CHOYOYU!: High School Prodigies Have It Easy Even in Another World!

OMG. PLEASE READ THIS REVIEW!! So many people here have been talking about how this show sucks because "they're not scared even though they're in another world" or it's "just not that realistic" or "it's too average." WELL, this show isn't a so-called "deep" type of show; while some themes are displayed throughout the show, its not supposed to be a show where you ponder life questions for hours on end about. It's a show meant for your enjoyment, not for education purposes or whatever. I don't know why people think the plot is bad, personally, it's very interesting for me. The characters are amazing. Idon't get why people constantly have to say "IT'S NOT REALISTIC!". OF COURSE it's not realistic! It's 7 high school prodigies who get stuck in another world! But that aside, the characters , again, are just plain amazing. Their skills and abilities are so advanced, and just watching them defeat an obstacle or opponent is just so satisfying. The fact that they are able to stand up to people who don't believe in what they do literally has me standing up and cheering for them every time they prove someone wrong. I have yet to read the manga or light novel (whichever one is in english), but to get my fill after watching this show, I'm going to go to amazon right after this and download the book to my kindle app (and then maybe I'll come back and talk about how the manga is better than the anime or vice versa- no spoilers, though!). If you still don't get how much I enjoy this show, I just spent an hour researching if/when a season 2 comes out. UPDATE: I finished reading the manga. Yes, I finished all 7 books (up tp date) in one day. I know that the anime was based off of the manga, so the manga helped supplement my understanding of things that came across as confusing in the actual show. The manga was really amazing, and I'm glad I was able to see what happened after the ending of episode 12 of the anime (if you've watched the show, you know what I'm talking about). I really really hate when shows are left on a cliffhanger with no promise of another season, so reading the manga was exactly what I needed. Would recommend the anime to those who have enjoyed the manga (because there's nothing better than seeing it in color with actually movement, right?), and the manga to those who have enjoyed the anime. But reviewing the manga is a whole different review, so I'm going to stop here. Anyway, if the producers of the anime see this review, please make a season 2!! I'm dying to see what happens next, even if I have completed the manga up to date.

How many isekai anime did we get this year? From the Fall season alone, we got plenty enough to add to the roster ranging from anime about saving animals, an overly cautious protagonist, and even one with a blue haired bookworm. From the author of Chivalry of a Failed Knight, we receive an anime about high school prodigies. As the title implies, Choujin is an anime exactly as it sounds. It’s about a group of Japanese prodigies who enters a fantasy world. What’s unique about this group is that each of the characters specializes in a different field with their abilities. This anime chronicles their adventurein a fantasy world where they solve problems caused by corruption. And from the start, the first few episodes didn’t waste time to establish the main cast. Every main character stands out in some way or form whether it’s their personality or unique skill. As such, you really shouldn’t be expecting only one character to carry the show. From my first impressions, this anime wants to make the most of its characters. We quickly meet Tsukasa Mikogami a prime minister with heterochromia coming from a previous world. With a personality of wisdom, he stands out as a poster boy of restoring peace and eradicating corruption. Joining him includes Lyrule, the mysterious elf who seems to have feelings for him. The anime doesn’t fully commit on their relationship but it’s obvious that she sees Tsukasa as more than a close friend. It also doesn’t take long for the audience to meet the other main characters – Shinobu Sarutobi, Keine Kanzaki, Aoi Ichijiou, Ringo Oohoshi, and Prince Akatsuki, and Sanada Masato. Possessing skills such as medical expertise, swordsmanship, ninja art, magic, and among others, these prodigies stands as a symbol of hope for their world. The main question you should ask yourself is why you should care about these characters. From first glance, there’s not much special about them. Most of the cast fits within the archetype of isekai protagonists. Even someone as intelligent as Tsukasa lacks depth about his character. However, as a collective group, they stand together as an important part of the main story. They all share similar goals and to pursue that goal require a level of trust and commitment. Many of the episodes focuses on these prodigies working together to fight the good fight. Regardless of the circumstances, they want to rid of the corruption in this new world and show that there’s a light in the dark tunnel. Some of these characters take major risks by putting themselves above others such as Shinobu. In particular episode, she surrenders herself to save an innocent woman and her child from public humiliation. Aoi is also known for her valor and fights with honor to uphold the law. Even someone as childish as Prince Akatsuki knows the morals of right and wrong. There are also other minor characters who joins in these prodigies in their quest to free corruption such as Jeanne de Leblan, Winona, and Elka. A main theme of the show is how anyone can make a difference whether you’re a prodigy or an ordinary folk. Choyoyui actually does this quite well and as an anime only viewer, it’s gratifying. For a world of corruption, the main antagonists comes off as a stereotypical as you can get. For instance, Gustav is a corrupt ruler of a town and uses his power to humiliate the people. It isn’t until Shinobu takes a stand against his ego that they manage to restore peace. Gustav comes off as a very unlikable character. He has no redeemable traits and it’s easy for us to hate him. Unfortunately, antagonists like Gustav are easily forgettable and once they’re dealt with, you’ll probably never talk about them again. Maruis Findolf is another example who treats Lyrule like a toy. It’s despicable to know such individuals exist in their world and get away with their actions. If this anime’s goal is to get us to hate the antagonists, it sure as hell worked. But if the goal was trying the viewers into investing interest in them, then the show definitely dropped the ball. Watching Choyoyui can also be an entertaining and more relaxed experience in some cases. As dramatic as the plot is, there’s breather moments with the characters taking breaks and enjoying their new lifestyles. These often come in the form of leisure time such as taking baths. And because the anime has some alluring female cast, you should be prepared for some juicy fan service coming. The author did work on Chivalry of a Failed Knight after all and is known for some of its infamous fan service. Comedy also takes the form of character personalities in particular Prince Akatsuki. Don’t be expecting to laugh too much but just know that Choyoyui is not all gloom and doom. Studio Project No.9 is a questionable choice given their resume of mediocre anime lineup. Choyoyui’s art style is perhaps most noticeable for two subjects – the character designs with each of the cast’s traits and the action cinematics. Don’t expect an ufotable caliber level of choreography but do watch for some stylish battles such as Aoi’s rocket ride and Shinobu’s unorthodox ninja talents. As I mentioned before, the character designs for the female cast is alluring such as with Keine’s beautiful eyes and Lyrule’s elven ears. Fan service is conscious with some episodes being aware of how it presents them. (see the massage and bath scenes if you’re not a believer) The male cast also possess noticeable looks with Tsukasa’s heterochromia eyes and Masato’s professional business suit. To say it clearly, this is actually one of Studio Project No.9’s improved projects. Normally, I wouldn’t talk much about voice acting in an isekai show. However, character voices such as Aoi’s accent and Masato’s professionalism is hard to ignore. Even some of the antagonists’ voices brings out their villainous traits to full fold without holding back. The theme songs features an ensemble of the prodigies in this other world. Honestly, watching Choyoyui is probably as good or awful as you want it to be. After seeing so many isekai anime in recent years, it feels like watching the same thing over again and expecting different results. Choyoyui does carry some entertaining characters that you can’t take your eyes off but other times falls short on expectations. The main plot is questionable as it revolves around the same themes almost every episode. So in other words, Choyoyui stands in the line of average and it’s really hard to say it’s something great.

The levels of Isekai notoriety within the Light Novel medium has expanded since years recent, and more ideas are being fleshed out to give that sense of "fantasy" the genre has been all but standardly made known of. But tell me if this show has any originality to it, and even worse, coming off from the novelist of the great "Chivalry of a Failed Knight" author Riku Misora, I truly find it hard to fathom that he would try to switch things up from the genre that made his work memorable, to one that is truly undeserving, stooping low of his talents. But it iswhat it is, and I'd have to say, good ideation with a different concept, but the execution is just haphazard to say the most. The prodigies that TRULY have it "easy" (or difficult in later stages) in the medieval fantasy "another world" are: "Prime Minister" politician Tsukasa Mikogami, the spokesperson of "values over money", but also has special abilities to wield weapons (like why even for such a position?), not to mention that he is unknown about the ubiquitous harem of girls creeping onto him (especially elf Lyrule who repays his efforts with kisses). "Modified DNA-borne" inventor Ringo Oohoshi, with her computerized assistant Kumausa (which most of the time, looks like a bear mascot for the group) to make and create modern weapons into a medieval world. "Duo job" ninja-journalist Shinobu Sarutobi, who is agile and fast with any information, but if ever proves that her information scoop is ever consistent at best. "Rintaro Okabe-inspired mad scientist" doctor Keine Kanzaki, a beautiful, miracle-working nurse with a psychotic mind to cheat death with modern medicine (that's close but not even to Dr. Stone levels). "Passive-aggressive" samurai Aoi Ichijo, who wields the katana like a feather slaying through all enemies, the most standard and recognized ability of them all. "Kid-sized" magician tom-girl Prince Akatsuki, who is acting the David Copperfield part to amuse people who've never saw magic before for absolutely no reason (other than "WOW, nice!" and distraction). "Sensible and successful Jeff Bezos-inspired" businessman Masato Sanada who strives to make it big and rescue those in poverty. I mean, businessman are shrewd in personality, but that word ain't in his dictionary, and profit is always at hand with this guy. So, unique but not so special characters with "special" abilities that doesn't impress, but will do. From the get-go, an idea about prodigies in another world sounds like a generic can-do concept, but take a look at their ages, and that's where the whole genericness creeps unknowingly one notch higher. I mean, prodigies is a totally acceptable thing, but them being high school kids? Man, these geniuses must've been borne with talent, and yes, all these kids have worked off their asses to get to where they are, but holding positions where mainly only adults carry them? That's just stretching it to the limits where the ENTIRE world only consists of these cast of prodigies, and their "parents" that carried them the way through just either don't care or don't exist in their lives (as backstory, mind you, sad but true). Same goes to the medieval fantasy world where its citizens can only function on a one-way "follower" street, and enemies are also treated like bad-behaved kids who need to get over their mistakes and learn their lesson against the prowess of the prodigies, and to make things even more confusing, NOT decimate them because "they should be given a second chance". It's almost baffling to the point where the people in the show do not (or rarely) have a choice in what they say and do, and most importantly, who to support against the backdrop of generic evil kingdoms supressing its people in their own nefarious attempts (which consists of only rape and murder) to reign and rule like the BS that they could. Is that what villains do when they have nothing else to conduct, really? Evil for the purpose of plot and senseless purpose? Oh, and the "prophecy" for the prodigies to defeat some "final boss" monster? Yea...hold my beer. All in all, this is where the show truly flops not just for namesake, but for even trying in the first place. On the B-roll side, visuals, music and aesthetics have been shunned by the horrendous plotholes and storytelling so much that it has become (you've guessed it) a total generic-fest of a show. As I've said before in the past about the works of Project No. 9, every (new and more frequent) show from the studio seems like mediocre, hamfisted requests of projects that isn't made to stand out, but rather, makes it clear to go towards the popularity standings and displace all other aspects of the shows directed there without any sense of quality that's double-checked thoroughly. So, lower-than-average visuals, and the music that honestly has no substance to carry it through to the end, and what you'll end up with is a show that you'd care less about finishing it rather than taxing your way through from start to finish. I'd wish that the Isekai genre would burn to a crisp with the many adaptations that are yet to come, and if crap materials like these just keep coming a.k.a cash-cows, there is absolutely no way that even Japan would ignore the many cries of viewers who just had enough of the bullcrap. Enough with the cliches and tropes, just don't try, can do? Just pass this show up, can be deemed as an anime that is simply uneventful, unredeeming and just smeared with over-the-top ridiculousness. *Whew, rant done*

Okay, Choujin Kokosei, the new anime from the studio Project 9. And I'm going to be honest, I had high expectations from this one. The premise wasn't that bad and I even enjoy the first episode of the series. Actually, I thoght that the story is kind of interesting, but unfortunately, that's all this anime is, a good premise because the development of that premise and the characters go from being good, to boring and ends up being forgettable but it's not secret that it was another bad year for the isekai genre. Okay, let's start with the sections: Story: As I said in the beginning thisis the best aspect this anime has. The story of a bunch of guys who are prodigies, each one being a specialist in a particular camp, and then suddenly land in a isekai world where the goverment of this is corrupt and they try to fix it, using they abilities it's not that bad I mean, there have been worst premises for isekai anime the last couple years so if you compare this one to others, it's pretty decent. Development of the story: And now, we have easily the worst aspect in the entire anime. The beginning could say that it is quite decent because they show us how our heroes land in the world and try to adapt to the customs of the people that live there. And they noticed that everything is wrong right there and apparently they try to revolutionize it. And after that, everything goes down, simply because what they do isn't that memorable, is so predictable, everything they do is not even interesting, also their performance are exaggeratedly executed, It reaches a point where you are simply disappointed to think what the next exaggerated moment will be, beacuse their performances don't give you a powerful, funny, interesting or even an entertaning impression. And if only the situations in which this develops were interesting but not because they are boring. The "comic" situations that happens around the animet aren't even funny, are just boring or annoyingly bad, because it feels like they do something either funny, attractive, sad or romantic they're expectating any good reaction from you but not, it's even cringy. The antogonists are weak and tasteless, the methods they use to defeat this tasteless antagonists are predictable or simply ridiculously executed (example is the episode 9, where they are fighting with the villian). And the last leg of this, is, again, boring, bland, and SOOOOOO predictable. So yeah, all the potential this had in the story is horribly executed in the development. Characters: I'm will sumarize them in one word: tasteless. Seriously, they aren't the worst part of the anime but they have nothing that will be memorable in the future. Starting of with: Tsukasa, the best politic in the world, and apparently this is the leader of the team. Wow, well let me tell you that if he wasn't the leader he will be the most forgettable of all. Everything around him is overreacted, even the most "sad moments".When he is decided to help the people, and talks as a leader, am i the only one who fells inconvincent? Am i the only one who thinks is overracting every time he talks?. And if he is not overracting he is just being dramatic. Litteraly one of the most dramatic characters I seen in a while and as I said, if he wasnt the leader he easily would be the most forgettable character of the series. Personally, I think Ringo and Shinobu are the best characters of all, or at least the least awful, because around the series they do what they are especialist in,many if it's not all the time they carried the team in the back and their cute moments are the least cringe or forced. It's a shame that they don't get the recognition they deserved it. And I could keep talking about all the prodigies, but they aren't that deep, they are just a bunch of guys who everything around them feels forgettable and cliche.The funny part is that they just appeared a few times to grab the main attention, the rest they are just in the secundary place where they deserved to be . Lyrule is easily the worst: Overact everything, she is bland and corny as hell, her motivations are stupid. She is the perfect example of the typical cliche girl in the other world who is in the anime because she is the typical cliche girl in the other world. Oh, I almost forget her awful romance moments with Tsukasa. Development of the genre: As I said before the comedy moments in this anime aren't even funny, they just feel forced and painfully executed. The romance here is ridiculous, it is evident that they only did it, beacuse apparently an isekai anime has to have a romance by obligation. The drama doesn't hit you it just feel, again, exaggerated and boring, and where they are not exagerating they are just blatanly and shamelessly copying from other sad scenes. The best example is the episode 10 they are just blatanly copying the mother scene from the first episode from Kotoura-san. AMAZING! At least if you are going to be exaggerated, bland and boring at least have the decency to be ORIGINAL!! God dammit! But if there's one thing I just can not tolerate of this one are the painfully AND CRINGY "ecchi" moments. None of this "ecchi" moments are sexy or funny or at least entertaining, they only did this, because apparently an isekai anime hast to have ecchi moments too. And if it were not enough they aren't even original, it just a bunch of cliches that I'm tired of. Music: I'm going to be honest, I like quite a bit the opening of this one, I think that the fact of using a group of idols singing this is nice, they are least have rhythm and are good performances. An the ending is nice too, I like the sweet melody and the strong chorus. But the background music around every episode of the anime is just forgettable, and can't even remember a single melody of the music, and I'm really trying so hard in remember a melody but I just can't. Overall: I said it before I had high hopes for this anime, I thought it would be better than many of the isekai animes of this time. But apparently a good premise can't defeat all the boring, unfunny, bland, cringy and mostly forgettable moments of this anime and all this led by a horrible development of the story and genre adding forgettable and exaggerated characters. This is not the worst anime isekai I ever seen, even is not the worst isekai anime of the year believe it or not, but not many anime have a good premise and the development is so terrible and forgettable as this one. I give this anime a 3 out of 10. And I just hope that the mediocre isekai anime are going to end soon. I really hope so.