Another example of having a bad capsule description, this had two things going against it when I first glanced at it, in that it was sports (Wrestling? Really?) and it was the next in line for isekai tales (What? Really?) But since I was in my ‘what-CAN-I-watch?’ viewing distress, I took it on, and, boy howdy, this is one deliciously stupid show that takes both of these genres and gives it a major German suplex, and a real mat slam. Welcome to the high-octane world of ”Kemono Michi: Rise Up” (“Hataage! Kemonomichi”).
We are at the Wrestling Match of the Century for this year. Getting ready to step into the ring is Genzō Shibata (find the wrestler, eh?). Normally, he is masked and also has animal paws and goes by his nom de wrestling, Animal Mask. His only real friend is his dog, Hiroyuki (arf, arf!). He is fighting for the World Championship against his wrestling rival, Macadamian Ogre, AKA MAO (and that’s him in the upper left. Yes, he DOES have pointy teeth.) But hidden from all is the fact that once Genzō wins (and he WILL win), he is going to retire and open a pet shop, as he looooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooves ALL animals. However, in the middle of the match, as he does a flying diving crossbody move, he is spirited away to another world. He has been summoned to be their hero!
Princess Altena Elgard Ratis (blondie, upper center) has found the strongest man in another land and asks Genzo to join in their quest to destroy all beasts in the kingdom. Well, this does not go over well with Genzō, who puts a German suplex on her majesty, allowing all in court to see the Royal Buttocks. Sad to say, this maneuver does not play out too well with those in charge and he has to flee the castle, still in his wrestling outfit. In trying to figure out what is going on, he is attacked by criminal beastman siblings Misha and Wolfgang (lower right). Genzō physically defeats and emotionally destroys Wolfgang by…..petting him, so he is no better than a dog. How embarrassing!
Shopkeeper Edgar (the last of that little trio) is planning on selling wolfgirl Shigure (off Genzō’s left), who is a bit of a greed pig. Well, they both are, OK? She had a dream, but it fizzled. Together, Genzō and Shigure go on quests to earn money so that Genzō can still realize his dream, but in this land, it is a bizarre kind of pet shop. He wants to tame these evil beasts, show that they are really nice creatures, present to all that these divergent types CAN live together in harmony and sell them off to the humans as pests….I mean, PETS! The series is about all of these tales surrounding the mono-minded Genzō and his quest.
Now, for a wrestling show, they do keep the wresting to a minimum and that helps a lot. I don’t need to see a full match. Besides, Genzō smashes people right and left whenever they call him “Beast Killer”. (He doesn’t kill those beasts he quests after; he can convert them to being nicer beasts by just his will.) And if he dislikes something you have said, you are in the Boston Crab or the Pretzel Lock and, thusly, you have been chastised.
The only real drag in the show is Carmella (that busty number atop Genzō’s head). She is such a loaf and is the punching bag of the show (literally and actually), that she gets tiresome really fast. In fact, the show is played too much for laughs. I mean, I am certain that one or two of those beasts would be immune to Genzō’s approach to things and just might trample him instead. But that’s not going to happen, OK?
I vote for a split binging. If you took the whole thing in, the last four episodes might work against you. I would go the first eight, take off the rest of the day, then the last four. It won’t cure Carmella’s worthlessness, but it will slow it down to acceptable levels. And since this really does follow the idea that the plot finally shows up for the last for episodes, anyway, it may work out better for you.
On a scale of 1 to 10:
Artwork 7 (It functions, but nothing spectacular)
Plot 7 (Rather typical, despite the pet shop)
Pacing 7 (Slows down last two or three episodes)
Effectiveness 8 (It does built to its main point)
Conclusion 7 (It reaches a coupler point, but doesn’t really end)
Fan Service 2 (A similar show would be “Okamisan”)
Bingeability 5 (Too much potential sameness)
Overall 8 (Its silly charms do have an effect)
And remember, it’s first run until you’ve seen it. Are you throwing rocks at me?