The Spring 2016 anime line-up had some great series this season, one of them being Joker Game. Joker Game is seinen series that takes place during World War II where information was of the highest value but also the most difficult to obtain. Based on a novel series by Koji Yanagi, the series was adapted into a live-action film (which I have not watched) and an anime series.
Story
The story follows eight agents of the “D Agency”; young men who have undergone rigorous training meant to break their body and mind. Those who passed the exams are given a new identity and sent around the world to complete missions while becoming as invisible as they possibly can.
What’s interesting about the series is that it is not one story arc, but rather episodic stories that span up to two episodes at the most. Not all stories follow the main “spy”, but they link to a made-up historical event and the mission ranges from infiltrating terrorist groups, collecting information, exposing corruption, and even being exposed as a spy! The spy can either be the main character or a side character, but this doesn’t lessen the story in anyway. In fact, not following a main character is what makes this show so intriguing.
The stories themselves are also very clever. The first episode shows the mind games the spies are capable of, but as the series progresses their expert skill and prowess comes to light. The spies are able to maintain their secret identities because of their vigorous training in even the most intense situation so you can’t help but wonder how the event will play out.
What I loved the most was how believable each story was. None of the stories are based on any actual events, but they’re portrayed realistically (well, maybe except for the super spy aspect) that I’d believe certain events were absolutely plausible.
Art/Style
The art style is very close to seinen series, but not so rough. It’s appealing, in my opinion, to all audiences.
I think the series also does a wonderful job capturing the historical aspect of the show down to fashion and locale. I felt I had been removed from the 21st century and placed into the early 1900’s. The underplayed colors set the tone for the World War II era.
Verdict
When I first started the series I was confused about the nature of the anime since I thought it would follow the main character of the first two episodes. When he disappeared and never referred to again I was at a loss of what was going on. I think the short run time (only 12 episodes) and episodic story telling makes the series forgettable.
Despite that, I really loved the series. It was fun to jump into the world of spies with made up missions and tales of espionage. Joker Game comes highly recommended for those who enjoy historical, seinen anime. You can find all 12 episodes now on Crunchyroll now.
Did you have a chance to check out the series? What did you think? Which was your favorite episode? Let me know in the comments!
Berserk – Doomed to live a lonely life after being branded with the God’s Hand on his neck, hungry demons will forever haunt The Black Swordsman, Guts. After saving a young boy and a loudmouthed pixie, his journey changes. However, his path is still paved with corpses. Based on the manga, Berserk will air on Crunchyroll Fridays at 10:30 AM EST.
mokuri – Based on a web manga, Momokuri follows Shinya “Momo” Momokuri who has never once been confessed to. Until, one day, Yiku Kurihara leaves a love letter in his shoe locker. Momo agrees to date her, but why does she know so much about him? Momokuri will stream on Crunchyroll Fridays at 9:30 AM EST.
ReLIFE – Things aren’t going well socially or employment wise for Arata Kaizaki: no job, cut off from his parents. However, a mysterious man offers Arata a chance to participate in the ReLIFE program, where he can revisit high school for one last year. Arata drunkenly accepts but going back isn’t that easy! Will he be able to put his life back on track? ReLIFE is available now on Crunchyroll.
emy’s ultimate food war begins! Can Soma Yukihira continue to make more orgasmic food dishes? Probably so. Food Wars! The Second Plate streams on Crunchyroll Saturdays at 10:00 AM EST.
student Kaho Nikaido is beloved and spoiled by all. To escape all the coddling and to finally make a stand on her own, she moves to Tokyo. By chance, she bumps into a boy name Kanade and is struck by his masculine appeal. She confesses her love immediately and Kanade accepts. However, it turns out Kanade is only in fifth grade… First Love Monster is streaming on Funimation Saturdays at 11:30 AM EST.
ht Kotarou Tennouji dreams of a girl who kills him every night with red ribbons. Not only does she haunt him at night, but she haunts him in real life; biting his arms at night and sneaking into his bed. His home town, Kazamatsuri, is close to a different world and Kotarou Tennouji seems to wander into it. Or is it just a dream? Based on a visual novel, Rewrite will stream on Crunchyroll Saturdays at 12:00 PM EST.
B-PROJECT – Hired by Gandara Music, a major recording label, Tsubasa Sumisora is the A&R for a male idol group: B-Project. Since B-Project consists of a duo and a trio, Tsubasa is overwhelmed with the workload -especially since she doesn’t have a clue about the music business! Her first task: to oversee the recording of the duo Kitakore. B-PROJECT streams on Crunchyroll Saturdays at 1:00PM EST.
r average girl, but when she sees the winners of the second Love Live! on stage she realizes that she could be an idol, too! Follow Chika Takami as pursues her goal of becoming an idol. Love Live! Sunshine!! Streams on Funimation Saturdays at 3:0o PM EST.
DAYS – Tsukushi is average as far as physical traits go. However, when his best friend Jin (a first year who seems like a delinquent but is great at soccer) invites him to fill in his futsal team, Tsukushi proves to have an inspiring level of passion and determination! Inspired by the sport, Tsukushi is plans to try out for the school’s soccer team. DAYS will stream on Crunchyroll Saturdays at 3:30 PM EST.
Takamiya lives a simple and happy life. Perhaps too simple. When she receives a letter from her 26 year old self that tells her to start taking risks while she still has the chance, Naho hesitates. Even though it scares her, Naho realizes that if she wants a happy future she must make a change to live with no regrets. Especially if she wants things to work out between herself and the new transfer student Takeru who she is falling in love with. Based on the popular manga series, Orange streams on Crunchyroll Sundays at 12:30 PM EST.
Tales of Zestiria the X – Princess Alisha sends two of her trusted subject to investigate a dark fog growing on the horizon. When they do not return, Alisha traces the fog across her kingdom to find the land is steeped in fatigue and decay. After finally making contact with her friends the land erupts into violence. The earth cracks beneath her feet and a dark era begins. Based on the video game, Tales of Zestiria the X streams on Funimation Sundays at 10:3
0 AM EST.
ss & Lightning – After the death of his wife, Kohei Inuzuka is left to raise their daughter, Tsumugi, alone. Busy with work, he often buys frozen ingredients and pre-made meals to feedthem. Tsumugi doesn’t complain. When she meets another girl who cries over her onigiri because it tasted so delicious Tsumugi asks her father to write a letter to her late mother asking her to cook for them again. Realizing how important delicious food is, he promises that he will provide Tsumugi with good meals. Based on a manga series, Sweetness & Lightning streams on Crunchyroll Mondays at 1:35 PM EST.
– Thanks to his intensive martial arts training, Justice “Seigi” Akazuka is a strong middle school student. After rescuing a man from a mugger he receives a special stone that imprints a tattoo on Seigi’s right hand. Seigi learns that the tattoo is a secret military-grade weapon developed by the US. When the tattoo activates, it enhances the the physical capabilities of the wielder and gives them a superpower. Based on a manga series, Taboo Tattoo streams on Crunchyroll Monday’s at 2:35 PM EST.
!! – Son of a judo dojo owner, Haruki Bandou has dedicated his life to Judo even though he has no passion for it. When an injury puts him out of commission during his first year in college, Haruki decides to leave the team, and judo entirely. His childhood friend, Kazuma, proposes that they start a men’s cheer leading team but Haruki doesn’t know the first thing about cheer leading. After watching a cheer squad in action, Haruki changes his mind. Cheer Boys!! is based on a novel and streams on Funimation Tuesdays at 10:30 AM EST.
SERVAMP – Mahiru keeps it simple by taking on all the tasks no one wants to do. After his mother passed away and his uncle stepped in to take care of him, he decided he would rather take on anything than live with regrets later. Because of this trait, he decides to help a stray kitten by taking it home and giving him the name Kuro. Turns out, the kitten is actually a vampire that turns into a cat when exposed to sunlight. Through a series of events Mahiru ends up forming a pact with the vampire making him the master of Kuro. SERVAMP streams on Funimation Tuesdays at 11:00 AM EST.
New Game! – Despite her young appearance, Aoba Suzukaze is an adult ready to start her first job as an artist for a game company. When she meets the all female staff and realizes that she will be working under the character designer for Fairies Story, the game that inspired her to work in the game industry, she realizes that game production is definitely her dream job. New Game! streams on Crunchyroll Tuesdays at 1:00 PM EST.
Scar-red Rider XechS – In a time after God, monsters called Nightfly O’ Note attack the planet. Beings known as Substances willing to help humanity merge with Riders and become heroes in power suits. Unfortunately, Yosuke cannot merge with his Substance making him useless in battle. When his team gets called into action, Yosuke meets a girl searching for survivors, who happens to be a Sixth Dirigent and military secret. When Yosuke vows to save her life he is finally able to merge with his Substance and becomes a Rider. Scar-red Rider XechS streams on Funimation Tuesdays at 2:05 PM EST.
Hybrid X Heart Magias Academy Ataraxia – Earth is under attack! Inter-dimensional robot aliens have taken over the planet and salvation lies with a teenage boy and his ability to grope his boobed teammates… the secret to his power is arousing the warriors and recharging their abilities to culminate the Climax Hybrid. Hybrid X Heart Magias Academy Ataraxia streams on Crunchyroll Tuesdays at 2:00 PM EST.
New Challenger Gaming 