Another week, another 10 minutes well spent with Honda-San. This time we have Golden Kamuy references, a Brazilian and lots, ridiculous amounts really, of gay Erotica. Lets jump in!
To be honest, Honda-San started off worrying me this week. It wasn’t until maybe the 3 minute mark that it seemed to pick up. I think it is a clear example of Honda-San’s strengths being the customers and situations, instead of the business side. But it pulled it back fast. Honda-San was great once it got started. Not only does it have a much larger cultural representation than I was expecting, but none of them are offensive stereotypes. To me, at least. We have had French, American, Brazilian and multiple examples of each, up to this point. Not to mention his “Lets Bullshit English Time!”, which was just fantastic. Honda-San is just so… upfront with its actions and jokes. A great example of grounded absurdist comedy. Now I just need to avoid being that Brazilian guy when I go to Japan in February.
Speaking of grounded humor, my god was the Erotica jokes funny. Honda-San managed to skate by just on the edge of obscene, at least until the end, and I loved it. All the while making some commentary on society. Before that though, the actual comedy. I am normally not one for jokes on this subject. Maybe its my Southern upbringing, but its a weird topic for me. But Honda-San just nailed it. Take for instance the hardcore sexual moans while discussing the legality or social acceptability of some books. It was so blatant, and so opposite the conversation, that it cracked me up. And Honda just sounded so very done with everything when discussing it. His inflated, drawn out and simply exasperated “na-ru-ho-dooo” nailed that scene. I could listen to him say that over and over again, and it would get me every time.
Add to that the clear Golden Kamuy references, which is airing this very season. I have no idea how Honda-San got the OK to do this, but it was so unexpected. Replacing their faces with bags, I just loved the whole thing. It was even relevant to the conversation to, as apparently Golden Kamuy was so good with its skinning and cooking, the Government feared it would influence people into doing it themselves. I have no idea how true this actually is, but I am willing to trust Honda-San on it. Something about this series just screams honesty to me. Like these are an actual person’s opinions, somehow making their way onto the anime television. And my god are they funny. The doodle style just sells it.
Speaking of that doodle style, I think Honda-San manages to get away with a lot because of it. In live-action comedy shows, I don’t think these kinds of jokes or topics would work. It would be to close to the real world, and people would take them seriously. But with Honda-San’s doodly art style, it removes itself from that. Honda-San becomes able to comment on the status of Gay Relationships and how socially acceptable they are in Japan. How hardcore gay erotica isn’t acceptable, yet blatant straight porn is. And how Boy Love is accepted in all of that as well, for some odd reason. Honda-San manages to comment on all of this while presenting it in a comedic manor, without making the actual minorities the butt of it. The Gay Men weren’t the but of the BL book gag, but the catalyst for it. Good job Honda-San.
So all in all, Honda-San did good this week. The comedy was funny, the commentary insightful and I learned a little something new about Japanese culture this week. A good showing for an 11 minutes short comedy sketch, wouldn’t ya say?
