Osomatsu-san

So far, I have introduced Japanese manga/anime which has a well-constricted story and great theme. However, I also like something nonsense and foolish actually. This anime may be the typical example. I don’t think “Osomatsu-san” is sort of for Hollywood remake at all, but I pick it up today because I want to show you various kind of trends in Japan.

(C) Fujio Akatsuka/Osomatsu-san Production Committee

CONCEPT

This is a remake of Japanese comic/anime in 1960’s “Osomatsu-kun.” This original’s main characters, Matsuno family’s sextuplets OSOMATSU, KARAMATSU, CHOROMATSU, ICHIMATSU, JUSHIMATSU and TODOMATSU are mischievous boys (around 10 years old). In the original gag manga, they always play pranks and annoy surrounding people.

10 or more years later… They become adults in their mid-20’s. However, they are so-called NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training)! They never work and just slob about. This new anime depicts their lazy daily life.

SECRET OF THE BIG HIT IN JAPAN

You may think that the description above doesn’t sound interesting at all. I know what you mean. There is no high concept or deep story. But this is the key. I believe the anime’s big hit is only because the story doesn’t have big meaning.

It is said that Japanese people are the most diligent and workaholic in the world. I agree with it. They – we – may unconsciously need something healing and relaxing. We may always want anime which we can see without thinking deeply.

In addition, most fans of this anime are female. It would be because they feel “MOE” – feeling that something is aggressively cute – towards the sextuplets. Their voice actors are also extremely popular among female otaku in Japan, so it would be another factor.