●●●●○

The premise of Netflix’s latest anime Aggretsuko, which is based on the Japanese animated comedy of the same name, is certainly unique. The titular red panda, Retsuko, uses death metal karaoke as a release from the tedium of her office job and a sexist work environment where her boss is quite literally a chauvinist pig.

 Netflix did well with its reproduction of the Aggretsuko franchise, which is inspired by Fanwork’s television series. The show avoids the pitfalls of typical American anime voice-overs and can be enjoyed whether you’re watching it dubbed or with subtitles. The voice actors and its dialogue are exciting but more played-down than is usual for anime. Its style is well-suited to Netflix’s global demographic but still keeps aspects of the show’s Japanese roots alive.

One of the most striking features of Aggretsuko is its bold and simplistic animation. The show opens with light, uplifting music and is followed by a scene of our lead strolling through a park where cherry blossoms, the perennial symbol of anime, are in bloom. When she falls and twists her ankle, the viewer gets a first glimpse at the eponymous “Aggressive Retsuko” as she launches into an Iron Maiden-esque scream. In the perfect introduction to the show’s unusual tone, a death-metal theme song is accompanied by pink bubble font and flames; the opening credits include images of clouds, rainbows and Retsuko howling into a karaoke mike.

Aggretsuko is a slice-of-life anime. We see Retsuko navigate friendships, work life and romance. The first few episodes serve as a charming introduction to Retsuko and her anthropomorphised world. The characters Gori and Washimi, though intimidating to Retsuko at first – they even have a self-proclaimed “baddest bitch walk” –  become Restuko’s friends and often provide her with solid support and advice, though Gori, a director of marketing, is more shy than her feathered companion. Washimi is a secretary bird (a large eagle-like bird of prey known for its immobilizing stomp) who is, of course, a bird who is also a secretary. Kicking the CEO’s desk in half is certainly one way to stick up for a new friend. While the pacing is somewhat slow and risks turning off first-time viewers or those who are new to anime, Aggretsuko features an surprising and enjoyably strong sense of female community set within the animal kingdom.

Retsuko’s karaoke outbursts frequently follow days where she has been put down by her sexist boss Ton or patronising komodo dragon Tsubone, usually alongside slights from the clever, two-faced gazelle Tsunoda. In later episodes there is also romance, as Retsuko questions the value of her relationship with dopey red panda Resasuke, a perpetual daydreamer.

The appeal of this anime may seem niche, but it combines a seemingly effortless graphic style with an original concept, great humour and strong execution. Aggretsuko, much like its main character, is still finding its feet and isn’t for everyone, but it is smart and satisfying nonetheless.