Review of "Inu to Hasami wa Tsukaiyou": A unique work that combines humor and seriousness

How to Use Dogs and Scissors - A humorous mystery comedy with a unique setting

The 2013 TV anime series Inu to Hasami wa Tsukaiyou is based on the Famitsu Bunko novel series by Shunsuke Sarai. The anime faithfully reproduced the original's unique worldview and humor, providing viewers with fresh surprises and laughter. The series aired on Tokyo MX, TV Kanagawa, and Sun TV, and consisted of 12 episodes, each 30 minutes long. It was directed by Yukio Takahashi and produced by GONZO, and the copyright belongs to ©2013 Shunsuke Sarai/PUBLISHED BY ENTERBRAIN, INC./Inuhasa Production Committee.

story

The story begins with the miraculous survival of Harumi Kazuto, a high school student who was suddenly killed by a robber one day. He loves reading so much that he is called a "bookworm," and even after death, he returns to the world because of his obsession to not die until he has read "Lust," the final volume of his favorite author, Shinobu Akiyama's "Deadly Sins" series. However, when he returns, he has the appearance of a dachshund dog. "I can't read a book like this!!" Kazuto writhes in agony when Natsuno Kirihime, a sadistic woman who uses scissors as a weapon, appears before him. Not only does she recognize Kazuto's voice, but her true identity is Shinobu Akiyama, an author he is a big fan of. What will happen to Kazuto's new life after he has turned into a dog?

Commentary

The story of Kazuto, who is brought back to life in the form of a dog because of his strong desire to "die without reading it!", and the sadistic writer Natsuno Kirihime, who supports him, has a unique worldview that combines mystery and absurd comedy. The story of the strange combination of a reader dog and a sadistic writer provides viewers with laughter and surprises, and the development of each episode is something to look forward to.

cast

The voice actors for the main characters are as follows:

• Kazuto Harumi: Takahiro Sakurai
• Princess Natsuno: Marina Inoue
• Harumi Madoka: Asumi Kana
• Suzuna Hiiragi: Shizuka Ito
• Emi Osawa: Ai Kakuma
• Akizuki Maxi: Yu Serizawa
• Kiyoshi Inukai: Wataru Hatano
• Honda Sakura: Uchida Maaya
• Yayoi Honda: Hiromi Igarashi
• Moribe Saji: Saito Chiwa

Main Staff

The following staff members are involved in the production of this work:

• Original author: Shunsuke Sarai (Famitsu Bunko "Inu to Hasami wa Tsukaiyou" series/published by Enterbrain)
• Character design: Tetsuhiro Nabeshima
• Director: Yukio Takahashi
• Character design: Yoko Sato
• Series Composition: Toshizo Nemoto
• Prop design: Yoko Kuhara
• Art Director: Makoto Ujiie
• Color design: Suzuki Toshie
• Director of photography: Naoki Kitamura
• Edited by: Akari Saito
• Music: Akito Matsuda
• Sound Director: Jun Watanabe
• Animation Production: GONZO
• Production: Inuhasa Production Committee

Main Characters

The details of the main characters are as follows:

Natsuno Kirihime

She is a beautiful but small-breasted woman with black hair and black clothes, who uses scissors as a weapon. She is a dangerous person with a sadistic personality. However, her true identity is Shinobu Akiyama, a genius writer. She is the only person who understands Kazuto's voice and supports him in his new life.

Kazuto Harumi

He was a high school student who loved reading and thought he would be happy if he could read books, but he was shot and killed by a robber. However, he was determined not to die until he read the final volume of his favorite author, Shinobu Akiyama's "Deadly Sins" series, "Lust," so he returned to the world in the form of a dachshund. Unable to read books in his dog form, he spent his days in agony.

Harumi Madoka

Harumi Kazuto's younger sister, she is an honor student trusted by her friends and teachers, but she also has a strong tendency to be opinionated. Her special skill is cooking with her favorite knife, the "Tuna Eater," which makes it possible to make curry out of whatever she makes. She is very much a babysitter, and cares deeply for Kazuto.

Maxi Akizuki

She is an idol who is active in the entertainment industry and a multi-talented idol writer who is also active at the forefront of the literary world. Her nickname is Macky, and she has many subordinates in black suits. Her presence adds glamour and humor to the story.

subtitle

The subtitles for each episode are as follows:

• Episode 1: Even a dog can find a stick if it walks around
• Episode 2: Strike while the dog is hot
• Episode 3: A winter dog jumps into the fire
• Episode 4: A drowning man grabs his dog
• Episode 5: If you don't enter the tiger's cave, you won't get a dog
• Episode 6: Rain makes the dog freeze
• Episode 7: If the dog doesn't bark, he won't be shot
• Episode 8: Take a bath and stay away from dogs
• Episode 9: There's no smoke without a dog
• Episode 10: Time flies
• Episode 11: Dog-shaking is a lifelong bond
• Episode 12: How to use dogs and scissors

Theme songs and music

The opening and ending themes are as follows:

Opening Theme

• Title: Woof Woof Woof N_1!! (What's that?)
• Lyricist: Aki Hata
• Composer: Akito Matsuda
• Arrangement: Akito Matsuda
• Sung by: Inukko Club (Natsuno Kirihime (Inoue Marina), Harumi Madoka (Asumi Kana), Hiiragi Suzuna (Ito Shizuka), Osawa Emi (Kakuma Ai), Akizuki Maxi (Serizawa Yu))

Ending Theme

• Title: Lemonade Scandal
• Lyricist: Saori Kodama
• Composer: Akito Matsuda
• Arrangement: Akito Matsuda
• Sung by: Akizuki Maxi (Serizawa Yu)

Ratings and Recommendations

"Inu to Hasami wa Tsukaiyou" is an appealing work with its unusual setting and humorous story development. The setting in which the main character, Harumi Kazuto, comes back to life as a dog provides a fresh surprise to viewers. In addition, the combination of Kazuto and the sadistic writer Natsuno Kirihime who supports him creates laughter and emotion. The subtitles of each episode also feature fun wordplay related to dogs, so viewers will never tire of the show.

The characters are also rich in personality, with Natsuno Kirihime's sadistic personality and Kazuto's love of reading creating an exquisite contrast. Kazuto's sister Harumi Madoka's cooking scenes and Akizuki Makishi's glamorous presence also add color to the story. The voice actors' performances are also excellent, with Sakurai Takahiro as Kazuto and Inoue Marina as Kirihime bringing out the best in their characters.

The music also adds to the atmosphere of the work, with the opening theme "Wanwanwanwan N_1!!" and the ending theme "Lemonade Scandal" being songs that will stay in the viewers' minds. The opening theme in particular, sung by Inukko Club, further enhances the worldview of the work.

This work is highly recommended for people who like mysteries and comedies, and for those who enjoy unique settings and humor. It is also full of elements that dog lovers will enjoy. The quality of the animation produced by GONZO is also high, making it a visually enjoyable work. Please give it a watch.

Additional Information

"Inu to Hasami wa Tsukaiyou" has been highly praised not only by fans of the original novel, but also by anime fans. The original novel is published by Famitsu Bunko, and Shunsuke Sarai's unique writing style and humor have attracted many readers. The anime adaptation faithfully reproduces the worldview of the original novel while adding visual expressions and direction unique to anime, making it an even more fascinating work.

This series also gained popularity as a refreshing comedy that helped viewers forget the heat when it was first broadcast in the summer of 2013. Viewers have commented that the show is "never-ending with laughter," "the characters are charming," and "the subtitles for each episode are interesting." In particular, the scene where Kazuto tries to read a book in the form of a dog and Kirihime's sadistic behavior captured the hearts of viewers.

Furthermore, by depicting the world from a dog's point of view, this work offers viewers a new perspective. Everyday scenes and human behavior seen from a dog's point of view will give viewers fresh surprises and laughter. In addition, the themes of human relationships and personal growth are also depicted through the various challenges Kazuto faces in the form of a dog and his relationship with Kirihime.

"Inu to Hasami wa Tsukaiyou" is a work not to be missed, combining a unique setting, a humorous storyline, charming characters, and high-quality animation and music. Please watch it at least once and enjoy its unique world view and laughter.