Had no complaints about doing it this way last time, so here's another early Artsmagic review. This time it's the first four episodes of the twenty episode anime series "Salaryman Kintaro" which dates from 2001, released at four episodes per volume, five volumes in total, starting in May this year.
Also a live-action series with four seasons under its' belt, and a popular manga, the anime series thankfully stands alone effectively, and gives all the background to Kintaro's circumstances woven into the first show, then slowly reveals further details as things progress. It's a great little fun show that traces Kintaro from gang member to business man.
Yajima Kintaro, a recently widowed father of a young boy, eternally changed by Akemi (his wife) after first meeting her, goes on a trip from Hasshu Gang leader (which at one time had 10,000 members) to Salaryman - he maintains his character to a large extent, and begins to turn things upside down at Yamato Construction when he begins work there. Also termed a "White Collar Worker", the job of a Salaryman goes way beyond simple office work and into the realms of completely sidelining your own personal desires and wishes in order to serve your employer.
Kintaro developes a close emotional relationship with Yamato Construction's founder (Mr.Yamato), and manages to secure the Salaryman position he wants. As a free-thinking, easygoing ex-gang member, Kintaro splits people's reactions down the middle - they either drool and fawn over this personable and handsome young man or worry that he will encourage irresponsible behaviour from either themselves or other employees.
It's an effectively simple story device that allows us to see his life progress, and how it effects those around him in this uptight corporate world, where people soften up Government Officials and Politicians in order to protect their business interests. Kintaro shows an alternative way of going about things - he speaks freely and acts with originality - and continues to happily go about his day what ever he may be doing which is currently sharpening pencils all day long. Even though he often seems to tread a fine line between success and failure, he continues with courage and conviction.
In his adventures we get a little violence, a little swearing, a little glimpse of his affect on peoples lives (both past and present) as well as an evolving sub-plot of Corporate take-overs, power battles and everything involved in the business world, but taken from a much more personal viewpoint - one which is more about the characters within the business than the actual work they do.
I admit, it may not sound like the most thrilling idea for a series, but it's very effective and engaging. Business is simply a device for a show which is about character relationships and the development of individuality within a world of non-descript looking folks who clearly have more character than they are currently showing. These characters are all believable however exaggerated and the stories are inter-linking and standalone at the same time which allows the viewer to take pleasure in watching those less inclined to want a place in such a world to see there's always aternative ways of doing things if you're smart enough.
Utilising flashbacks, which I think are great fun and give a great comparison and contrast element to the show, we can see the relationship between Kintaro as he was and is. He is a rebel with a cause - to provide for his young son, to fulfill his promise to his dead wife Akemi, and to show that those considered outsiders or losers are infact often dynamic and inspirational characters that add a little spice to life.
The animation used is well produced, breezy and vibrant, nothing poor or cheaply made. The story writing is the strength by which it survives and flourishes so well, making it a very enjoyable slice of another world you can take in without too much effort, but which also requires you to use your brain a little to follow the unfolding Corporate intrigue and the development of all the different kinds of relationships within the company's character's lives.
My only gripes are ones I hold with all anime; this is five volumes in order to cope with the apparently ever-expensive licensing fees American companies pay for anime shows, and it's a shame. I would be more inclined to watch an awful lot more anime to balance against the live-action stuff I normally choose if these series were in cheaper boxsets initially or in cheaper volumes over time, or if we got it on TV here in the UK. Also it's hard to see how a show like this stands out amongst the huge amount of anime that's out there - it's not poor at all, not in the slightest, but there's little information about the show around and there's likely to be little existing following for it as a result. If you're brave enough to give something a try, and like good solid stories that aren't too taxing then it's a potential show of interest. It would be a shame for it to be lost amongst so much derivative tripe. When you get further in to the stories you will see it's very individual and strong, potentially very addictive, yet innocent-looking show.
In case you're wonderg about the picture of the alarm clock - well, I want one - it's a Salaryman Kintaro Alarm Clock on sale in Japan. Says a lot about the show - fun in a serious world!