devil side perfectly, he did a superb job for the MC overall. He truly brought the character to life and made him much more memorable.

As I said earlier, this is the perfect show to watch in the evening after a busy work day. Because you don’t need to use your brain here, you can also casually watch it while eating, which will still entertain you very much.

There’s no plot to follow or remember. The characters are likable and pretty normal. The visuals complement the vibe perfectly. The music helps you enter a state of tranquility, and the comedy may draw a few chuckles from you as well. You will most likely gain a new or renewed interest in pandas after watching this show, wanting to see some at the nearest zoo as well. They are animals who exude aloofness, roundness, fluffiness, and chillness in everything they do.

They only ever care about eating and have no other worries; just watching them makes you relax! Remember that we all need a day off every now and then, no matter what kind of job you do. Do not underestimate the monumental value of rest under any circumstances. Let this anime be your chill pill, and enjoy the calm entertainment it provides so well. It is highly recommended for you busy bees!