Sometimes, an anime can grab you from the first episode. You don’t know what is going on and what is happening, but you are compelled to keep watching. Pop Team Epic is such a product, a surreal, funny and crazy show that you are compelled to watch more. If you thought Rick and Morty had the market cornered on insanity, you have not met Popuko and Pipimi.
Encounter
Only one episode has aired as of this writing, but it was enough to hook me. Describing what the show is about is a non starter, as it deals with abstract ideas and situations that will leave you mouth open in shock. Popuko is a short blond girl that has a mouth that would make a sailor blush. Pipmi is taller and a little more reserved, but she still goes along with her cursing friend. The first episode dealt with death, a trip to France, and the episode starting over but with different voice actors. The show also made fun of current pop culture and some very absurd situations.
There is no deep meaning or truth behind this show. Just some crazy situations that will probably be reversed in the next episode. The idea of two school girls interacting with this bizarre world makes it interesting because I can honestly say I have seen no other anime like it. There are some crazy shows out there, but they seemed to follow some sort of story. I can honestly say that there is nothing like Pop Team Epic and that alone makes it worth watching. Not to mention it is funny and also it feels like a mystery story, try and figure out what is going to happen next.
Deai
The art style is also very unique. Both Popuko and Pipmi look like Walter Keane pictures come to life, with their big eyes taking up most of their face. The rest of the art style is very simple, but their eyes look both cute and disturbing at the same time. The style of this show had to be done right, as the webcomic it is adapted from has only four panels. The restart of the episode with different voice actors also works, because that is exactly what would happen with these two.
I can not wait for the next episode. It might very well be the two of them just looking into the camera for the entire show, who knows? The series is being streamed on Crunchroll and this recap does not do it justice. Do yourself a favor and check this show out. The sheer difference from every other anime show I have ever watched makes it a must see. Just don’t try to understand it.
