English Dub Review: Grow Up Show: Sunflower Circus “Welcome to the Sunflower Circus!”
Overview:
In 1950s Japan, penniless Mizuka meets two circus girls, sparking a dream-filled new beginning.
Our Take:
This show is incredibly fascinating to me for a multitude of reasons. I’m going to go more in-depth with things but the voice talent, and animation are all amazing so far. Not only that but I learned a new word. Our main character, Mizuka, grew up in a circus with her father and because of that she hates circuses. I can understand that, but when she remembers her father she imagines him with what looked like bacteria on his face. She calls her father the “Paramecium”, which if you didn’t know a Paramecium is a genus of single-celled eukaryotic ciliates commonly found in freshwater, brackish, and marine environments. The more you know! So I think it’s safe to say that she doesn’t have a favorable opinion of her father.
The voice cast is one of the best I’ve seen in a while. Lizzie Freeman voices Mizuka and I’m glad we get to hear her in an anime because I can’t remember the last time she did one. Cristina Vee voices Ouka and I think the relationship between she and Mizuka will be a main part of the show so nailing this duo was huge. The circus leader, Maria is voiced by Cassandra Lee Morris and it’s been a while since I’ve heard her in anything other than reprisals. There are many others that I’m sure I’ll talk about more as the season goes on but the voice cast alone has me excited for this show.
Now onto the other thing that’s great so far. This is a beautifully animated show, and the characters look amazing. There was some minor choppy CGI during the trapeze parts of the episode but other than that it was amazing animation.
When it comes to the story of the show it remains to be seen if that part will be good. Mizuka thought she was going to be paid for her work at the circus. She technically is, but her father incurred a sizable debt with them and he made Mizuka the guarantor and now she’s responsible for it. Ultimately, this is a genre of show that boils down to cute anime girls doing things cutely and if that’s something you like then I imagine this will be up your alley. I personally hope they do something fun and unique with the setting.
