Osomatsu-kun Season 2 Review and Impressions: Return to the world of laughter and emotion

"Osomatsu-kun" Season 2 - The world of Fujio Akatsuka where laughter and sadness intersect

■ Public Media

TV anime series

■ Original Media

comics

■ Broadcast period

February 13, 1988 - December 30, 1989 Every Saturday
18:30-19:00

■Broadcasting station

Broadcast: Fuji Television

■Frequencies

half an hour

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 86

■Original Story

・Original work by Fujio Akatsuka

■ Director

・Director: Akira Shigino

■ Production

Produced by: Fuji Television Network, Yomiuri Advertising, Studio Pierrot

■Works

©Fujio Pro, Kodansha, Studio Pierrot

■ Story

The Osomatsu brothers are sextuplets born to an ordinary office worker and a housewife. They are identical twins (six?) and don't care about their personalities. They live in a town filled with eccentric residents, all with unusual looks and behavior. Characters like Iyami, who calls himself a Frenchman, Chibita, who has a weakness for skewered oden, and Dekapan, who struts around town in just striped panties, make a huge impact! This hilarious comedy is full of the original author Fujio Akatsuka's style.

■Explanation

This remake was released about 20 years after the first anime series was broadcast. Compared to the previous work, which was faithful to the original, this one has many original arrangements and actively incorporates current events. Takashi Hosokawa was in charge of the opening theme, which speaks for the feelings of the sad office workers of the world, and the ending theme, which is perfect for remembering the names of the sextuplets.

■Cast

・Osomatsu/Inoue You・Choromatsu/Matsumoto Rika・Todomatsu/Hayashibara Megumi・Karamatsu/Mashiba Mari・Hatabo/Mashiba Mari・Juushimatsu/Matsui Naoko・Totoko/Matsui Naoko・Ichimatsu/Yokoo Mari・Mom/Yokoo Mari・Iyami/Kentaro Kimotsuki・Chibita/Tanaka Mayumi・Dekapan/Ohira Toru・Dayoon/Kamiyama Takuzo・Kemunpas/Kamiyama Takuzo・Dad/Mizutori Tetsuo・Beshi/Mizutori Tetsuo・Policeman/Chiba Shigeru・Nyarome/Chiba Shigeru・Uncle Lelele/Chiba Shigeru

■ Main staff

・Original work by Fujio Akatsuka・Director: Akira Shigino・Character design: Yoshiyuki Kishi・Art director: Shichiro Kobayashi, Setsuko Ishizu・Director of photography: Hirotaka Takahashi・Editing: Hajime Taniguchi, Haruhiko Kuriyakawa・Sound director: Kan Mizumoto・Music: Yusuke Homma

■Detailed evaluation and recommendation

The second season of "Osomatsu-kun" is a work filled with Fujio Akatsuka's unique humor and characters, and was broadcast from 1988 to 1989. It is notable for faithfully retaining the essence of the original work while adding new arrangements to suit the historical background. Below, we will explain in detail the appeal and highlights of this work, as well as recommended points.

1. The appeal of the characters

The greatest appeal of "Osomatsu-kun" is its unique characters. The sextuplet Osomatsu brothers look identical, but each has a different personality, which keeps viewers entertained. In particular, Osomatsu's leadership, Choromatsu's timidity, Todomatsu's spoiled child, Karamatsu's narcissism, Jyushimatsu's airheadedness, and Ichimatsu's easy-going nature all stand out. The surrounding characters are also very strong, with plenty of memorable lines and actions, such as Iyami's "Shee!", Chibita's "Oden!", and Dekapan's "Striped panties!" The comedy woven by these characters is sure to have viewers in a whirlwind of laughter.

2. Interesting story

The second season of "Osomatsu-kun" remains faithful to the original work, but also incorporates many original episodes. In particular, episodes that skillfully incorporate current events reflect the social situation of the time and resonate with viewers. For example, episodes that reflect the historical background, such as the effects of the bubble economy and the emergence of new technology, are interesting even for modern viewers. There are also many episodes that depict the daily life and school life of the sextuplets, and one of the attractions of the show is that they deal with themes that are familiar to viewers.

3. Contributions of Music and Voice Actors

The opening theme "Osomatsu-kun no Uta" and the ending theme "Osomatsu-kun no Theme" were performed by Hosokawa Takashi, and their melancholic melodies and lyrics enhance the atmosphere of the series. The opening theme in particular became a hot topic for its lyrics that spoke for the struggles of office workers, resonating with viewers. The voice actors are also impressive, featuring many popular voice actors of the time, such as Inoue You, Matsumoto Rika, Hayashibara Megumi, Mashiba Mari, Matsui Naoko, Yokoo Mari, Kimotsuki Kaneta, Tanaka Mayumi, Ohira Toru, Kamiyama Takuzo, Mizutori Tetsuo, and Chiba Shigeru. Their acting skills bring the characters to life and enhance the appeal of the series.

4. The production staff's commitment

The attention to detail of the production staff, including director Shigino Akira, is also not to be missed. Kishi Yoshiyuki, who was in charge of character design, has faithfully retained the image of the original work while adding a unique anime charm. In addition, professionals from various fields, such as art directors Kobayashi Shichiro and Ishizu Setsuko, cinematographer Takahashi Hiroto, editors Taniguchi Hajime and Kuriyagawa Haruhiko, sound director Mizumoto Kan, and music composer Homma Yusuke, have come together to raise the quality of the work. Homma Yusuke's unique sense in particular shines through in the music, which is an important element in livening up the atmosphere of the work.

5. Recommendation points

The second season of "Osomatsu-kun" is filled with Fujio Akatsuka's unique humor and characters, and is sure to have viewers in a frenzy of laughter. In particular, there are plenty of highlights, such as the charm of the unique characters, the story that skillfully incorporates current events, the contributions of the stellar voice actors and music, and the attention to detail of the production staff. In addition, the episodes that reflect the social situation of the 1980s are interesting for modern viewers as well. We hope you will watch this work and experience the world of Fujio Akatsuka.

■ Additional information

"Osomatsu-kun" is a manga by Fujio Akatsuka that was serialized in "Weekly Shonen Sunday" from 1962 to 1969, and has since been developed in various media. In particular, the anime adaptation was first broadcast in 1966, followed by a second series in 1988. The second series, while faithful to the original, incorporates many original episodes, providing fresh surprises to viewers. It was also remade as "Osomatsu-san" in 2015, and became a huge hit, especially among young people. "Osomatsu-kun" is a work filled with Fujio Akatsuka's unique humor and characters, and is sure to have viewers in a frenzy of laughter.

■Recommended Works

For those who enjoyed the second season of "Osomatsu-kun," we also recommend the following works.

1. "Mr. Osomatsu"

"Osomatsu-san," which aired in 2015, is a remake of "Osomatsu-kun," with a new interpretation to suit modern audiences. In particular, the fact that it depicted the sextuplets as grown-ups became a hot topic, and it became a big hit among young people. While retaining the individuality and humor of the characters, it is full of episodes that reflect the current social situation. We recommend that you watch it together with the second season of "Osomatsu-kun."

2. "Tensai Bakabon"

Another of Akatsuka Fujio's masterpieces, "Tensai Bakabon" is also recommended. "Tensai Bakabon" is an anime series that aired from 1971 to 1972, and is full of unique humor and characters. In particular, the line "This is fine!" by Bakabon's father left a strong impression on viewers. Like the second season of "Osomatsu-kun," this is a work that allows you to enjoy the world of Akatsuka Fujio.

3. "The Secret of Akko-chan"

Among Akatsuka Fujio's works, we also recommend "Himitsu no Akko-chan," known as a work for girls. This anime aired from 1969 to 1970, and its story revolves around the protagonist Akko's various adventures using a magic mirror. Although it is in a different genre from the second season of "Osomatsu-kun," it is a work filled with Akatsuka Fujio's unique humor and characters, and is sure to entertain viewers.

■ Summary

The second season of "Osomatsu-kun" is full of Fujio Akatsuka's unique humor and characters, and is sure to make viewers laugh. In particular, there are many highlights, such as the charm of the unique characters, the story that skillfully incorporates current events, the contributions of the luxurious voice actors and music, and the attention to detail of the production staff. In addition, the episodes that reflect the social situation of the 1980s are interesting for modern viewers as well. Please watch this work and experience the world of Fujio Akatsuka. We also hope you will enjoy Fujio Akatsuka's other works, such as "Mr. Osomatsu," "Tensai Bakabon," and "Himitsu no Akko-chan."