Undead Unluck

I discovered the manga last year (thanks, local library!) and was hooked. So I anticipated the anime with bated breath. And in so many ways it's a fantastic adaptation of Sensei's work, even with the inevitable tweaking, additions , and storyline expansion that come with such projects. However, the one thing which bugs me, the biggest and only issue that bugs me, is that about half of each episode is spent in flashbacks and refreshers, and that's not counting the intro and extro credits sequences and next episode teaser. I don't know if this is because of this particular production, a quirk of this studio, or the state of anime production in general, but it's quite frustrating to sit through.

Now I get that some flashbacks are necessary to the plot: they help clarify the crisis of the episode, refresh the viewer's memory of stuff from the very beginning that might've become fuzzy, etc. But when an entire episode consists of such "refreshments" and add, maybe, 5-8 minutes of new stuff, is that truly necessary? To my mind, no. Especially not in this era of binge-watching and multi-episode premieres - are our memories so out of whack from our short attention spans to need reminders of something that happened just the previous episode? I admit, I have a crap memory, but even I'm not that forgetful.

So while the animation and voice work (of the original Japanese - I haven't watched the dub yet so I can't comment on it) are high-class, and the storyline is just as hilarious, action-packed, dramatic, and fast-paced as the manga's, the actual production could be better. Thanks to the state of anime and manga today, with its greater-than-ever focus on speed and earning capability to the exclusion of everything else, including the health of those involved, I can't say I'm surprised.

This show seemed lewd and generic. Didn't appear to have a particularly interesting premise so I kept my expectations low. Turned out to be a good time. Charming character design and art style, hollow melodrama kept to a minimum, creative battle mechanics and is actually something of a cute love story. The plot itself also gets progressively more interesting. Far more than the first few episodes would indicate with the continuation of an engaging story arc coming in later seasons.

If you're a fan of anime in general this is a good pick, if you're among the uninitiated (and don't mind some low-brow humor) you may have to be a bit patient. It won't immediately hook you but you'll likely enjoy having stayed around.

As of late 2023, a brand new anime series from the beloved studio TMS has come out called Undead Unluck. Based on the 2020 shonen manga series by Yoshifumi Tozuka, the anime adaptation has only been out for a few months and has already garnered considerable popularity amongst the mainstream crowd, especially with its American release on Hulu. Although the show is still going on at the time of this review, it is nonetheless worth talking about for the sake of recommendation. It's hard to say where the show will be headed as it goes on, so consider this more of a reflective summary than a concise review.

The main storyline focuses on a young woman named Fuko Izumo with a misfortune of bad luck that happens when someone touches her and a buff undead man who regenerates at any given wound and is sick of being immoral. Teaming up so they can find the guy's ultimate death, Fuko and Andy (as she calls him) join a team of others with special abilities to avoid being hunted by a mysterious organization. As a buddy anime series, Undead Unluck is carried through the unconventional chemistry of Fuko and Andy respectively. Andy is a lot more experienced in his ability and cocky in personality than Fuko who is otherwise more cautious and emotionally abrasive, and their adventures are built on the numerous obstacles they have to face. Whether it be a creepy organization targeting individuals with unique powers or facing other opponents with unique powers, the duo are ultimately aided by the people within the same organization, especially the bubbly assassin Shen. The numerous adventures the duo embark on vary from set piece to set piece, making the series engagingly unpredictable.

Now although TMS is the main production company behind the anime, the actual animation was produced by David Production, known for JoJo's Bizarre Adventure and Fire Force. That being said, the studio handled the art and animation direction beautifully with gorgeously crafted detail around the environments and well choreographed action scenes. By sticking close to the subject's shonen genre, the series knows how to blend humor, action and drama in differing ways, and the crew at David Production keep the dynamic between the leads and the people they meet distinct enough to know who to root for. Perhaps some of the humor can lean too much into repetition and obnoxious banter, but the visual sight gags more than make up for it all. In addition, Kenichiro Suehiro's score keeps the series on its toe as the stakes get more and more intense, and Natsuki Hanae nearly steals the show amongst the cast as Shen, almost as much as Moe Kahara and Yuichi Nakamara respectively. Whoever prefers dubs or subs will be their own judge on who sounds more fitting in the end.

While Undead Unluck is still going on, hopefully this review should warrant some positive attention in regards to what viewers should expect. As a tale of an unlikely pair embarking on a journey to do what's right in their lives, there should be just enough material in the show to recommend to people. Since it should be going on into the new year of 2024, here's hoping that it leaves at least somewhat of an impact prior to its first season's conclusion. Now that 2023 is coming to an official end, at least it's leaving us off with knockout series worth consuming on streaming, at least through the winter.

Undead Unluck is a masterclass in slow-burning storytelling, weaving a tale of resilience, romance, and self-discovery that will leave you spellbound. This anime expertly crafts a narrative that's both hauntingly beautiful and deeply unsettling.

The premise is intriguing: two individuals, Andy and Fuuko, are 'cursed' with immortality and bad luck, respectively. Their paths intertwine in unexpected ways, leading to a complex dance of emotions and survival.

The romance is expertly handled, with a buildup so gradual and tender that it'll leave you breathless. It's not just a love story, but a exploration of human connection and vulnerability.

The characters are multidimensional and flawed, with Andy's stoic exterior hiding a deep well of emotion, and Fuuko's cheerful facade concealing a dark past. Their development is a joy to behold.

The animation is stunning, with a blend of vibrant colors and haunting imagery that perfectly captures the show's atmosphere. The soundtrack is equally impressive, elevating each scene to new heights.

What truly sets Undead Unluck apart is its exploration of resilience. In a world filled with darkness and despair, Andy and Fuuko find ways to persevere, to adapt, and to love.

If you're looking for an anime that will slowly but surely capture your heart, look no further than Undead Unluck. Be prepared for an emotional journey that will leave you changed forever.

Undead Unluck is a brand new animation series with tons of actions, blood (literally) and ridiculous science.

The main hero is an immortal with regenerative power at max speed level. So, even with decapitation, the dude regenerates himself into full again and again. And he can propel himself by spraying his blood out, like a jet spray.

The girl is super unlucky to the point of illogical. The more intemate she is to someone, the more unlucky that person is.

The enemies ate also ridiculous, but that is the fun of this series and for you to find out.

By the way, because the hero is always being cut, shot, decapitated and even minched, he is always nude with his crotch covered by a patch of static screen.