Koguma, a reserved second-year high school student, has nothing—no parents, hobbies, friends, or goals. On her way home one afternoon, she visits a vehicle shop in hopes of acquiring a motor scooter. With only enough money to make ends meet, she is disheartened by the price tags and prepares to turn back. However, as she is about to leave, the shop's owner offers her a pre-owned Honda Super Cub for ten thousand yen. Believing that the motorcycle will help brighten her monotonous world, she accepts the deal. As Koguma journeys through her town on small adventures with her Super Cub, she begins to build irreplaceable friendships and eagerly advances toward her new life.
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
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Comentários
IrrelevantGuy
Watching Super Cub kind of feels like taking a bath. It's a bit plain and simple, yet never fails to soothe you even when you are having a bad time. Super Cub revolves around high school student Koguma, a timid and lonely girl who has never had anything that she could cherish. As Koguma herself describes, she has nothing—no parents, no hobbies, no friends, and no goals. However, after buying a pre-used Super Cub, she finally finds something that even she could enjoy. The anime chronicles the now adventurous days of Koguma's life, showcasing how vastly she has changed and continues to change. Super Cub seems likea simple CGDCT anime at first glance, and if you take the series at face value, it's likely that you won't change your opinion even after watching it. Most of the times, the characters of the anime simply travel around various places while riding their beloved scooter. Due to this and the seemingly unimaginative subject matter, it's easy to mistake Super Cub for another typical CGDCT, but in reality, there's far more to the show than just that.
The narrative of Super Cub is fairly simple, but the themes that surround it are surprisingly thorough. Unlike most of its predecessors, Super Cub consistently maintains a solemn tone throughout its 12 episodes, which complements the themes that it tackles. That doesn't mean this is a sad show, though. Despite the serious undercurrent, Super Cub is actually very relaxing to watch; partly because the atmosphere is charmingly calm and quiet, and partly because most of the events that occur in the anime are intrinsically light-hearted and easy to follow.
This casual approach to storytelling can be a double-edged sword, though. Super Cub follows a rather basic storyline and mostly relies on the characters to move the plot forward, which places some obvious limitations on the potential scenarios. Due to the apparent lack of "innovation", some parts of the show can feel a bit monotonous. There are other areas where the writing is very lacking—the prime example of this being the first half of episode 11 which suffers because of the characters' unusually irrational actions, and the fact that Koguma's unusual background is never explored despite it being the introductory point of her character.
Luckily, Super Cub balances this simplicity and makes up for its shortcomings with substantial characterization. The most compelling character of the anime is by far Koguma, the protagonist of the story who is a bit of an oddball. If you overlook the fact that her past is shrouded in mystery for no reason, she is surprisingly a very relatable character. Koguma's initial inability to find motivation in her life is something that resonates with me a lot, so seeing her gain confidence and create genuine friendships is uplifting to say the least.
In a way, Super Cub is also a very encouraging show. The entire anime delivers a generally wholesome and optimistic message, and all of the main characters beautifully reflect that statement. Koguma, Reiko and Shii—they all have something they love from the bottom of their heart, and they will do pretty much anything to protect that. At first, that something was simply Super Cub (Alex Moulton bike for Shii), but as the three grow closer through interactions, they gradually forge a precious and long-lasting bond that they don't want to lose either.
This is essentially what makes Super Cub such an encouraging experience. Seeing Koguma and the others wholeheartedly pursue their dreams honestly made me very motivated and electrified, something which very few shows can manage to do. Additionally, all of our main characters display a remarkable degree of realism and relatability, because of which I quickly found myself rooting for them.
For the most part, the script of Super Cub is fittingly simple and straightforward, but the lines are crafted in a way such that they are subtle and meaningful. While there aren't a whole lot of dialogues or monologues in the show which is understandable), ones that are there mostly exist for a significant purpose; they are relevant to the contemporary events and provide insight into the characters' emotions. That said, some of the conversations about motorbikes can be a bit difficult to follow, especially if you are someone like me who has little to no knowledge of vehicles. But hey, this may be something bike enthusiasts can rave about.
Suitably, Super Cub takes a bit minimalistic approach in terms of its soundtrack. There are quite a few scenes that are intentionally barren of music, which is a clever choice given how neatly it fits in with the calm ambience of the show. Most of the other scenes are fittingly accompanied with tranquil piano music. The sound effects are pretty good; they add more realism to the environment of the anime. The opening song titled "Mahou no Kaze" is alright, and the same could be said about the ending "Haru e no Dengon" which is sung by the voice actors of the main cast.
Super Cub's animation is generally very beautiful, albeit the artstyle is a bit cutesy. Since the characters travel a lot in the anime, the scenic designs are rather diverse, memorable, and beautifully animated. Simple backgrounds such as school, shops, houses, etc. are nicely drawn as well, which has become an uncommon trait in anime nowadays. Occasionally, there are some odd uses of CGI, though (usually while the characters are riding or paddling), that don't really blend in with the background and are a little jarring to look at. Besides that, I honestly don't have much to complain about.
It's a bit sad that Super Cub hasn't gained much popularity—it's arguably one of the better anime of this season in my opinion. Honestly, I didn't expect much going into the series, but it didn't take much time to win me over with its refreshingly calm nature. If you are a fan of the iyashikei subgenre, you will probably enjoy Super Cub as much as I did.
And who knows, you might even become inclined to buy an actual Super Cub.
Stark700
There are many anime these days telling stories about self-discoveries. I'm talking about a type of show where a protagonist would undergo a dramatic change after meeting new people, experiencing new events, and changes themselves. Super Cub's main protagonist Koguma is one such character, a lonely girl who takes up a Honda Super Cub and begins her own journey. Watching Super Cub is much more than just following a girl's life and her bike. Let's remember that Koguma is very lonely and starts out the show friendless with no income, friends, or even a future. A person like this would need to set a serious pathto build their own future if they even want to live in real life. Her physical appearance is also lacking and can be labeled as an 'invisible kid' in class. So in essence, Koguma is often in the background and it's up to herself to stand out. It's a lot harder than it sounds as she has a repressed personality, one who even has difficulty speaking openly to others. The first few episodes shows that Koguma's social skills needs improvement but deep at heart, she is a friendly person. She just lacks friends.
Luckily, fate allow her to meet new people such as Reiko. In sharp contrast to Koguma, Reiko stands out in class as a beautiful girl and easily opens up to others. With a decent knowledge about Cubs, she forges a bond with Koguma through their similar interests. At first, Koguma also has trouble opening up to her but as the series verges on, they build a strong friendship. It's important to note that Koguma's own confidence begins to bloom after meeting Reiko. It's the type of relatable interaction you can discover in anime and in real life. Through their relationship, Koguma is able to interact with others and discover herself in ways she didn't even realize. With that in mind, you should know that Koguma and Reiko's character bond is among the most important in the show.
Joining them is Shii Eniwa, a shy girl who meets both Koguma and Reiko with their shared interest in Cubs. Unlike Koguma however, she has a future planned out with a dream to open a bakery shop. Together, these three are the heart and soul of this slice of life anime. With every episode, we follow their everyday life adventures and discover what they learn. It's interesting to note that even as as slice of life, the anime contains a somber and lonely tone in the beginning of the anime. The first episode is especially noticable for the silence and slow pacing. It's almost an iconic representation of Koguma's personality, being alone in the world and without friends. After forging friendships with Reiko and Shii, the anime begins to brighten more and develops a more charming mood of elegance. As it should, Super Cub knows what it's doing when telling its stories. Even as as slice of life, the show has a deeper and real meaning when showing how lonely life can be when you have no friends or connections. Koguma's life is an example of what a person would be like in real life if they remained friendless. It's thanks to discovering herself and friends that she becomes much more confident.
But I won't lie. Anime like this doesn't have much of a linear storytelling or deep plot. Even as a complex as seems at times, Super Cub remains fundamentally a simple slice of life show. Every episode shows what these characters goes through in the way we live our own lives. It's very straightforward and remains realistic throughout every episode. A prominent element included into this show is the Cubs, where we get to see how the show's bikes functions. Every episode features these bikes and in the beginning, we also get to see how they are maintained on and off the road. Unlike some anime about bikes, this show doesn't include sports competitions or rivalries. It's quite the opposite as the characters all share a common interest and it's what bought them together in the first place. Sometimes, the show may feel like an advertisment for selling a brand but deep down, Super Cub is relatively a simple show that anyone can enjoy
If you got the impression of a somber show in the beginning, then I don't blame you. The first few episodes has a gloomy feel that represents Koguma's loneliness. In fact, I think the director and producers managed to capture the essence of her character through the show's unique artwork. It has a gray-like style of imagery and backgrounds stands out as static as her character moves with her bike. Koguma's character expressions is also noticable that undergoes changes with each episode. As I mentioned before, this anime adapts a character's self discovery and the artwork brings its themes to life.
Almost every season, there's that one show where we tend to overlook and forget easily. Super Cub may not be a mainstream anime but I dare say this is a dark horse of 2021. By that definition, the series knew exactly what it had in mind and followed a roadmap to show what a character journey and self discovery is about. Add in the bikes and we have this unique slice of life, one that may be somber at first, but is a reality check of how people can adapt and change.
GakutoDeathGlare
*This review contains some spoilers* For the first time ever, I felt compelled to write a review for an anime that has just finished airing. For somebody like myself who just doesn't do this sort of thing, it speaks volumes to how either brilliant and memorable the experience was or the exact opposite, an incredibly off-putting and/or insulting viewing . Unfortunately, I am of the latter for this series. Super Cub. What I was initially hyped for turned out to be one of the most soulless watches I've had, coupled with shameful advertisements of a product throughout the show. For a slice of life anime to reallyshine bright, IMO, it generally comes down to a couple of major things. That is the setting of the anime and especially the characters driving it. Super Cub failed pretty miserably in both these aspects. An insipid, uninspiring experience.
Super Cub is set in some small bland rural town, actually no, that's not entirely right. Super Cub is set in some small bland rural town schools bike parking lot. That's better. I guess there are a few scenes where they show off the insane capabilities of the Super Cub whilst driving 35 mph through town (exciting) and even venture out further a couple times, but the vast majority of our viewing experience is severely limited to a minor few places where nothing interesting happens (her school, her home, etc). A rural setting can be great by the way, hell, I really enjoyed Non Non Biyori. That anime has a wonderful cast to compliment the setting though, and oh boy, we cannot say the same here.
The main Female MC (Koguma) has to be one of the worst MCs I've ever had the displeasure of watching. The "story" follows an independent (well, codependent with her stupid Cub later on, as she seemingly can't live properly without it) young Highschool girl who has no family or friends to speak of. She is very stoic and standoffish by nature, a girl of few words. The first few episodes actually do a decent job in developing her character further as she meets her first real friend resulting in her slowly but surely breaking down her walls she's put up, but for some reason her personality and development stagnates and she continues to be this quite unpleasant, unfriendly person in the later episodes. There are scenes where you just want to scream at this moron for not understanding and acting accordingly to the situations that she's in (episode 11 for example where time is of the essence). And I've heard the excuses to her actions "oh, she's from a rural town, they aren't used to social interactions that much", lol I'm from a rural town as well buddy, I can socialize just fine. Terrible scapegoat. If I'm being honest, she comes across as mentally ill, but nothing of the sort is explored, her mind, her past, etc. Who the hell wants all that in a cutesy slice of life anyway? It would defeat the purpose entirely.
Next we have Reiko, an energetic girl who befriends MC thanks to their mutual interest in riding Super Cubs. She just so happens to be extremely knowledgeable about all things bikes and teaches the MC the ways of the Cub. Best part of the anime right there, the little teacher/student thing they had going on, the small info dumps on how to clean/maintain your bike, the bike parts that came with it, the extra parts that were sought after etc. Pretty interesting overall, it did remind me of Yuru Camp (that's where the comparisons start and finish for me there lmao). To finish of the trio of young bike enthusiasts, we have Shii-chan who is sadly ultimately used as a plot device to further advertise the Cub. Scenes are set up in place for this entirely. A cute shy girl who is relegated to play the damsel in distress trope. Very one dimensional and lacking in any originality whatsoever.
The art was alright, different, but tolerable. Pretty bog standard for your anime in 2021. The color palette and character designs were ugly mind you. The sound was probably the best part of the anime, the OSTs fit very well with most situations and were generally very easy on the ears. A plus there.
And now to my main gripe with this show. There are examples of Honda's advertising throughout this series, it's not exactly difficult to notice. And it wears on you after the umpteenth time. Where it differs from other anime that advertise product is that it's much more "in your face" and with more frequency to boot. What I thought was truly the most shameful scene though was when MC's friend rides her push bike down some trail, slips and ends in a small stream/river and seemingly can't get up and calls MC to come get her. MC takes her sweet time and screws around with the poor girl, even slapping the crap outta her, finally chucks her in the front basket of the Super Cub (very dangerous) and drives off. A very idiotic scene that should have never happened in the first place, but it's the script that gets me the most...
"Don't thank me, thank the Cub" and other cheesy/horrible dialogue that went with it. "My Super Cub is on it's way" Oh, thank the Heavens and the Gods for the almighty Super Cub, hallelujah! What she's pretty much saying is "this wouldn't have happened if you didn't have this amazing vehicle with you, idiot". I'm surprised she never broke the 4th wall and literally told us, the viewers, to hurry up and go buy one already. They're only $2500 USD brand spanking new!!! You won't regret it!!! Shii Chan sure didn't, as expected, she bought one the next episode.
Overall, a somber experience. One of the worst offenses an anime can make is to simply be boring. And that's what this is. If you're boring a massive slice of life fan, then something is wrong here. Couple it with the two paragraphs above and you have my least favorite anime of the season.
Marinate1016
Looking for something to fill that Yuru Camp/Non-non Biyori sized hole in your heart? Look no further, Super Cub is your answer. Super Cub is not only arguably the best motor scooter ad ever made, it’s a damn good anime and is one of the hidden gems of a loaded season. I watch everything every season, so despite having no expectations for Super Cub, I went in with an open mind. From episode one, I was blown away by just how mesmerising this series is. It’s such a simple concept. Girl with no friends or family going through depression decides to try out a Super Cubscooter. Falls in love with riding a scooter and uses it to explore her prefecture. Yet, Super Cub’s quality lies within its simplicity. Reiko’s inner development is paralleled by the literal development of her scooter. As it grows, so does she. It’s a really beautiful metaphor that keeps the show grounded, yet impactful. Just like Yuru Camp and other CGDCT shows, there’s not a whole lot of plot going on. While there are some recurring plot-lines, overall the series aims to showcase the characters’ development through their daily activities. This should not come as a surprise, as this is the CGDCT norm.
I really was shocked by how much I came to like this show. While Yuru Camp interested me with camping and outdoors-y activities, I’m not a scooter or motorcycle person to really care about that. Yet, I found myself drawn to Super Cub due to its loveable characters and their growth. By 4-5 episodes in, I was really concerned for the MC and just wanted the best for her.
One of the more interesting aspects of the show for me was the use of CGI. For a slice of life show, I thought the series relied a little heavily on it at times. For really simple shots like characters riding their scooters or even just walking around, the studio used CGI. Personally, I don’t think CGI ever looks good, so that’s one downside artistically. Other than that, I loved the art style and the more muted colour palette used by the studio. They make use of this as part of the narrative, by having the first episode start off really gray and then gradually adding more colours into subsequent episodes. A perfect example of colour as a storytelling technique as it reflects the MCs interior struggles. The character designs themselves are actually quite unique and I must say I like them quite a bit.
Make no mistake, while I used Yuru Camp as an introductory comparison, Super Cub is very much its own show, and one very much worth watching. If you enjoy slice of life or CGDCT shows, this is a must watch. It brings all the traditional aspects together in a rather unique way. Certainly one of the most memorable shows of Spring 2021. Super Cub gets 9 oil changes out of 10.
Gween_Gween
Super Cub is an Honda advertisement effort to sell those shiny and useless motorcycles, and it does a good job about it! First of all, I'm not being paid from Honda for this review, so I'm going to be completely impartial about it. Honda is a great company and I have the most respect out of their employees, so if you work for Honda I tell you, have a good life. Now, going into the review, Super Cub features a glooming teenager called Koguma, whose life is as boring and middle of the pack as it can be. Koguma have no parents, money or friends atthe start, which the later is not surprising at all because she probably have some high into the spectrum autism as we can see later in the series. Her life got better when she got her Super Cub, since her life could start to take some colour (Like literally, everytime they wanted to show us that she felt good they changed the colours. That gimmick was alright at the start, then it got annoying as fuck)
The art of this anime is ok, the characters are somehow normal which I like, they look like they would be an extra in your favorite action anime, that's the point i guess. The CGI usage is somehow cheap, I have no problem with CGI honestly, the time reduction that it gives is extremely worth it so I have no desire to talk shit about it. The only problem is that it broke the continuity of the scene many times, since the models and the drawings didnt feature the same features (Like ground and shit, whatever). The music was alright too, the usage of classical music like the change of colors got old very fast for me, hearing i dont know who because im a shitty ignorant behind a motorcycle motor was extremely jarring too, but who cares
The main problem of this anime is then the interactios between of characters. The plot, as it is a slice of life, shouldnt be an issue. Koguma travels, buys some dumbass equipment and then her life get better. Not something to worry about. The problem is then how those characters act besides the cubs. You have Reiko and Shii, the other two characters, and while Reiko is a charming and engaging characters that synchronize with the deep into the spectrum Koguma, I don't see the same in Shii. There is no reason for Shii to keep Koguma and Reiko near them, the purpose of her is to sell us the Cub, and then when she got introduced the ad levels of bullshit got so high that it was unbearable.
In my honesty, Shii would have served better as a contraposition of Koguma and Reiko obsession, not as someone who wants to get into their own frequency. That way we would get out of the monotonous tone that this had. The problem is that she doesnt, and she doesnt because this is an ad.
I won't say anything about episode 5 and 11 because they were clearly subject of brain damage writing
That would be it. If you want something calm to watch, watch this. Skip episode 5 to not get mad because it is also almost pointless, and turn your brain off in episode 11 to have a better day. The only salvageable aspect of this is that it was a good ad, so I will give it a 4 out of 10 for the execution
myokohi
It goes without saying that not everyone will be able to like, let alone understand the appeal of Super Cub. This is due in large part because of how it deviates from the Slice of Life/CGDCT formula, which more times than not tends to have a happy-go-lucky protagonist or cast of characters with a positive, optimistic outlook on life. Koguma, the protagonist of Super Cub, is anything but “happy-go-lucky”, stating rather bleakly that "I have no parents. No money either. Nor do I have any hobbies, friends, or goals for the future.” While some may proclaim that this is a betrayal of what is tobe expected from the genre, Super Cub explores a side of SOL that is rarely ever explored: nihilism. Koguma, for the lack of a better description, is as relatable as anime protagonists come for a major demographic that is underrepresented in the SOL genre. If anything, people are more likely to share the same sympathies as Koguma than they would with Yui Hirasawa from K-ON! or Nadeshiko from Yuru Camp. Koguma, much like the rest of us, isn’t granted a harem of friends to drink tea or go camping with, but instead seeks a temporary but just as fulfilling comfort with the namesake of the show: a Honda Super Cub. Without going into detail about the themes of materialism or Koguma’s interactions with the other characters as the show progresses, Super Cub explores the more existential feelings of life that are rarely seen in the SOL medium.
If you’re expecting a protagonist or cast of characters who’ll provide a form of escapism with blinding optimism, I’m sorry to say that you’ll be disappointed. To put it bluntly, Super Cub is as realistic as fiction gets, and not just when it comes to SOL. Many viewers of the SOL genre will be disappointed that this show doesn’t reinforce the same overused tropes of cheerfulness, friendship, and a positive view on life that can be found in 95% of anime within the genre. So just in case I haven’t made my point clear enough, if you’re expecting this show to be like Yuru Camp, K-ON!, or other shows within the SOL genre, turn away while you still can.
Super Cub is a show that anyone can enjoy, but to understand the themes and meaning of this animated Honda commercial, you really have to relate to its protagonist, Koguma. If you’re someone who can sympathize with her quote that was brought up earlier, which speaks in part for many members of the Millennial or Zoomer generation, I would strongly recommend giving this anime a watch. It’s not going to provide a positive outlook on life, at least explicitly, nor is it likely to grant you a window of escapism from the day-to-day troubles of reality. What Super Cub will do once you watch all 12 episodes though, as you follow Koguma throughout her journey, is provide the much-needed representation and social commentary that is lacking in the genre. Above all else, Super Cub explores one out of many perspectives of the meaning of one’s self and life, which I feel is as “slice of life” as the SOL genre gets.
ACasualViewer
With various relaxed slice of life series coming to their end I was worried I would not be able to find something to properly replace slow paced shows I watch for relaxation purposes. Thankfully Supercub brings us a warm story of a girl and how a motorbike changed her life. Its worth bringing to your attention that this show is episodic and you should not expect anything significant in terms of plot or overarching story, the show is simply a glimpse into the life of a girl and her friends who bond over their hobby. This review will cover various aspects of the show includingart quality and characters but leaving out story as its not relevant, there will be an overall score at the end. This review will not contain any plot relevant spoilers, mainly because there is nothing to spoil.
The animation in this series is effective but in a rather subtle way, there is no flashy sakuga or over the top highly detailed scenes, instead the whole show is portrayed in a very fluid and lifelike manner. Characters pouring water looks great, hair movement looks lifelike, perfect transitions to smiles, characters clothes move well with the wind, snow is knocked up by the bikes in a way that feels natural, essentially the animation style carefully immerses the viewer by animating everything to a realistic degree. Nothing is animated in a particularly advanced or flashy way, but everything that should move does move, there is some CGI used for the bike that is a bit distracting but otherwise its some of the most carefully executed motion I have seen in a TV anime in a while.
For characters, Koguma and Reiko were a down to earth and realistic portrayal of friends bonding over a shared hobby, very little drama and just 2 friends messing around with each other while having a great time. The friendship displayed here is carefully crafted, from an awkward introduction to assisting each other with their bikes and finally adventuring together, the progression of their relationship through the series is enjoyable and perfectly executed. There is a third girl who rides a bike and works at a cafe who shows up later in the show, she complements the cast well and helps Koguma become more of a senpai. These characters will likely interest you if you want to watch a more grounded friendship over a typical highly energetic and over the top anime friendship, it’s a slow burn but its realistic and feels heartwarming when the characters, especially Koguma, flash their smiles of satisfaction due to the fun they had.
This review will not go very in depth into the sound design but will note the highlight points. The primary highlight points being that the bikes actually sound like bikes and sounds vary by terrain, the ambient sound effects for everything complements the lifelike animation style that was used for this anime very well and the OP along with ED were relatively decent.
Overall, this anime is recommended if you’re a fan of the SOL niche or are interested in watching a realistic portrayal of girls motorbiking as a hobby, it has good production values and the cast is grounded well, there is nothing that really detracts from the show and it was most importantly very enjoyable to watch. In consideration of the niche this anime is focused on, points will not be deducted for a lack of a story or any significant themes, Supercub gets a solid 8/10 for delivering a relaxing and warm experience.
starlightrevue
Super Cub’s embrace of a spirit of adventure bringing light to a dull life isn’t unique, but it brings across that spirit in a way that’s uniquely relatable to the average person. While most narratives of this sort focus on some form of splendor or natural beauty punctuating the journey, Super Cub fully ignores the destination in favor of the journey. Centered around a boring, bland small town punctuated with browns and grays, every adventure Koguma takes is a deeply mundane struggle expanded into a twenty minute episode of television to illustrate the way in which her newfound hobby has brought a little more meaninginto her life.
CGI in anime is forever a controversial topic, but in my opinion nobody does it better than Super Cub. while it still carries a general stiffness and brittle feel, if anything it seems to compliment tone. The thick, rough lines frame an overwhelmingly boring color palette used perfectly to contrast the moments of light and color. Koguma’s shitty, bland hometown and all of its scraggy grass and concrete slowly becomes a comfortable place with countless new nooks and crannies to explore as she begins to embrace the joy of a journey regardless of destination. All of the time spent around these familiar sights makes the final journey through varied new destinations feel earned- and even then nothing about it feels magical or overblown, it’s three friends living it up on a weekend road trip.
Koguma’s life isn’t fantastical. She’s still struggling with money, living off of disgusting-looking packets of instant curry and caught up in the daily grind of school. But when she’s on her Cub the pallid grays and browns of her surrounding get just that much brighter. In Super Cub, the remedy to a crushingly dull everyday life isn’t an escape from the everyday, but a small passion to make the everyday worth it. It’s a very relatable, real thing portrayed in an easy relaxing watch that helps the weight of the world feel just that much less crushing.
PixelB
Super Cub is an attempt at a coming of age story, but places too much damn emphasis on scooters. Before you come on my profile and say "well dumb dumb, this show IS about scooters." Yes, true. but I really would like to know the main character a bit. Similar to Yuru Camp, there is a lot of emphasis on the "activity" being done, while characters get little to no development other than their base personality traits. In this case, I really would like to talk about Koguma, our protagonist. While it is true that she does change, make friends, and becomes more cheerful throughout theseries, it does seem forced and less of import than the scooter itself. Rather than Koguma bettering herself, it seems like the scooter is the impetus for the changes that Koguma goes through. It's quite clear that her relationship with Reiko only happens because she owns a cub. It's quite sad to see that 12 episodes in, and the only things Reiko and Koguma talk about are still about scooters and cubs.
There's so much emphasis on the cubs, but Koguma's character and personality do not really get a chance to shine. For a coming of age story, I really was not attached to Koguma in the least bit just due to the fact that there's basically nothing to get attached to. The beginning episode was quite strong. The beginning morning routine animation, the piano notes and the color tone change when she gets the bike. It's really well done actually, but that was basically the peak. The beginning of the anime clearly paints the picture that Koguma lives in slow-burning gloom with no direction in life, and the super cub gives way to a potential path towards making progress--finding something that you enjoy in life.
It's a great setup, but sadly, the series does not deliver. Whether it be her summer job, or interactions with Reiko, or her relationship with Eniwa, it's all so surface level. It's not wrong to say that the actions that Koguma takes are ones that could be considered fulfilling in its slow paced fashion, but execution lacks in all departments. Reiko is a convenient supporting character in which Koguma takes no initiative to interact with herself, and that could be passable if their relationship was more than moving through the motions. Seriously, I never once thought that there was any genuine dialogue in any of the episodes. It's always, "my cub is cool, let's talk about cubs!" That's it. There's a serious scene about Eniwa getting saved by Koguma, and all Koguma can say is "my super cub saved you, not me." Holy. Crap.
Eniwa, Koguma, and Reiko all have super bland personalties, and I really do not have much of an impression of them at all. Eniwa--she's fine for how little screen time she has. In fact, she's probably the most diverse and well written character out of the three. But what about Koguma, the protagonist? Seriously. When all I can say about her is that she like her scooter, that's a huge problem. There's really nothing in the series about bettering her personal life, going through mental roadblocks, or just trying something beyond something relating to scooters.
CGI is also well, bad. Which means that for half or more of the scooter scenes which are CGI, it looks kinda bad. Admittedly, the show does do a decent job of combining 2d and CGI together. There's definitely quite a lot of scenes where close ups of the faces and body of the characters in the scooters are animated by hand, but bad CGI is bad CGI.
I just had no attachment to to any of the characters whatsoever, given how there is little liveliness in dialogue and most of the topics of conversation can be traced back to scooters. Koguma goes through the motions towards bettering herself, but you never really feel like she's improved by her own mettle. There's no self reflection that's particularly meaningful. If I didn't know better, this is just product placement for Honda super cubs.
ren0080
Having read the novel and the manga, I definitely have to say that the anime certainly did a good job at adapting the novel. But as far as adaptation of the novel goes, I think that the anime is inferior than the manga. Explaining it shortly, the anime took a more calm/relax and serious tone in adapting, while the manga took a more goofy and comedic tone. While the novel certainly had both those qualities, the anime felt like it was adapting the novel as it is. It's a rather "too safe" as an adaptation. Not bad, but it had the potential to be great but couldn'tquite get there because of how safe the adaptation is.
Well, moving on to the actual review.
The story is simple. Girl who has nothing, no friends, no family. But she has her cub.
That's the general idea of the anime. It wasn't super unique, but it's a great concept which was executed quite well.
Though I have major problems with the pacing. I like myself some slow pacing, but if it's like dragging out unimportant scenes, then I'd have problems with it.
The pacing suffers because the anime took a more slow pacing, showing the mc's daily road to take with her cub. That itself isn't an issue.
But if half of the episode is dedicated just for the viewers to look at CG cubs driving awkwardly, then it's just a waste of time.
Take Yuru Camp for example. It balances out the travel time of the girls, as well as their camping side. Most of the time that was spent while travelling, there was also something happening. So there wasn't any wasted space in the run time of the episodes.
Even in the super cub novel, there wasn't really a whole chapter dedicated to just driving in the roads. The novel was surprisingly fast paced as opposed to the anime.
The characters are good. They aren't outstanding cast or anything like that. Just consistently charming and great to watch. Although I have some gripes about the characters. But those issues are simply because of the bad pacing of the anime.
For example, in episode 1, the mc had drive her cub to the convenience store. But then her cub stops moving. What she do? Just standing around to stretch out the run time of the episode.
Heck, even in the novel and the manga, that problem was quickly tend to. She's a scholar student for a reason. She's a quick thinker and a smart girl.
But the anime did her dirty. She doesn't deserve that treatment.
The animation is decent. Sure, it had janky CG cubs, but that wasn't really a problem. The art is super cute and is probably one of the cutest artstyle that doesn't try to be cute that I've seen.
The music however is just amazing. The ost pops out even though they reused a lot of tracks for some scenes. But I forgive them because the ones they reuses are super great. The opening and ending are absolute bangers. I'm listening to it everyday and still didn't get bored. Just great stuff.
Overall, a decent adaptation. Sure, there's a lot of issues and problems in this anime. But I'd still recommend it. Especially if you like SOL and slow anime stuff in general.
P.S.: this anime made me wanna buy a Cub even though I can't even ride a bicycle normally lmao
(6.2/10)
Shiro_Meguri
"You Meet the Nicest People on a Honda" - The Hondells in 1965 The little Cub, is not just a mere transport tool for getting people from A to B, but it brings new discoveries, new locations, new people, and of all, new experiences. And this is exactly what this anime demonstrates beautifully. The anime depicts our introverted, grey orphan heroine Koguma, who cycles everyday to school in the small, uneventful, rural town of Hokuto in the Yamanashi, who one day, after seeing her fellow classmate riding to school in a scooter, decides to take the first leap of change by impulsively looking atcheap mopeds. While most were out of her budget, the shop owner sells her the cheapest Honda Super Cub, a 50cc modped for 10,000 yen (63 euros, 52 pounds, or 66 USD at the time of writing). And thus, her motorcycling adventure life begins.
Super Cub, is not exactly the most original anime, nor is it the most though-provoking, nor is it action-packed. But what it does bring to the table, is the calmness of everyday life, the little adventures of learning something new, going down a different path compared to your peers, making new friends, and most of all, turning from a grey, to a colourful day.
Like the Cub, it takes things very slow, and this is the show's greatest strength. Life is a journey, taken one step at a time. Appreciate the little moments, reflect, living in the moment. This is what this anime represents, the essence of what it could be like to own, and daily ride a little Cub in your high school years. You're not going on crazy adventures, but the ownership of a Cub, gives you a much greater and wider reach compared to your peers. And that, in itself, is the adventure. The adventure of being different, doing something a little bit differently, can bring you great joy, a new found hobby and appreciation in life. The distillation of the idea, "freedom of mobility".
There is also the flip side to it. Not everything is seen through the rose-tinted glass of bike ownership here. The greatest enemy to any biker (and convertible owner) is the weather. It can be brutally hot in the summer, the torrential rain of the autumn, the frigid, snowy winter months. But as spring rolls around, and as the days starts to get longer, you start to remember and embrace this lifestyle/hobby. And this anime is no exception. The pain and wallet draining lifestyle.
Perhaps it's just me, but being a train and car enthusiast, the idea of travelling literally, the act of moving from A to B in itself, was the adventure. And as I got older, the concept of "freedom of mobility" resonates with me much more. Being able to go anywhere, whenever, and however I wish. Taking one road over the other (which was beautifully demonstrated in ep6), finding a new bakery, a new scenic spot, or a nice woodland walk. While they were accessible when your parents took you there, but here, you can do it yourself.
The music choice also compliments this show wonderfully too. It's very soft, melodious usually, often complimenting the monotony of everyday life. The cheery, primarily piano backing OST, uplifts the scenes, accompanied by the gentle purring of the single cylindered engine Cub. The occasional classical music scores were a welcome addition too.
If I had to condense it to just one word, I would say this is one of he most "atmospheric" anime I have watched in a very long time, and I embrace i with open arms, as I welcome it potentially as my top ten anime.
nezukoK
I have to say that... this anime isnt made for everyone. I think it sounds ridiculous 'cuz you can even watch it on youtube. But when i say this is not made for everyone to watch. I mean the good level of this depend on your vibe, favourite, feeling... I think these conditions are a big point to make people think Super Cub is bad. Lets talk about its weakness and strength 'cuz... you know, every single anime or film always has the weak sides and good sides First of all, the story of this Super Cub. Tobe honest, i wish it had more details. Super Cub is about Koguma - a reserved high school student. She has no parents, no friends, hobbies and goals. But then, a random cub appears in her boring life with a surprising low price. Thats kinda unreal but lets ignore 'bout that. Then she step into a whole new life. Friends with the same hobby. They'll travel, talk, upgrade their cub, tell names of japanese street that you'll never know. And dont expect much, there will be no plot twist in story.
Second of all, the character. About Koguma, she is a kind of character who you will always see.... in the background, and you'll never give a shit about. Sound mean right! But Koguma represents for a kind of people in real life... YOU. Its a big fact that not everybody is a main character. So when i see Koguma, i feel myself in her. Then she has a friend Reiko, Reiko is opposite with Koguma. She's enthusiastic, energetic but somehow, a perfect piece that fit nicely with main character. Both of them make their school life more colourful, which is showed obviously in anime you have watched. Both of them together draw the story line which is around their super cub. And if these're still simple, then Shii appears, as a calm that make the anime to be more balance. I have to admit that this anime is low anyway. Theres still a weekness that although the actor has minimize the characters in this film, but im somehow satisfied with their building in personality.
About the art, this is one of the main reason for why i enjoy Super Cub. There's just one word for the film drawing: Beautiful. Whenever a nature scene appears, it impresses me a lot. Just one little mistake is that the colour is boring, a gray filter make is less magnificent. But about this side, i'll have a expain then.
I dont consider sound as an too important part to rate an anime. Of course its not the 1950s with soundless movies. Anyway, i dont have problems with the sound, opening song and ending song not too excellent but at least, not a bad song. You can hear the sound of motorcycle working, im quite impressed. But if you ask my favorite, its must be the sound at ep 1 and some cooking scene. The sound of water pouring, rice cooker, etc, i believe you will feel that.
Return to one of the biggest weekness of this film, the enjoyment. If you're a fan of fantasy, shounen, sth that require a good story and make you excited with 10 outta 10 battle scenes drawing. Then, this anime is not for you. Imagine about a rainny day, when you have nothing to do and just relax in front of your pc. Looking at the window, there're some drops that slowly slide down then mingle with a bigger drop that you can't even realize. You can make for yourself a cup of tea. When everything is set, that means your mind is totallly relaxing. Super Cub will come as a treatment to your soul. Or maybe after a hard-working day. I think i was a bit lucky when i watched this film with that feeling. Beside, the gray filter i have said above is a tool to help this anime sets a perfectly perfect vibe for those who need them. Watching Super Cub is like taking shower in a big bathtub: peaceful and relaxing.
I think this is long enough. Of course i cant put my mind set into your, so this post is just my feeling. I dont hope you will read that all but if you do so. "あ り が と う ご ざ い ま し た"
OG_Otaku
Just the facts. This anime is a gem. Maybe a diamond in the rough, but a gem. It is an outstanding slice of life. There is iyashikei. There are cute girls coming-of-age and growing into fine young women. Koguma, Reiko, and Shii are the nicest people! And it is not a spoiler to say there will be a happy ending. Highly recommended. For many, it will be a masterpiece. Yes, it is one non-stop ad for Honda Super Cubs. As the classic ads said: "You meet the nicest people on a Honda." MAL wants more info for this review to be published, so: After youwatch Super Cub, you will,
A. Rush out to get your motorcycle license and buy your own Super Cub.
B. Discover that the manga and light novels are not available in English, forcing you to resort to those websites...or brush up on your French, or learn Japanese ASAP.
C. Begin planning your trip to Japan using Super Cub as your route planner for a cherry blossom viewing.
D. All of the above.
kids11111009
Ok, so this anime just interests me at least, but It felt bland because it’s not really an attractive anime to all people. Not saying its bad, its good however it’s really underappreciated. I still have some concerns about this. Story is too simple, and too straight off, literally seeing Koguma riding in her cub anywhere around, same with Reiko and Shii, but Shii on her bike. Its almost like you’re going places point A to point B shortly and do these things simply less than a minute or so. Also the unsolved cases like how did her parents leave her, how did she endup a very short life when it comes to low budget and everything, can’t you just pull them out, at least in the manga?
Artstyle is pretty interesting, probably the first anime I watched with classic artstyle, realistic character with uniform and hair color, except Shii. The fact that this will be a bit lower is because people don’t find this interesting. It’s not in the same tier as other animes but is unique. Artstyle does feel realistic as well with a different tone of color. I would give this a 9 because its interesting, but because of the lack of interest by most people, this will be a 7.
Character. Ok WTF. In the anime, fine its just small dialogue and smiles on thier faces. ok, Im satisfied. Whatever. Koguma is very limited, same with Shii. Reiko however has more personality than the main character, ok what the? Compared to the anime’s manga, Koguma has personality same with Shii. Reiko is even more than them. Shouldn’t Koguma get more recognition because she’s the main? Why don’t you add more on her besides being shy and moody. Just improve on that the next season soon. And that is why this is a 5
Sound literally is ok, the music is classical and relaxing, but its getting boring when it plays again on another scene or a different episode. The only time it gets satisfying for me is hearing the gymnopedie BGM on ep 7 which is the first time hearing a music outside of japan being used for an anime. Sound for the background is ok, but it feels less than I can imagine other than the Cub noise or the class in school. As for Opening and ending, they’re also good, but they’re just as nearly as identical as other animes that has an opening and ending with relaxing music like this. 7 for that.
Enjoyment is not really that exciting nor fun when you watch this. Very slow and very simple, makes me want to sleep and almost slept through the whole anime in just one day because this makes me feel sleepy. 5 for that.
Overall would be a 6. This is an interesting but very underappreciated and had some flaws that just really makes an anime a fine, but not so-fine watching. My opinion, not yours, so don’t fuck with me.
Haru_Kobuchizawa
"For every motorcycle, there is a story." Man, Slice of Life runs through my veins. What's more wonderful than following the daily adventures of cute little girls and their Cubs? Each episode is fun to watch, the characters are too captivating. My favorite character is Reiko. In addition to being wonderful and cute (like all the main characters), she looks a lot like Mariya Takeuchi, so much so that there is a scene that seems a lot to be referenced to Plastic Love. But the most enjoyable thing to watch is to see Koguma's grayish perspective of everything around you, becoming colorful. The girl who hadnothing now has a Cub that probably can do anything.
I laughed a lot a few weeks ago as there were Japanese people complaining to the studio that one of the characters infringed a traffic law.
I highly recommend you to watch, Slice of Life is always a good medicine for anyone.
Firechick12012
Super Cub is an anime that I initially passed over when it first aired. I was watching other shows at the time, so I didn't find time for it. All I knew about it was that it was based on a light novel and supposedly a gigantic advertisement for motorbikes called Super Cubs. But I was bored one day and wanted to watch something new, so I wound up watching Super Cub on the FUNimation app on my Roku—the English dubbed version, to be more specific—and found that I liked it more than I thought I would. The story is pretty simple: Koguma is agirl who lives a lonely life. Her parents aren't around, she doesn't have much money, doesn't have hobbies, and just lives day to day. As far as Koguma is concerned, her life is dull and colorless. One day, she finds herself drawn to a Honda Super Cub being sold at a shop and manages to buy it for fairly cheap. The decision proves to be a fateful one, as the Super Cub bike literally brings color to her once colorless life, allowing her to do more and go places she couldn't before. She even manages to make a couple new friends because of it. The series is mainly about Koguma's day-to-day experiences with her Cub and is pretty episodic in nature, so don't go in here expecting a linear narrative that gets bigger as it goes on.
If you're thinking the show is pretty much a glorified commercial for Honda Super Cubs, you're not wrong. The first episode alone is just 20 minutes of a character discovering the joys of owning a motorbike, complete with dialogue blatantly engineered to sell bikes, with the cameras lingering shamelessly on logos, and while most of the series is shown in muted colors, when Koguma gets on the bike, the show cranks up the color saturation to show how Honda products restore color to your world. All throughout the series, the characters go on and on about how great their Cubs are. I'm pretty sure you could make a drinking game out of it. Hell, apparently Honda Motor Company reportedly supervised the writing for Super Cub. This is especially interesting since Super Cub is based on a series of light novels that ended not too long ago. But what makes Super Cub interesting as a show is that while the show itself makes no secret of the fact that it's engineered to sell motorbikes, every other aspect of it has a surprising amount of subtlety and restraint that's present throughout its entire run.
Starting with the animation, the series thrives on its scenic backgrounds, realistic character designs, and the show's occasional transitioning from muted, washed out, near-grayscale to vivid, radiant, saturated colors. The last one is mainly used to serve as a mood light for Koguma, showing the things that make her happy, whether it be going to a new store off the beaten path or hanging out with her new friends. I also appreciate that the anime's character designs don't try to make the girls into cutesy moeblobs, with the animation and voice acting reflecting this, remaining low key and subdued all throughout. That being said, the CGI for the bikes is fine, and the show does a great job at making sure the details on the bikes are accurate and realistic, but my one big complaint: Did they really have to make the girls into CGI on occasions where they ride their bikes? They just look really clunky and weird! The soundtrack is similarly soothing and nice, and interestingly enough, the series makes use of both its own original compositions and pieces of classical music, like Claude Debussy's Clair de Lune and a segment of Antonio Vivaldi's The Four Seasons, which I felt were used to great effect. More details can be found in this thread here. Basically, everything about Super Cub takes a minimalistic approach, preferring showing over telling, which serves the series very well, making Super Cub actually feel more than just a glorified motorbike commercial, never venturing into cheese or melodrama.
Now, the cast for this show is pretty small. One important character doesn't even get introduced until episode 7, so the series has plenty of time to flesh them out throughout its short run. The main cast isn't necessarily the most three-dimensional, and I can imagine a lot of people taking issue with the fact that the girls don't really talk about anything that doesn't involve their Cubs. At least, not until later in the series, and I can understand that. But I think the main appeal of the series is seeing the three girls bond over their hobbies and passions and seeing how those same passions help them grow as people. I think Shii benefits the most from this, as she has the most depth out of all the girls, and the show takes great pains to show her daily life, how she interacts with people, the things that make her happy, how she approaches conflict, and so on while taking care to make sure she doesn't devolve into a moeblob stereotype. In short, the characters are pretty down-to-earth, not too overbearing but not complete blank slates, either. Seriously, it says a lot that Koguma has more characterization than pretty much every bland male isekai lead ever.
That being said, I really want to rate this series higher. I really do. But the series does have one particular flaw holding it back. It's a big one, and it's in episode 11. That particular episode really riled up fans of the show, mainly because some characters are shown making extremely dangerous and reckless decisions, even by the standards of which teenagers behave. Granted, teenagers aren't exactly paragons of knowledge and wisdom. What teenager hasn't done stupid things in their lifetime? On one hand, I respect Super Cub for actually depicting its teenage cast as being messy and not always making the best decisions at times. It gives them more depth and nuance than most anime characters tend to get. On the other hand, even by those standards, the way episode 11 handled the characters dealing with a particular situation left a really sour taste in people's mouths, and without spoiling anything, I can absolutely see where they're coming from. This is especially egregious because the anime actually leaves out an explanation for WHY the characters act the way they do, an explanation that actually somewhat justified one character's actions, which makes said character come off a lot worse in the anime than she did in both the manga and light novel. Said execution of that scene didn't kill my enjoyment of the series, but I can totally imagine people getting turned off by how episode 11 handled its central conflict. It all depends on your suspension of disbelief, and that particular part does leave a pretty nasty aftertaste in what's otherwise a fairly sweet, low-key, wholesome series.
But I don't want to end this review on a negative note, and there is one thing that Super Cub as a series absolutely NAILS: The unadulterated joy one gets when finding people who share your interests and passions without judgment or condescension. Super Cub is a series that wears its heart on its sleeves, oozing with passion and love for its subject matter, from its immaculate attention to details all the way down to how the characters bond over common and different interests. Going into personal territory here: I was the only kid who was deeply passionate about anime and manga beyond stuff like Pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh, Naruto, and so on, especially obscure stuff that hardly anyone knows about, but growing up in a small town in New Jersey, none of my classmates had the same interests, and I was often bullied for them on more than one occasion, on top of being autistic and upsettingly gullible. As I grew up though, I gradually found people, both in-person and online, who shared my interests without judgment, who I could feel safe enough to open up to and be my authentic self. Finding common interests was my way of trying to make friends, being an autistic person who often has trouble making friends and keeping them. Of course, Super Cub's entire premise can work for pretty much any hobby, such as sewing, camping, jewelry, sports, books, and so on. Hobbies can bring us joy, keep us sane, or help us cope with bad situations. Super Cub, and another series I plan on reviewing once I get around to it, perfectly exemplifies that philosophy, highlighting the small victories they bring along with finding joy in mundanity and, as the series itself shows, bring color to your life.
Okay, I better get off my sappy soapbox. So yeah, Super Cub, on the surface, is a glorified motorcycle commercial, but if you're looking for an anime to kick back and relax to, definitely give it a shot. Super Cub has no reservations about what it is, and while it has significant flaws holding it back from true greatness, it definitely stands out from the millions of other Cute Girls Doing Cute Things anime by virtue of the fact that it cares about its premise and subject matter.
An1meDweeb
Tl;Dr: "Super Cub" demonstrates how personal fixations can fix us. Besides the frequent bike trivia persistent throughout the series, “Cub” takes its time to revel in the joy of pursuing hobbies. Set to a calming soundtrack and stunning backdrops of the Yamanashi countryside, “Cub” puts us in the driver's seat through relaxing immersion. Viewers without motorcycles need not be worried about doing their homework before approaching this show, as the chill vibes and enjoyment is for everyone. So strap in, sit back and enjoy what this open road has to offer. 7/10~ *** Quarantine has been a pretty surreal time. It's bizarre to think that so many ofus collectively had our bustling lives come to a screeching halt within the walls of our homes. Waiting out the COVID-storm, it's all too easy to feel bored and boxed-in with your thoughts. There are certainly worse problems to have, but this is a problem nonetheless. I, like many others, have picked up hobbies to stay preoccupied and sane. What you're reading right now is a product of one of those hobbies, and I'm happy you're giving this article the time of day! There's something comforting involved in pursuing your passions, and an oft-ignored joy to be had in the small day-to-day victories. "Super Cub" (“Cub” for short) is a timely reminder of that very same happiness, and how our interests can bring color into our lives. This review will be spoiler-free, with a Tl;Dr included towards the end.
Enter Koguma - The Girl With Nothing. No family, no cash, no ambitions. She doesn't even appear to feel blue about the way things are; a few tears would at least add color to her monochrome life. The still mundanity of Hokuto City is made evident in “Cub's” quaint opening minutes, drawing us into a world the way Koguma sees it - devoid of color. By happenstance she meets a used Honda Super “Cub”, which (literally) brings vibrance to her vision and a longing like no other. Much of the show is then centered around Koguma's day-to-day experiences with her Super Cub. She's not on the open road alone though, and is soon accompanied by the strong-willed motorcycle enthusiast Reiko. Also droppin' in towards the end of the season is Shii, newly-avid cyclist and aficionado of all things Italy.
If what I've mentioned sounds like a glorified motorcycle commercial… Well, you'd be mostly right. Someone could feasibly make a drinking game out of everytime a character says "This Cub can do anything." It's certainly not the first time a company tie-in was this obvious; “Cub” even goes as far as to reference "Initial D" with the urban myth surrounding Koguma's ride. But even if this is a case of selling out, there are certainly far worse ways going about it. Honda Motor Company reportedly supervised the writing behind "Cub," ensuring consistent and realistic details that go beyond close-ups on the featured motorcycles. Speaking of mechanical eye-candy, this series is a visual treat. Pulling back the camera lens from the show's motorbike chassis, "Cub" looks as stunning from afar as it does up close, with scenic visuals of Mount Fuji and the surrounding countryside. Also neat is the show's visuals as they relate to Koguma's perspective. "Cub" transitions between washed-out, near-grayscale scenes to radiant, saturated colors. The whole show acting as a mood light for Koguma is a trick that thankfully never gets old. The series' OST is a mix of classical compositions and a handful of original tracks, all of which contribute to "Cub's" soothing atmosphere. The cast of characters don't work against this calming background with over-the-top performances, but complement "Cub" nicely. Performances are lowkey and avoid "moe-blob" generalizations, all while standing out with their own enjoyable personalities. All-in-all, the world of "Cub" is as wholesome and relaxing as this season is gonna get. You could say that “Cub” is yet another case of a Cute Girls Doing Cute Things (CGDCT) anime about a niche topic, and I'd be inclined to agree. However, that take doesn't fully account for what this series aims to achieve. This chill watch isn't afraid to introduce momentary tonal shifts, as seen in an unexpected adventure throughout Episode 6 and a solemn incident in Episode 11. These engaging deviations to the formula are enjoyable in their own right and paint a clearer picture of what “Cub” is trying to convey: the healing power of hobbies.
“Cub” is a SoL distilled into its purest form. This isn't the kind of show concerned with love triangles or girls running to school with toast in their mouths. Instead, this "iyashikei" has its sole focus on leaving viewers with a "healing feeling" every episode. To achieve this, “Cub” draws us in with its effective episodic story structure. Each instalment establishes clear needs, and patiently shows us the process undertaken to achieve those goals. Obstacles introduced are resolved by the end of each episode, and the audience winds up sharing the same satisfaction that our characters do. I know that this observation is hardly revelatory; set-up and payoff is the most basic writing concept there is. But “Cub” is noteworthy for how stripped-down its methodology is. With little else to distract us, we offer our undivided attention to the low-key lives of “Cub's” cast, and are rewarded with a cozy reprieve. The characters' love for the open road (and Italian espressos) is all there is, and those personal passions exude strongly due to the depth at which those interests are explored. A 50cc in the picturesque Yamanashi Prefecture isn't merely a mode of transportation, but a lifestyle. As high school girls, there is recreational value to be had in cruising down the highway, as the scenic views of Mount Fuji loom in the distance. Of course, there are considerations as well, which Koguma and her friends need to address in order to continually enjoy their leisurely drives. Plotlines see the girls getting comfortable with their Super Cubs, obsessing over Cub trivia, learning bike upkeep, purchasing affordable accessories, taking on odd jobs involving their motorcycles, and finding ways to stay warm while riding in winter months. I think “Cub” captures common bike-centric plights and scenarios with a great deal of accuracy. And biking fans seem to agree, judging from third-party accounts from communities far more familiar with biking than I am (we likely have Honda Co. Ltd. to thank for this.) Just like how last year's "Eizouken ni wa Te wo Dasu na!" was a passionate love letter to the process behind animation, "Cub" wears its heart on its sleeve and makes its love for biking known. “Cub's” attention to detail, and the unflinching trust in said detail to carry the show, leads us audience members to enjoy an otherwise interest alongside our girls. Even though most viewers can't tell the difference between a Super Cub and a Vespa, the dedication put into demonstrating these girls' hobbies still strikes a chord. Koguma, Reiko and Shii may share vastly different experiences from ours, but the roots of their passions are universal. The desire to achieve a goal, and overtaking the objectives that make such a reward even more worthwhile on a personal level. It's cathartic to see those desires realized, and “Cub” emulates that joy with each week. And sure, tasks like changing motor oil or delivering documents are tiny and unremarkable from a distance, but it is Something. And that means all the world to The Girl With Nothing.
“Cub” is rather narrow in scope, and may not appeal to a ton of people. It's the kind of quiet, meditative watch that I almost exclusively put on before bed. The calming nature of the show might put you to sleep in the worst way. Half of “Cub's” character development amounts to our stoic MC eventually picking up sarcasm. There's nothing all that interesting about window shopping with Koguma at hardware stores, and it's not the sort of storytelling all audiences would appreciate. My snobby ass might claim that the sophisticated “Cub” isn't bound by story conventions of a heightened reality, but others would probably say that it's "boring." Something like "Yuru Camp" achieves relatively similar things as “Cub,” while adding a light-hearted comedic presence and entertaining character dynamics. In spite of these elements, Yuru is sometimes dismissed as a boring CGDCT, and “Cub” manages to be even more stripped-down. There's little “Cub” does to convince audiences that aren't already fond of the iyashikei genre, and I can't sugarcoat the show to argue otherwise. If you happen to enjoy works such as "Mushishi" and "Aria," Cub should certainly be high up on your planning list. But if you are foreign to the meditative realm of iyashikei anime, I recommend that you try out at least the first two episodes of “Cub”. At worst, it's hardly an insulting loss of your time; at best, you just might stumble across some of the most immaculate vibes in anime this year.
Before wrapping up, I'd like to leave you with some sappy closing thoughts. It's been over a year since I began sharing reviews, and I've enjoyed (nearly) every second of it. Writing started out as a fun way to kill time, and I gradually grew to enjoy articulating my thoughts and experimenting with my craft. Sharing my rants has not only been a rewarding experience in its own right, but also a process that helped me open up to the anime community. I didn't exactly have IRL pals keeping me company during the ongoing hyperbolic apocalypse. Making these reviews emboldened me to put myself out there. Being inside my home over the past year, I found social circles online that kept my life as lively and fun as it's ever been. Amidst the virus, this hobby healed me. If you haven't already, I urge you to find wholesome endeavors of your own, and share those interests with others around you. It may seem awkward, but there's no shame in trying to enrich your life with activities you enjoy. And heck, if your passion is watching anime, “Cub” is certainly a great place to start.
***
STRAY RAMBLINGS (SPOILERS:)
- Koguma's bike has a kill count, it's practically Devil Z lol. Be scared.
- Didn't get to cover this in the review, but seeing Shii's cafe was pretty darn surreal by Cub standards. The show turned into a lesson in interior design for a good 5 minutes, I love it. The blend of all that European iconography, in a country known for being isolationist- 'kay, that's enough musing. I want a German sourdough sandwich.
- Was definitely not expecting to go from "purposely taking the wrong turn on the intersection" to "scaling Mount FRIGGIN' Fuji on a scooter" by the 5th episode. What a ride.
- BEST GIRL: Koguma. She's gonna make hella bank one day, watch this one.
- "You meet the nicest people on a Honda."
***
Thanks for stoppin' by! After writing all this, I could really go for one of Shii's coffees, ngl. If you happen to like my verbose rants, feel free to check out my other reviews for seasons past and present. Peace~
cheeengm
"No parents. No money, either. Nor any friends, hobbies, or future goals." the description a life of a lonesome young girl. Everything changed when she found a Honda Super Cub. Personally, I am a huge fan of slice of life anime, especially those which are very slow paced and music genre anime. This anime combined both of my favorites. The scenery - magnificent, the music - nostalgic, the story - masterpiece. The anime is wholesome af, extremely relaxing and throws away all of my stress. Sometimes, it even makes me feel like I am on a journey at the rural areas of Japan. The anime describea high school girl with absolute no dreams for the future meet with a second-hand super cub. Since then, her life is filled with "adventures". Every time I watched a new episode, the anime will never fail to surprise me with new events that happen, both happy and sad. Besides, the narration is just... Beautiful. It feels like I reading a poem rather than subtitles.
"Supercub is not a magical device that can do anything. But when you're faced with troubles, or trying to accomplish something, I'm sure it will be your ally. That's our Supercub. Let's ride anywhere. With this Supoercub." - Koguma.
10/10
bprap
Just like the motorcycle from which it takes the name, Super Cub is many things. It's a slice of life animation, a series of short stories, an advertisement for Honda's iconic Scooter, it's cute girls riding cute motorcycles. But above all else, Super Cub is a love letter to motorcycling, and a truly heart warming work of art. Devoid of companionship and inner meaning, one's outlook on life is as grey as a winter day. This is where the story picks up with our protagonist Koguma. If you sit back and do nothing, a Cub won't help you. You probably have to have a desireof your own. Something like the curiosity to turn down an unfamiliar road, just to see where it takes you. When you have that inner drive, and the tool to make it happen, suddenly it feels like life's possibilities are endless.
Motorcycles expose you, to the elements, danger, injury, death, and your own psyche. Some of the best and worst moments of my life have been onboard the bike. Though they are only machines made of metal and plastic, all the time we spend alone, riding and maintaining them, all those good and bad times with our motorcycles make it impossible not to become emotionally attached.
A big grin finally paints her face as she experiences a whole broader horizon opening up before her, that for the first time she's not just limited to how far her legs can carry her. We can all remember this feeling, even after many years in the saddle. A motorcycle is a form of transport first and foremost, however to many people it's a symbol of freedom and expression. Anyone who has gone through the process of learning to ride can relate to Koguma. I found great comfort in reminiscing of times past with our character on her journey.
Anyone who has watched an interest piece, whether it's on a sport or art that they hold dear has experienced that jarring sensation when they can tell that the producer of the work is not an expert in the field. It's often obvious when only a few sources of information have been used, and the production is not lead by enthusiasts. It's always in the little details, the lingo or the context that information is represented with that doesn't line up with your own understanding. Fortunately, the team at Studio Kai, or someone influencing the production is an enthusiast motorcyclist or is in love with the Super Cub, because i could not detect any falsehoods or make believe in the art or technical details. Even going so far as to apply style and period correct modifications to the bikes as the girls go on their journeys together, the level of detail is breathtaking.
Contrary to what other's have said, i think the art and animation are very good. Yes it's CG, but this is not an action show. There are many detailed scenes, such as the close ups of bike parts and maintenance that are on another level compared to other anime in the same genre. Many of the backgrounds when the bikes are moving are very beautiful. Episode 10 in particular with all the snow and the stunning imagery of a snowy forest at the foot of mount Fuji... gave me chills just looking at it.
Sound design is nice, using appropriate fill in music when needed, but not afraid to leave silence to punctuate the point of a scene. Voice actors did a good job, nothing special to note here but it fits well with the production values. The sound effect staff did a great job inserting realistic and detailed engine noises, the gearbox clunk and all the other tactile sounds that motorbikes make. Too often in hollywood, the engine sound and behavior doesn't match what is shown on screen, however in Super Cub it seems that effort has gone into considering what the characters are doing with the controls at each point in time, and the appropriate recordings were made to reflect it.
This show just does something for me, I spent most of my watching time with a smile on my face. I wish there was more,
