Tanaka-kun is Always Listless

Episode 1-5

Tanaka-kun is Always Listless is one of those shows that reminds me never to judge solely based on episode one. While it doesn't speed up its pace or veer too far from its standard joke that Tanaka-kun is slower than molasses in January, after episode one it does play with variations on its theme by bringing in a new main character each episode, which slowly builds the cast while allowing us to get to know everyone without being overwhelmed. Each addition also brings out a slightly different side of Tanaka-kun, and alongside Ohta, his best friend/personal caretaker/transportation system, he begins to grow into a character rather than a joke walking around on two legs.

This isn't to say that the show's pace changes a great deal from episode one, although it does make a switch to a format that feels more cohesive rather than like it was pieced together from a collection of four-panel comics. The premise is that Tanaka-kun has almost zero ambition and even less energy, sort of shambling along through life when he isn't being bodily hauled around by Ohta, his tall best friend. There's a definite homoerotic element to their relationship underneath the friendship, which the show quietly promotes with Tanaka's comments about how Ohta would make the perfect wife because he can carry Tanaka and takes good care of him. Ohta doesn't seem to think too much about these statements, although when Shiraishi, the most popular girl in their year, develops a slightly misguided crush on Tanaka, she does see the two of them surrounded by sparkly bubbles. When she asks Ohta if Tanaka likes anyone, he thinks about Tanaka's previous statements before answering, “Me.” Of course, neither he nor Shiraishi mention if that might be a romantic sort of “like,” which adds to the understated humor of the series in general.

As these five episodes go on, introducing the hyperactive Miyano who wants to be Tanaka's apprentice in the fine art of listlessness, and Echizen, Ohta's childhood friend and the object of Miyano's affection (although again, this is treated playfully rather than establishing an literal lesbian couple), we come to see that despite his listlessness, there's a personality lurking in Tanaka's sleepy-eyed head. He actively pursues the least strenuous path, as we learn with Miyano, but that doesn't stop him from playing devious tricks on his opponents, as his game with Echizen reveals. He may sleep a lot, but he's also definitely thinking and observing – he'd just rather not be observed himself. He flat-out says this in episode four, when he covers his head with his sweater while walking down the hall with Shiraishi. Not being noticed makes him comfortable, so he works to stay that way. That doesn't stop him from seeing through Shiraishi's disguise – she usually dresses up to make a good impression, even though it makes her uncomfortable – but he can tell who she is not by her manners or anything so thoughtful: he recognizes her big breasts. When he remarks on that to Ohta, he goes from being a human paperweight to once again reminding us that there is something going on in his head; he's just taking the easy way out by hiding behind a mask that's every bit as effective as Shiraishi's.

For all of these vaguely masked details and the nice building effect the show has going on, it may still be far too slow for a lot of people. There's a lot more talking than any kind of action (even walking), and the plot is driven by small jokes and jabs rather than a more active type of humor. Both Tanaka-kun and Ohta speak in slow near-monotones, and there are long pauses within each episode that go on just long enough to make you wonder if the player froze and you need to refresh the page. These pauses often focus on unrelated scenery or characters just facing each other, and while I can guess that they're meant to reinforce the hero's listlessness, it really is annoying. Fortunately for the scenery shots, these kids go to the fanciest school I have ever seen, not in an opulent UtaPri kind of way with chandeliers and Oriental carpets, but instead like someone merged a Waldorf school with a high class shopping arcade. Seriously, I'd almost go back to high school to be able to go there. (Okay, that's an exaggeration – but I'd definitely want to teach there.) This level of aesthetics is applied to all of the backgrounds, from the town to the supermarket. Even the pancake truck is the prettiest damn food truck in the universe. It helps to make up for the very basic character designs and simple activities that don't really allow for fancy animation, because even if Tanaka is just being hauled around again, he's being hauled around a place that's nice to look at.

Tanaka-kun is Always Listless may not be more than the sum of its parts, but those parts are still pretty entertaining once you get used to the show's style. It's slow, but it also has surprising laugh-out-loud moments and takes the time to show us that Tanaka-kun himself is definitely not the lump he at first appears to be. If you don't need your action and humor fast-paced, this is worth giving a shot, because while Tanaka may be listless, the show itself has a forward motion that is fun to see.

Rating: B

Tanaka-kun is Always Listless is currently streaming on Crunchyroll.