Ōkami-san to Shichinin no Nakama-tachi
Synopsis: Ryōko Ōkami is a spunky high school girl who is a member of a "fixer" club called the Otogi High School Bank. She fixes the school's problems with her partner Ringo Akai.
Review: Okami-san follows Ryoko Okami, a classic tsundere, and Ryoshi Morino, who has a fear of being stared at (Ophthalmophobia). Ryoshi confesses his love for Ryoko; she rejects him and tends to treat him with much disdain throughout the show. Ryoko and her friend Ringo join a club, the Otogi High School Bank, that does favors for people in return for an I.O.U from the customers. Most of the show revolves around the club and the jobs (favors) they do for people. There is also the love/hate relationship between Ryoshi and Ryoko.
Okami-san incorporates many Grimm Fairy Tales characters into the show uniquely and creatively. The big bad wolf, little red riding hood, Hansel, Gretel, the huntsman, the three little pigs and many more. Having a slight knowledge of some fairy tales will actually help you understand some of the hidden references. Although you can enjoy the show either way, so no need to go do fairy tale "homework" before watching. Okami-san is unique in that it has a narrator who joins you for every episode. The narrator has an old granny type personality and similar comments that add some humour to the show. The only down side to the narrator is she tends to speak over show dialogue at times, making it hard to catch what she's saying and the characters are saying. Okami-san is also a show of self-awareness, with the characters reacting to things the narrator says and looking up at the screen.
The animation of the show is above average, with bright and cheerful colors. The characters are drawn well and the animation style changes for fight scenes, making the characters more flexible. The music of the show is upbeat and peppy. It fits the theme of the show perfectly.
About halfway through the show they decide to bring up Ryoko's past (they only hint at it up to that point). I thought they were going to change the overall theme of the show; only they don't. Actually the show doesn't spend much, if any, more time on her past after that episode. They could have used this as a catalyst and turning point. Allowing Ryoko to become warmer and rely more on Ryoshi, and a chance for Ryoshi to get over his fear and step up as "the white knight". Since they did not do this, I don't see why they brought up her past so vividly. Especially considering its dark nature.
Another thing that lowered the show's investment quality for me was bad timing. Every time we see Ryoko and Ryoshi about to have a tender moment, either Ryoshi goes into a phobia-fit or Ryoko hits him (again). Sometimes both things happen. I understand interrupting a tender moment to let it kind of grow until later in the show, but that never happens. Also a tsundere is supposed to eventually show their "warmer" side to the supporting character (Ryoshi in this instance). It's quite obvious Ryoko has some warm feelings toward Ryoshi as the show travels on, but she still tends to treat him with much disdain. This along with an unfinished, out-of-place dark history sets the show back a little.
Maybe Okami-san could have developed itself better with more time? The show's "villain" even says, "it will be more fun to tear them apart" (talking of Ryoko and Ryoshi); but we see no follow through. Maybe a few more episodes would have given Okami-san the closure it needed; or maybe it would have just been a few more fun fluff episodes. For what it is, it's good watching though. The show in itself does not take much commitment or investment as a viewer. Its a fun, enjoyable show with a few flaws. I own it, so I will watch it again (for Ringo and Ryoko at least, they're quite cute together).
It's worth a watch, maybe stream or rent it.
Okami-san & Her Seven Companions -- B profanity, fan-service, disturbing elements
