Just watched Yurikuma Arashi, this is my first experience with Ikuhara’s work. And I would like to record my first impression here.
Spoiler Alert
To put it simply, I just feel like watching a drama. Kinds of reminds me of Gosenzo-sama Banbanzai! from Mamoru Oshii.
The story starts with a special world setting. The typical high school setting with cartoonish bears, also a lot of background stories like fairy tales. The city background just looks like a dystopia, with high walls and construction machines. The cute bear characters just make the killing and eating of people look like it’s happening on a stage. But there are also well-drawn guns. The trial scenes seem to be happening in an inner world, but the characters still make appearances outside of the court. And there are definitely a lot of nude scenes and fan service, really good though. All these combined, make the plot just more confusing.
A lot of online reviews emphasize the symbolism and metaphors in the show. But I suggest immersing in the setting and feeling the show.
After episode 4, I finally have some clues about the story. Seemly important characters are killed early in the show. Only the main 3 characters are important to the main story. By the end, the formerly killed characters are making some kind of comeback, which makes the ‘drama’ feeling even stronger. Also surprised by Sumika’s comeback as Kumaria.
The end seems to me as a semi-bad ending. When Kureha becomes a bear and lives with Ginko in the bear world, it is a good ending for them. But Lulu and her brother’s comeback makes it feels like a dream ending. The element of change is definitely placed in the human world, but who ever knows the outcomes?
Occasionally humor is placed in the show, and I was surprised by some of the references.
The plot definitely has a lot about bullying and peer pressure. But not escaping from it makes the show somewhat depressing. I would say this is not typical Yuri although the word is repeatedly used in the show. Ikuhara’s style is really strong in this show, but doesn’t seem to be to my liking. I would like to check out Penguindrum next.