Kobayashi-san Chi no Maid Dragon:
Story & Writing:
Kobayashi is truly the cream of the crop of its genre, embodying everything the slice-of-life genre has ever done right over the past decade. It's bouncy and energetic but also sweet and cathartic. This show's premise is a masterful balancing act between fantasy and normality. The fantasy aspect is emphasized just enough to give the characters and their daily interactions a bit of flair and intrigue, but not so much that it alienates the audience or shatters the happy-go-lucky mood of the show. It amazes me how well Kobayashi is able to grab your attention and not let go. Once the ball starts rolling in an episode, you're strapped in for good. You're sucked into the colorful and bouncy world of Kobayashi San-chi no Maid Dragon. It's funny, witty, sometimes profound, and is always a blast to watch.
One thing I cannot praise Kobayashi enough for is that it knows exactly what it is and what it wants to do; it never needlessly introduce melodrama or angst. Once in a while, the show will purposefully sneak in a serious but heartwarming moment or subtle life lesson, adding variety and depth to its message. These somber moments are sparse, ephemeral, and sweet, and I'm impressed by how well this show handles this aspect of its storytelling: it acknowledges the fact that life is not all fun and games, but while the fun lasts, make the most of it. It knows how to move on and return to its roots as a slice-of-life comedy with lovable and unique characters.
Needless to say, the comedy in this show (or any show) might be a hit or miss depending on the person. To me, it was a bullseye. Kobayashi's set-up and delivery of punchlines is textbook and effective. There is always a certain amount of wit and cleverness in each joke, and rarely do they feel cheesy nor over-the-top. It also helps that the show does a great job of mixing up its premise, setting, and characters every other scene, and even after 13 episodes the comedy still manages to stay fresh and interesting for the most part, something which cannot be said for a shit ton of other shows.
tldr:
If you're looking for a lighthearted slice-of-life anime to relax to, Kobayashi san-chi no Maid Dragon is as good as it will get.
Art:
For someone who has watched enough slice-of-life shows to make 5 whole lives, I can say that Kobayashi is one of the most colorful and gratuitously animated slice-of-life shows I've seen. Kyoto Animation abused the fuck out of their animation budget as usual, and as a result we get a product that's on par with god memes like Nichijou. Each and every character design is visually distinct and interesting. Intense battle scenes, while sparse, are packed with absurd sakuga and CG. The color palette, while extremely vibrant, is pleasant and not overwhelming to the eyes like No Game No Life.
Overall, I don't think I can fault Kobayashi with anything in the art design and animation department.
Sound:
The soundtrack is above average. The OP is adequate but the ED is surprisingly catchy. The background tracks are fitting and relaxing but not memorable.
Enjoyment:
10/10 sheer entertainment value
Overall:
9/10
Story & Writing:
Kobayashi is truly the cream of the crop of its genre, embodying everything the slice-of-life genre has ever done right over the past decade. It's bouncy and energetic but also sweet and cathartic. This show's premise is a masterful balancing act between fantasy and normality. The fantasy aspect is emphasized just enough to give the characters and their daily interactions a bit of flair and intrigue, but not so much that it alienates the audience or shatters the happy-go-lucky mood of the show. It amazes me how well Kobayashi is able to grab your attention and not let go. Once the ball starts rolling in an episode, you're strapped in for good. You're sucked into the colorful and bouncy world of Kobayashi San-chi no Maid Dragon. It's funny, witty, sometimes profound, and is always a blast to watch.
One thing I cannot praise Kobayashi enough for is that it knows exactly what it is and what it wants to do; it never needlessly introduce melodrama or angst. Once in a while, the show will purposefully sneak in a serious but heartwarming moment or subtle life lesson, adding variety and depth to its message. These somber moments are sparse, ephemeral, and sweet, and I'm impressed by how well this show handles this aspect of its storytelling: it acknowledges the fact that life is not all fun and games, but while the fun lasts, make the most of it. It knows how to move on and return to its roots as a slice-of-life comedy with lovable and unique characters.
Needless to say, the comedy in this show (or any show) might be a hit or miss depending on the person. To me, it was a bullseye. Kobayashi's set-up and delivery of punchlines is textbook and effective. There is always a certain amount of wit and cleverness in each joke, and rarely do they feel cheesy nor over-the-top. It also helps that the show does a great job of mixing up its premise, setting, and characters every other scene, and even after 13 episodes the comedy still manages to stay fresh and interesting for the most part, something which cannot be said for a shit ton of other shows.
tldr:
If you're looking for a lighthearted slice-of-life anime to relax to, Kobayashi san-chi no Maid Dragon is as good as it will get.
Art:
For someone who has watched enough slice-of-life shows to make 5 whole lives, I can say that Kobayashi is one of the most colorful and gratuitously animated slice-of-life shows I've seen. Kyoto Animation abused the fuck out of their animation budget as usual, and as a result we get a product that's on par with god memes like Nichijou. Each and every character design is visually distinct and interesting. Intense battle scenes, while sparse, are packed with absurd sakuga and CG. The color palette, while extremely vibrant, is pleasant and not overwhelming to the eyes like No Game No Life.
Overall, I don't think I can fault Kobayashi with anything in the art design and animation department.
Sound:
The soundtrack is above average. The OP is adequate but the ED is surprisingly catchy. The background tracks are fitting and relaxing but not memorable.
Enjoyment:
10/10 sheer entertainment value
Overall:
9/10
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