Kaho Shibuya’s Favorite Animes Of 2020

Part 2

 

 

Here comes an even longer title! Let me tell you something, I’m seriously head over heels in love with this show! I wish this series was more known so that more merchandise would be made. I had to rent each episode for only 3 days on Amazon Prime.I couldn’t find the show anywhere on major anime streaming sites in Japan.At the end of the day, any award is a popularity contest. Your favorite has to be known to be recognized then be voted for by the general audience. Therefore, I wouldn’t be surprised if this title won’t make it to the final round of Crunchroll’s Anime Award… (crossing fingers for Best Score, though). However, that’s all the more reason I want to root for them. They need support.

Ironically, such a mentality anchors the show to its very core. Eripiyo, the female protagonist, shows devoted dedication toward the least popular member, Maina, in their aspiring idol group “Cham Jam.” Eripiyo’s overzealous passion brings out extreme manners like purchasing all the hand-shaking tickets with her favorite idol, causing her nothing to wear but her high school PE uniform in public. Such actions are often too much, but the feeling is actually mutual. Maina love loves her back, yet she’s timid. Her nervous demeanors are often get misunderstood for lack of warmth. Eripiyo thinks she’s been hated by Maina, incredibly unrequited love, but she doesn’t mind. She wholeheartedly thinks that Maina is living, inhaling, and exhaling in the same world is enough fan-service to her.

Yes, If My Favorite Pop Idol… depicts the idol culture in a very comedic way. Eripiyo’s got 2 idol-fan buddies; one is a fan who wishes to be his favorite’s boyfriend, the seriously hopeful yet hopeless type. Another a true otaku fan who acknowledges he wouldn’t stand a chance and wants to support idols as idols, not potential girlfriends truly. The cool thing If My Favorite Pop Idol… is that neither is described as creeper characters. It’s a heart-warming story to exhibit each fan’s engagement with idol culture.

I always tear up during the OP; the angelic tone and how that sound plus enchanting animation describe Eripiyo’s deep affections toward Maina is precious. They even chose such a quintessential idol cover song for ED and a special duet version for the final episode gave me tears once again. If My Favorite Pop Idol has done quite an astonishing job at breathing life into each idol music written in the manga as insert songs. Sakuga (drawing pictures in anime) looks gorgeous and resembles manga so well. Voice acting is impressive, and they use famous veteran actors for mob fan characters even. But most of all, the story and characters are incredibly adorable and unbearably loving.

Given that I’ve never been into 3D, meaning real people like actors, let alone idols, I assumed it would be hard for me to identify with its storyline or characters there. Turned out, I was so strongly moved by the show that I’m now such an avid otaku for it. This anime is marinated in love and overdosed with cuteness. I nosebleed hypothetically over each scene. I would swing all my penlights for their pure yuri couples. That’s right, plural, not just Eripiyo and Maina, but more sweet relationships. Season 2 is not promised, but the manga keeps going if you want to continue seeing them.

Currently streaming on Funimation