GOLDEN BOY
Perverts of the world unite, and bow before your new king!
Review by: Craig "Devout Follower of the Church of Ecchi" Norris
Length: 6 episode OAV
Genre: Ecchi comedy
Watched: 1-6, dubbed
I've seen quite a few anime lechers in my day. I have seen Miroku proposition countless young waifs; I have witnessed Nobuyuki record hours of tantalizing footage, with or without a camcorder; and I have even watched the legendary Happosai ogle and grope his way through his golden years. But now comes a new leader. Someone who has what the others lack. Not only does he think lusty thoughts, he actually has the ability to cash in on them, causing the most beautiful women to swoon over him. And then, he is gone, like a swift breeze that lifts the skirts of schoolgirls on the corner. I speak of my new master, Kintaro Oe, truly a Golden Boy if ever there was one.
Plot synopsis: Despite having all the requirements for graduation, Kintaro Oe decided to drop out of college, content with wandering the countryside on his bike. As he travels from place to place, he meets all sorts of interesting people (mostly nubile young women) who prove vital in his quest for knowledge. As smart as he is, however, he's only human, and is not immune to his share of screw-ups. But he never lets any setback get him down, and works hard to be the best he can be at whatever he happens to be at the moment.
Artwork: Considering that this is a comedy series, a genre that is typically cursed with bargain-bin animation, the visuals are very good. The flow of the animation is superb, and the art itself is very comprehensive and well rendered. The artists were particularly successful at facial expressions, as Kintaro's face contorts in exaggerated displays of emotion that add a distinct flavor to the OAV. For a comedy this has the best animation I've ever seen, and ranks above average overall.
Music: Not much of a soundtrack pervades these six episodes. A good idea from a production standpoint, as the laughter of viewers would have drowned it out anyway. The opening is rather mellow considering the raucous (and sometimes downright raunchy) subject matter. Fortunately, the soundtrack was just about the only thing that didn't impress me too much about this OAV.
Characters: There is only one character that shows up for more than two episodes, and that's Kintaro. He's all the character any anime ever needs, really. A naturally bright and thoughtful person, he constantly seeks to learn new things, jotting down his learned life lessons in a notebook he is never without. His desire to learn is only eclipsed by his sex drive, which sparks highly amusing internal monologues where his eloquence degenerates into maniacal lust. No matter what kind of person you associate with, I can guarantee that Kintaro is likable on some level. Each episode focuses on Kintaro trying to impress some gorgeous girl, each of which has a different personality. The roster includes: A bitchy software company executive, a manipulative rich girl, a naïve virgin, a frigid swimming instructor, a motorcyclist who loves her bike a little *too* much, and a dedicated animation staffer. Kintaro uses differing approaches to get on the good side of all these women, even after openly admitting their disgust with him on multiple occasions. A truly successful character leaves you wondering what he/she is going to do next, and Kintaro made me ask that question several times during each episode.
Plot: Each episode is self-contained, aside from the last episode, which has a cast reunion towards the end. All the episodes follow the same basic formula: Kintaro shows up, Kintaro works hard, Kintaro screws up, woman yells at him, Kintaro saves the day, Kintaro leaves, woman ends up wanting Kintaro's sex. It may sound like it would get old after a while, but it doesn't. Especially since Kintaro keeps finding innovative and impressive ways to solve his and others' problems. As I said before, it's all about what Kintaro is going to do next, and he never disappoints.
CHICKS!: Kintaro's lustful thoughts are more than justified, as you will discover once you get an eyeful of the female leads for each episode. The software executive is a little mean, but she's rich, and her breasts jiggle impossibly, hypnotizing all with their gentle rolling and sloshing. It's as serene and fulfilling as watching the ocean. The manipulative girl is a pretty accurate representation of what I think about 99.9% of the female population is like, and doesn't really appeal to me that much, no matter how good she looks. If you like getting chewed up and spit out, though, she's all yours. Of course, what chick parade is complete without the shy virgin? This one's inexperience shows through more often than not, and is actually a welcome change from the previous two personalities. The swimming instructor is a real hard-body, with a disposition to match. She doesn't seem to care about anything more than her swimming, and is very critical of the performances of others. But God, does she look hot in that swimsuit! The motorcyclist is different. I mean, really different. I thought my whipped cream fetish was odd, until I got a load of what she does. It really must be seen to be believed. The animation staffer seems to have the most well-balanced personality of any of the chicks, showing dedication to her work with just enough emotion to keep her seeming real. And she's a cutie who works on anime! Cupid, how thine arrow pierces! Each chick offers something unique and compelling, and just about everyone can find a favorite among the six that are spotlighted.
Overall: This OAV cannot be appreciated unless you have a rather risqué sense of humor. Otherwise, you may think that this title has nothing to offer but crude sexual humor and gratuitous fanservice. However, if you know you are or have ever suspected yourself of being a pervert, this anime is right up your alley. Not only does it appeal to our less cultured tastes, but it also offers fundamentals that make it an undeniably successful anime. So if you're in the mood to watch a short series that makes Hanaukyo Maid Tai look wholesome by comparison, I highly recommend Golden Boy. It's good, clean, dirty fun.
IN A NUTSHELL:
+ Above average artwork
+ Will release your inner ecchi
+ Highly entertaining
+ Kintaro
- Definitely not for everyone
Rating: 8.5/10
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