Aggretsuko Review: A Netflix Gem

About 5 years ago I saw this show on Netflix with a Sanrio character that was a cute red panda that sang Metal Music in a Kareoke bar... and it was so good and so different I thought "I'm going to include this on my OK Cupid profile. Guys will talk to me about this more than Orange is the new black!" And thankfully it did catch the attention of my wonderful boyfriend Aspen- the first thing he said to me on Ok Cupid was "Aggretsuko was amazing" and then we talked about my dog Spencer and then everything else. And now we always watch Aggretsuko together... so no matter what- I'm somewhat biased I don't think I could ever not like Aggretsuko. The opening of this season was the closest I've ever come to not being into it- but it definitely picked up and had a really great ending.

The thing that we didn't really like about the season's start was Retsuko and Haida's relationship. It's not that we didn't want them to get together... but there was too much will they or won't they between the two of them for way too long. We had to keep getting reminded that Retsuko wasn't into Haida and he just kept going back to her and... it was just too much- and they just kind of get the two of them together off screen... and Retsuko just isn't that great to him for the first half of the season when Haida is at his lowest we've ever seen him.

Towards the end of the series though- we see that she and Haida are really great together. Haida supports Retsuko when she is campaigning for office and... it's hard for him because it's against his brother and because Haida's life had gotten a bit low and chaotic...and Retsuko just wants to be there for Haida no matter what and... I think she judges him a little- but ultimately she really cares about him... and you can really see they love each other.

I really love all the characters and the character growth throughout the season. I almost cried a little at her sweet moment with Gori and Washimi because the show started with Retsuko admiring them and then they all became best friends and they admired Retsuko. I love that her boss Ton changes from this annoying chauvenistic... pig- quite literally- to this really great character who actually gives great advice and we all really feel for and love. The side characters are all just so so good.

My favorite season overall was season 3- the season where Retsuko joins the OTM girls. That was just such a fun season. I loved the characters- and the ending was actually really exciting and I wasn't expecting it.

This show is a slightly hidden gem. I think enough people know about this- but I'm still always surprised it's not bigger. It's actually a really nice show where you just kind of feel good watching it. I'm just glad Retsuko has a lot of friends that care about her. It's really sweet to see and the end overall was just a great way to show that. It almost feels like they could do another season but I think they did say everything they needed to say with the show. I would love if they did a movie or another special or an OTM Girls spin-off or something!

Bye!

-Shannon