One gag, colourized – The Way of the Househusband anime review

The Way of the Househusband dropped on Netflix on 8 April 2021, giving fans a new way to enjoy the titular series by Kousuke Oono. The original manga has since been adapted into a live action drama, and this anime is the newest one to the family, with five episodes roughly 15 minutes in length each. So, how is it?

[ NETFLIX SFX ]

If you were lead to believe this show would have some sakuga moments – the general shorthand for Awesome Animation – you will not be finding that here. There’s no way around it: it’s basically panels of the manga coloured in, with the barest animation added to certain moments. Everyone knows Powerpoint presentations, right? Pair that with a beginner at digital art software hesitantly playing around with the various effects, and you will get this show. As you might expect, there’s far less detail in the panels with its move to streaming.

While you can rag on the (generously described) animation, there are absolutely no complaints about the voicework. After finding my favourite Tsudaken role in Emperor in Arknights‘ Holy Knight Light anniversary short, Tatsu comes a close second, with that deep, gruff voice playing the straight man in every ridiculous scenario. While ostensibly there are five episodes, each episode is “split” into minisodes with a brief flash of text indicating the… non-indicative episode number, every now and again.

The anime adapts the various shorts of the manga faithfully. In comparison, the live action drama gives Tatsu and Miku an adoptive daughter, as well as expands on the other yakuza players. Your mileage may vary on the decisions, but I would figure the animation itself would be the primary contention point.

The OP has some style to it, though it’s not extended to the ED.

YAY OR NAY?

I’m sure many of you would think this a missed opportunity to give it actually proper animation, given the chance to make things even more dramatic and over the top. I myself find it pretty fitting with the whole gag thing and laughed enough times despite already seeing it before, so it was good enough for me, which is naturally just my opinion.

I will consider the selling point of the anime (?) being the voicework, giving that extra comedy effect with the lines performed so seriously in contrast to the situations the cast find them in. I recommend binging it over the weekend, maybe with a friend, to either poke fun at the production value (TM) or break into ugly laughter.

I rather doubt a new season will break from this presentation decision, but hey, surprise me. While I did enjoy watching the anime on Netflix, I can only do so much to give my thoughts on a production that had the potential, but only went so far, culminating in this modest review.

The Way of the Househusband is now streaming on Netflix.

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