Punch Line

Everyone labeled Punch Line one of the many ecchi anime that emerge every season. One of those that are dropped in the first few episodes is because it is evident that the plot is strange (Japanese strange). But even though I’m not a fan of Ecchi, being a MAPPA project, I had to give it a chance and check it out. With mediocre comedy and fanservice scenes everywhere and without any possible logic other than, perhaps, to have an excuse to show Panchira (panty shots) in abundance. Without further ado, let's start with this review.

Punch Line is a 12-episode TV anime series that aired on Fuji TV's prestigious Noitamina programming block from April 9 to June 25, 2015. Produced by MAPPA and licensed by Sentai Filmworks, the series was directed by Yutaka Uemura (The Tatami Galaxy) with scripts by Kotaro Uchikoshi (Zero Escape series). Character designs were handled by Shōta Iwasaki, who brought the original concept to life with a distinctive visual style. The show features a unique blend of supernatural and ecchi themes aimed at the Seinen demographic, cleverly playing with the classic anime trope of nosebleeds representing sexual arousal. The series currently holds a 6.89 rating on MyAnimeList, with over 96,000 viewers weighing in. While initial reception was mixed due to its unconventional premise and apparent focus on fanservice, the show has developed a dedicated following who appreciate its intricate plot construction and genre-defying narrative.

Yuta Iridatsu is a boy who lives in the Korai apartment complex with four beautiful girls: Mikatan Narugino, Ito Hikiotani, Meika Daihatsu, and Rabura Chichibu. One day, after being involved in the hijacking of the bus he was traveling on, Yuta finds that he has been expelled from his body and has become a spirit. Guided by Chiranosuke, the spirit of a cat, the young man must now learn to master his newly acquired spiritual powers to regain his body and protect his building mates from a series of mysterious incidents that begin to haunt them and put them in danger, and which have darker undertones than any of them could imagine. This mission will become even more complicated than expected when the boy discovers that a meteor will destroy the earth if he sees the girls' underwear twice in a row.

It's hard to talk much about the plot without spoilers since so much of the series relies on revealing little by little how all the elements presented to you in the early episodes miraculously start to make sense. Perhaps the show's greatest strength is that the viewer can go through the whole premise and discover how the scriptwriter's tremendous "stunt" can make sense at some point.

Punch Line is a series that you have to be patient with initially because, although its content is very worthwhile, the truth is that the anime takes a while to take off. Most people gave up on it in the first few episodes, and I think that’s totally understandable. Having four or five initial episodes that are a bit slow and maybe even tedious, the story barely advances until after the fifth, when the series finally begins to reveal all its virtues and the main plot is finally revealed.

The plot can be confusing, the jokes bizarre, and the twists and turns of the story sometimes ridiculous. A meteorite destroying the earth if the spirit of Yuuta, the protagonist, sees the girls' underwear in his housing complex is frankly a "what has the writer smoked" of randomness. It's stuff that surely will scare off more than half the people who stumble across this anime. However, the outstanding achievement of this anime, and what several of us were betting on because of the studio producing it, is that it will slowly take all this nonsense and give it a logical reason that makes it incredibly coherent. And yes, the story will take a more and more solid course until it explodes in a climax that is frankly quite well done.

The characters are charismatic, and their development within the series' events, although somewhat exaggerated at times, is adequate. Initially, our protagonist, Yuta Iridatsu, seems like the classic boy with hidden power, disoriented by sudden and without explanation being in a bizarre situation. Still, as the series progresses, we will discover that the boy is surrounded by more than one mystery, which will be a critical point for the plot.

The quartet of girls, from a superheroine idol with an orange juice theme to a NEET expert in video games to a spiritist brunette and a hacker robot, all maintain a constant presence within the series. Although each has a different weight in the plot, including the interaction between them and the protagonist, their friendship, and the strengthening of a relevant element within the story, each one is given her moment to shine.

Visually speaking, Punch Line doesn't miss a beat. Moreover, I loved it since the animation is quite good and dynamic, with no significant irregularities. The designs, both the characters and settings (mostly the interiors), are beautiful and are accompanied by a color palette that is eye-catching, striking, and pleasant. I also think it's worth mentioning the posters that appear before and after where the commercial breaks should be, which show the girls dressed in their sexiest outfits and accompanied by their voices saying, as sensually possible, the anime’s title. They just feel right.

The soundtrack, composed by veteran musician Tetsuya Komuro, delivers an energetic score that perfectly complements the series' wild tonal shifts between comedy, action, and drama. The opening theme, "PUNCH LINE!" by Shokotan♥Dempagumi, captures the anime's quirky energy with its upbeat tempo and playful tone. The ending theme, "Honey Honey Honey" by Ayumikurikamaki, provides a perfect counterbalance with its more laid-back vibe while maintaining the show's distinctive spirit. The sound design excels, particularly during action sequences, where precise sound effects enhance the impact of each scene. The voice acting brings the eccentric cast to life. Marina Inoue (Yuta) and Sora Amamiya (Mikatan) deliver standout performances that skillfully navigate both the series' comedic moments and more emotional scenes.

Although the Ecchi element within the series has a constant presence, it doesn't end up being counterproductive, meaning it's neither distracting nor offensive. It is excellent taste. The constant panty shots are part of the absurd aspect of the anime and, therefore, its personality. They present some utility within the story beyond mere fanservice, as the main character only releases his powers after getting excited. Punch Line is an entertaining and visually very striking series. Although it presents more than decent amounts of fanservice, it does it without leaving aside the opportunity to tell a well-done story or show excellent characters. In short, it is a work that, although it will hardly go down in the ocean of series that come out every year, is quite recommendable to pass the time. It's one of the few Ecchi anime (maybe the only one along with Kill la Kill) I recommend watching.