© Kuzushiro/Kodansha/”This is a workplace full of smiles.” Production Committee
When this show first came to me, I thought it was just a laid-back yuri seduction. The first episode definitely leans into that a little bit, and there are hints of feelings brewing between our eponymous cartoonists and their managers. However, I was pleasantly surprised by how layered this collection actually was. Three episodes in so far, I’m finding a lot of similarities with our small, close-knit cast. So far, the show has talked about insecurities, anxieties, and life as a creator through the creative workplace of a cartoonist. Even the small hints of Yuri’s love are more that our protagonist Nana is dealing with constant anxiety as a person without any social skills.
The show doesn’t go into the specifics of making the comic, but I don’t think that’s the purpose. this is not Bakuman The behind-the-scenes aspect is the focus. It’s more about the environment and the intentions of all the characters involved. I loved how the second episode got into the background of the assistant, who I initially thought was going to be the straight guy for everyone else’s antics. But it turns out she has her own fears about growing into a creator. This idea of becoming complacent by not growing because you’re afraid of what will happen when you get big is a plot point that I feel a lot of real-life shows don’t explore in depth. In fact, the show doesn’t try to glorify what it means to be a comic book creator, and I respect that. But that doesn’t make the industry a soulless machine either (although you might say that’s what some parts of the industry are).
We see Nana still dealing with the pressure of deadlines, and even though she’s getting extra help, the pressure still comes down to her completing the actual chapters. Obviously she doesn’t have a social outlet, but that’s the sacrifice she makes for the job. The comedy is Nana making a fuss out of a molehill, but it’s not annoying. As someone who creates content myself, I think about things almost the same way she does.
Maybe that’s why I like this show so much, so far it seems to speak specifically to people like me. I know what it’s like to worry about growing too fast. I know what it’s like to ask people for help online, but not know how they’ll respond. I’m used to asking people for help, but still feel the pressure of being the one putting the final touches on a big project. I also have a hard time accepting praise when I do something well. I don’t think you have to be me to appreciate this show, but I’m glad that its merits exceeded my initial expectations. If each episode is just another slice of these characters’ lives, dealing with a specific aspect of the creative process, then I’ve found the comfort drama of the season!
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A fantastic workplace for cartoonists Currently live broadcast
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