Play It Cool, Guys

Play It Cool, Guys is a true comfort show to me. Like a warm and cozy blanket, I feel at home. Iyashikei anime, also known as shows that focus on healing the audience, are amongst some of my favorites. Play It Cool, Guys goes a step further by introducing us to a bunch of cute guys of varying ages that are just super clumsy in their own way. And let me tell you that every one of their interactions with each other is truly entertaining to watch. In fact, I don’t have a favorite amongst the boys because they’re all so special in their own way.This may sound like a reach but in a way, this is similar to the found family trope to me. The guys in this show feel supported and happy while they're together. They motivate each other, do fun stuff together and have good conversations. Even when another character is added later on, they are always so friendly. It feels like they've known each other for years, their bond is beautiful to watch. They're truly themselves while together. The show also excels at both the funny moments and the more serious moments. It discuses expectations for the future, living in the moment and what a certain friendship means to you. There’s definitely more to this show than the amazing characters. The studio behind it also invested much time and effort into bringing these characters to life and provide the show with a warm and sincere atmosphere. I'm honestly really surprised as I was not sure if they were going to nail it, but they sure did! The color palette is comforting, and the soundtrack is tranquil. Both OPs and EDs are amazing and tell a story in their own way. Furthermore, the animation is smooth, and the comedic timing is well done. All in all, a feast for the eyes! The episodes are quite short, you’ll feel sad once they are over. Though, I would say that there’s still a cohesive plot going on and different episodes are interconnected. I was truly NEVER bored. To be honest, I’m sad while writing this. Having been watching this show since October 2022 and it suddenly being over is making me feel melancholic. That’s how much I loved Play It Cool, Guys. I think this show will entertain many different people so if you’re in need of something comforting and relaxing please give it a try. As for me, I'm going to miss my boys tremendously. I’m going to be reading the manga to fill the void!

Cool Doji Danshi is basically Derp: The Anime. It’s a fun, easy watch, with each episode being around 10 minutes. The anime is about four good-looking guys who are clumsy or socially awkward; a fifth guy later joins the group. With the originality of a creator capturing derpiness and turning it into wholesome slice-of-life, the guys are literally named One (Hayate Ichikura), Two (Shun Futami), Three (Takayuki Mima), Four (Souma Shiki), and Five (Motoharu Igarashi). They each have their unique quirks, which I love—they aren’t just carbon copy characters, but each has his own charm. Whether it’s the shy fanboy or the play-it-cool kid, you’ll beable to relate to at least one of them, and you’ll definitely root for all or most of them. The character interactions are also fantastic. Even in the first four episodes, which focus on each of the original four main characters, there’s still a sense of connection—it’s the idea that derp connects people, which is always fun. Then the characters begin to have proper interactions. Some of them are cute and shippable, if you’re into that. What I especially like about these interactions is that they feel genuine and are so wholesome, that whether or not you ship them, they’re fun to watch. The art style is simple and light. At times, it’s like watching an animated manga, which fits the genre. And the visual effects make everything look so fluffy! The soundtrack also helps set the fun, cheerful tone, and both OPs are wonderful. Bonus points for Mafumafu being featured on the first OP! I recommend Cool Doji Danshi if you’re in the mood for slice-of-life, want fun and short episodes, and don’t mind a bit of second-hand embarrassment for very relatable/derp moments. ^^

We all know that someone: the cool and mysterious type who manages to make everything look casual and effortless, but who knows what goes on through their head in acting that way? "Cool Doji Doshi" examines those very personalities with no room left in between using four, and eventually five, personable characters. Although they are all equally clumsy, each showcases their own charms and unique ways of dealing with their deficiencies to a hilariously relatable effect. Aside from the premise behind each character's personality, this half-long episode series weaves an intricate tale of how the bubble these characters occupy intersects with one another. bringing theselike-minded people together. What's special about "Cool Doji Doshi" is the seamless transition from the series' plainly episodic trajectory to one that tells a story of men in different places in their lives who find a thing or two to learn from one another. At times near the end of the 24-episode run, audiences almost forget what it is they originally came for in favor of something greater because the series has done so well to emphasize story building and key moments of character growth rather than, without progress, continuously latch onto its original premise of cool yet somewhat graceless men. Characters without much substance can only go so far, and it's a delight to see genuine articles of continuity throughout that reward the viewer for legitimizing the bond between these characters. "Cool Doji Doshi" tells us that no matter how outwardly cool and confident one appears, it's the small and stupid everyday mistakes that shape who we are.

This anime is simply delightful. The episodes are light and short (unfortunately too short ╥⁠﹏⁠╥⁠), but it's impressive how there is so much character development in such a short time without it feeling rushed. The story has a beginning, middle and end, that is, it is a closed story despite occurring in an ''episodic'' manner, with specific events in the characters' daily lives. Furthermore, it is very easy to identify with the characters. I saw myself reflected in several scenes (I am Hayate and Hayate is me haha). Anyway, it's a quick anime that can even be watched in 1 day,but it's very worth it.