The Story

One certainly does not need to search too deep for reasons why Happy Sugar Life wouldn’t be worth their time. After all, “edgy” is a buzzword that is immediately associated with it (and that’s an easy turn off for most), Its current score isn’t exactly inviting (arguably the opposite), and its narrative might be inherently repellent for some given the subject matter that underlines it.

Go on

The truth is however, Happy Sugar Life has the tool box to make for a competent watch beyond those potential flags. It can easily serve as a fun Friday pick up with a low barrier of investment if given a proper shot.

I’m going to need more than that. Sell me on this but make it quick

Happy Sugar Life has deceptive quality past its cover. More fluidity and polish delivering key beats than it gets credit for. Good balance of creative vision and atmosphere. Satou’s solid at leading, bouncing off the rest of the cast well while bringing more restraint to the table than the lineage of pink haired characters that also reside in her archetype. Lastly, the narrative has enough of an early hook to create genuine intrigue and upside.

The Bottom Line

While Happy Sugar Life likely won’t end up as a top tier work in two months – it makes a good complement to a Summer watching list as its efficiently composed in a genre space that’s fairly thin this season. So If anything, this series will at least offer you a change of pace with a reasonable amount of quality.

 

 

“QUOTE OF THE WEEK”

–Gogo’s comment section. Welcome to Harukana Receive’s razor sharp character writing.

 

 

SEASONAL PRATTLE

Find what you’re looking for fast
Revue Starlight
Banana Fish
Satsuriku no Tenshi
Grand Blue
Isekai Maou to Shoukan Shoujo no Dorei Majutsu,
Hataraku Saibou
Happy Sugar Life

Revue Starlight (3)

I love how Revue Starlight brings so much flavor to its performances. Not just a splash, but a very particular mix of tones to give it a unique identity. Episode three’s directional sensibilities not only elevate viewer experience where a rougher vision would have fallen, they also dictate dramatic range with ease. Strong mix of natural body language, intimate framing, and concise delivery perfectly conveys Maya’s talent gap over Karen with notable touch. It’s an effort that’s very easy to get behind.

Worthwhile Prattle:

Position Zero, This is Tendou Maya: establishing the Takarazuka status quo in Shoujo ☆ Kageki Revue Starlight

Banana Fish (4)

This episode wasn’t as compelling as last week’s – Ash’s relationship with those around him didn’t have nearly enough wiggle, with lots of conversational dynamics feeling rehashed regardless if it was with Max or the inmates. However, the last quarter of this episode did show way more life. Post news, Max and Ash’s confrontation felt pretty well earned and still has me very optimistic for where we are headed.

Satsuriku no Tenshi (4)

It takes a special level of awful writing to actually double down on your work’s weaknesses, but here we are. I like to believe Satsuriku no Tenshi is intentionally stepping on its own tonal toes this week. Like this is just one big elaborate ruse and the poor dialogue choices, paper thin villain and terrible comedic inserts will go away in favor of something competent. Then I wake up from that silly day dream and realize that this is just how the show is – a downward spiral that hardly has a grasp on storytelling fundamentals.

Grand Blue (3)

I really want to be sold on Grand Blue’s recent addition, but a fair number of comedic scenes here were undercut by poor timing, stale repetition or a mix of both. The actual “diving segment” in our opening half was rather static, coming across as flavorful as the water Iori found himself submerged in, and Azusa’s second half dynamics ultimately couldn’t mask how tired this work’s formula is. Perhaps these jokes land better in the manga?

Isekai Maou to Shoukan Shoujo no Dorei Majutsu (4)

We actually had a solid episode this week – funny, agile small gags, sturdy interplay between the two leads, and a fine coat of production polish when it counted. Why can;t each showing be more like this?

Worthwhile Prattle:

Overpowered Protagonist Balanced Against Real Consequences (With a Healthy Dose of Fan-Service)

Hataraku Saibou (4)

Hataraku Saibou certainly isn’t a flashy show, but it really doesn’t have to be. This latest episode mainly skates by on charm – executing a very warm twenty minutes comprised of an array of small scenes that illustrate just how easy going and fun our cast is. When Hataraku Saibou isn’t in comedy mode, it falls back on being a reliably educational and wholesome experience. It’s such a joy to have around!

Happy Sugar Life (3)

As far as this episode goes, the actual content was reasonably good: Dramatic cues visually and aurally executed with poise, no unnecessary dialogue, and a level of pace and composition that kept Shio’s outside trek entertaining. I actually really appreciate how Happy Sugar Life matches its aesthetic craft with a fundamental understanding of suspense. It’s a better marriage than it appears on paper.

Worthwhile Prattle:

A Long Monochromatic Night

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