The appeal and reviews of "Bucket Meals": A thorough analysis of a new slice-of-life anime

"Bucket Meals" - A humorous anime depicting the daily life at the zoo

Overview

"Bucket Meals" is a TV anime series that aired in 1996, based on the manga "Bucket Meals" by Kiriko Kubo. It aired on Yomiuri TV and Nippon TV Network Corporation from January 8 to June 24, 1996, every Monday from 7:00 to 7:30 p.m. There are 21 episodes in total, each 30 minutes long. Animation was done by Magic Bus, and production was handled by Yomiuri TV and Shogakukan Shueisha Productions. Copyright belongs to Kiriko Kubo, Shogakukan, Yomiuri TV, and Toei Agency.

■ Story

The main character, Ginpei, is a penguin who was hired mid-career and started working at Uenohara Zoo. One day, he suggests to his colleagues at the penguin house that they should work overtime to improve their skills in order to entertain the customers. However, this suggestion ends up isolating him. Meanwhile, the penguins who came to work after drinking all night were staggering and their dancing pace was all over the place. So Ginpei led the staggering dance, which ended up delighting the customers. The penguins who had been complaining thanked him, and he gradually became friends with his new friends. Ginpei was excited and jumped into the pool to try a new trick, but the zookeeper Kato had already pulled the plug and it was empty?! Thus, the curtain rises on his days as an office worker at the zoo, not a human society, but an animal society?, as he comes to work as an office worker to entertain the customers.

■Explanation

"Bucket Meals" was serialized in "Big Comic Spirits" (Shogakukan) from 1993 to 1996. The original story, by Kiriko Kubo, was set in a zoo and depicted the humorous daily lives of animals, which won the support of many readers. In adapting it into anime, director Tetsu Dezaki and other staff members worked hard to bring out the best in the original work. In particular, Yukari Kobayashi, who was in charge of character design and chief animation director, contributed greatly to the success of the anime version by expressing the unique personalities of the animals.

■Cast

• Ginpei/Naomi Nagasawa
• Sanpei/Miki Ito
• Cesare/Keiichi Nanba
• Mint/Kotono Mitsuishi
• Frazy/Yuko Mizutani
• Mimi/Kanda Uno
• Narration by Sayaka

■ Main staff

• Series Composition: Rika Nakase
• Character design and chief animation director: Yukari Kobayashi

■ Main Characters

• Ginpei: A young penguin who was hired mid-career and transferred to Uenohara Zoo. At first glance, he may seem mean, but he is a good-natured guy who is hardworking and curious. He is the protagonist of this work.
• He admired Sanpei/Ginpei's spirit as a comedian and changed his name from Sanpei to Sanpei. He is engaged to Mint-chan.
• She is the former Madonna of Mint/Ginpei and Cesare, and is Sanpei's fiance. She became popular after appearing on a cooking show.
• Cesare - A single guy who believes he is the most popular among the penguins.
• Mr. Kato / Zookeeper. Kind-hearted, listens to the animals' complaints, and acts like a stage manager.
• Mimi: Male body, female heart. A gay mink who risks his life to look cute and for Kuroda-san.
• Frazy / A long-necked girl who is in love with Kuroda the black panther. She tends to be a little too girly.
• Kuroda Panther / A cool, handsome man. He's quiet, so it's unclear whether he's interested in women.
• Richard: The most dandy lion gentleman in the zoo, he looks good in designer clothes. His hobby is listening to classical music.
• Zubrowski, commonly known as Zubu-san, is a rich but mysterious wolf who quit working at the zoo and now runs a recycling business.
• A piglet that Tavon/Zub found in a garbage dump. He has a sensitive personality and is easily hurt, but he has a huge appetite.
• Ron: The father of the panda family who came to the family through a secret agent. He acts like a star and has a strong sense of privilege.
• Reach: The son of the panda family. He has an honest personality and quickly becomes friends with the other animals. He is popular at the zoo.

■Subtitle

• Episode 1: I'm Ginpei the Penguin!
• Episode 2: The sea lion is so pouty
• Episode 3: Pandas are such big shots
• Episode 4: Frazy's heart flutters in a love shower
• Episode 5: Dad doesn't understand a woman's heart
• Episode 6: I'm dizzy with the angelic Mint
• Episode 7: The zoo is a dangerous place for love
• Episode 8: Baby Panda Reach is in high spirits
• Episode 9: Even moms are funny
• Episode 10: Mint-chan has a boyfriend...!!
• Episode 11: Naughty Mink is a Lovey-Dovey Rival
• Episode 12: I'll hold off on tasting it until I get married
• Episode 13: Love-love panic in the aerobics class!!
• Episode 14: Dangerous Love Story with Dad Getting in the Way
• Episode 15: Is the Wolf with a Baby a Cupid of Love?
• Episode 16: The burning flames of love are a woman's tease
• Episode 17: Picking up a lying koala
• Episode 18: Cheer up the panda who is waiting for his dad
• Episode 19: The runaway piglet eats an apple
• Episode 20: Don't let me get away with love!!

■ Theme songs and music

• OP
  
  • period/
  • The King of Happiness
  • Lyricist: Hiroshi Yamada
  • Composer: Minoru Komorita
  • Arrangement: Minoru Komorita
  • Song: Papa Lunch Mama
• ED1
  
  • period/
  • You won't feel lonely
  • Lyrics by Mitsuko Komuro
  • Composer: Naoto Kine
  • Arrangement: Toshiyuki Mori
  • Vocals: Aya Yamamoto
• ED2
  
  • period/
  • Animal Rock'n Roll
  • Lyrics by Uno Kanda and Kanako Kataoka
  • Composer: Kanako Kataoka
  • Arrangement: Akira Inoue
  • Sung by Uno Kanda
• IM
  
  • Shake your heart
  • Lyrics by Mitsuko Komuro
  • Composer: Seiichi Kyoda
  • Arrangement: Seiichi Kyoda
  • Vocals: Aya Yamamoto
• IM
  
  • Rolling Animals
  • Lyrics by Mitsuko Komuro
  • Composer: Minoru Komorita
  • Arrangement: Minoru Komorita
  • Sung by: Papa Lunch Mama with Kiriko Kubo

■ Evaluation and impressions

"Bucket Meals" is a humorous story set in a zoo and features unique characters. In particular, it depicts Ginpei's struggles and the lives of animals that mimic human society, providing viewers with laughter and emotion. The animated version faithfully reproduces the atmosphere of the original work while also depicting the animals' movements and expressions in a richer way, making it an even more appealing work.

As you can tell from the subtitles of each episode, the show also includes a love story, depicting the love lives of animals in a humorous way. In particular, the human-like emotions of animals, such as Frazy's love and Mint's engagement, resonate with viewers.

In terms of music, the opening and ending songs liven up the atmosphere of the work, and "King of Shiawase" and "Animal Rock'n Roll" in particular became popular among viewers. Music, including character songs, is an important element in enhancing the appeal of the work.

■ Recommendation points

"Bucket Meals" is recommended not only for animal lovers, but also for those who want to enjoy humor and human drama. It is especially perfect for those who like works depicting the daily life of a zoo and those who want to enjoy the exploits of unique characters. It also contains a love element, so people who like romantic comedies will also enjoy it.

Furthermore, the anime version brings out the best of the original work, with detailed depictions of movements and expressions. Don't miss the beautiful visuals by character designer and animation director Kobayashi Yukari. The music also adds to the atmosphere of the work, and it's full of elements that will capture the hearts of viewers.

This work can be enjoyed by the whole family and is loved by a wide range of people, from children to adults. Please try watching "Bucket Meals," which depicts the humorous daily life at the zoo.