Binbogami ga!

Binbogami ga!, also known as Good Luck Girl!, is an exhilarating, entertaining, and comedic anime series that aired in 2012, produced by Sunrise, and licensed by FUNimation. The show incorporates a mixture of comedy and supernatural elements to create a light-hearted, engaging, and unique anime experience. Binbogami ga! stands out with a rich cast of characters, a unique premise, and an excellent balance between humor and dramatic tension.

The storyline centers on a high school girl named Ichiko Sakura, who leads an extremely charmed life. She is blessed with beauty, brains, wealth, and health on nearly unbelievable levels. Every aspect of her life is perfect, which becomes the source of much envy and contempt among others. However, her good fortunes are not as simple as they seem. It turns out, Sakura's incredible luck is the result of her body's ability to draw 'Happiness Energy' from her surroundings, which affects the balance of fortune in the world.

While this may sound like a gift, it comes with severe repercussions. Her ability to draw upon others' Happiness Energy inadvertently drains the luck out of people around her, causing a disruption in the world's equilibrium. The disturbance in the balance of fortune due to Ichiko's excessive good luck catches the attention of the gods in the celestial world, especially the gods of misfortune.

This prompts the gods to send Momiji Binboda, a god of poverty or 'misfortune god,' to Earth, tasked to drain Sakura's excess fortune energy and return the world back into balance. What follows is a light comedic battle of wits and tricks as Momiji tries to accomplish her mission and Ichiko fiercely attempts to resist and maintain her level of luck.

Underneath its comedic surface, Binbogami ga! subtly offers an exploration of some complex themes, including the nature of luck, the significance of balance in life, and the consequences of taking things for granted. The series is packed with a host of colorful characters that bring added charm and eccentricity to the narrative. These include Ichiko's various classmates and Momiji's celestial colleagues, each adding a different flavor to the comedic mix.

Each episode of this series is a stand-alone adventure filled with comedic banter and slapstick humor between Ichiko and Momiji, with a variety of scenarios depicting how the two try to outwit each other. However, viewers also uncover more about Ichiko's life as the series progresses, giving depth to her usually bubbly and lucky exterior.

The animation of Binbogami ga! is distinctive and well-executed, filled with lively and exaggerated expressions that add to the comedic effect. The show uses a rich color palette and quirky visual gags, often parodying other popular anime. The music adds to the prevailing mood of the series, amplifying the joyous, comedic, and supernatural elements.

The voice acting, in both original Japanese and English dub, is commendable with actors successfully conveying the comic timing and the exaggerated drama of the series. Sakura, with her high-and-mighty attitude combined with moments of vulnerability, and Momiji, with her casual disregard for dignity to accomplish her duties, are both brought to life endearingly by their voice actors.

In conclusion, Binbogami ga! represents one of those rare shows that effortlessly blend comedy with elements of fantasy, making it a joy to watch. It delves into some thought-provoking themes, yet remains remarkably light-hearted and fun. The characters, distinct plot, and humor set it apart from other anime. It's a show for those who enjoy humor, supernatural elements, and engaging character dynamics, promising a roller-coaster ride of laughter and frivolity. The show encapsulates the concept of taking good fortune for granted and the necessity of balance in life, blending it all with the right darkness, lightness, and ample humor. It's a delightful anime series that fans of the genre should not miss.