Enter Nanana Ryūgaj, the ghost and main heroine of this series. As a ghost, she is bounded to a special room ever since she was assassinated 10 years ago. And being a ghost, she is usually lonely inside and confined to a little room with nothing but video games and pudding. That is until she meets Juugo Yama, a young man who is an adventurer, working man, and pervert (with a fetish for maids) all the same time. It really can’t be helped since Jugo has nowhere else to go after being kicked out by his own father. A human and a ghost living together? Bring on the irrationality.
Or rather, maybe a bit lightweight because Nanana may not be the type of girl some may picture her as. Rather than a malevolent ghost seeking for vengeance at any chance, Nanana behaves like an odd girl with NEET tendencies. She doesn’t look like an angry spirit either throughout the duration of the show despite the desperation to find the killer that bestowed this fate upon her. In essence, we have a rather peculiar relationship between Nanana and Jugo packaged into a little adventure. At first, the two does not seem to get along. Nanana finds Jugo to be a nuisance and waste of space. Jugo on the other hand has a keen interest in Nanana although he never seems to impress her. But as the series goes along, we do see a more development between the duo that mutates from acquaintances, to friendship, and possibly even on the edge of romance.
Based off the light novel of the same name written by Kazuma Ōtorino, there’s some fascination related to the premise of the series. There’s elements of adventure, mystery, drama, romance, and even supernatural all mixed together in a little package. The first episode quickly blasts off with some scenes with Indiana Jones conception and later shifts its focus to Nanae Island. It is here where the series takes place and judging by its technology, there are endless possibilities. Shiki Maboro, the landlady and Nanana’s best friend, provides possibilities for Juugo including a chance for him to provide Nanana some company. Yet behind her façade, there’s a bitter insight of sadness as she wishes to also solve the mystery of Nanana. The series however focuses more on just that as Juugo goes on his own adventures to find Nanana’s buried treasures, specifically the Nanana Collection.
11 episodes and that’s apparently what’s needed to hammer down an adventure chronicling Juugo’s time as an adventurer. Not only that but the way it wraps up the show is controversial, at least in resolution sense. But really, a show with such potential can be cut back to just that can be compromising. To say the least, the adventure Juugo goes through feels fast paced and lacks that feeling of the classics. Sure, Nanae Island is a high level city to live in but the best way to bring out its potential is to also go out and explore with a real thrill of wanderlust. However, the show confines itself to the island as well as the apartment that Juugo stays in limiting such possibilities. The way the show depicts its adventures instead seems to focus with the other characters that Juugo meets. After joining the school’s Adventure Club, the audience is quickly introduced to more enthusiastic detectives such as Tensai Ikkyu. And as a girl with apparently genius level intellect, she becomes both a helping hand and nuisance during Juugo’s quest. Other characters Juugo becomes acquainted with as a member of the Adventure Club offers diversity. But unfortunately, some of them come with a formulaic throwback and in general, clichés. Examples include the stereotypical Isshin Yuiga, the president of the club with an obsession on treasures. He comes with the complete package with his devious personality, menacing glasses, and a taste to obtain power. The show doesn’t stop with further stereotypes such as providing him a sidekick, a girl named Yu Ibara who worships the ground that Isshin walks on. Others include a master of disguises, a trap that comes with the classy maid gimmick, and hackneyed antagonist with self-motivated interest to do everything to get what he wants. To say the least, it’s a substantial cast of characters layered with clichés and unimpressive gags.
One interesting aspect to take from this show is the relationships that Juugo develops with others. While most of the main characters are crass with generic attributes, Juugo brings out the best of them on some cases. In one such case, his relationship with a family member become heartwarming. Although it seems frivolous at first, there’s an innate focus on Juugo’s own characteristics as a person who can keep a promise. His inspiring dedication enables him to show what other characters are capable of and when they show a different side of their frontal selves. This even expands to minor supporting characters where they only show up briefly yet Juugo is able to converse with them on an open level. Juugo’s charisma is something I find contagious in a mixed way where he can be someone honest with himself and others. At the same time, his loyalty transpires respect and commands his presence.
Despite the seriousness of the premise itself involving a murder prior to the start, the series showcases its more fundamental aspects involving the treasures. Each treasure the series reveals has some a different power with a different function. It offers diversity and potential to expand their usage. Unfortunately, the show only touches on their general aspects and ways to get them. It does display their usage though with various results to show how magnificent Nanana’s treasures really are. On the other hand, the comedy is a hit or miss for the audience. Juugo’s perverse actions surfaces from the very beginning and pretty much whenever else when he gets involved with attractive members of the opposite sex. It’s generic as Juugo becomes a punching bag by them on the opposite end. And for some reason, despite being a ghost and even incorporeal, Nanana is able to attack Juugo at her own will. Other parts of intentional humor includes but not limited to tsundere like behavior of Tensai, Juugo’s maid fetish (made awkward since the character he feels those desire towards is a trap), and running gags. In retrospect, the show can feel like it’s trying too hard for its own good.
Artwork is stylish to say the least but some of the character designs looks a bit generic. Nanana’s design contrasts the menacing features of a ghost with her more girly and curvy figure. Similarly, most female characters in the show has an attractive figure that often makes Juugo’s inner desires surface. Juugo himself is designed like a normal boy with nothing noticeable despite his charisma. But despite this, the show’s setting has great detail provided with its cutting edge technology. Nanae Island is designed with lavish architectures, beautiful landscapes, and garnishes a brand of attentiveness to people looking for inventive ideas. A-1 Pictures adapts the setting and pulls it off when it comes to the overall backgrounds although lacking a bit of effort into the character designs. There is also some fan service with the onsen episode inspiring fan service to pop up and of course, curious camera angles.
Soundtrack is less distinctive but does hold itself together when the push comes to shove. We get comical OST during humorous moments, soft pacing during emotional scenarios, and more action oriented stereo during climatic scenes. The OP and ED song has a delicious taste to it more than just pudding. It has its catchy tone with colorful palate of the main characters, in particular our ghostly superstar Nanana. And finally while most of the voice acting is standard, I give praise to Kana Hanazawa for her ability to play a character of the opposite gender. You’ll be surprised at what you’ll see.
Taking this show at face value, it could be a hit or miss. It’s one of those shows that can either appeal you or be a waste of time. But for all of its attributes, it is something I consider as throwback. The story has a sound promising premise with a diverse cast of characters. But the execution wasn't all bright and shiny. That and the absurd comedy could sway some attention from the audience when it seems forceful. As a show with so many things packaged into a single entity, you’d have to expect a sphere of potential but seriously, it wasn't all that. Not one bit.
