Super Cub

Magenta

img(https://i1.wp.com/butwhythopodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Super-Cub-Episode-1.jpg?fit=810%2C450&ssl=1) Out of any medium, genre, or subgenre, shows that can be considered iyashikei have more self imposed restrictions than most media out there. Most stories would like to exhibit themselves through actions that exhibit great weight. Downtime typically seen is more so just some type of breathing room from the varying turbulent nature of the story. What makes iyashikei stand out primarily is that downtime that is mostly just used to wind down the previous action of a story is nearly 100% of what the whole series is. Iyashikei shows aim to be serene depictions of everyday life, with very little drama with either a nearly unnoticeable overarching plot or nearly none at all. It is the very antithesis of what most stories aim to be. Despite the very concept of the whole subgenre being so inherently boring, there have been plenty of properties in anime and outside of it that primarily have iyashikei components and have also been critically and financially successful. Super Cub is far more hidden when comparing it to the giants that it draws inspiration from. However, out of any of its contemporaries, it pushes many concepts in the genre to such extremes that I have frankly never seen before. Super Cub fully embraces the tropes of its subgenre and makes them their own. To go over Super Cub’s plot would be quicker than watching the opening. It is inherently an extremely simplistic story. Much of it is just the daily life events of the characters tangentially strung together through the presence of the Super Cub. Without any intriguing overarching plot, Super Cub and by extension most other iyashikei shows have to entice its viewers through its characters. While there isn’t any real story to call its own, it would be a false statement for it to be considered that there is no development. Super Cub develops its characters through its ability to imbue extremely subtle forms of development that build up over time. Some developments may not even be visible unless inspected upon extremely closely, but it is undeniable that by an emotional climax, the characters have definitely changed for the better. Super Cub’s main form of development centers around Koguma gradually finding her place in the world by finding new friends. It isn’t the most original concept in the world, but it manages to find life due to the previously mentioned subtle developments. A lot of daily life is mostly a series of subtle developments that can only really be put into context with hindsight. Life isn’t inherently an exciting thing, since the stakes are so low for most of the time. However, this can also be a source of excitement. Super Cub takes advantage of the fact that in a sea of mundanity, we can learn to find more joy in it. With the stakes so low all of the time, that makes events that can be considered boring to now be turned into a source of excitement. It makes mild events in the context of another show be considered to be one of the previously mentioned emotional climaxes. Super Cub manages to set its stakes so astronomically low in its early episodes, that it makes nearly every minor conflict that props up along the way feel exciting. img(https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/thumbnails/crop1200x630gHI/cms/news.4/168419/supercub.jpg) As much praise I have been giving to how Super Cub approaches its story and character development, it would be turning a blind eye to the biggest problem with the series, the visuals. The character designs are blurry, the CGI on the motorcycles is extremely jittery, there is barely any visual appeal in nearly every spot, and the contrast is tuned down at times to a point where it makes everything look muddy. While that last point can be explained away by the contrast being dialed up and down to represent the emotions of the situation, but just for that interesting direction, it comes at a sacrifice of much of the series to look awful. I am not going to try and defend the poor visual quality, as a matter of fact, it bothered me heavily in the first two or three episodes. My personal enjoyment of an anime doesn’t really hinge on visual quality much at all. I can easily get used to poor visuals as long as the story being told is engaging enough, which in this case, it is. While it isn’t a dealbreaker for me, I can get why it is to a lot of other people. To not be negative to all aspects of the presentation, I did really enjoy the general audio component. The lack of background noise and music for most of the scenes made for a calming and quiet atmosphere that really added to the generally subtle nature of the plot’s developments. Out of any anime in Spring 2021, this is really one that shouldn’t have been this good. With it just being a glorified advertisement for Honda Super Cubs, and the production being so obviously stretched thin, it may have been predicted to be a disaster on all fronts. However, Super Cub makes the best of its situation, and creates an example of how to develop a story even in a situation where it would seem like you couldn’t. Subtly quiet storytelling where there is more to see under the hood is a rare breed to come by, and to find something that embraces it fully is a delight to see. By the end, Super Cub manages to be a surprisingly resonant work about the general mundanties of life, and how to find joy in it. img(https://anotheranimereview.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Koguma.full_.3273649-e1619819651357.jpg) _Thank you for reading to the end of the review if you did. If you have any criticisms with how this review was made, you are free to message me to critique what I had to say._

AnimeDweeb

~~~ #Quarantine has been a pretty surreal time. img100%(https://64.media.tumblr.com/322bd8d0d39979ab7b87531c06331b62/7539ce8539a0d49b-cc/s500x750/72f0caa7c98816505e00ce123c4a422d46e35091.gifv) ~~~ It's bizarre to think that so many of us collectively had our bustling lives come to a screeching halt within the walls of our homes. Waiting out the COVID-storm, it's all too easy to feel bored and boxed-in with your thoughts. There are certainly worse problems to have, but this is a problem nonetheless. I, like many others, have picked up hobbies to stay preoccupied and sane. What you're reading right now is a product of one of those hobbies, and I'm happy you're giving this article the time of day! There's something comforting involved in pursuing your passions, and an oft-ignored joy to be had in the small day-to-day victories. *Super Cub* (*Cub* for short) is a timely reminder of that very same happiness, and how our interests can bring color into our lives. This review will be **spoiler-free**, with a **Tl;Dr** included towards the end. *** ~~~ #Enter Koguma - The Girl With Nothing. webm(https://i.imgur.com/zfNoqPJ.mp4) ~~~ No family, no cash, no ambitions. She doesn't even appear to feel blue about the way things are; a few tears would at least add color to her monochrome life. The still mundanity of Hokuto City is made evident in *Cub's* quaint opening minutes, drawing us into a world the way Koguma sees it - devoid of color. By happenstance she meets a used Honda Super Cub, which (literally) brings vibrance to her vision and a longing like no other. Much of the show is then centered around Koguma's day-to-day experiences with her Super Cub. She's not on the open road alone though, and is soon accompanied by the strong-willed motorcycle enthusiast Reiko. Also droppin' in towards the end of the season is Shii, newly-avid cyclist and aficionado of all things Italy. ~~~ #If what I've mentioned sounds like a glorified motorcycle commercial… #Well, you'd be mostly right. webm(https://i.imgur.com/3ZAyhYx.mp4) ~~~ Someone could feasibly make a drinking game out of everytime a character says "This Cub can do anything." It's certainly not the first time a company tie-in was this obvious; *Cub* even goes as far as to reference [*Initial D*](https://anilist.co/anime/185/Initial-D/) with the urban myth surrounding Koguma's ride. But even if this is a case of selling out, there are certainly far worse ways going about it. Honda Motor Company reportedly supervised the writing behind *Cub,* ensuring consistent and realistic details that go beyond close-ups on the featured motorcycles. Speaking of mechanical eye-candy, this series is a visual treat. Pulling back the camera lens from the show's motorbike chassis, *Cub* looks as stunning from afar as it does up close, with scenic visuals of Mount Fuji and the surrounding countryside. Also neat is the show's visuals as they relate to Koguma's perspective. *Cub* transitions between washed-out, near-grayscale scenes to radiant, saturated colors. The whole show acting as a mood light for Koguma is a trick that thankfully never gets old. The series' OST is a mix of classical compositions and a handful of original tracks, all of which contribute to *Cub* soothing atmosphere. The cast of characters don't work against this calming background with over-the-top performances, but complement *Cub* nicely. Performances are lowkey and avoid "*moe* -blob" generalizations, all while standing out with their own enjoyable personalities. All-in-all, the world of *Cub* is as wholesome and relaxing as this season is gonna get. You could say that Cub is yet another case of a Cute Girls Doing Cute Things (CGDCT) anime about a niche topic, and I'd be inclined to agree. However, that take doesn't fully account for what this series aims to achieve. This chill watch isn't afraid to introduce momentary tonal shifts, as seen in an unexpected adventure throughout Episode 5 and a solemn incident in Episode 11. These engaging deviations to the formula are enjoyable in their own right and paint a clearer picture of what *Cub* is trying to convey: the healing power of hobbies. ~~~ #*Cub* is a SoL distilled into its purest form. webm(https://i.imgur.com/9aTa1OS.mp4) ~~~ This isn't the kind of show concerned with love triangles or girls running to school with toast in their mouths. Instead, this *iyashikei* has its sole focus on leaving viewers with a "healing feeling" every episode. To achieve this, Cub draws us in with its effective episodic story structure. Each instalment establishes clear needs, and patiently shows us the process undertaken to achieve those goals. Obstacles introduced are resolved by the end of each episode, and the audience winds up sharing the same satisfaction that our characters do. I know that this observation is hardly revelatory; set-up and payoff is the most basic writing concept there is. But *Cub* is noteworthy for how stripped-down its methodology is. With little else to distract us, we offer our undivided attention to the low-key lives of *Cub's* cast, and are rewarded with a cozy reprieve. The characters' love for the open road (and Italian espressos) is all there is, and those personal passions exude strongly due to the depth at which those interests are explored. A 50cc in the picturesque Yamanashi Prefecture isn't merely a mode of transportation, but a lifestyle. As high school girls, there is recreational value to be had in cruising down the highway, as the scenic views of Mount Fuji loom in the distance. Of course, there are considerations as well, which Koguma and her friends need to address in order to continually enjoy their leisurely drives. Plotlines see the girls getting comfortable with their Super Cubs, obsessing over Cub trivia, learning bike upkeep, purchasing affordable accessories, taking on odd jobs involving their motorcycles, and finding ways to stay warm while riding in winter months. I think *Cub* captures common bike-centric plights and scenarios with a great deal of accuracy. And biking fans seem to agree, judging from [third-party accounts from communities far more familiar with biking than I am](https://www.motorbiscuit.com/honda-super-cub-anime-captures-reality-riding/) (we likely have Honda Co. Ltd. to thank for this.) Just like how last year's [*Eizouken ni wa Te wo Dasu na!*](https://anilist.co/anime/109298/Eizouken-ni-wa-Te-wo-Dasu-na/) was a passionate love letter to the process behind animation, *Cub* wears its heart on its sleeve and makes its love for biking known. *Cub's* attention to detail, and the unflinching trust in said detail to carry the show, leads us audience members to enjoy an otherwise unfamiliar interest alongside our girls. Even though most viewers can't tell the difference between a Super Cub and a Vespa, the dedication put into demonstrating these girls' hobbies still strikes a chord. Koguma, Reiko and Shii may share vastly different experiences from ours, but the roots of their passions are universal. The desire to achieve a goal, and overtaking the objectives that make such a reward even more worthwhile on a personal level. It's cathartic to see those desires realized, and *Cub* emulates that joy with each week. And sure, tasks like changing motor oil or delivering documents are tiny and unremarkable from a distance, but it is Something. And that means all the world to The Girl With Nothing. ~~~ #*Cub* is rather narrow in scope, and may not appeal to a ton of people. webm(https://i.imgur.com/I6vFdgd.mp4) ~~~ It's the kind of quiet, meditative watch that I almost exclusively put on before bed. The calming nature of the show might put you to sleep in the worst way. Half of *Cub's* character development amounts to our stoic MC eventually picking up sarcasm. There's nothing all that interesting about window shopping with Koguma at hardware stores, and it's not the sort of storytelling all audiences would appreciate. My snobby ass might claim that the sophisticated *Cub* isn't bound by story conventions of a heightened reality, but others would probably say that it's "boring." Something like [*Yuru Camp*](https://anilist.co/anime/98444/Yuru-Camp/) achieves relatively similar things as *Cub* , while adding a light-hearted comedic presence and entertaining character dynamics. In spite of these elements, *Yuru* is sometimes dismissed as a boring CGDCT, and *Cub* manages to be even more stripped-down. There's little *Cub* does to convince audiences that aren't already fond of SoLs or the *iyashikei* genre, and I can't sugarcoat the show to argue otherwise. If you happen to enjoy works such as [*Mushishi*](https://anilist.co/anime/457/Mushishi/) and [*Aria*](https://anilist.co/anime/477/ARIA-The-ANIMATION/) , *Cub* should certainly be high up on your planning list. But if you are foreign to the meditative realm of *iyashikei* anime, I recommend that you try out at least the first two episodes of *Cub*. At worst, it's hardly an insulting loss of your time; at best, you just might stumble across some of the most immaculate vibes in anime this year. *** Before wrapping up, I'd like to leave you with some sappy closing thoughts. It's been over a year since I began sharing reviews, and I've enjoyed (nearly) every second of it. Writing started out as a fun way to kill time, and I gradually grew to enjoy articulating my thoughts and experimenting with my craft. Sharing my rants has not only been a rewarding experience in its own right, but also a process that helped me open up to the anime community. I didn't exactly have IRL pals keeping me company during the ongoing hyperbolic apocalypse. Making these reviews emboldened me to put myself out there. Being inside my home over the past year, I found social circles online that kept my life as lively and fun as it's ever been. Amidst the virus, this hobby healed me. If you haven't already, I urge you to find wholesome endeavors of your own, and share those interests with others around you. It may seem awkward, but there's no shame in trying to enrich your life with activities you enjoy. And heck, if your passion is watching anime, *Cub* is certainly a great place to start. *** ~~~ #**Tl;Dr**: img100%(https://64.media.tumblr.com/491c7fd577a0a1706dde41990968e0aa/7539ce8539a0d49b-9f/s500x750/e93db7a434972713be23cb122a86ef5708c243ad.gifv) ~~~ *Super Cub* demonstrates how personal fixations can fix us. Besides the frequent bike trivia persistent throughout the series, *Cub* takes its time to revel in the joy of pursuing hobbies. Set to a calming soundtrack and stunning backdrops of the Yamanashi countryside, *Cub* puts us in the driver's seat through relaxing immersion. Viewers without motorcycles need not be worried about doing their homework before approaching this show, as the chill vibes and enjoyment is for everyone. So strap in, sit back and enjoy what this open road has to offer. **7/10**~ *** # ~~~ STRAY RAMBLINGS (**SPOILERS**): ~~~ - Just wanna quickly shout out @azumiii's [thread of all the classical compositions used in *Cub*](https://anilist.co/forum/thread/32125). The tracks were really calming, so if you're feeling bored of Lo-Fi radio playlists on YouTube, try giving these songs a shot! - Koguma's bike has a kill count, it's practically Devil Z lol. Be scared: ~~~ img300(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/826224385664483348/846598582320365598/koguma_with_dat_thang_on_her.png) ~~~ - Didn't get to cover this in the review, but seeing Shii's cafe was pretty darn surreal by *Cub* standards. The show turned into a lesson in interior design for a good 5 minutes, I love it. The blend of all that European iconography, in a country known for being isolationist- 'kay, that's enough musing. I want a German sourdough sandwich. - Was definitely not expecting to go from "purposely taking the wrong turn on the intersection" to "scaling Mount FRIGGIN' Fuji on a scooter" by the 5th episode. What a ride. - **BEST GIRL**: img50(https://images-ext-1.discordapp.net/external/KADfy4OzGFTwE5QkMDRE5TENwxGKvhzKsso25_jVRTA/https/media.discordapp.net/attachments/812152352512540696/834484982578806874/829404789946318929.gif) - And remember: > You meet the nicest people on a Honda. Thanks @ed3d *** ~~~ img100%(https://64.media.tumblr.com/e82f06ae03c94b7f741e6e4b685628ab/160b6412aa833d9c-15/s540x810/ef3113b2923ec80c96fe786fc9f78870a4f3991b.gifv) ~~~ Thanks for stoppin' by! After writing all this, I could really go for one of Shii's coffees, ngl. If you happen to like my verbose rants, feel free to check out my other [reviews](https://anilist.co/user/AnimeDweeb/reviews) for seasons past and present. I also frequently post writeups under my list updates, so definitely take a peek if you'd like to see me mald over anime as they hit the airwaves. Peace~

veemon23

Call it slow, call it boring, call it whatever you want, I enjoyed this a lot more then I would've ever expected too. By no mean would I call this the best of the season, because this season was packed with great anime. We have many great anime that this one can easily have been left unnoticed. It's premise isn't interesting or special, just girls riding Cubs. You would be forgiven to not watch this if you aren't into the SOL or CGDCT type of anime. I am not one to say this was not slowly paced, especially in the earlier episode. Our main girl isn't like your most interesting character, she's more like your awkward and shy girl. She doesn't stand out and doesn't fit as what we would consider a strong lead. But with all that said and done, she does get a lot of character development especially with the introduction of the other two girls. Koguma - our main lead, she doesn't really stand out on her own. She can be consider kind of "blend" early on. But over time she does gain more of a personality. Shii - doesn't get much screen time until later on but she's super adorable and so easy to love. She's so cute as well. Reiko - your more energetic and happy go lucky type of character. She is really the life of the show in where she is probably the one you want to focus more on if you want someone to relate too in a fun way. As Koguma is probably more relatable for me since I feel like sometimes you just do the same mundane stuff in life lol with some bits of excitement to jolt you into action. I went into this show not expecting much at all so my expectation was set super low. I know it was gonna be your slow pace type anime and not gonna be anything amazing. But as I watched this, I found myself looking like Koguma. img(https://i.imgur.com/MTSnevT.gif) Having the biggest smile on my face just enjoying the heck out of some cute girls riding on their Super Cub. I did not expect to enjoy this show as much as I did and boy I am glad I watched it. I don't think objectively it will get a high score by no means at all. But I am merely ranking base on my personal enjoyment of the show and base on that, I loved it. It wasn't a show I loved right away but with it's character growth and journey, I feel in love with them. If you just want something relaxing, something chill with good vibe, give it a watch. It's not gonna be one of those show that will get you on the edge of your seat. It's just adorable and wholesome. Slow moments and more down to earth type of show. Sure it does have some unrealistic stuff but that's anime for you. At the end of the day, this is your fun and simple show and it was a heck of a commercial. Haven't seen one this great since Code Geass commercial for Pizza Hut.

SallyOtak

# ~~~__Super Cub__~~~ ~~~__Original title: スーパーカブ__~~~ ~~~__I am French, I use a translator! Sorry if he has any mistakes with some weird words.__~~~ ~~~Do not hesitate to come to me mp to give me your opinion ^^ ~~~ ~~~img400(https://64.media.tumblr.com/07315d9c0692c8ff26b09cfae7373187/a4979dc0bec1ebcd-8d/s540x810/2a175aae139caccf63868f662f9c983631918d00.gifv)~~~ ~~~__Spring 2021__~~~ ~~~__Friendship - School - Motorsports__~~~ ____ # ~~~__: Story :__~~~ ____ ~~~The story is globally quite simple and can search, but the anime approaches the subject of the cub through the desire to discover the world.~~~ ~~~As it is said by Koguma the Cub did not save her but allowed her to access what she was looking for.~~~ ~~~Super Cub does some honor to Cub even if for my own opinion the cub is the gear to make Koguma advance in his desires ^^~~~ ~~~img250(https://miro.medium.com/max/720/1*TQ1x7ksR364hIftE82nk6g.gif)~~~ ____ # ~~~__: Art :__~~~ ____ ~~~The art of the anime is very special, it is really well adapted to the universe of the anime but leaves from time to time some still images that don't look very good. But on the whole the studio Kai does a great job! We can easily get attached to it and it reminds me a bit of the short films ^^~~~ ____ # ~~~__: Sound:__~~~ ____ ~~~To talk about the opening, the music is really beautiful but I didn't particularly care for it. The osts are immersive but for my part they did not shock me either.~~~ ____ # ~~~__: Characters :__~~~ ____ ~~~img250(https://media.tenor.com/images/691a99e009dce41d4b31f33d12a53db6/tenor.gif)~~~ ~~~Koguma is a girl that we saw evolve, in her shyness and her loneliness that changed little by little serious to the meeting of her Cub that will allow her to make her first friends Reiko that will make her little by little reveal herself a little more ^^~~~ ____ ~~~img250(https://media.tenor.com/images/bdda6460d7aa6af4103a9a9bc8d6e574/tenor.gif)~~~ ~~~Reiko is a true passionate of the cub, it is her who is going to learn in the big lines to Koguma all the trick on the cub as well as the gadgets for the winter. They will quickly become very good friend! Reiko is a character with a lot of ambition, which affects those around her ^^ She is really beautiful I think too xD~~~ ____ ~~~Shii is my favorite character, she is the most open to others, the most generous and the most expressive. She considers Koguma as a kind of big sister I think ^^ She is really adorable :)~~~ ~~~The other secondary characters are quite forgettable and without much interest. Too bad I liked the person who was in charge of receiving the mail delivered by Koguma ~~~ ____ # ~~~__: My final opinion :__~~~ ____ ~~~Super Cub is a really relaxing anime, endearing, is a real happiness to watch. It may seem calm, but it is precisely this calm that makes us feel good, and that makes us want! The evolution of the characters is still beautiful to see ^^~~~ ~~~I wish you an excellent viewing ^^~~~

othiym23

_Super Cub_ ended up being my favorite series of the 2021 spring season. This has been one of the best individual seasons for new anime that I can remember, so I have a bit of a job to do to explain why I think so highly of a show that is partly a paid ad for Honda, and in most other ways an unassuming slice of life drama. The short version is that it is both a very well-made show, and it was also the right show at the right time for me personally. ## Story & adaptation _Super Cub_ is based on a series of light novels by Tone Koken and Hiro, which so far includes 7 main novels and one side volume (I own the first six books and the side story, but the most recent volume has been backordered for months). The series has also been serialized as a manga, which is up to 5 tankoubon volumes so far. Neither the light novels nor the manga have been officially translated into English and it seems unlikely that they ever will. So the anime is likely to be the only version of the story that most non-Japanese people will see. The good news is that for the most part the anime does a model job of adapting and condensing the novels. The manga is a more literal telling of the story than the anime, and in one very significant case does a **much** better job (which I'll get to in a bit), but for the most part the anime flows better and hits all the important story and (importantly) emotional beats of the novels it covers. The story is fairly simple: Koguma is a plain, unremarkable girl going to a high school in Yamanashi Prefecture (the same part of Japan where another excellent iyashikei series, *Laid-Back Camp*, takes place). In her own words, she has, "no parents, no money, no friends, no hobbies, and no goals for the future." She lives on a meager government subsidy in a 1DK apartment in a drab apartment building on the outskirts of Hokuta (the anime never bothers to explain what happened to her family, which is a bold but good choice because it doesn't really matter to the story). She is taciturn at school and a diffident student, and her main struggle is the bicycle ride to and from school. One day, tired of panting her way up the hill before her school and getting passed by fellow students on scooters, she stops at a motorcycle dealership on her ride home. In one of innumerable moments in the show where we are shown rather than told things, there is a long, mostly static shot where Koguma studies motorcycles while the manager / mechanic at the dealership studies her. He wheels a Super Cub out from the garage, explains that it's more or less cursed, and offers it to her at a discount so steep that even with her limited money she can afford it. He even throws in a pair of riding gloves and a helmet as a "promotion" and a free servicing. None of this is presented as a special kindness, but it seems clear that he is more interested in something he sees in Koguma than making a sale. She takes the bait, buys the Super Cub, and we have a show. The story is, essentially, a love story between a girl and her motorcycle (nobody could possibly be surprised that Honda sponsored the original light novel series, as the way that the characters rhapsodize about Honda light motorcycles is indistinguishable from advertising copy). Or, more properly, about the ways in which her world enlarges and her life grows richer after she has her bike. She (literally) breaks out of her rut, she makes human connections, she sees new places, and her world grows a little more colorful. Across 13 episodes, very little happens. She learns to maintain and accessorize her motorcycle, starts hanging out with another girl at school who has her own tricked out bike (a customized Super Cub that was originally a Japan Post delivery bike that I seriously covet), goes on a school trip with her class, goes to see the cherry blossoms in the south when spring starts after a long winter, and starts going to the coffee shop run by the family of another classmate. One dramatic thing does happen, and this is the only thing – along with the relentless and occasionally immersion-breaking Honda boosting – stopping me from giving this show a perfect score (something I almost never do). In the penultimate episode of the show, Koguma's classmate Shii ends up crashing her bicycle into a mountain river in the middle of winter and it's up to Koguma to rescue Shii-chan with her Super Cub. The anime's story departs from the LN and manga pretty significantly here, for no particular reason I can tell, and it ends up mangling the characters' motivations, has them acting very out of character, and has them take risks that would in all likelihood get one or more of them killed in the real world. It really doesn't make sense and all I can figure is that the anime's writers and director didn't know how else to fit everything into 23 minutes. Koguma is a bit of a cipher, and her two companions (she doesn't think of them as friends, which is consistent with her personality, but kind of ridiculous given that one of them obviously has a crush on her and by the end of the series she's practically married to the other) are also both fairly eccentric in their own ways. Reiko is a pitch-perfect portrayal of a monomaniacal nerd whose entire life revolves around motorcycles and Super Cub culture, and Shii is almost as devoted to bringing the culture of the Southern (European) Alps to the Southern (Japanese) Alps. The three of them are mostly unified by their collective obsessiveness, and they're so out there that they're not even outcasts at their school – they're just off doing their own thing (although when Koguma rolls up to the ryokan on her Super Cub during the school trip at the same time as the bus carrying the rest of her classmates, her classmates are completely dumbfounded that this nerdy nonentity is also somehow the biggest badass in the class (that's actually Reiko, but none of them know about her attempt to conquer Mt Fuji on a 125cc delivery bike)). The show's reliance on showing not telling really serves it well here – it allows these three girls to be nerdy and brusque and occasionally hilariously cruel and narcissistic, but in a very natural and believable way. I had no trouble believing that these three awkward loners were literally ride or die for each other by the end of the season, and by telling the story with such a light touch it also really allowed me to see how these three are all essentially very lonely girls who are very hungry for connection. It also allows the show's very understated humor to shine through. In reality, Reiko would be a tremendously challenging friend, because if it's not related to Super Cubs (or, uh, guns), she really cannot be bothered. Shii's the most normal of the three, but her parents are themselves gigantic nerds (her mom seems to be LARPing an LA housewife from the 1950s and drives a pickup truck; her dad has an obsession with European breads that rivals post-COVID tech bros in its intensity) and she's small for her age and awkward. Koguma is socially stunted and also extremely pragmatic and congenitally unimpressed, which leads to her being alternately extremely cool (see above) and a huge dick, completely unintentionally in both cases. She's one of the best portrayals of a neurodiverse individual I've seen in a very long time, and is extremely funny. I want to be her friend. ## Presentation A lot of people are likely to disagree with me, but I honestly think *Super Cub* featured some of the best animation and music this season. There was a *lot* of good animation in this season's shows, from *SSSS.Dynazenon's* excellent integration of CG and hand-drawn animation to *Vivy's* ridiculously tight and fast-paced action sequences. *Super Cub's* animation was not like that – the show did not have a big budget, and the story is defined by how little actually happens. That said, it did a *lot* with what little it had. While the integration of CG and regular animation was not as flashy as Dynazenon's, the carefully (and literally) on-model rendering of the motorcycles and bicycles give them a presence befitting the show's most important supporting characters. Backgrounds are frequently reused but subtly changed to show the passage of time and the changing seasons. Like Laid-Back Camp, the show leans very heavily on the natural beauty of Yamanashi and Japan's Southern Alps, but the style is more "rustic beauty" than "travel brochure." The show's use of color is exquisite, and one of the primary means the show uses to portray the emotional state of the characters. The default color palette of the show is very subdued and naturalistic (and, in my opinion, all the more beautiful for it), but when Koguma is excited or happy, the colors suddenly become much more saturated and everything gets brighter. It's such a simple trick but it packs a serious emotional punch, and even though they reuse the trick throughout the show it never seems cheesy or manipulative. They also keep the rough, thick lines of the character designs in the light novels (although the characters look different from their LN equivalents) and this both serves to keep the "cel-shaded" CG from looking out of place but also gives the show as a whole a more rough-hewn, handmade vibe. Finally, the soundtrack is great. Both the opening and ending themes are cute laid-back pop songs and match the overall easygoing vibe of the series. The show uses classical music – in particular Debussy's *Clair de Lune* and a few Beethoven pieces in thematically appropriate ways, and it really cements the show as one of the most delicate and chill in the last few years. It's top-tier iyashikei vibes all around. ## Overall I can't really pretend to be objective about this show. The first four episodes are one of the best portrayals of a certain kind of loneliness I've ever seen, and after the last, lonely year, the show just hit me like a truck. The very slow development of what is actually a surprisingly ambiguous set of relationships was consoling on a level I can't even really describe. The sheer level of aesthetic refinement in the show combined with how unhurried the show did its thing made it the show I most looked forward to watching each week. And Koguma herself is one of the most well-rounded main characters I think I've ever seen. She's kind of grumpy and selfish, she's incurious and not particularly charming, and despite her loneliness she's not particularly eager to put herself out there. But she's kind, courageous, persistent (or stubborn), and the kind of person who knows when a friend needs something and just does it. If you liked *Laid-Back Camp* or *A Place Further Than the Universe*, if you're somebody who doesn't need a lot to happen (or wants for things to **not** happen), if you're a fan of unconventional presentation, if you like extended, naturalistic studies of interesting characters, you need to watch this show.

planetJane

~~~All of my reviews contain **spoilers** for the reviewed material. This is your only warning.~~~ --------- img880(https://magicplanetanimedesign.files.wordpress.com/2021/06/zsk1nki.jpg?w=1568)

It’s about three minutes into Super Cub‘s first episode before anyone says anything. It’s nearly twelve before any kind of background music kicks in. That alone, and the show’s locale–rural Japan, somewhere along the Chuo Line–will clue you in that Super Cub is not merely your average slice of life series. This is an iyashikei, a tone genre that focuses on producing a healing, meditative effect. Any iyashikei is a thing of note; it’s not a particularly saturated genre. A genuinely good one is a precious treasure. I must confess though, I went into Super Cub skeptical. I’m not afraid to admit I’m something of a snob about the genre, and not always in a good way. In my defense, the very first thing I learned about Super Cub was that it was sponsored by Honda. A “Super Cub”, as both we and protagonist Koguma quickly learn, is a sort of motorbike. Models have been consistently produced for 50-some years, and as more than one character goes over, they’re widely liked and appreciated even outside of Japan itself. Super Cub riding is a hobby in its own right, and if you’re already part of the Cult of the Cub you probably won’t need more convincing to watch this anime. But, just speaking personally, it’s Koguma herself who won me over. Super Cub has a fascinating little trick that it uses to indirectly convey her mood; the show’s color saturation is directly tied to it. When we meet her at the start of the first episode, she is visibly extremely depressed. She lives alone, apparently abandoned by her parents. With, as she puts it, no hobbies, and very little money. The colors are, for most of the episode, muted and grayed. When a generous old shop proprietor sells her the titular used scooter, the simple feeling of sitting on it literally lights her world up, and the colors bloom into full saturation. It’s a wonderful technique, and it’s one the show uses enough times to fairly call it a signature. For the still-young Studio KAI, it’s a promising visual showing. img880(https://i.imgur.com/h9E0NRA.jpg) ~~~_Also of note is Reiko, to whom Koguma is extremely married._~~~ Super Cub, like any good story about vehicles, knows that it’s not really about the vehicles. They’re about the freedom and liberation that comes with being able to go where you want with very few limits. Koguma’s story is one of a girl breaking out of her shell with the help of her new hobby, it’s a tale as old as the medium itself. And its best episodes and moments tend to reflect this. Things as mundane as trips to an unfamiliar grocery store, or, later on, an unplanned highway trip, can be magical in the right context. This understanding bleeds into the series’ very aesthetic. Both its soundtrack, which is excellent, and its tour of Japan’s vistas, most exemplified by the road trip in the final episode. It is in this context, with this understanding of its appeal, that Super Cub truly shines. But it doesn’t always shine, unfortunately. In less impressive moments, it does have the misfortune of feeling like an ad. Which, in its defense, it sort of is. There is fun hobby talk; the sort that tells us as much about the characters as it does about what they’re discussing, and there is dull hobby talk. For Super Cub, this manifests as occasionally becoming dangerously close to replicating the feeling of loitering around an AutoZone. The line between the two is razor thin and Super Cub sometimes crosses it and back again multiple times within the span of a single conversation. It’s believable that a teenager might want to squeeze more power out of their motorbike. A teenager complaining about “environmental regulations” that lead to less powerful engines, as Reiko does at one point, is less so. img880(https://i.imgur.com/hmL0JZl.jpg) It doesn’t cut Super Cub‘s engine, thankfully, but it does occasionally make it feel more corporate than cozy, which is unfortunate. It is the show’s only real weakness, but it’s a notable one. But, conversely, even at its comparative lowest, Super Cub is simply too odd and too thoughtful to really write off. Weird asides like the character Shii’s family of europhiles, Reiko’s attempts to conquer Mt. Fuji, and so on, prevent the shop talk from ever overtaking the core narrative. Koguma herself, too, develops into something of a snarky, playful type, at least in the presence of friends, over the course of the series. A notable progression from her status as a near-silent protagonist in the opening episodes of the show. img880(https://i.imgur.com/Y42WZlx.jpg) It also picks up something of a dramatic streak in its final few episodes. If the more serious turns here don’t entirely fit the series like a glove, they do reinvigorate it through its final stretch. Koguma’s broadly philosophical musings on her relationship with Shii, the series’ own use of different vehicles as metaphors for moving through life at different “speeds”, and the eventual use of Spring as both a literal coming change and a proverbial “light at the end of the tunnel” all tie together wonderfully. Flaws and all, Super Cub cannot be said to have its heart anywhere but the right place. So if it’s a rocky journey, it’s still a worthwhile one. It seems doubtful that Super Cub will ever rock anyone’s world, but it’s not trying to and doesn’t need to. All it’s trying to do is offer a small comfort in the harsh times we live in. Koguma closes the series by musing that a Cub is not some kind of magical do-it-all machine. The desire to turn an unfamiliar corner must come from within. All told, that is a pretty satisfying note for such an unassuming series to end on. And hey, if it can sell you a bike too, all the better. img880(https://i.imgur.com/Zcb28WK.jpg)

----------------- ~~~**Notes & Disclaimers** Usage of Anilist's review feature does not constitute endorsement for Anilist as a platform, the Anilist community or any individual member thereof, or any of Anilist's policies or rules. All views expressed are solely my own opinions and conclusions and should not be taken to reflect the opinions of any other persons, groups, or organizations. All text is owned by me. Do not duplicate without permission. All images are owned by their original copyright holders.~~~

lknkira

# One of the best of the year# As an Iyashikei lover, Super Cub already had what it takes to be one of my favorites, but it surprised me more than I expected. img220(https://lacradoresdesintoxicadoshome.files.wordpress.com/2021/04/capturar-1.png?w=1280&h=730&crop=1) We started with Koguma, who is a girl who has no family, friends or plans for the future, but when she finds a Honda Super Cub her life starts to become happier, and she meets Reiko who shares the same passion, and with that her life starts to change. Then we have the introduction of Eniwa, and how she is getting closer to Koguma and Reiko. And how it is somehow important for Koguma's change. One of the things I liked the most is how they used colors to convey emotions, how we see most of the story from Koguma's point of view, we see the contrast, how the moments when she is happy everything turns to vivid colors. Using visuals to convey emotions, and creating greater immersion. img220(https://i1.wp.com/www.otakupt.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/polemica-de-Super-Cub.jpg?resize=1280%692&ssl=1) The anime manages to convey a message that happiness is sometimes in small things, and as Koguma herself said in the final lines of the anime, Cub alone would not make her change, change is something that comes from you, find some passion or desire that can make you move in that direction. Throughout the anime, we see how Koguma was changing little by little. How to offer to help with the school festival issue, and her own personality during the anime. And as she and Reiko became closer, and Eniwa who saw the two as an inspiration to change, so much so that we see her devoting herself a lot to her plan for the restaurant. img220(https://derf9v1xhwwx1.cloudfront.net/image/upload/oth/FunimationStoreFront/V2293890/artwork/5da8a0ef-4ee6-4adb-86aa-f6fa2052f342_keyartofficialvideoimage.jpg) It's a simple story, I know a lot of people don't like Iyashikei or Slice-of Life, but it would be great if people gave it a chance, or saw it from the side of the characters and their development. It's not a story with a big plot and twists, but a story about girls and their everyday life and overcoming the obstacles of everyday life. A wholesome anime, which at least for me, brings me a genuine feeling of happiness. I really wish she had more prominence, just like Yuru Camp△, another anime that I loved. It's much more than just an anime about Cute Girls Doing Cute Things, it serves that purpose, but it goes beyond that. Not necessarily something I consider negative for anime, but I felt I could have explained why Koguma lives alone, which is information that if you only see the anime and don't look it up in other media, you'll never know. Thanks if you read this far, I'm still developing my reviews. I hope that you enjoyed. And recommend the anime to everyone.

Juliko25

_Super Cub_ is an anime that I initially passed over when it first aired. I was watching other shows at the time, so I didn't find time for it. All I knew about it was that it was based on a light novel and supposedly a gigantic advertisement for motorbikes called Super Cubs. But I was bored one day and wanted to watch something new, so I wound up watching _Super Cub_ on the FUNimation app on my Roku—the English dubbed version, to be more specific—and found that I liked it more than I thought I would. The story is pretty simple: Koguma is a girl who lives a lonely life. Her parents aren't around, she doesn't have much money, doesn't have hobbies, and just lives day to day. As far as Koguma is concerned, her life is dull and colorless. One day, she finds herself drawn to a Honda Super Cub being sold at a shop and manages to buy it for fairly cheap. The decision proves to be a fateful one, as the Super Cub bike literally brings color to her once colorless life, allowing her to do more and go places she couldn't before. She even manages to make a couple new friends because of it. The series is mainly about Koguma's day-to-day experiences with her Cub and is pretty episodic in nature, so don't go in here expecting a linear narrative that gets bigger as it goes on. If you're thinking the show is pretty much a glorified commercial for Honda Super Cubs, you're not wrong. The first episode alone is just 20 minutes of a character discovering the joys of owning a motorbike, complete with dialogue blatantly engineered to sell bikes, with the cameras lingering shamelessly on logos, and while most of the series is shown in muted colors, when Koguma gets on the bike, the show cranks up the color saturation to show how Honda products restore color to your world. All throughout the series, the characters go on and on about how great their Cubs are. I'm pretty sure you could make a drinking game out of it. Hell, apparently Honda Motor Company reportedly supervised the writing for _Super Cub_. This is especially interesting since _Super Cub_ is based on a series of light novels that ended not too long ago. But what makes _Super Cub_ interesting as a show is that while the show itself makes no secret of the fact that it's engineered to sell motorbikes, every other aspect of it has a surprising amount of subtlety and restraint that's present throughout its entire run. Starting with the animation, the series thrives on its scenic backgrounds, realistic character designs, and the show's occasional transitioning from muted, washed out, near-grayscale to vivid, radiant, saturated colors. The last one is mainly used to serve as a mood light for Koguma, showing the things that make her happy, whether it be going to a new store off the beaten path or hanging out with her new friends. I also appreciate that the anime's character designs don't try to make the girls into cutesy moeblobs, with the animation and voice acting reflecting this, remaining low key and subdued all throughout. That being said, the CGI for the bikes is fine, and the show does a great job at making sure the details on the bikes are accurate and realistic, but my one big complaint: Did they really have to make the girls into CGI on occasions where they ride their bikes? They just look really clunky and weird! The soundtrack is similarly soothing and nice, and interestingly enough, the series makes use of both its own original compositions and pieces of classical music, like Claude Debussy's Clair de Lune and a segment of Antonio Vivaldi's The Four Seasons, which I felt were used to great effect. More details can be found in [this thread here](https://anilist.co/forum/thread/32125). Basically, everything about _Super Cub_ takes a minimalistic approach, preferring showing over telling, which serves the series very well, making _Super Cub_ actually feel more than just a glorified motorbike commercial, never venturing into cheese or melodrama. Now, the cast for this show is pretty small. One important character doesn't even get introduced until episode 7, so the series has plenty of time to flesh them out throughout its short run. The main cast isn't necessarily the most three-dimensional, and I can imagine a lot of people taking issue with the fact that the girls don't really talk about anything that doesn't involve their Cubs. At least, not until later in the series, and I can understand that. But I think the main appeal of the series is seeing the three girls bond over their hobbies and passions and seeing how those same passions help them grow as people. I think Shii benefits the most from this, as she has the most depth out of all the girls, and the show takes great pains to show her daily life, how she interacts with people, the things that make her happy, how she approaches conflict, and so on while taking care to make sure she doesn't devolve into a moeblob stereotype. In short, the characters are pretty down-to-earth, not too overbearing but not complete blank slates, either. Seriously, it says a lot that Koguma has more characterization than pretty much every bland male isekai lead ever. That being said, I really want to rate this series higher. I really do. But the series does have one particular flaw holding it back. It's a big one, and it's in episode 11. That particular episode really riled up fans of the show, mainly because some characters are shown making extremely dangerous and reckless decisions, even by the standards of which teenagers behave. Granted, teenagers aren't exactly paragons of knowledge and wisdom. What teenager hasn't done stupid things in their lifetime? On one hand, I respect _Super Cub_ for actually depicting its teenage cast as being messy and not always making the best decisions at times. It gives them more depth and nuance than most anime characters tend to get. On the other hand, even by those standards, the way episode 11 handled the characters dealing with a particular situation left a really sour taste in people's mouths, and without spoiling anything, I can absolutely see where they're coming from. This is especially egregious because the anime actually leaves out an explanation for WHY the characters act the way they do, an explanation that actually somewhat justified one character's actions, which makes said character come off a lot worse in the anime than she did in both the manga and light novel. Said execution of that scene didn't kill my enjoyment of the series, but I can totally imagine people getting turned off by how episode 11 handled its central conflict. It all depends on your suspension of disbelief, and that particular part does leave a pretty nasty aftertaste in what's otherwise a fairly sweet, low-key, wholesome series. But I don't want to end this review on a negative note, and there is one thing that _Super Cub_ as a series absolutely NAILS: The unadulterated joy one gets when finding people who share your interests and passions without judgment or condescension. _Super Cub_ is a series that wears its heart on its sleeves, oozing with passion and love for its subject matter, from its immaculate attention to details all the way down to how the characters bond over common and different interests. Going into personal territory here: I was the only kid who was deeply passionate about anime and manga beyond stuff like _Pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh, Naruto_, and so on, especially obscure stuff that hardly anyone knows about, but growing up in a small town in New Jersey, none of my classmates had the same interests, and I was often bullied for them on more than one occasion, on top of being autistic and upsettingly gullible. As I grew up though, I gradually found people, both in-person and online, who shared my interests without judgment, who I could feel safe enough to open up to and be my authentic self. Finding common interests was my way of trying to make friends, being an autistic person who often has trouble making friends and keeping them. Of course, _Super Cub_'s entire premise can work for pretty much any hobby, such as sewing, camping, jewelry, sports, books, and so on. Hobbies can bring us joy, keep us sane, or help us cope with bad situations. _Super Cub_, and another series I plan on reviewing once I get around to it, perfectly exemplifies that philosophy, highlighting the small victories they bring along with finding joy in mundanity and, as the series itself shows, bring color to your life. Okay, I better get off my sappy soapbox. So yeah, _Super Cub_, on the surface, is a glorified motorcycle commercial, but if you're looking for an anime to kick back and relax to, definitely give it a shot. _Super Cub_ has no reservations about what it is, and while it has significant flaws holding it back from true greatness, it definitely stands out from the millions of other Cute Girls Doing Cute Things anime by virtue of the fact that it cares about its premise and subject matter.

DimitrovN

I’m a fan of most genres of anime, and love myself a slow paced, wholesome, slice of life anime every once in a while, just to take my mind off of things… And wow has Super Cub surprised me, it exceeded all my expectations, it was love at first episode! Story - 8 The story is about a second year high school student named Koguma, she doesn't lead a very interesting life. She has no parents, no friends and no hobbies to keep her daily life interesting. One day, she acquires a second-hand Honda Super Cub motorcycle and rides it to school. As time goes by, not only does Koguma have a new adventurous life going on all sorts of adventures with her adorable Super Cub, she also forges precious new friendships thanks to her precious little motorcycle. The story, adapted from a light novel, is definitely original, but isn’t anything too special by itself, it's a girl… riding a motorcycle… But combine it with the subjects listed down below and things become really interesting. Art - 8 Artwise Super Cub has been quite stunning, it’s not the best I’ve ever seen and might be a little bit low-key at some points, but it’s still beautiful. Most scenes just fit the chill, slice of life genre/feel perfectly. Leaving me even more impressed were the great details on the close up shots of the motorcycles, I would be lying if I told you guys I don’t want to buy a Super Cub, just like Koguma’s after seeing only 4 episodes. And wow does the CGI look amazing, although it looks a bit choppy in some scenes where she for example takes a turn, it looks amazing and blends in perfectly everywhere else. Character designs again fit perfectly with the show, it’s also incredibly soothing seeing all characters have realistic hair colors, and still giving off a cute wholesomeness vibe with their typically big anime eyes! Luckily there has not been a single moment of ‘fan-service’ yet, personally I feel that would totally ruin this show, but if that's something you are looking for, this ain’t it for you. Sound - 9 I think when it comes to the sound in this anime, it was probably a bigger thing while producing than you might think. Because let’s be real here, there are a lot of different ‘motorcycle sounds’ that they needed to use here, from parking it to riding a clear or bumpy road, you can all tell them apart perfectly by just keeping your ears open. I also love how they perfectly adjust the sound and its volume of the distance of our point of view to the motorcycle! For the OST I don’t really have any complaints as well, it's super cute, and peaceful at the moments it has to be, it's exactly doing what it has to do! Now let's finish off with the OP and ED here, they are really good and fitting, especially the foremost should be punishable to skip when watching the series. Character - 8 So our first and most main character is Koguma, a girl whose smile makes your heart melt. She doesn't live the most interesting life though, she has no parents, no friends and no hobbies to keep her daily life interesting. But as she buys a second-hand Honda Super Cub motorcycle and rides it to school, new ‘adventures’ will be entering her life. She meets another Cub owner named Reiko, who is a lot more outgoing and ends up reaching out thus beginning new precious friendships thanks to her precious little motorcycle. She gives Koguma loads of information and tips about motorcycles, which Koguma takes to heart. The dynamic between these 2 main characters we have been seeing in these first 4 episodes has been great and just way too wholesome, I’m excited to see the third main character enter the story. Enjoyment - 10 I have been astonished by how good this show is and how much I am enjoying it right now! This is the 24 minutes of my week where I can truly just relax, take my mind off all the stress life is giving a lot of us, and just enjoy these cute and wholesome girls doing cute and wholesome things. Seeing them enjoy their Cubs as much as they do, really makes you feel just as happy and satisfied as they are, but also makes me feel worried when Koguma feels worried, and scared when she’s scared. Overall I think this anime right here is a hidden gem for sure, it is precisely what it wants to be and does a great job entertaining while being extremely chill and not containing any real action! And so I do highly recommend watching this show if you just want to relax and take a break from stressful life or all the hectic anime that are and have been airing recently. Of course if you are interested in Cubs or motorcycles in general for that matter, you already know this is a must watch for you! NOTE: I wrote this review 3 years ago when the show was still coming out