Hentai Ouji to Warawanai Neko. – 01

OP Sequence

OP: Fantastic Future by (Tamura Yukari)

(Hentai-san to Warawanai Neko)
“The Pervert and the Stony Cat”

Feeling like there’s a huge hole in your heart left by the absence of Sakurasou no Pet na Kanojo? Need a new romantic comedy to pick up this season? Give Henneko a try! With a story reminiscent of a combination of Nyan Koi! and Kokoro Connect, explore the tale of the Hentai Prince, Yokodera Youto (Kaji Yuki), and the stone-faced Tsutsukakushi Tsukiko (Ogura Yui) as they both go on a quest to find their lost personalities. With J.C Staff’s track record on handling the very specific light novel romantic comedy genre, I can say just from the first episode that things are looking very good for this adaption, if not at the very least for the art.

Boy, that art sure is something though on it’s own. It’s clear where the production budget has gone towards this season, with no expense made to make the animation look as crisp as it can. Kantoku’s character designs have been faithfully reproduced, but at the same time have been adjusted to J.C. Staff’s personal style, which is in no way a bad thing. In comparison to the manga, the anime actually has outdone itself and the source in terms of art, adding many exaggerated yet tasteful scenes that help to strengthen the comedic aspects of the show. Instead of just bowing, Youto creates a shockwave of PR to highlight his inability to be truthful. Instead of a chase scene, Youto and Tsukiko create arrow vectors that breathe air into the usual chase scene. Whoever happens to be directing these changes, whether it’s art director Mihara Nobuaki or director Suzuki Youhei, I congratulate them so far for crisp animation and drawings that rival even Oreimo this season.

We’ve got great art, but what about the story and characters? Character-wise, things are looking promising, but story and character development wise, things are still up in the air. When you have polarized main characters in terms of their restraint, so many possibilities lay ahead, both for comedy and drama. Add in the ojou-sama, Azuki Azusa (Ishihara Kaori), who inherited Youto’s PR skills and strict merciless track captain [CLASSIFIED INFO] (Tamura Yukari) and it looks like we’ll have a good time. Overly dramatic and blunt outbursts from Youto simply bounce off of Tsukiko (though how she feels inside is another matter), while Tsukushi and Azusa will introduce their own tough love into the mix.

Though we have a great cast lineup here all portraying some interesting characters, all that’s left is for the actual story and development to play out. Last season, Sakurasou’s strength lay in the unifying theme of talent and hard work, which worked well in spurring character development and giving each arc meaningful plot and direction. Henneko’s direction or theme is hazier, but some general trends can be guessed upon. It is my hope that the show will expand on the themes of identity and honesty, just as Kokoro Connect did seasons ago. Losing character traits one thinks to be weaknesses is a perfect vehicle for exploring such themes, in hopes of spurring a mature reflection on what it means to be “you” and what makes you well…you. If not that, hopefully Henneko will pull at our heartstrings and develop characters whose struggle is empathizable. I refuse to think that Henneko will turn out to be a shallower anime focusing on the fanservice and comedy, since its predecessor broke similar expectations. The fact that we placed Sakurasou low on the expectations list still bothers me today, and as such I’ll give this show a fighting chance to be an anime with similar strengths. Whether in a strong plot, strong characters, or even both, I have high hopes for J.C. Staff to pull off another great adaption.

Full-length images: 11, 15, 21, 23, 26, 27, 29, 31.

 

Preview

89 Comments

  1. Zen

    Its a neat little show- tries to teach people to love themselves for who they are, a message to all those teenagers stricken by identity crises out there, I suppose…:)

    • Raw

      While a good intention, I think most teenagers with identity-crisis will fail to see that. It’s not called a dissociative disorder for a petty reason.With that out of the way, TWO DELICIOUS LOLIS?! My god, my expectations were met and taken to the max!

  2. sonicsenryaku

    the character designs are generic but damn are they drawn well. Looks like JC staff had alot of money this season what with Railgun looking as great as it does (improved on the animation of its predecessor) and now this show also has great animation. Since JC staff is only working on two series this season (i think) here’s hoping the quality stays consistent throughout both series’

    • sortedevaras

      So the correct counter to a tsundere is to insult them until they fall in love with you? Lesson learned.

      • sortedevaras

        Damnit forgot to click cancel reply. :/

  3. squirrel

    first!this is shaping up to be a great anime

  4. euler271

    great first episode

  5. Londo

    The opening song is really catchy! And for once Yuki Kaji isn’t voicing an irritating character! Hell yeah!

    • Nekomimimeido

      Kaji Yuuki is actually good when he does not do emo wangst incompetent indecisive beta roles.

      • AngryKoala

        But 90% of the characters he voices are exactly that kind of type.It just fits him well, I guess.

    • Stilts

      After Issei, this proves it – Kaji Yuki was born to play pervy MCs. Typecast yourself, sir! Do this forever! IT IS YOUR DESTINY!!

  6. zztop

    What does the in the full title stand for? Does it literally mean ‘stony’?

    • war0blade

      warau means to laugh, warawanai means cannot laugh (I think)

    • sinkingmist

      “does not laugh”

    • zztop

      So directly translated it would be:’The Perverted Prince & the Cat that Does Not Laugh’?

    • Kuntzy

      Stony is good term to use though since she can’t show emotion on her face so she’s considered stone-faced.

  7. Sin1505

    I will keep watching this since if I recall properly Tsukiko’s emotionless face was soooo adorable!

    • os

      yes, true, but why?

      • Lim Lynn

        The reason is you have to guess whether she’s interest in Youto Yokodera.

  8. os

    spot the differencehttp://konachan.com/jpeg/da6515acc7187a2dff83c8c1a24a933f/Konachan.com%20-%20113178%20black_hair%20blue_eyes%20hentai_ouji_to_warawanai_neko%20kantoku%20seifuku%20short_hair%20tsutsukakushi_tsukiko.jpghttp://images.randomc.net/Hentai%20Ouji%20to%20Warawanai%20Neko./Hentai%20Ouji%20to%20Warawanai%20Neko.%20-%2001%20-%20Large%2027.jpg

    • The Moondoggie

      The expression of the face: The anime seems to say “dafuq are you doing, baka’ and the Manga/Ln versions seems to say “whoa, close one!”The hand touching the floor is a bit farther in the anime.The skirt’s patterns are different underneath the skirt.a bit of the girl’s bra is exposed in the original, in the anime it isn’t there…the anime has less exposed tummy than the original.the sparkle of the girl’s eyes and the blush is more noticeable in the original than in the anime…buttons on the sleeve is missing in anime version*click save*

  9. kasrkin519

    the arm biting scene was awesome

  10. sortedevaras

    You had me at JC Staff.

  11. Yogo

    Where’s the hentai? :3

    • Oh come on guys this guy is just joking.Give him a break.

    • The Moondoggie

      The protagonist… but we all know that, why even ask?

    • asda

      Didn’t think there was any hentai -> Got curious -> Looked it up -> Tons of hentai0.0

  12. Kuntzy

    That opening is so friggin’ catchy. Yukarin’s been making some great themes lately. I wasn’t too fond of all her Nanoha themes but Endless Story, W:Wonder Tale and Fantastic Future have been pretty darn good (if not a little formulaic).Also… AZUSA’S FINALLY ANIMATED!!!!!!! (caps for flat chest great justice)She’s so darn adorable. Just as much, if not moreso, as Tsukiko.

  13. Bananarchy

    yeah the interactions with youto and azusa are the best.

  14. The Moondoggie

    It’s here! It’s finally here XD!

  15. baseone

    Poor Dutch wives they’re always sacrificed, luckily the redhead lives!!Also I think they got Kantoku’s art a little alright.

  16. Wrenleos

    I liked Tsukiko better before the curse. :/

  17. katsudon

    I liked the pilot a lot, it had some seriously great moments. I can see why you are comparing it to Sakurasou though, Zanibas, as the pilot of that just introduced the cast and had awesome comedic moments as well. Then by episode 3 you knew it wasn’t just a typical rom-com, and it had much more to offer. (I thought that show was great, definitely one of my favorites from last season) Even if Henneko doesn’t go that route, I’m okay with it just being a fun and lighthearted romantic comedy! I have faith in J.C. Staff, they’ll do a good job with the source material. (They tend to most of the time, no reason to start doubting them now!)PS: is it just me, or is the opening song ridiculously catchy?

  18. Lim Lynn

    Youto Yokodera losing PR skill to Azuki Azusa became a Hentai Ouji after pray to copper cat and Tsukiko Tsutsukakushi cat!

  19. HalfDemonInuyasha

    Definitely looks to be an entertaining ride. =)

  20. Lim Lynn

    Copper Cat takes the offering form of food or ability they don’t want.Azuki Azusa wish to PR and given poker face.Friend already wish to be generous and given his Eros ability.Youto Yokodera wish Eros ability and gave PR.Tsukiko Tsutsukakushi wish poker face and given a bun.

  21. Lim Lynn

    Youto Yokodera made a promise with Tsukiko Tsutsukakushi after 2 years time he fall in love with her but when he started hitting on Azuki Azusa; Youto Yokodera she shows her jealousy by kicking on one of four legs the the metal bed frame.

    • Crook

      Thank you, I didn’t watch the episode, so being able to read a short summary is really useful.

  22. I’ve been wondering, what does the term “PR” stands for in this anime?

    • os

      Public relations

  23. Meldoy

    Tsukiko is the definition of moe.

  24. ABPsycho

    While I am going to enjoy this show for how the Youto has no choice but to speak his mind he did ask a very good question. Which type of swimsuit style would be considered the most enticing. I personally agree with his choice of racerback but what about others on this board? If anything answer for SCIENCE!

    • Roguespirit

      For me it depends on body type. Certain ones look better on certain girls.

  25. Anonymous

    Zanibas, we’re not supposed to know Steel King’s real name yet.

    • Zanibas

      Ah, I had an itching feeling about that, hence why I partially revealed what I did. Hopefully the new fix will be better 😛

      • Bear

        So Azuki Azusa got the PR and the belt so the meat bun and emotion went to…oh Youto is in for a world of hurt.

  26. SnooSnoo

    I don’t think my nutbladder can take too much of this.

  27. Anonymous

    There aren’t too many pilot episodes that had me laughing from start to finish, Hentai Ouji’s first episode does exactly that. A bit of Jim Carrey’s “Liar Liar” comes to mind for some of the humour that worked for me here, with Youta unable to suppress his urge to spout his lewd thoughts.Spare a thought for poor Barbara the Dutch Wife, being involved in all sorts of weird ritualistic sacrifices she wants no part in.Amongst Japanese fans, characters who are shamelessly perverted are revered as “gentleman”, for they can stay shamelessly composed while engaging in lewd acts. Examples include Araragi Koyomi of the Monogatari series and Kousaku Kyousuke of OreImo.But Yokodera Youta has the potential to one-up them, for he is a PRINCE, and so far, he has not disappointed.

    • SmithCB

      Then THAT is what Nyaruko was talking about when she said “Japanese Gentlemen, please stand up!” I know its a reference from somewhere else, but that makes the context more clear.

  28. mianghuei

    It’s so funny that he gets praised for attending club activities everyday because he wants to do squats while watchinghttp://images.randomc.net/Hentai%20Ouji%20to%20Warawanai%20Neko./Hentai%20Ouji%20to%20Warawanai%20Neko.%20-%2001%20-%2001.jpgbut wow! I like Tsukiko Tsutsukakushi’s (long name wtf!) catch phrase: Yappari hentai-san desu ne!

  29. Ananas

    Generic LN stuff with good directing. Refreshing.

  30. Nekomimimeido

    Flat Chesuto Banzai!!!! Tsurupettan is really a status symbol!

    • Cybersteel

      Flat chests are good to0. In fact THEY’RE THE BEST!!!

  31. b.i.t.w.

    meet yoto a perv guy who keep perv life very quiet til steel queen want him to take over track-field club got bit yikes then after talk with a pal of his mention wishing stony cat changed a life.so yoto go meet stony cat with a dutch wife for it til he meet a female who want also wish on stony cat as well so they make a wish & yep be careful what you wish for on it.cause now yoto can’t lie also being tell all pervy truth (liar liar movie anyone) as for girl he meet aka tsukiko the stony cat make her emotionless.with that give want their take back their wish so search is on & oh now yoto want be a servant to azuka cause he assume she got yoto’s lying mood.(with DxD s2 this summer oh pervy Kaji Yuki is unleash)

  32. Saphirio

    Azusa Azuki!~ x3I loved her arc in the manga~-http://images.randomc.net/Hentai%20Ouji%20to%20Warawanai%20Neko./Hentai%20Ouji%20to%20Warawanai%20Neko.%20-%2001%20-%20Large%2024.jpgWhich one will you choose? :3

  33. J_the_Man

    The Subtle differences I found between the Manga and Episode 1 were great. It went a long ways towards helping me to understand the plot moving forward better. Excellent first episode. Very promising. I was really excited when I read the Manga, and am pleased so far.

  34. Magoiichi

    It’s funny so I like itand the art style seems similar to Sakurasou’s.

    • madoka

      the original manga art was done by Kantoku, but he didn’t do the art for Sakurasou

  35. K

    Love the LN, and I think the anime so far looks pretty promising. Hope JC Staffs can keep up with this quality and don’t try too hard on the story…like making the original anime ending for example (since LN isn’t ended yet).

  36. tendo

    Second best show of this season. Only second to Oreimo 2nd season.

    • pokpok

      for your taste of course!

      • d-LaN

        And there nothing wrong with tht. every1 have different tastes.

  37. Not a bad start, definitely more entertaining than I anticipated it to be.

  38. 0927123

    Why can’t I hold all these HNGGGGGs…

  39. BlackChaos

    Just love the art. Reminds me so much of sakurasou. I’m glad I can have this series to ease my depression since sakurasou ended. The episode was hilarious, and I am definitely looking forward to more JC staff goodness.

  40. Stilts

    I love this show so much I think I cried a little during some parts. And by some parts, I mean the whole thing. Other shows might be better *cough* Gargantia *cough*, but this was the most fun I’ve had so far this season!

    • The Moondoggie

      B-but Gargantia isn’t loli….

  41. deVacto

    loli level is too high

  42. Vaan

    My goodness! Tsukiko is just super cute!Gotta love Kantoku’s art.

      • Mukyuu

        I lost 5+ hearts looking at that for a few minutes. Croos pay for that.

  43. Lim Lynn

    I forgotten to say his running skill gone that’s why he got hit by Leader of Track team who’s the older sister of Tsukiko Tsutsukakushi .

    • Bear

      It’s a device for strength training (arms and shoulders I think) . Just a big spring. You try to bring your hands together bending the spring.

  44. 0927123

    Anyone noticed how Steel King wore tights again after Youto ‘complimented’ her?

  45. SmithCB

    Aren’t these two just looking for what the other now has?

  46. animefreak

    will there be a season 2??? what do u think?

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