Isuca
Synopsis
Poor Shinichirou Asano has the worst of luck. His parents abandoned him and ran off to Europe. If that isn't bad enough on its own, they barely left him any money to take care of himself. In order to pay rent and keep a roof over his head, he has to work. Unfortunately, he was just fired from his last job and as a high school student, he doesn't have many other prospects. One evening, he's attacked by a centipede monster on his way home. Shinichirou is saved by a mysterious girl with a bow and arrow, who he later discovers is Sakuya Shimazu, a beautiful student who attends his school. But when he later helps an injured girl, he discovers two things. First, the injured girl isn't human at all but rather a nekomata, a two-tailed demon cat. And second, Sakuya comes from a family of exorcists, who've protected humanity from rogue monsters and spirits for generations. Because Shinichirou was responsible for releasing the nekomata, Sakuya enlists his help in recapturing the demon, but that's just the beginning of Shinichirou's relationship with Sakuya. It turns out the Shimazu family needs a housekeeper and it just so happens that Shinichirou excels at cooking and likes to clean! It may not be his dream job, but if it pays the rent and puts food on the table...
Audience Consensus
Overall, "Isuca" is poorly received as a generic and poorly executed ecchi anime. Critics highlight the unoriginal story, unlikeable characters, excessive fan service, and subpar production values. While some viewers found it mildly entertaining or appreciated certain aspects like the artwork, the overwhelming consensus is that the anime is a disappointment and a waste of time.
Strengths
- Some found the storyline intriguing despite its flaws.
- A few reviewers appreciated the artwork's vibrancy and motifs.
- One reviewer noted the world-building of east vs. west magic as a potentially interesting aspect.
Weaknesses
- Many found the story generic, predictable, and poorly executed.
- Several reviewers criticized the excessive and poorly implemented fan service and censorship.
- Characters were described as generic, underdeveloped, and unlikeable, particularly the tsundere heroine.
- The animation was deemed subpar with awkward CGI, and the soundtrack forgettable.
- The series was considered too short to adequately develop the story and characters, leaving many loose ends.