Okamisan

Okamisan and Her Seven Companions is a spirited and playful anime brought to us by J.C. Staff, well-known for other renowned titles like Toradora and Food Wars, and licensed in North America by FUNimation Entertainment in 2010.

The show takes us through the charming life of Ryouko Okami, a feisty high school girl with a misleadingly wild exterior. This red-riding-hood-inspired heroine, famously known as Okami-san, is part of Otogi High School's group called the Otogi Bank, an interesting club that deals with various student requests, offering help and solutions in exchange for some form of road-payment or favor. This unique ‘bank’ might just be the only place where you’d get to see a wicked witch handle finances or a Tortoise and a Hare disturbance arbitration!

At its core, Okamisan is essentially a contemporary fairy tale, laden with fun and folklore-like characters while still managing to weave modern societal issues into its storylines. This contrasts the everyday high school life and the fantastic trope-ridden quasi-urban legends the series entertains to create an atmosphere that's lighthearted yet engaging.

Apart from Okami-san herself, the club is crammed with other equally unforgettable characters. It comprises Ryoushi Morino, a coy and timid boy nursing a crush on Okami; Ringo Akai, the ever-bubbling Little Red Riding Hood, best friend to Okami and the club's negotiator and planner; Otsu Tsurugaya, the 'motherly' matronly figure; and several other quirky figures inspired by classical fairy tale characters.

This entertaining ensemble navigates through a realm that smartly juxtaposes mundane high school life with fairy tale-like intrigues thrown into the mix. There are distorted evil villains, dainty damsels, grandiose quests, and lots of witty humor to keep you invested.

Much of the story revolves around Okami and Ryoushi’s relationship. Ryoushi, initially described as a phobic to being the center of attention and a compulsive stalker, confesses his love for Okami in the first few episodes. This leads to a running theme throughout the series – the exploration of their relationship dynamics. A lot of humor stems from Okami’s denial and reluctance and Ryoushi’s determination and persistence, a delightful portrayal of young love.

The visuals of this anime series are fabulous; loaded with vibrant colors and masterful illustrations. The character designs are both fun and unique, each tailored to fit the fairy-tale archetype they were derived from. A special mention is required for the battle sequences - they are an absolute spectacle to watch, primarily due to the excellent animation work and emphatic background scores supporting them.

Packed with unique humor, lot of satirical takes on classic fairy tales, and some touching emotional moments, Okamisan has a lot of charm to it. The Otogi Bank is the main setting where most conflicts arise, and solving those conflicts often involves high-stakes events and, at times, intense battles.

The show also does an excellent job highlighting different aspects of high school life, like friendship, infatuation, acceptance, rivalry, and personal growth. More than anything, the series stands as a fun, goofy joyride filled with numerous memorable moments.

Equipped with 12 fast-paced and entertaining episodes, Okamisan showcases a captivating narrative that hardly leaves room for ennui. The ending theme denotes various twists on the fairy tales based on the events that occur throughout the episodes, adding another layer of depth to the plot and characters.

At its heart, Okamisan and Her Seven Companions is a vibrant high school fairy tale packed full of fun, action, and sweetness. Whether you're an anime novice or a seasoned veteran, this show is absolutely worth checking out. It's a light-hearted rom-com, steeped in folk-tales, and Radiant with warmth and charm. It's a series that refuses to take itself too seriously and, as a result, stands as a fantastic watch for anyone wanting an off-beat, relaxing, and enjoyable anime.