Asobi Asobase -workshop of fun-

Episode 6

One of the things I've struggled with in Asobi Asobase is whether the show "agrees with" its shithead protagonists. I figured early on that it didn't, and I think that's been why I've been more generous toward its choices in humor. While I wasn't a fan of last week's crossdressing jokes, I wasn't as upset about the ganguro girl segment in the previous episode. I assume Asobi Asobase doesn't want me to agree with Hanako's slut-shaming way of thinking. Even when the girls she hates are promiscuous, they can still be more intelligent and capable than her, which is also part of the joke. It seems like Asobi Asobase is trying to drive home that a girl's sex life has nothing to do with her worth as a person.

So I was also pretty fond of the "Studying for Exams" segment this week. Hanako gives up any kind of social life—including any prayer of pursuing boys—in order to study hard for the upcoming exams. She does well but only comes in second, and the girl who beat her claims that she studied with her boyfriend. As usual when it comes to such matters, Hanako goes ballistic. Then the narrator stops in to apologize for her, saying that she just can't handle that effort isn't always equivalent to results. Sometimes the other person is just naturally smarter or better at whatever subject than you. Her reaction just reveals her own insecurities. It was a smart move on the part of the show and honestly, if Asobi Asobase wants to pepper its antics with commentary like that, I'm all for it. I was also a nerdy girl in high school who resented the popular girls who could get dates, but I grew out of it, and hopefully Hanako will too.

Of course, people can still be uncomfortable with the imagery or jokes made in these segments on their own merits. I grappled with this regarding some of the week's other jokes. Sure, Maeda and Hanako's grandfather aren't "sexually harassing" her per se; they're just being helicopter parental figures, but it still makes Hanako uncomfortable in a sexual context. Does that override the inherent hilarity of a robot boyfriend asking Hanako about her "Aunt Flo," though? Or the copious mentions of pubic hair? Or just Maeda's very presence that inspires a fount of laughter? It didn't for me, but your mileage may vary. Asobi Asobase's humor relies on constantly pushing every boundary it can. Most of the time, I'm fine with that, but everyone has some limits, and at some point a show as irreverent as this one will rub someone the wrong way. Anyway, it's not a conversation I hope to have every week, but it certainly helps when Asobi Asobase balances its edgier segments with those showing the girls' lighter sides.

For example, "Asterisk" focuses on their friendship with Oka, the head of the magic club. (I like that Asobi Asobase maintains this continuity across episodes.) Oka describes how she became the only member of her club, with other members graduating or moving away—typical reasons—and then mentions "teleportation." The Pastimers aren't having any of her shit, so they go to the teachers to find out the real reason Mato—aka "Agrippa"—is no longer around. It turns out she's sick, spending some time overnight in the hospital before she can go back to school. Once they learn of this, even our three little jerks completely turn around, sympathizing with Oka and offering to help her. I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop and things to turn ugly, but they don't. Even if it involves going along with her delusions, encouraging Oka to do magic to make Agrippa feel better is a noble gesture. Of course, Asobi Asobase can't really be serious for too long, but there's nothing sinister or cruel around the bend, just something hilarious in keeping with the show's love of butt humor. Far from having some tragic anime girl disease, Agrippa just has hemorrhoids. She's back to school in no time, and the teacher only kept it from them to protect Agrippa's privacy.

"A New Look" was a relatable nod to common teenage girl experiences. It's funny how nothing truly outlandish really happens; it's just the typical stupid decisions people make in adolescence. Olivia gets the idea that she wants to cut her hair, because it's too hot out. Despite Kasumi's insistence that she go to a stylist (and I kept thinking that Kasumi would know, as the one short-haired girl in the group), Olivia and Hanako try to do it themselves anyway. Of course, Olivia ends up completely screwing up her bangs; it requires more practice than you'd think to get that right, including some strategies that seem counter-intuitive at first. (For example, you're supposed to cut in to them, not across, if you don't want them looking too short or flat like Olivia's.) Jokes like this one remind me of Please tell me! Galko-chan, since both series have a fondness for depicting the everyday foibles of adolescent girls. But with Asobi Asobase, you also get butt lasers.

Our shortest installment is yet another silly moment of Hanako taking everything too seriously. I love how she's always the one to suggest these games, then ends up freaking out at the end when they don't go her way. Between this and the "New Look" segment, I like how the show develops their relationship with their teacher. She can be just "one of the kids" when she wants to, but also a voice of reason when they go too far. (For example, she fixes Olivia's bangs so she can at least leave the room. They're still not great, though.) It's focusing less on how sad she is for not having a boyfriend, so that's good too.

Asobi Asobase continues to be one of the funniest anime comedies I've ever seen, a real delight that I look forward to every week. That said, its attempt to push every boundary can occasionally leave you squirming. It can also be whiplash-inducing when it zooms between the different poles of its comedy, from goofy girls going through everyday problems to gross-out jokes to weird fantasy and sci-fi vignettes. Thankfully, that whiplash is part of the fun. Asobi Asobase is constantly out to surprise me, usually for the better.

Rating: A-

Asobi Asobase -workshop of fun- is currently streaming on Crunchyroll.

Rose is a Ph.D. student in musicology, who recently released a book about the music of Cowboy Bebop. You can also follow her on Twitter.