This is a strange show, in the fact that it openly embraces the strangeness and makes no apologies for it. Whether you wish to buy into it is wholly on you.

“Tsuritama” is more than a show about fishing, although that what it may look like initially. But the fishing is more of a means to an end, as we draw these four very different people together.

Yuki Sanada (red hair) has moved to the island of Enoshima to be with his grandmother. She requires frequent relocating, which prevents Yuki from establishing any real friendships, much less the social skills necessary to initiate them. Whenever he becomes anxious, he freezes in place, unable to breathe, and he feels like he is drowning. Donning a markedly demonic expression, his anxiety becomes so pronounced that others become wary of him at his appearance. I mean, this guy looks like the absolute stinkiest smell has been presented to him. Even Freddy Kruger would recoil in fear.

Also coming in to town is Haru (blondie in back) who is unrestrained and carefree, and who openly introduces himself as an alien (which no one believes). He manages to move in with grandma and Yuki, much to the latter’s consternation. But there is a purpose for Haru’s arrival here and it involves Yuki learning how to fish. Look, this guy can’t even fish for compliments, but they go to the local fish shop (Hemingway, note the reference) and meet the Fishing Prince, Natsuki Usami (glasses at far left). At first, he is reluctant to be a teacher, as he doesn’t have the time nor the patience for this, but somehow, he finds the time and the patience to teach them to at least not embarrass themselves while on the pier.

Watching over all of this is Akira Agarkar Yamada (far right) and Tapioca, his duck. He works for a group called DUCK (Defensive Universal Confidential Keepers). Think of them as a Japanese version of MIB. But in order to find out Haru’s true motives, he must infiltrate this little group. Oh, the lady in front is Haru’s sister, Coco, who is offering support for this grand action. As the story unfolds, we learn of Haru’s real reason to be here and how DUCK is going to take care of things in its own way.

I liked this show, despite the open weirdness in it and the obvious trope of ‘friendship is important’. I cannot vouch for the fishing tips imparted but it seems to make sense in how to really catch fish. Even a couple of red herrings do not deter from this story, but it certainly takes them a long time for them to warm up to each other.

One beef I had was with the higher-ups in DUCK, as they were the standard big dopes in charge and unwilling to take a chance on a gut feeling. However, when DUCK springs into action, it reminds me of how useless groups like this are, akin to the CDF from “Monsters. Inc”. Figurative empty suits.

The show opens with this odd dance (and I do not think it will catch on like the Haruhi did) and you discover later it is quite important to the plot. The show itself is on the soft side, as even when things look like they are going bad, it really doesn’t go bad; just a minor set-back. With the exception of our missy up there, fan service is really kept in check, even though we are at a beach of some caliber. We just want to tell this story and this ain’t no fish tale, I guarantee you of that.
On a scale of 1 to 10:

Artwork 6 (Standard anime approach)
Plot 6 (Thin, but worked well)
Pacing 8 (Does move things along)
Effectiveness 6 (A bit of a cheat at the end)
Conclusion 7 (It reaches a ‘coupler’, but doesn’t really end)
Fan Service 3 (A similar show would be “Okamisan”)

Overall 8 (Something you don’t see too much of)

And remember, it’s first run until you’ve seen it. Right in the bucket!