OL Makeover Course: A thorough analysis of real workplace experiences and growth stories

OL Makeover Course: A thorough analysis of real workplace experiences and growth stories

"OL Makeover Course": A realistic portrayal of office ladies in the bubble era

In the early 1990s, Japan's bubble economy was beginning to collapse. In that time, the OVA "OL Makeover Course," which depicts the lives of working women, attracted attention as a work that reflected the social situation at the time. In this article, we will introduce detailed information and reviews of "OL Makeover Course," as well as recommended points.

Overview

■ Public Media
OVA
■ Original Media
others
■ Release date
November 2, 1990
■Release and sales
Nippon Herald Films
■Frequencies
91 min
■ Number of Episodes
Episode 1
■ Director
Kamegaki Hajime
■Works
©Weekly Gendai/Kadokawa Pictures, Nikkan Sports Newspaper, TMS

story

■ Story

If you ask them to make copies, they'll say, "Oh, I forgot," and if you say you don't have time and will do it yourself, they'll say, "I'll ask you to do this too, while you're there." The cute receptionists are only interested in the pretty young executives, and don't even remember the face of their own company's president. If they're scolded for being late and told to get up 30 minutes earlier, they'll leave 30 minutes earlier, and say they don't want to do chores because they want to become managers. The anger and sadness on the backs of these middle-aged men, who are at the mercy of the office ladies in these companies who are enjoying the bubble economy, are still there today.

"OL Makeover Course" is a work that depicts the real lives of office ladies during the bubble era. They are depicted as being more interested in play and romance than work, and neglecting their company duties. On the other hand, it also depicts the sadness of middle-aged men who are at the mercy of these office ladies, and is a satire of the social issues of the time.

cast

■Cast

Pink Phone / Kenji Utsumi / Yoshitada Otsuka / Hiroya Ishimaru / Mitsuaki Hoshino / Yuko Sasaki and others

The cast of this work includes voice actors who were active at the time, such as Kenji Utsumi, Yoshitada Otsuka, and Hiroya Ishimaru. Their acting skills enhance the realism of the work. In addition, the female cast is also well-received, including Pink Telephone and Yuko Sasaki, who realistically portray the characters of the office ladies.

Main Staff

■ Main staff

Produced by: Fujioka Yutaka / Producers: Nakajima Kiyonari, Obuchi Yoshio, Matsumoto Masato / Screenplay: Hiyoshi Megumi, Hashimoto Yuji / Compositional cooperation: Masuda Akiyo (Weekly Gendai) / Music: Oshima Michiru / Character design: Arima Shinobu, Tsuji Yoshihiro / Animation directors: Nagaoka Yasushi, Muta Seiji, Matsubara Kyoko / Art director: Ishigaki Tsutomu / Director of photography: Hasegawa Hajime / Sound director: Kato Satoshi / Editor: Seyama Takeshi

Many talented staff members participated in the production of "OL Kaizou Koujou." The script was written by Hiyoshi Megumi and Hashimoto Yuji, with Masuda Akiyo from Shukan Gendai providing assistance with the composition. The music was composed by Oshima Michiru, and character design was handled by Arima Shinobu and Tsuji Yoshihiro. The animation directors were Nagaoka Yasushi, Muta Seiji, and Matsubara Kyoko, while Ishigaki Tsutomu was the art director, Hasegawa Hajime the cinematographer, Kato Satoshi the sound director, and Seyama Takeshi the editor. The combined efforts of these staff members resulted in a highly polished work.

Theme songs and music

■ Theme songs and music

[OP] Song title: Hanako-san ga Iku / Singer: Kawaguchi San Shimai / Lyrics: Isshiki Kaoru / Composer: Yoshimi Akihiro / Arrangement: Ryuzaki Takaji [ED] Song title: Hanako-san ga Iku / Singer: Kawaguchi San Shimai / Lyrics: Isshiki Kaoru / Composer: Yoshimi Akihiro / Arrangement: Ryuzaki Takaji

The opening and ending themes for this work are "Hanako-san ga Iku" (Hanako-san ga Iku) sung by the Kawaguchi Sisters. The lyrics for this song were written by Isshiki Kaoru, the music was composed by Yoshimi Akihiro, and the arrangement was by Ryuzaki Takaji, and it was a song that reflected the trends of the time. The fact that the same song is used for both the opening and ending is also one of the features of this work.

Evaluation and Impressions

"OL Kaizou Kouza" has been praised for its realistic portrayal of office ladies during the bubble economy. Its satirical portrayal of social issues at the time provided viewers with laughter and empathy. The highly skilled cast and staff also contributed to the production's perfection. In particular, the acting skills of voice actors such as Utsumi Kenji and Otsuka Yoshitada enhanced the realism of the work.

On the other hand, some viewers criticized the depiction of the office ladies as being too stereotypical. However, even with that, the series has been praised as a work that reflects the social situation of the time. The music and character designs also reflect the trends of the time, making it a work that gives a sense of the historical background.

Recommended points

"OL Kaizou Koujo" is recommended for those who want to know about Japan during the bubble era and those who like works that satirize the social issues of the time. It is also recommended for those who enjoy the performances of voice actors such as Kenji Utsumi and Houchu Otsuka. It is also recommended for those who enjoy music such as "Hanako-san ga Iku" by the Kawaguchi Three Sisters.

This work is a 91-minute long one-episode work, so even those who don't have much time can watch it casually. Also, since it is released in the format of an OVA, it can be easily purchased on DVD or Blu-ray. Please take this opportunity to watch "OL Kaizou Koujou" and experience Japan in the bubble era.

Comparison with related works

Like "OL Kaizou Kouza," other works depicting Japan during the bubble era include "Bubble Ego!! The Time Machine is Drum-Style" and "The Women Who Slept with the Bubble." These works also satirize the social situation at the time, eliciting laughter and empathy from viewers. The cast and staff are also highly skilled, which adds to the quality of the works.

"Go to the Bubble!! The Drum-Type Time Machine" is set in a world where people use a time machine to travel back to the bubble era, satirizing the social issues of the time. "Women Who Slept with the Bubble" is a work that depicts the real lives of women in the bubble era, resonating with viewers. Compared to these works, "OL Makeover Course" is distinctive in that it depicts the real lives of office ladies.

summary

"OL Makeover Lessons" has been praised for its realistic portrayal of office ladies during the bubble era. The satirical content of the time's social issues gave viewers laughter and empathy. The highly skilled cast and staff also contributed to the production's high level of completion. Please take this opportunity to watch "OL Makeover Lessons" and get a feel for Japan during the bubble era.

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