Blu-Ray Review: Mr. Osomatsu Season 2 English Dub Review

Overview:

Everyone’s favorite lazy, foolish, sex-crazed virgin sextuplets are back for even more embarrassing acts of humility in the second season of Mr. Osomatsu. The Matsuno sextuplets, Osomatsu, Karamatsu, Choromatsu, Ichimatsu, Jyushimatsu, and Todomatsu, might be slightly older than before, but their constant misadventures are proof that they’re not any wiser. The sextuplets continue to coast through life and become the universe’s perpetual punching bags as their actions confirm the fact that six heads are hardly better than one. Substantial, emotional development might be impossible for the Matsuno sextuplets, but they’re more than willing to ride out the NEET lifestyle for as long as they can.

 

Our Take:

It’s extremely rare that a show that’s as funny, weird, and well-made as Mr. Osomatsu comes along, let alone that it’s able to maintain that consistency for more than one season. The extreme heights that the first season of Mr. Osomatsu reaches could have been some lightning in the bottle magic, but season two hits the ground running in such an insane manner that indicates that Mr. Osomatsu is only just getting started. The surreal, fourth wall-breaking, genre-defying anime series is back for seconds and Mr. Osomatsu’s sophomore season is one of the funniest pieces of animation of the decade. 

The core sextuplets shine across this second season and are the primary agents of chaos, but the episodes also do excellent work to share the wealth with Chibita, Totoko, Iyami, and the rest of the series’ supporting characters. This is at its strongest between Totoko and Nyaa, who bond in touching, unexpected ways through a series of emotional vignettes that play out across the second season. Additionally, certain episodes are specifically focused on atypical character pairings that then flourish from the chaos or awkwardness that occurs. This season also introduces a number of new figures, like Jyushimatsu’s young friend, Eitarou, space pirate Shazarr, and the Dayon doppelganger, Kimura.

There’s much more of a sketch comedy structure to this season with recurring segments like “Cavematsu” and “UMA Expedition Team,” which are a delight and take advantage of the series’ versatility and unpredictable nature. “Sanematsu,” for instance, is a delirious genre riff that feels unlike anything else from the anime. It establishes such an odd, bleak energy, that somehow becomes hilarious due to its unusual placement within this gag comedy series. The way in which Mr. Osomatsu never confines its episodes to a set format also allows the series to explore or abandon premises at the perfect opportunities. Some episodes will just tell one story, while others can be divided up into four separate shorter stories.

Some of the best content from both seasons of Mr. Osomatsu are present in these episodes, like “Iyami, Alone in the Wind” and “Dubbingmatsu”, which are both fearless experiments that reframe the series in ridiculous ways. This level of self-aware madness is perhaps most prevalent in the first and last episodes of the season, which are absolutely insane and a true comedic assault to the senses for even those that are extremely well-versed with gag anime. They’re the perfect notes in which to begin and conclude this surreal season of television and if they were the only episodes that were seen they’d still do an excellent job at selling the chaotic nature of Mr. Osomatsu and what it’s all about. There is not a weak link among the season’s episodes and even the most “disappointing” installment is still jam-packed with absurdist laughs and unbelievable character moments. It’s such a delirious delight that Mr. Osomatsu doesn’t know how to tone itself down and always gives 100%. It’s an anime that seems to establish new heights, and then top them, with each new episode. 

One of the most impressive elements of Mr. Osomatsu is that the anime feels so distinctly Japanese and like its humor mostly stems from insular pop culture references, yet the series’ English dub thrives and successfully activates an even deeper layer of comedy. It’s an extremely rare case where an English dub is able to reflect the intentions of the original series, yet also seamlessly work in a meta commentary that’s faithful to the anime’s core. Mr. Osomatsu reflects the best of both cultures, in a staggering manner. The first season of Mr. Osomatsu was a superlative dub experience, but season two is even more confident, further finds its voice, and establishes its own parallel gags that fit this season’s wilder episodes and dialogue.

The script for Mr. Osomatsu’s dub is the anime’s secret weapon, but the voice actors continue to excel in these roles. There’s such palpable fun that’s being had by the core six cast members, Billy Kametz, Ray Chase, Sean Chiplock, Kyle McCarley, Michael Sinterniklaas, Max Mittelman. They truly feel like a unit and they’ve managed to make all of these weirdos their own, while also not erasing the original performances. It’s impossible to watch this show and not fall in love with these sextuplets. Additionally, the rest of the extended cast, like Cassandra Lee Morris as Totoko, Keith Silverstein as Iyami and Dayon, and Cherami Leigh as precious Hatabo, feel even more comfortable in their roles and their performances are electric as a result. 

The special features that are included on this Blu-Ray set are nothing revelatory and don’t differ much from what’s offered up on the season one set. There are six shorts included, “Announcement!”, “Totoko the Abalone Diver”, “Bath House Quiz 2”, “Osomatsu Broke His Bone”, “After All That”, “Mr. Osomatsu Anime Fan Appreciation Day 2018,” which are all a few minutes long and accumulate to approximately the length of an extra episode. These shorts are funny, and it’s appreciated that they’re dubbed, but Mr. Osomatsu is such an unusual series that could prosper through copious special features. 

Mr. Osomatsu is the perfect anime where even just one commentary track would provide endless insight into such an interesting production. Even pop-up video notes that break down the many pop culture references in the gag series would go a long ways and is the type of thing that was being done two decades ago on Excel Saga’s DVDs. It’s unclear if this trend will change at all for the inevitable season three Blu-Ray release, but it’s something to consider for a series that has such a rabid fanbase.

Mr. Osomatsu’s season two Blu-Ray release is nearly as good as it gets when it comes to English anime dubs and it’s a must-buy for any gag comedy fans. Mr. Osomatsu is a series that could quickly lose steam and exhaust its audience, but the show’s second season is simply funnier and more polished than its predecessor. It’s a standout season from a standout series and it’s very exciting that more people can experience the utterly blissful madness of Mr. Osomatsu.

It’s the only anime series that’s doing it properly. Doing it very, very properly. 

 

Both seasons one and two of ‘Mr. Osomatsu’ are available to purchase on Blu-Ray and digitally through VIZ Media