Inu x Boku SS – Otaku Review
Anime comes in all shapes and sizes whether it is an anime short, a short series or a massive epic series which goes on and on for hundreds of episodes. It is a personal choice which is preferred by the fan but I am the first to admit I quickly get bored when an anime decides to drawl past the twenty-six-episode mark, seasons for anime are fine since you can see a break coming with highs and lows.
You see a lot more anime now that are focused, usually containing only twelve episodes per season with studios focusing more funds into these shorter series. Although there are many worthwhile series to look at this week on Otaku Review we are going to look at the Inu x Boku SS anime.
A small look into who and what is Inu x Boku SS for anyone who might not have heard of it before. It started off as a manga series by the late Cocoa Fujiwara and was serialised in Gangan Joker between 2009 and 2014, later released in English by Yen Press for 11 volumes. An anime series was adapted by David Productions which aired in Japan between January and March 2012 while later licensed by Sentai Filmworks and MVM Films for release in English.
Can you really change who you are just through sheer determination? Ririchiyo Shirakiin has been protected and sheltered her entire life, a consequence of growing as part of a widely renowned family and wealthy status. Her petite build and demeanour does not help this. Now she has decided that she no longer wants to be this person but her issue is she is not very good at communicating with others and usually has a smart mouth instead.
Ririchiyo moves into the Maison de Ayakashi, a high security apartment complex, a special complex which houses some very unusual individual as she soon discovers. The most interesting aspect to the inhabitants of the Maison de Ayakashi including Ririchiyo is the fact they are all half human, half-youkai which in simple terms a demon. Her life is soon thrown up in the air with moving in and then much to her dismay as part of her living in the Maison de Ayakashi is the employment of a secret service agent to watch over her. Her secret service partner is Soushi Miketsukami, a quiet and handsome man who clings to her while following her around more like a loyal dog. Ririchiyo’s life is thrown for a loop as she takes it one day at a time but will she remain strong and be able to become the person she wants to be.
This anime has an interesting although simple premise, really the entire story is about a young woman who is trying to overcome her social standing, anxiety and learn more interpersonal skills. A story that a lot of people can relate to but then we also get the fantastically incorporated fantasy elements. In true anime style our main protagonist is a tortured soul, Ririchiyo is your typical pampered princess, snarky leading lady which usually would drive me up the walls with annoyance. However, in this anime, it really works in favour of the story. The fact that Ririchiyo is this socially awkward snark makes her far more relatable since you see how she uses her smart moth as a shield from getting close to others and for others to see how she really feels.
The relationship between our two main characters is the back bone of this story, Ririchiyo being her usual distant self while Soushi follows and adores her like her own loyal dog. Nothing is going to be spoiled here but of course there is twists and turns in their relationship as the anime continues. In my opinion what sold me on these two as characters is how they affect each other, the obvious effect is that Ririchiyo slowly becomes warmer towards her appointed secret service member.
They may be the backbone of the entire series but the bread and butter of the series is all the characters as a 
whole. There are a few pairings that live in the apartment complex who are very colourful and hilarious to watch. From the lazy childhood friend of Ririchiyo to the cute girl enthusiast secret service member the interactions between these characters is what drives this series. Each character has so much thought put into their design and personality that each stand out in their own way even without the dedicated episodes to them. Some are so extreme that at first they can be jarring but once they interact with the others it all makes sense.
As a whole this anime is comedy cuteness with a fantasy side, a short series of twelve episodes with an innocent near enough ‘coming of age’ story where you can see aspects of real life in the story while there are still those action fantasy elements.
For anyone who is interested the manga and anime of Inu x Boku SS I would highly recommend checking out both adaptations as they do differ in story but both are worth the time.
