The appeal and reviews of "SKET DANCE": A masterpiece of youth school comedy

The appeal and reputation of "SKET DANCE"

"SKET DANCE" is a TV anime series that aired on TV Tokyo from 2011 to 2012, and is based on the manga of the same name by Kenta Shinohara. Although it is a long-running series with a total of 77 episodes, it is highly praised for its story development that keeps viewers entertained and for the charm of its characters. In this article, we will take a closer look at the appeal, reviews, and recommended points of "SKET DANCE".

■ Story

"SKET DANCE" is set at Kaimei Gakuen High School. There is a club called the "Life Support Club," commonly known as the "SKET Dan," which works to solve the various worries and problems that students have during their school life. The members of the SKET Dan are the leader Bossun (Fujisaki Yusuke), the blonde Kansai tsukkomi girl Himeko (Onizuka Kazuai), and the glasses-wearing intellectual otaku Switch (Fuefuki Kazuyoshi). The three take on everything from small requests, such as finding lost items or looking after pets, to serious problems.

The Sket Dan members generally spend most of their time lazing around in the club room, but when they receive a request, they completely change and put all their effort into solving the problem. As they solve the problems of their clients, a story unfolds with laughter, tears, and emotion that draws viewers in. The story, which depicts the real problems of school life but also values ​​humor and friendship, was loved by many viewers.

■ Characters

The appeal of "SKET DANCE" is, above all, its characters, each with their own unique personality. Not only the three members of the Sket Dance, but also the student council executive committee and other students all have their own unique personalities.

Bossun is the leader, normally unreliable, but when he puts on the goggles he shows extraordinary concentration. Himeko is a former legendary delinquent nicknamed "Demon Princess" who is now a fighter and likes strange-tasting candy. Switch is an information gathering specialist who is an intellectual who never speaks himself, but communicates through a voice synthesized by a computer. The dialogue between these three is at the heart of the work and entertains the audience.

The student council executive committee is also full of fascinating characters. Student council president Agata Sojiro leaves all the actual work to vice president Tsubaki Sasuke, but he is a true leader who knows when to be strict. Tsubaki Sasuke is a serious and strict person who puts all his energy into creating a better school, and is also Bossun's twin brother. Tsubaki Mimori, the accountant, is a super rich and naive young lady with a unique sense of money. Asahina Kikuno, the general affairs officer, is a confident and narcissistic person, but he is a man who gets things done when it's time, and is very popular with the girls.

The other characters are also unique. Kibitsu Momoka is a delinquent who dreams of becoming a "demon princess" and pretends to be that name, and she starts hanging out with the Sket Dan. Yabazawa-san is a cheerleading club member whose catchphrase is "yabai" and often comes to the Sket Dan for requests. Saotome Roman is an aspiring manga artist who belongs to the Manga Club, and is a girl who develops stories that are a bit like old-fashioned shojo manga. Yuki Mioko is a member of the Occult Research Club and has a deep knowledge of all kinds of paranormal phenomena, including spiritual things. Takemitsu Shinzo is the captain of the kendo club, and his father is a period drama actor, and he dreams of becoming a real samurai. Takahashi Chiaki is the captain of the softball club, and is kind and serious about his younger brother, but he is also a big eater. Dante is a male student who dreams of becoming a visual kei band, and his conversation also exudes that kind of vibe. Saya Agata is the younger sister of the student council president, and is a character that encompasses all the classic gal game attributes: tsundere, airheaded, big breasts, twin tails, and knee socks. Koma Morishita is a large, glamorous, but shy female student who is strong and can easily break a mug. Hani Usami is a first-year student who was appointed treasurer after Tsubaki became the new president. Having lived in an all-female environment, she came to hate men and developed a different personality, "Bunny," who loves men. Kiri Kato is a descendant of a ninja, and after Tsubaki becomes the new president, she runs for general affairs in order to create a "school where only students can be free." Her character is also appealing, as she was saved by Himeko in middle school.

■ Production staff

"SKET DANCE" is originally a manga serialized in the weekly "Shonen Jump" magazine by Kenta Shinohara, and the anime adaptation was directed by Keiichiro Kawaguchi, with series composition by Shinichi Inotsume, character design by Manabu Nakatake, and animation by Tatsunoko Productions. While bringing out the best in the original work, the anime entertained viewers with its unique expressions and direction.

■Broadcast information

"SKET DANCE" was broadcast on TV Tokyo affiliates from April 7, 2011 to September 27, 2012, every Thursday evening from 6pm. Despite being a long-running series with 77 episodes in total, it was highly praised for its engaging storyline and characters that kept viewers entertained. It was broadcast on TV Tokyo, TV Hokkaido, TV Aichi, TV Osaka, TV Setouchi, TVQ Kyushu Broadcasting, AT-X, and Kids Station, and was widely loved by viewers in each region.

■Subtitle

The subtitles for each episode of "SKET DANCE" are full of humor and often catch the interest of the viewers. Starting with episode 1, "SKETs at School," and ending with episode 77, "SKETs at School (Afterwards)," various episodes were developed. Each episode depicts different requests and problems, and the SKET Dance members' exploits are depicted.

■ Theme songs and music

The theme songs and insert songs of "SKET DANCE" are also important elements that enhance the charm of the work. Six opening themes were used: "Kakkowarui I love you!" by French Kiss, "Michi", "Message", and "Clear" by The Sketchbook, "Graffiti" by GACKT, and "Reboot" by everset. Six ending themes were used: "Comic Sonic" by the pillows, "Clover" and "Colors" by The Sketchbook, "Party! Hallelujah!" by SKET ROCK, "Birthday" by The Sketchbook, and "The World Can Be Seen from the Rooftop" by SKET x Sketch. These songs not only enhance the atmosphere of the work, but are also highly regarded as masterpieces that remain in the hearts of viewers.

■ Evaluation and recommended points

"SKET DANCE" has been highly praised by many viewers as an exciting ensemble drama set in school life. In particular, the dialogue between the unique characters and the humorous story development are appealing. In addition, while depicting the real problems of school life, the story also touched viewers' hearts by conveying the importance of friendship and hard work.

The first thing that makes it a recommended series is the charm of the characters. You can enjoy the interactions and growth of the unique characters, including the three members of Sket Dance. Also, each episode depicts a different request or problem, so you won't get bored of watching it. Furthermore, the theme songs and insert songs are also important elements in livening up the atmosphere of the series, and it contains many memorable songs that will stay in the viewers' minds.

"SKET DANCE" is recommended for those who like school anime, as well as those who like humor and friendship. It is a long-running series with 77 episodes in total, but each episode has a different story, so viewers will not get bored. Please give it a watch.