This review on Monster Musume no Oishasan Contains spoilers. If you have not seen the chapters, we recommend you do it and then return to read the review.
Monster Musume no Oishasan – Chapter 1: The sand centaur
In a small clinic in the town of Lindworm, Glenn Litbeit was painstakingly checking on a minotaur girl. Reaching the result that, outside of being sick, she is pregnant, which explains the ailments that the minotaur girl presented. This being his last check-up of the day, Glenn and his assistant Saphentite Neikes are preparing to close the clinic and start cleaning. With the help of various fairies in this. However, Saphentite was in a bad mood because of the techniques used by Dr. Glenn for the review, as well as why he didn’t call him the way he used to, Sapphee.
The next day, Glenn and Sapphee head to the city arena, where they will examine all of the city’s fighters. Among them is Tisalia Scythia, a third rank fighter and the only heir to Transport Scythia. Glenn’s review showed nothing suspicious or worrisome about her, however, Tisalia’s assistants, Kay and Lorna, were concerned about the ‘princess’ due to her recent losing streak. Which kept Glenn thinking.
The next day, with the help of Sapphee, Kay and Lorna and a few others manage to meet Tisalia once again. This time, Glenn thinks she knows the possible reason why she started losing when she was known as one of the best fighters in her range. All due to the hooves of their hooves, because, unlike Kay and Lorna, Tisalia has no horseshoes. So, with the help of those present, Glenn manages to put on the horseshoes. Showing a great result in his next battles, achieving a winning streak.
The difference
If there’s one thing I should talk about first it’s the difference between Monster Musume no Oishasan and the already known Mosnter Musume no Iru Nichijou. Well, there is more than one who is confused with this by the name, and it must be clarified that they have nothing to do with each other. It is not a second season, prequel or Spin-off.
Monster Musume no Oishasan is based on the homonymous light novel by Origuchi Yoshino (creator of the story) and Z-ton (illustrator). This being the first work of Origuchi-sensei in being adapted to anime. While Z-ton He has had other works, among which most stands out for having hentai content in his sleeves / doujinshias well as the hentai animation of one of these. Z-ton also contributed in the anthology 4-koma from various mangakas, known as Monster Musume no Iru Nichijou 4-koma Anthology.
For his part, Monster Musume no Iru Nichijou is based on the homonymous manga created and illustrated by Takemaru Inui. Who also has participations in other works, including an anthology hentai from various mangakas focused on events with monster girls. Same anthology in which he also participates Z-ton. But, apart from that, there is nothing else that the works share.
Now speaking a little more of Monster Musume no Oishasan. The series has all the earmarks of showing and touching more technical and / or scientific points. After all, the protagonists are doctors. So I wouldn’t be surprised if they talked about details of the monsters. As they already did in Monster Musume no Oishasan – Chapter 1 with the examination of the minotaur for its discomforts, which were signs of pregnancy for its species.
Unlike Monster Musume no Iru Nichijou, the one that showed touches much more focused on comedy and the ecchi generated by a harem. Although also shown and mentioned details of the different species of monsters that appeared in the series. It didn’t go as deep as it seems it will Monster Musume no Oishasan.
Just because the name starts the same doesn’t mean it’s a sequel, especially the fact that “Monster musume” it means “monster girl“Something that both series are focused on.
The human and the monster girls
The premise of the characters, especially the protagonists, is not completely new or innovative. After all, the protagonists are of the same kind as the protagonists of Monster Musume no Iru Nichijou, a young human and a beautiful lamia. That is why some will see it as a kind of copy. However, I think that their species are the most striking in terms of a series of monster girls that involves ecchi in the middle. Since the lamias can contribute a lot to that by its tail, making it pass to a certain extent like a tentacle. Pretending to be one. In addition to the young human boy who would represent the fantasies of many and in whom more than one wanted to be in their shoes.
Now, speaking a little more about these two protagonists. Glenn Litbeit, the young human monster doctor. It seems that he has enough knowledge, not only in medicine necessary for the monsters that he attends in his clinic, but also the odd knowledge that helps him go further. I mean maybe you have knowledge of animal biology (not necessarily advanced) that helps you with monster species that have similuted with the animal.
In addition to the curiosity of a human, it could also be a key point when it comes to treating his patients. For example, the one who kept thinking about something that could leave the helpers of Tisalia calmer. Even though that didn’t even come under her jurisdiction as such, since she was physically healthy.
Of course, I feel that, being still so young, he has not matured enough to maintain seriousness during his work regardless of the situation. Especially in those “stimulants”. Showing a more timid side, which could generate some misunderstanding. Although that’s a point that I feel like some monster girl is going to like.
Shunichi Toki is in charge of giving Glenn a voice. Who has also done it in characters like: Ginji (Kakuriyo no Yadomeshi), Kouki Etou (Tsukipro The Animation), Naoya Kido (Wave !!: Surfing Yappe !!), among others.
Saphentite Neikes is a lamia that looks like an albino, with fairly pale skin, ruby eyes and white hair. Something that, for the moment, they have not mentioned their rarity in their species, because it may be simply from a branch of the lamia in which they are albinas. However, I must confess that the first thing I imagined in resemblance was the white snake mentioned in myths, mainly in Asian countries. An example in anime could be Orochimaru (Naruto) or the serpent deity next to Nadeko Sengoku (Monogatari series).
From its appearance I could not help but have a first impression that it was serious and cold. However, after seeing a little more of her, I was able to realize that, although there are times when she is serious and / or cold, essentially in moments linked to her work as an assistant to Dr. Glenn. She is also jealous and somewhat possessive. Quickly changing character, but as long as Glenn is involved. Showing a pleasant smile or tender pouts.
It will definitely bring interesting situations to the series, as it already did in Monster Musume no Oishasan – Chapter 1 showing a “friendly” constriction towards Glenn.
The seiyuu responsible for giving voice is Saori Oonishi, who has also done it in characters like: Kaori Shirasaki (Shokugyou Arifurette from Sekai Saikyou), Sawako Sekijo (Bokutachi wa Benkyou ga Dekinai), Ais Wallenstein (DanMachi), Doppel (Monster Musume no Iru Nichijou), among many others.
I personally see a good choice for character voices. Well, I felt like truly yours. As if none of the protagonists could have another voice because it would sound strange. I hope it is the same with all the other characters.
One last thing about Sapphee is that while I find it interesting and somewhat appealing, I don’t think it’s going to be my favorite female character in this anime. Of course, at the moment it is.
Technical details of Monster Musume no Oishasan
The animation studio you’re adapting Monster Musume no Oishasan it is Arvo Animation. Studio with a short history of work, but also responsible for the animation of the two seasons of Bokutachi wa Benkyou ga Dekinai. Being his only projects together with a ONA titled Hanasaku Kisuna no Romantan, released in September 2018.
Going back to the studio, Arvo Animation showed great work in the general animation of Bokutachi wa Benkyou ga Dekinai. However, personally, I think they performed much better in the first season of that series. Still, they maintained the quality much more than acceptable, reaching good, for such a recent study.
But in Monster Musume no Oishasan I feel that that quality declined. It did not go so downhill, but I do feel a drop in its quality comparing the animation in Monster Musume no Oishasan with that of his latest animated work. For example, the scene when Tisilia is removing her equipment for Glenn to review. I feel that his human part, the upper part of his body, looked somewhat deformed in proportions. Especially relating it to other scenes in which it appears but from another shot.
Similarly, during that scene and many others in this first episode, a great censorship was felt. Remember that this anime has the genre EcchiHowever, the moments that could have marked and demonstrated this genre were not at their maximum potential. A notorious case would be when Sapphee uses his tail to immobilize Tisilia while putting on the horseshoes. Mainly due to the fact that it could have been much more erotic and stimulating. The situation had that potential.
Within the same scene, you can see the expressions of both characters. While I was delighted by Sapphee’s seriousness and indifference, Tisalia’s face being subdued I think she fell way behind. Maybe my expectations were high from the start, but for those kinds of scenes that could be put to good use in terms of fanservice, I expected much more.
In addition, far from being censorship by a beam of light, an inexplicable fog or the wardrobe of the character. It seemed as if it was decided to adapt the moment like this, without the possibility of an uncensored version in the future. Of course, it is still too early in the anime to confirm it, but I have a bad feeling that many important scenes in fanservice will be censored in this way.
A pity, considering that the illustrator of the novel has done a lot of work involving adult content. From what proportions, expressions and other details could have been very pleasing to the eye. Without the need to reach the hentai or even soft-hentai.
Another important thing in animation is the use of CGI during the chapter. Something that did a great job, however, I feel like they abused this style a bit. Well, I realized very easily the CGI in scenes where it wasn’t as necessary, like the fact that the centaur that brought Glenn and Sapphee to the arena had the bottom made of CGI. Like the tail of Sapphee herself in various scenes.
Cola that by the way, I feel like I had unnatural movements. Especially since there were times when, even though he should be holding something, it didn’t seem like he was doing it. The tip of the tail was still almost entirely visible although it should not be possible for the object it was holding.
While other scenes in which they could take advantage of the CGI, as in the combat of Tisalia against the “reptilian” the latter had a rather strange movement. Honestly the first thing that came to my mind when I saw his movement was that he had stayed like this due to a ‘bug‘. Comparing it with those seen and occurred in video games.
I’m not a big supporter of CGI in anime, especially when its use and / or abuse is so openly noted.
Of the sound section I can only say that I quite liked it, giving a good setting to the series in each of its scenes. Although for the moment nothing has happened very tense. So I hope they keep up that good work even in difficult situations in history.
My first impression
I am not going to deny that the first time I heard about this series, it was through the manga adaptation that is currently active. At the time I thought it would be a kind of Spin-off of Monster Musume no Iru Nichijou. But, it was enough to read the first two episodes to know that this was not the case. Finishing by looking for more information about the work until discovering my mistake.
Despite that, his story continued to be attractive due to the fact that it spoke of several things that you would not normally see in other works with the same theme, one so focused on monsters. While there are some things you can assume and / or imagine they will be beneficial or harmful to different specific monster species. Monster Musume no Oishasan it was more detailed, after all, the protagonist is a doctor specialized in monsters.
My interest in the series was such that I ended up reading a bit of the original work, the light novel. Although really only a little, having read only the first four chapters of it. But enough to say that there is the odd change in adaptation. Most fairly focused on the Ecchi. Just as what looks like a chapter in the light novel is roughly what happens in an episode of the anime. Although, as I already mentioned, it is still too early to say that this is the case. After all, this series has literally just started.
The first impression I have of this adaptation is that it is good. Skimming the acceptable. Depending on how the following arcs and encounters with more characters unfold, this could change. Becoming much more interesting, being a complete disappointment or failing to get out of the shadow it imposed Monster Musume no Iru Nichijou for this kind of stories. Going unnoticed is summer season 2020.
