Comic Review: Aggretsuko: Meet Her Friends #2

 

 

Overview:

Retsuko has found herself in an embarrassing viral video where she miscalculates a simple math problem. Worried that her accounting job would be at stake should the video reach her employers, she desperately tries to hide it.

However, when Anai needs someone to take on some extra work for him he blackmails Retsuko with the video. Thankfully, Retsuko has lots of friends where she works that will come together in an elaborate heist to assure that she doesn’t lose her job.

 

Our Take:

Aggretsuko: Meet Her Friends is the latest comic adaptation of the popular Netflix series. The literary mini-series promises to dive deeper into many of the characters that fill Retsuko’s world. The first issue released last month delivered some background on the eccentric yoga instructor. This new story includes an elaborate collection of Retsuko’s coworkers and friends.

The issue kicks off with Retsuko being filmed in a viral video where she hilariously incorrectly answers a simple math question. But things quickly get worse for her when Anai uses the leverage to get her to work weekends for him.

That is when this comic takes off with an elaborate heist equal to that of an Ocean’s Eleven movie. At the centre of this digital robbery is Fenneko with her mastery of the internet. She uses her cunning and social media proficiency to help her favourite lunch break friend.  

The fennec fox is easily one of the series’ most underutilized characters. Her beloved traits of remaining aloof yet perceptive have always made her formidable within the show. This comic was a great opportunity to explore Fenneko further and show what she is capable of.

Masterminding an over-the-top plan to stop Anai’s blackmail, Fenneko proved her internet prowess. Maybe she didn’t need to go through so much effort to get what she wanted, but her methods do have results. And the scariest part comes at the end when Fennko leaves a little warning for any future threats from Anai.

This issue had a look and feel that was completely different from the first. The art style alone was a new direction, not only for the mini-series but the franchise. Though it may not have the same look as traditional Aggretsuko, Diigii Daguna gave this comic some energy through her art.

The story is written by Arielle Jovellanos who is better known for her artwork. In fact, this is the only writing credit that I can find for the artist. It may be a new calling for her as she delivered an unexpectedly fun heist story. Additionally, she nailed the characters and added some depth to an already established franchise.

Giving little known writers and artists can often backfire for series like this. In this case, both gave something fresh and unique while going above and beyond what was expected. Somebody needs to give them more work.

Comparing this comic with the first issue of Aggretsuko: Meet Her Friends is like apples to oranges. They could not be more different if they were adaptations of two separate television shows. This was not the simple little book that I was expecting to read. And it was far more entertaining than the first issue that lacked depth and originality.

As a stand-alone comic, Aggretsuko: Meet Her Friends #2 will surprise you. There is a lot to ingest and look at while remaining grounded in this beloved franchise. And it helps this mixed-bag series a little more interesting considering that we do not really know what to expect.