The appeal and reviews of "Skeleton Bookstore Clerk Honda-san": A fusion of solid story and humor

Honda-san, the skeleton bookstore clerk - The everyday life of a bookstore clerk filled with laughter and love

"Skeleton Bookstore Clerk Honda-san" is a TV anime series that aired from October 8 to December 24, 2018, and is based on the manga of the same name by Honda. It aired every week from 12:30am on BS11 and Sun TV, and consisted of 12 episodes of 30 minutes each. Animation was produced by DLE and directed by Todoroki Ohru. Copyright belongs to "©Honda, KADOKAWA / Skeleton Bookstore Clerk Honda-san Production Committee".

story

Honda-san fights!! With his job!! With out-of-print items!! And with people who love manga!! Who knew the comic book section could be such a hilarious workplace?! We bring you a daily report filled with love for manga from the comic book section of a certain bookstore.

Commentary

The long-awaited anime adaptation of the hilarious work essay comic by Mr. Honda, the skeleton bookstore clerk! This is a comedy that depicts the daily life of a bookstore clerk, but it is also a work that is full of love for manga and books. It depicts the hardships and joys of being a bookstore clerk, as well as the interactions between the unique characters working in the comic section.

cast

• Honda - Saito Souma
• Kamibukuro - Yuuko Sanpei
• Hotai - Eri Kitamura
• Lantern - Kimiko Saito
• Fox - Shizuka Ito
• Koomote - Endo Aya
• Rabbit Head - Kazuomi Yamamoto
• Full Face - Hiroki Yasumoto
• Gas Mask - Wataru Hatano
• Welding Mask - Toshiki Masuda
• Kendo - Kotaro Nishiyama
• Armor - Akemi Okamura
• Plague Mask - Yoko Hikasa
• Seal - Ayumu Murase
• Magician - Ryusei Oo

Main Staff

• Original work - Honda "Skeleton Bookstore Clerk Honda-san"
• Director - Owl Todoroki
• Series composition and scriptwriting - Okashima Shin
• Character design - Naoko Kakinoki
• Sound Director - Yuichi Imaizumi
• Sound production - HALF H・P ​​STUDIO
• Music - TECHNOBOYS PULCRAFT GREEN-FUND
• Music Production - Lantis
• Animation producers: Masahiro Saito, Kotaro Yamawaki
• Production Desk - Akihiro Saito
• Animation Production - DLE
• Production: Skeleton Bookstore Clerk Honda-san Production Committee

Main Characters

• Honda - A bookstore clerk. He is mainly in charge of foreign comics and art books. He has the appearance of a skeleton. He is basically a coward, weak to pressure, and has a negative mindset. He is not good at keeping up with the latest trends, and often gets into things at different times than the people around him.
• Kamibukuro - Mood maker of the 4-panel and subculture manga section. He's a friendly and beloved character, but he's also very serious and meticulous.
• Houtai - She is in charge of the late shifts and is in charge of the girls' comics. She loves manga. She is straightforward but caring, and is trusted by her part-time coworkers.
• Lantern - He has known Honda-san, the person in charge of E-company, for a long time. He is Honda-san's senior, but he is the only senior who talks to him casually. He is also very dexterous.
• Okitsune - In charge of lectures at D Company. A sharp-tongued ex-gal. She has a good head and intuition, and is good at adapting to situations. She is a firm believer in working within the working hours.
• Koomote - The leading subculture expert in the comic section, responsible for BL and TL novels. He is known for his friendly and reassuring customer service. When he gets emotional, his tone of voice can change.
• Rabbit Head - A junior colleague of Honda-san, who is in charge of game books and magazines. Although he is not an otaku, he is knowledgeable about the subcultures of anime and games. He is a person who says what he thinks clearly.
• Full Face - In charge of the small G building. He seems like a quiet guy, but he has a surprisingly sharp tongue. He has a distinctive way of laughing.
• Gas Mask - KADOKAWA Men's Comics and Others He usually works the late shift. He's basically a gentleman, but he also has a playful side. He suffers from back pain.
• Welding Mask - Often in charge of the late shift in charge of light novels. A secret American comic fan in the manga section.
• Kendo - Transferred from the distribution department in charge of magazines and other products. He is slender but strong. His calm demeanor is the best in the sales floor.
• Armor - An active otaku in charge of BL. Easy to talk to about worries. A manager who struggles with daily overtime work.
• Plague Mask - Honda-san's direct superior in charge of the men's comics section at Shiro S Company. The conscience of the sales floor. A demon of justice. The guardian who maintains order in the comic sales floor. He always stands beautifully.
• Seal - Honda's editor. A generous person who watches over Honda kindly and sometimes with a smile. The fact that he looks like a seal may be related to other works he is in charge of...
• Magician - Distribution department. A separate department from Honda and the others in the comic sales department. A skilled section chief who magically orders books when the world is shaken by news of deaths and happy events.

subtitle

• Episode 1A - The next customer waiting is a handsome guy
• Episode 1B - Yaoi Girls from OVERSEAS!!!
• Episode 2A - Introducing the crazy members of our sales floor!
• Episode 2B - Books, Instructions, and Me
• Episode 2C - Go! Seal-san
• Episode 3A - Battle Without Honor and Humanity
• Episode 3B - Manga Lost
• Episode 4A - Hellish Customer Service Training
• Episode 4B - Mission: Going Out
• Episode 5A - OTOIAWASE
• Episode 5B - Signed books!! Everyone gather round
• Episode 5C - An interesting erotic story
• Episode 6A - The One with Hidden Power
• Episode 6B - Our Fair War
• Episode 7A - Tell me! Agent
• Episode 7B - Bookstore Employee Mixed Drinking Party
• Episode 8A - Honya High Izo
• Episode 8B - Good Shelves, Bad Shelves
• Episode 8C - Let's Go! Seal-san ~Secret Ambition~
• Episode 9 - The Book of Life, Death and Rebirth
• Episode 10A - ITSUZAI Bookstore
• Episode 10B - Change of shelf staff
• Episode 11A - Honda-san, the Heretical Skeleton Bookstore Clerk
• Episode 11B - You can quit your job anytime
• Episode 12A - Merry Christmas at the Bookstore
• Episode 12B - It's time to end

Theme songs and music

The opening theme "ISBN ~Inner Sound & Book's Narrative~" was written, composed, and arranged by TECHNOBOYS PULCRAFT GREEN-FUND, and sung by TECHNOBOYS PULCRAFT GREEN-FUND feat. Honda (Saito Soma). The ending theme "Book-end, Happy-end" was written and composed by Takano Hiroshi, arranged by TECHNOBOYS PULCRAFT GREEN-FUND, and sung by TECHNOBOYS PULCRAFT GREEN-FUND feat. Takano Hiroshi. Both songs were used throughout all 12 episodes.

Review

"Skeleton Bookstore Clerk Honda-san" is a comedy anime that depicts the daily life of a bookstore clerk, but it is also a work that is full of love for manga and books. While faithfully recreating the original essay comic, the expressiveness that only anime can provide enhances its charm. In particular, it has been praised for the unique character settings of the bookstore clerks and the realistic portrayal of their attitudes toward their work.

Honda and the other characters each have different responsibilities and are depicted struggling in the bookstore workplace. Honda's negative thinking and timid personality resonate with viewers, but his love of manga and passion for his work add excitement to the story. Additionally, characters such as Kamibukuro, Houtai, and Lantern also have distinct personalities that keep viewers entertained.

The story unfolds through the everyday work and events of bookstore employees. For example, it is full of episodes that can only be experienced by bookstore employees, such as customer service training, preparations for fairs, and changes in shelf responsibilities. Through these episodes, the struggles and joys of bookstore employees are portrayed realistically, allowing viewers to enjoy the show while empathizing with their work. The subtitles of each episode are also full of humor, which draws viewers' interest.

DLE, the animation production company, has paid particular attention to the character designs and movements. In particular, Honda's skeleton form and the unique appearances of the other characters are visually entertaining with the expressiveness that only anime can provide. In addition, with the help of sound director Yuichi Imaizumi and music director TECHNOBOYS PULCRAFT GREEN-FUND, the background music and sound effects play a role in livening up the story.

The opening theme "ISBN ~Inner Sound & Book's Narrative~" and the ending theme "Book-end, Happy-end" are songs that highlight TECHNOBOYS PULCRAFT GREEN-FUND's unique musicality. In particular, the opening theme features Honda's voice, leaving a strong impression on viewers. Additionally, Takano Hiroshi's singing voice in the ending theme enhances the lingering impression of the story. These songs play a role in further deepening the worldview of the anime.

Recommendation

"Skeleton Bookstore Clerk Honda-san" is a comedy anime that depicts the daily life of a bookstore clerk, but it is also a work filled with love for manga and books. It depicts the hardships and joys of being a bookstore clerk, as well as the interactions between the unique characters working in the comic section. In particular, the realistic episodes of the bookstore clerk and the individuality of the characters stand out, so viewers will never tire of the show. The opening and ending themes also play a role in deepening the worldview of the anime.

This anime is recommended for bookstore employees and manga fans, as well as those who want to enjoy a work that depicts human relationships in the workplace and passion for work. It is an attractive work with a humorous story development that resonates with viewers. Please give it a watch.