Jinsei

Initially had not planned on watching “Jinsei”, the anime adaptation of the light novel series “人生 – La Bonne Vie” written by Kawagashi Ougyo, but after reading good comments about this show from fellow anime fans, decided to give this comedy a try.

The comedy style and main premise reminded me somewhat of “GJ-bu”, although that may be an association made simply because the opening scene of “Jinsei” features a figure of Mao from “GJ-bu”.

Must confess am not entirely sure whether to keep on watching “Jinsei” or not. Although I thoroughly enjoyed the first three episodes, I did not enjoy the fourth and fifth episodes as much.

Those episodes shifted focus to the feud of the life counseling group with the competing journalism club and featured a more absurd comedy style like “D-Frag!” which for me clashed too much with the style of the earlier episodes.

Preferred the style of the opening episodes of “Jinsei” which revolved entirely on the four main characters and their life counseling section work.

Regardless, overall “Jinsei” doesn’t really surprise or excel, it uses all the typical elements and jokes seen in most anime comedies that revolve around one male character in a group of cute girls. In fact, the first episode already contains a wet gym uniform scene leading to the impossibly large chested girl of the cast getting gratuitously groped by one of the flat chested characters.

While Fumi and Ikumi are generic template characters, respectively the busty elegant young lady and energetic sporty girl type, luckily bespectacled Rino is a more interesting character. She is also rather obviously put forth as the show’s main selling point and they never never miss a chance to emphasize her cuteness.

Animation by studio Feel is quite good, as expected most care and attention goes to render the girls as cute as possible, the studio seems to ensure all key scenes are well polished.
Must say though that the backgrounds or overall animation level does not seem on the same level as the studio’s previous work on other series like “Minami-ke Tadaima” or “Papa no Iu Koto wo Kikinasai”.

Surprisingly, some of the main characters are voiced by voice talents who do not seem to have much or any other roles credited to them, like bespectacled Rino who is voiced by newcomer Nitta Hiyori.
Busty Fumi is voiced by Toyota Moe who also voiced Sakura in “Kyoukai no Kanata”. Energetic Ikumi is voiced by Suwa Ayaka who also voiced Saori in “Captain Earth” and Ruri in “Kanojo ga Flag wo Oraretara”.

If you’re looking for a run-of-the-mill anime with plenty of cute girls and the typical humor style used in school comedies, then “Jinsei” is worth giving a try.
Who can resist a megane kuudere like Rino anyway?