Neo Yokio

I legitimately had no idea what to expect. I was just thumbing through Netflix and came across this on their recently added. Neo Yokio is very, VERY different from anything else you have seen, and it is important to keep this in mind while watching it.

It feels like Wes Anderson, the anime, so there is very little precedent for the show in general. The show keeps the mood light and rarely takes itself or its characters seriously. Don't try to take it seriously, but instead focus on the comically unfitting soundtrack, the deadpan delivery of ridiculous lines, and the hilarious commentary on how out of touch the social elite can be. 6 episodes is by no means an investment, and you may enjoy it!

This is definitely one of those experiences you will either love or hate. It is definitely satire.

The Art should always lend to the production and the design appears very purposefully American with a setting that is a parody of New York, it makes perfect sense. The art took some getting used and is probably the only reason this anime isn't better reviewed.

The Characters are all satirical parodies of real-life dynamics and remain a social dialogue about the bourgeoisie.

There were many interesting elements including the world in which demons exist but the main plot line doesn't seem to actually require them. The music was beautifully classic and lent itself to this darkly hidden subterfuge that maintained an aggressive presence in the undertone while making this ever prevalent facade.

To me the story doesn't appear to be about demons, it appears to be a youths experiences and growing up to see that everyone wears masks.

A smart and funny caricatcher of modern life played out with a great voice cast including Jaden Smith who voiced his part of a spoild brat perfectly and The Kid Mero and Desus Nice who's every other line was delivered hilariously. Definitely worth your time if you are either a fan of anime or dry humour.

With obvious anime roots, this show is a western version of an eastern style that often tries to emulate western values and iconography. As such you get a uniquely self-referential style of series that simultaneously celebrates western aristocratic capitalism, while at the same time questioning it.

There is a distinct American Psycho vibe, where class, stature and the latest accessories often take precedence over sane character choices and are emphasised throughout as the be-all and end-all of the constructed world of Neo Yokio. While there is often humour derived from these situations the show also seems to be trying to make some real points about materialism and shallow social climbing. The problem is that all these points have been made a thousand times before, and they overshadow any 'demonic' goings-on, which are really just background noise to the social politics of the world created.

Overall Neo Yokio has its own style for a western show, and is a decent watch. It is mostly a shame that it only has a six-episode first series since none of the themes are explored anywhere near enough. With some more time this could have been a cult hit, as it is it requires a lot more expansion since nothing really happens in the six episode span past scratching the surface of the world.

It's understandable that a lot of people didn't get what this show was trying to be and voted 1. Yes the animation wasn't the best, yes the voice acting was equally not the best.

If you grew with animes in the 80s and 90s, it's likely that you will get at least some of the tropes and references this show is making fun of. And speaking of references, it's full of them. Some of the more obvious being from Ranma ½ and Sailor Moon. Toss in a mockery of Taylor swift and Ralph Lauren, and you're set. It manages to be a parody without losing its own identity.

I don't think it's for everyone, but I had a blast with it and I hope there will be more of it.

Now let me go enjoy my big toblerone.