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Wednesday, September 22, 2021

Seitokai Yakuindomo* (2014)


Seitokai Yakuindomo* is the second season based on the manga. While the season is only thirteen episodes long, there is plenty of OVAs released afterwards, and it is still releasing (as part of the limited editions of the manga). This is a slice of life anime focusing on the student council at Ousai Academy. The school was an all-girls school before being forced to accept male students for the first time the year prior due to declining birth rates. Tsuda Takatoshi was one of the first male students to attend before he was forced to join the student council as Vice-President on his first day.


The student council is comprised of three others and they are all odd to a degree. Amakusa is the President and has no filter. She will spout out explicit sexual references all the time without a care. Aria is extremely rich but thanks to her upbringing, she also has no filter and thus pairs well with Amakusa. Finally Hagimura is the only other sane person of the group apart from Tsuda. Although she has the appearance of a grade schooler and is very sensitive of that fact. They are all capable people but that they’re just unafraid to voice their inner (sexual) thoughts.


The second season expects you to have watched all the OVAs released before as it starts in the second year with all the new characters already well acquainted. The new characters being Tsuda’s sister Kotomi and her friend Toki, and Uomi, the President of the student council at another school. It is at this point that you’ll realize (if you haven’t already) that all the female characters are weird in one way or another. They flaunt their sex toys or their fetishes, as if it is the most normal thing in the world (for clarity, it’s not). Kotomi, in particular, ends up having a large amount of screentime as she joins the student council in a lot of their events.


The second doubles down on everything and takes things a bit too far at times. It is a lot more explicit and daring. Aria will admit how she’s not wearing any underwear, or Amakusa will make a very loaded comment on where objects were being stuck in. The teacher is always joking how she wants to have sex with the male students. It gets to the point where the characters cross the line into creepy territory. It doesn’t even bother to hide the obvious body language now.


Each episode is split into several short segments. The shortest segments are comprised of quick gags and can abruptly jump into the next segment. Some running gags seem to be overused such as the really prominent text that points to Hagimura’s head in every scene. Other gags continue to be funny every time it’s used such as the English that is spouted out by the characters when they’re in shock (once again, mainly Hagimura).


A lot of the humor comes from one of the characters (like Amakusa, Aria or Kotomi) going too far, with Tsuda or Hagimura making a comment. Although interestingly, sometimes it is Amakusa who things Aria is going too far. Despite the content, the anime is surprisingly more reserved in its actual fan service of the characters. It also breaks the fourth wall a bit more frequently, or at least hints at things only the viewer would know and understand.


Most of the female cast is falling for Tsuda and it’s hard to pick a favorite since in a way, they all have a good relationship and chemistry with him. It helps that Tsuda isn’t your typical generic overly nice guy that plagues a lot of anime. Yes, he is still nice and clueless, but there’s just something about the guy that you can’t hate. The scenes where it plays around with this idea makes for some funny scenes like how Hagimura’s tsundere dialogue completely backfires. Amakusa also swings from showing affection to Tsuda, to leading him on only to reveal a sexual punchline that is more accustomed to her character.


The season finale didn’t feel like one until a graduation song played at the ending. Even then, it manages to twist it in a way that’s typical of the characters so there’s no real goodbye to anyone. The numerous OVAs continue on with the slice of life events and it is a natural extension. It doesn’t even acknowledge the season “finale” and just charges on. That is a good thing and it continues to improve in quality with its jokes, gags and characters. It is becoming even more obvious with how the various characters get jealous of whoever is currently spending time with Tsuda. The bigger cast also makes it more varied and fun.


Overall, Seitokai Yakuindomo* continues with the good fun that made the first season enjoyable. It doubles down on everything, including how far it is willing to go with its sexual references, at times even showing it in plain sight. However, the characters are charming that you can’t help but like and before you know it, they will grow on you. It doesn’t bog itself down with too much romance, only when it can be turned into a joke, so this anime is some good lighthearted fun. It’s definitely not for everyone but if you can accept the at times crude content, it is great.

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