Africa Salaryman

Africa Salaryman is a unique and unconventional animated series that aired in 2019 on the Docomo Anime Store. The show adopts a fresh narrative style that meshes satire, comedy, and everyday life elements in an African setting. Braving the norms of the animated TV genre, Africa Salaryman not only reveals the untamed beauty of African wildlife, but also flows against the current by injecting an unexpected juxtaposition of these wild creatures with modern corporate life.

Flaunting a surreal yet creative convergence of the jungle's wild life with the orderly life of the corporate world, this peculiar anime provides a breath of fresh air for its viewers. It invites them into a humorous misadventure of African animals, humanized and trying to navigate the intricacies of conventional human living.

At the heart of Africa Salaryman's storytelling are four main characters, each representational of a specific animal in the African wildlife. A Toucan, a Lion, a Lizard, and a Gorilla take center stage in this divine comedy, each uniquely struggling to put on the façade of modern, white-collar gentlemen. These characters are more than mere anthropomorphisms, as their animal instincts often bubble over their professional demeanor, bringing comedic relief to foreground.

The Lion, who is seen as the ferocious king of the jungle, is transformed into a typical middle-management employee who tries to maintain a dignified decorum but comically fails. Moreover, the Lizard is perhaps the epitome of an average, inconspicuous salaryman, bathing in the sun to regulate his body temperature during lunch breaks. The Toucan is portrayed satirically as a troublemaker, whose animated loud personality leads to hilarious situations. The Gorilla, imposing and intimidating in his muscular physique, battles with his shredded reputation when a video of him drumming on his chest goes viral.

Africa Salaryman ingeniously uses these contrasts of behavior and characteristics to innovate funny, laughter-packed episodes. Each character brings their unique quirks to the table, generating outbursts of humor when their animal instincts peek through their formal selves, inciting comedic chaos.

Over and above the hilarity, however, the show engages a critical discourse of the mundane corporate lifestyle. It presents these animals not only in human attire but also bound by human rules, restrictions, and anxieties. The dilemma faced by these creatures, torn between their natural instincts and their adopted behavior, aptly mirrors the modern man's struggle in the corporate world. The absurdity of the situations depicted reflects a parody of the absurdities humans face in their daily work life, making the series relatable to viewers in the most uncanny yet entertaining way.

The narrative threads woven into the series create a splendid spectacle of colourful animation, brilliant background scores, and memorable voice acting. The animation impeccably paints a vibrant picture of the vibrant African wilderness, juxtaposed with the grey monotone palette of city life. The voice acting, too, is immersive, breathing life into the anthropomorphic characters and making them personable.

Playing with extreme contradictions, Africa Salaryman steps back from the beaten path and stands as a triumphant example of originality and creativity. It spins mundane situations into slapstick comedy, while also capturing the pressure and exhaustion that come with corporate life. Ever so subtly, amidst all the humor and satire, it raises poignant questions about the mechanization of life in the corporate world and the loss of natural essence.

In Africa Salaryman, the creatures of the African wilderness jump out of their natural habitat and land smack in the concrete jungle of human society. It is a spectacle where humor laced with a dash of reality makes for a show, unlike anything audiences have seen before.

Without a shadow of a doubt, Africa Salaryman cements its place as a refreshing, laugh-out-loud comedy anime provide the intense hilarity while commenting on modern society – and it's simply a journey not to be missed.