UlasanAnime.com – Over the years, I’ve found myself more inclined to view fanservice, specifically the sexual kind, as a positive rather than a negative. This shift is partly due to recognizing its value for certain audiences, and partly due to my increasing appreciation for it as I delve deeper into this niche.
Could this be why I consider Yozakura Quartet – Hana no Uta to be the best anime on TV this season, at least from a technical animation standpoint? The way it naturally and fluidly incorporates light-hearted fanservice is remarkable; I often didn’t even notice it. On the other hand, some characters are presented as mere sex symbols, despite their developing personalities and roles within the ensemble cast. Then there are the typical moe tropes and the nonsensical “We Dollars gonna protect Ikebukuro” plotline, though YZQ’s take on this is far less cool.
Perhaps I feel this way because Kyousougiga is also airing, and the comparison highlights the differences. While Kyousougiga is also well-animated at times, when it comes to the “sakuga”—the hand-drawn animation of movement—Yozakura Quartet is a must-see this season. In my opinion, it surpasses Kill la Kill on a purely technical animation level. And is it also more fanservice-heavy? Possibly. Kill la Kill features fully naked characters, albeit obscured by censorship standards, clothing, or what you might find in Hentai Kamen. However, this is largely played for laughs. Ryuko doesn’t come across as a pin-up seeking exploitation to boost viewership ratings or sales, nor do any other characters in the show. This is a stark contrast to Yozakura Quartet.
In a sense, we are fortunate. All three anime mentioned are excellent storytellers. They prioritize narrative and character development (when appropriate). They are not as focused on giving fans exactly what they want as they are on delivering what fans desire, but on the show’s own terms. Their aim is to impress, and I believe most viewers are content with that.
This statement, in some ways, is less ironic in a post-moe, post-tsundere-song world.
I would also include other titles this season in this category, such as Samurai Flamenco and Non Non Biyori.
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Titles like Arpeggio, Galilei Donna, Valvrave the Liberator, Nagi no Asukara, Kyoukai no Kanata, Owari no Seraph, and Gundam Build Fighters are not included here. However, just because they don’t present ultimatums doesn’t mean they can’t approach their stories in their own unique ways. Gundam Build Fighters serves as a good example, particularly because the Gundam fandom is so convoluted and intricate that the meta-commentary is exceptionally rich, almost as if the gravy is making itself.
