Kill Blue
Synopsis
Rumors say that Juuzou Oogami, a middle-aged, professional hitman, will assassinate anyone for an adequate reward. The hearsay could not be further away from the truth, though, as he has a personal rule to only kill those who are truly evil and irredeemable. But due to starting his killing career early, Oogami never experienced a normal childhood, and he regrets some of the choices he has made over the years. However, Oogami's life takes a drastic turn when—after another seemingly regular job—a mysterious wasp stings him with venom which reverts his body to the form of a teenager! Although taken aback, Oogami soon receives a mission that is perfect for his new body: he needs to blend into and investigate a private middle school, where his boss is enrolling his daughter next year. Despite failing to leave a good first impression on his classmates, Oogami quickly falls in love with schoolwork. Moreover, he discovers that his classmate Noren Mitsuoka has connections to the company that created the very same wasp that stung him. As he befriends Noren and other students, Oogami sets out to enjoy the little things about being a teenager while searching for a way to restore his body. [Written by MAL Rewrite]
Audience Consensus
Audience opinions are sharply divided, primarily due to the show's unsettling premise of an adult assassin in a teenager's body pursuing a romantic relationship with a minor, which some find creepy and uncomfortable. However, many praise its action, comedy, animation, and the protagonist's characterization, leading to a polarized reception.
Strengths
- Engaging action sequences with environmental interaction.
- Strong, unique opening animation with thematic relevance.
- Refreshing characterization, particularly the protagonist's depth.
- Solid animation and art style.
- Surprisingly wholesome and avoids gratuitous sexualization.
- Entertaining comedy with laugh-out-loud moments.
- Good world-building with potential for future development.
- Respectful handling of the problematic premise, acknowledging boundaries.
- Decent voice acting and sound design.
Weaknesses
- Writing is weak, with bland characters and recycled jokes.
- Stagnant plot progression and lack of ambition.
- The premise of a romance between an adult-turned-teen and a minor is uncomfortable and creepy for many.
- Generic story that relies on overused tropes.
- Inconsistent visual presentation and color direction.
- Comedy often falls flat due to pulling punches and predictable setups.
- The 'heroine' character is underdeveloped and lacks chemistry with the protagonist.
- Pacing issues and a general sense of boredom in later episodes.
- Uneven genre execution, feeling like an identity crisis between action, comedy, and slice of life.