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Years ago, a fellow slash fan said that we are constantly wearing our "slash goggles" -- meaning that slash fans tend to see romantic possibilities between men, mostly in fictional media but also in real life. Hibiki is one of them -- only cranked up to the max, in the usual Japanese comedy style.
It's hilarious, stupidly so, at least for those who can laugh at themselves. But I think if this had been much longer, it would have been too much very fast. As it is, it's just a glimpse into Hibiki's thoughts and his reactions to his own fantasies -- just a small collection of what he encounters daily, not a continuous story, and very much open ended.
I loved the juxtaposition between his outrageous fantasies and his earnest mixology skills -- and what is a Japanese production without some food/drink appreciation? -- a well as the bar's subdued atmosphere contrasted with Hibiki's antics. The short fantasy stories of Hibiki's were done with great care, so much so that I got invested in the ships myself -- only to be ripped out of the fantasy by Hibiki having a seizure / a nose-bleed / a fever and everyone around him being concerned. I was surprised to see so many Japanese actors with an arms-long list of previous acting roles; and that only contributed to the mix of contrasts.
One other thing I also liked is Hibiki's self-awareness. He knows very well that his fantasies are just that: Fantasies. He never expects any of them to become real -- he even has his own moral code of who is shippable (Married men are a big No-no!), and that is what makes him likeable, even with all of his antics.
Was it good?
It was a well-crafted parody, Japanese style; and a lot of care has obviously gone into the set, the costumes and the casting.
Did I like it?
I loved it! I found it hilarious.
Who would I recommend it to?
To fujoshis/fudanshis/slash-fans who are able to have a good laugh at themselves.
It's hilarious, stupidly so, at least for those who can laugh at themselves. But I think if this had been much longer, it would have been too much very fast. As it is, it's just a glimpse into Hibiki's thoughts and his reactions to his own fantasies -- just a small collection of what he encounters daily, not a continuous story, and very much open ended.
I loved the juxtaposition between his outrageous fantasies and his earnest mixology skills -- and what is a Japanese production without some food/drink appreciation? -- a well as the bar's subdued atmosphere contrasted with Hibiki's antics. The short fantasy stories of Hibiki's were done with great care, so much so that I got invested in the ships myself -- only to be ripped out of the fantasy by Hibiki having a seizure / a nose-bleed / a fever and everyone around him being concerned. I was surprised to see so many Japanese actors with an arms-long list of previous acting roles; and that only contributed to the mix of contrasts.
One other thing I also liked is Hibiki's self-awareness. He knows very well that his fantasies are just that: Fantasies. He never expects any of them to become real -- he even has his own moral code of who is shippable (Married men are a big No-no!), and that is what makes him likeable, even with all of his antics.
Was it good?
It was a well-crafted parody, Japanese style; and a lot of care has obviously gone into the set, the costumes and the casting.
Did I like it?
I loved it! I found it hilarious.
Who would I recommend it to?
To fujoshis/fudanshis/slash-fans who are able to have a good laugh at themselves.
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