Super Cub

Mild Spoilers in a marked section "I have no parents. No money either. Nor do I have any hobbies, friends, or goals for the future. But, where I didn't have anything in my life before.... now I have a cub." I have always considered myself as a Slice-of-Life enthusiast. I have hardly rated any Slice-of-Life anime lowly but Super CGI has done it. It has broken my streak and that isn't a good thing. I’m just going to begin with the art. Wow, the character designs are ugly. Just take a look at how Studio Kai draws lines. The lines on Koguma's face makes me think that a cat showed up and scratched her face. Why did the cat do that? It probably couldn't handle staring at a moe blob anymore. Or maybe the cat had some of the Grappa that the anime staff added "Caution: too much makes it alcoholic and actionable." But there’s more… The lines drawn on the hair reminds me of someone who pulled out their sturdy fingernails before deliberately scratching a chalkboard! My eyes cringe just as much as just looking at the characters of Super Cub. Continuing on, there is so much CG in this anime. I understand with the Super Cub but using CG for almost every background character and switching between animating the Cub motorbike rider as half 2D and half 3D is just too much. Even if the CG is considered fine, I’m sure the blatant usage of reused animation will get anyone’s disapproval. The one scene that always gets reused is Koguma arriving at school. There will always be the presence of two girls walking together towards the right with two other male characters, one walking towards the camera and the other also walking to the right as the camera pans to the right as Koguma arrives on her Super Cub. I should’ve counted how many times they used this one scene in particular. Throughout this anime, there are many moments where Koguma is just driving around on her Super Cub for entire minutes. The same backgrounds were used so many times, especially at that one intersection and that road she sees outside of her classroom. All in all, the shots and scene durations all made this anime feel like I’m watching the same episode over and over. Speaking of loops, I did not care for the music. There is recycled 'sad' or 'peaceful' oriented music playing for Koguma as she drives around. But these scenes are so long and Koguma’s thoughts are so bland that I don’t care for the music. Many times this music failed to impact me at all since most of it tends to follow a specific formula: 1. Find a cool 2-4 second part, then just keep looping it, 2. Take one finger and play something on the piano that sounds like a song, or 3. Combine 1 and 2! Very creative I say. This even applied to the opening! To start, we hear Duu 40 times in the beginning of the opening! It won't be getting out of my head any time soon even if I duu try. Also, when the characters are talking with music playing in the background, I feel that the music is more important than the actual dialogue (which I can't quite disagree with this). Most interactions between Koguma and others make me feel like I’m waiting in the elevator while trying to ignore the conversation next to me or I’m trying, and failing, to listen to my online Zoom lecture because I fell asleep. Finally to the plot of the anime. Sad girl gets a Super Cub and finally makes friends. I think that's all you need but I will persevere. Koguma is a girl living alone with no parents, income, goals, or friends. She then makes an impulsive decision to buy a Super Cub without having a license. Thankfully, a sudden time skip happens so she can get her license real fast before getting a one minute driving tutorial from the seller. First off, where does she get her money to buy it? How did she learn road rules before learning what gasoline is? I have so many questions without any logical answers. There is another person at her school who notices Koguma’s cub, therefore wanting to befriend Koguma. Moral of the story: Super Cub makes Super Friends. Koguma then learns more about her Cub and runs into possible issues of not having the right gear nor a full understanding of her Cub. However, whenever these problems arise, there is always another random background character that shows up that just so happens to have the answer she needs. Wow, so realistic. Koguma is a very flat and basic character. As Koguma continues to understand her Super Cub, the noises she makes whenever she runs into any issues has gotten on my nerves. I’m sick of hearing her whining and I’m sick of her always looking at herself in the Super Cub mirror for no reason. How was she able to take care of herself for so long if she decided to buy a whole cub and not read the owner's manual (or even search up information about the vehicle) online? Later, as she is able to meet a friend, she starts to smile more. Smiles like these in Slice-of-Life anime are generally meant to be touching for the audience since the character is finally portraying actual happiness past all that they have been or are going through. However this smile was not that. It looked ugly and I did not ever feel for Koguma at all. This smile was not character development nor showing us more about her. It was a forced, placed in smile with no emotional impact whatsoever. I have an easier time smiling with the opening song’s super creative background lyrics of Duus than with Koguma. Reiko is kinda better than Koguma. She is a Super Cub enthusiast who desired to be Koguma’s friend because of their similar interest in Super Cubs. Reiko is the bright, happy friend that contrasts Koguma’s sad, quiet character. However, that's really it to her. She becomes such a side character that she's basically there for Koguma to have lunch in the same spot in their Super Cubs every single episode. [Spoilers] Reiko is revealed to dream about being able to climb Mount Fuji with her Super Cub. There's one episode dedicated to this where she is constantly trying and falling off her Super Cub all while boss battle inspired music is playing. Wow it's like the mountain is her final boss, it's as deep as the river in episode 11. Two questions come up during the montage, why is she not looking for bumps in the road to avoid? Why doesn't she just slow down a bit? I think the real question is: Where did she learn how to drive? Sure the bumps and not being able to slow down can be because of the incline of the road but if she doesn't know how to deal with it, then why doesn't she practice and learn how to properly deal with these issues safely? I'm sure off-roaders didn't just up and go one day to begin their new hobby up a steep mountain. They most likely build up to something more dangerous or risky. But no, Reiko decides to just go all the way. Also, why did the adults just keep letting her go on a road that is easy for her to fall to her doom? Well she has a Super Cub so she'll be safe even if she herself is being unsafe about driving it. What Reiko really needs to do is pick up a new book about proper off-road driving instead of reading the same random one over and over in class. [End of Spoilers] Overall, this anime is one of the worst Slice-of-Life anime I have seen (To make sure I am clear, I have nothing against actual Super Cubs in real life). Honda really should’ve done better. Now at least I know where to find a real life CG Super Cub if I really wanted to drive one. A character whose name I forgot once said, "Please save me again with your Super Cub." Let me rephrase it: Please save me FROM this Super Cub.

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 like a 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.

*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 really shine 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.

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 path to 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.

In the opening, Koguma describes herself as having nothing, no friends, no parents, no money. At the end of the anime, after she makes “friends,” she repeats this exact line (including that she has no friends!!!) but adds that she now has a cub. What was the point of her spending time with the other characters then?? Koguma is a very flat MC with her only qualities being that she is self-centered and likes her cub. That’s it. My biggest issue with this show is Koguma’s treatment of Shii, who is supposed to be her friend. Koguma and Reiko, the other cub owner, tell Shii they’ll only come visit her at her family’s cafe if the coffee is free. She gives them free coffee and snacks all the time because she admires them, but when the girls go to Koguma’s house, Koguma gets upset that they use a boiled egg each. She literally does not want to share 2 eggs. Minor spoiler: Shii falls off her bike into a stream in the middle of winter and calls Koguma instead of her parents or an ambulance. Koguma finds her, tells her to get up with zero emotion or sense of urgency, puts her in the basket IN FRONT of the windshield, and takes her to her apartment. If this was not anime, Shii would at the very least have frostbite. After Shii takes a bath, it is then that Koguma doesn’t want to give her an egg. Seriously. The worst friend. I love slice of life. I think the best qualities of slice of life are relationships between characters, coziness, and big or small adventures. The only thing this show has is the small adventures part. You can’t call the three main characters friends and there is almost nothing cozy. The MC literally eats cold packets of curry and other prepackaged food on top of rice the entire anime and lives in a room with no decoration or personal items. Coziness level 0 on Koguma’s part. There are a few cozy scenes at Shii’s cafe (which is overshadowed because you know they’re using her for free coffee) Reiko’s house, and a few other random parts. There’s some janky CGI of the girls on the cubs, but other than that the art is fine. When Koguma is happy, the colors become vivid which makes for pretty backgrounds. But it doesn’t have the desired effect since you can’t really root for the MC since she’s a jerk with no redeeming qualities. Essentially, this is a very long advertisement for super cubs that is not worth your time.

THE GOOD: Nice visuals? Check. Laid back atmosphere? Check. Good vibes? Check. Despite being a "Honda ad", this looked like it could become one of my favourite slice-of-life anime... THE MEH: ...until ep. 5, when things started going downhill (ironically... if you watched the show, you know what I mean). First of all, there's a noticeable drop in production quality. Not the end of the world, it's a common pattern in many shows after the first few episodes. But at the same time, the story also takes a worrying turn. The Cub, which was initially described just as a passion for Koguma and Reiko, appears for the first time as an obsession: Reiko's goal with his bike is not only obviously unrealistic, but she is completely unprepared for it AND puts herself in danger to achieve it. First red flag. From this point onwards, we don't watch two normal girls living a normal life anymore: we start watching two addicted who would do ANYTHING to spend time with their Cubs, especially Koguma. Unplanned hundreds' miles journey on dangerous roads? Check. Risky driving-for-fun on the snow? Check. Sociopathic behaviour to other characters vs. unhealthy attachment to her bike? Check. While my enjoyment of the series took a massive hit because of this, I was still hoping it was just a... bump on the road. "The MCs will learn to balance out their lives and their passion." Right? THE BAD: ...well, they didn't. In the last few episodes Koguma starts talking about her Super Cub as if it was a miraculous solution for all of her problems. Worst, she starts SELLING this idea to other characters. Textbook addiction. The straw that broke the "scooter's back", for me, was the rescue scene. [SPOILERS AHEAD, SKIP THIS SECTION. YE BE WARNED] Imagine this: terrible weather outside, icy roads and snow everywhere. You receive a call from your friend: she just had an accident with her bike, called you because you were the first on her phone's list. You don't know where she is, and you hear her passing out mid-call. What a normal person would do: call the emergency services, inform your friend's relatives, and only if the weather allows for it, go out to try and find her. What Koguma does: takes her Cub WITHOUT INFORMING ANYONE and goes out searching, risking an accident herself multiple times due to the roads (thus endangering also her friend's life, since no one knows about her yet). When she finds her fallen into a frozen river (because of anime logic), she clumsily moves her out without checking if she is injured or not (risking further complications in case of fractures and head/spine shocks), then she puts her, still wet to the bones, in her Cub's front basket and brings her home. She is literally freezing exposed to the cold winter air? Who cares. [/SPOILERS] At the end of this, I had no further hope for the show. I finished it just because only very little was left, but I would have dropped it if I had to watch even 2-3 more episodes. FINAL THOUGHTS: Despite the nice visuals, this is one of the worst series I've ever watched. It's a real pity, because it started off as a promising and relaxing slice-of-life anime with some interesting ideas in terms of direction and writing. Not recommended, unless you are OK to watch only the first 4 episodes and call it a day: if the show ended there, it would have been a solid 7 in my books.

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 the series, 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.

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 at the 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

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 including art 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.

I don't have fancy words for anime reviews that make me sound smart and sophisticated so most of the time i don't leave any. I figure "I'm no expert" and move along. That is not the case with this one. You see... I am an expert. Due to health issues i spent over a decade housebound with no independence. I had no parents, no money, no friends or hobbies nor any ability to have goals for the future. My own "Days of nothingness." I couldn't afford the mobility scooters that cost thousands of dollars and aren't covered by insurance, so i was dependent on the occasional outing where someone would push me in a wheelchair. Then... my life changed. I got a seated e-scooter. This anime captures so perfectly what it's like to experience that moment the sun peers over the horizon after a long seemingly endless night. The moment where something shifts just enough to allow your world to start expanding. Each thing learned or problem solved is a step further in that expansion. In the beginning, you're still a shut-in learning to become part of the world again, but there comes a moment where you cross over and you're part of the world but your experience of that is always sweetened by the fact that you were once a shut-in and you never forget the bravery and courage and luck, not to mention the growing pains it took for your life to make that little change that doens't just take you where you want to go but most importantly makes it possible for you to be someone who has places you want to go. This anime is rated: precious.

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 to be 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.

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 Cub scooter. 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.

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. To be 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"

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 end up 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.

There is only word to describe this seasonal anime and that is to put it bluntly, boring, in fact it is one of the most boring animes ive ever watched to date. So let me summarize my experience with the show. The story: The show has a very simple but very boring plot to it. Girl named Koguma has no hobbies, friends or money that is until one day she goes browsing for bikes and she is sold a Honda cub for 10,000 yen. Then life is good, she meets a friend who also has a cub and thats as far as things go mostly. I found myself for most of the show with the exception of a few episodes screaming that something would happen. Something tragic, sad, a conflict between the characters. Something that would shake things up and break from the insanely repetitive routine that is each episode. Alas this only happens a small handful of times and only in a grand total of about 3 episodes. In other words only 20 minutes of the 4 hours of watch time was of any actual interest. The characters: Koguma who is the MC is honestly one of the most dull stick in the mud characters I have ever seen in all the shows I have watched. If she isnt obsessing over her cub or giving that weak smile she usually does when things get slightly exciting shes being a big stick in the mud about everything. I blame her entirely for dragging the show down and not making the show nearly as fun as it can be. Thank goodness for Reiko, if it wasnt for her the show would be quite unbearable to watch. Friend of Koguma she at least has a personality and is willing to shake things up to entertain the viewer. Last but not least there is Shii. Absolutely adorable, kind and full of spirit. Shes the only other character that makes the show remotely worth watching. Summary and some extra thoughts: Despite me not watching Bakuon outside of Youtube clips that show looks infinitely more entertaining the bike show despite having a much lower rating. As someone who has ridden bikes before it really annoys me how Koguma tells Shii not to ride a cub because it will "bite back" as if its a Honda Fireblade and not a motorized bicycle that is the cub. The worst you will do is either stall it or miss second and go into neutral. Its a 50cc to 110cc model not a 600cc plus sport bike. Last but not least is the complete disregard for safety in the later episodes such as not dressing properly for the conditions, riding in the snow with no helmet, riding in unsafe conditions, racing up a steep mountain and crashing. How the girls were never close to being seriously injured or even killed is beyond me.

Overall, anime had its moments, but I’m not as satisfied with it as I expected. This was like riding cub up and down the hill with one last look at the peak. The story had a great message - nurture resourcefulness and friendships against any obstacle. The cast was likable and inspiring, while the atmosphere left me motivated and relaxed. It had ASMR, too. And after the midpoint, my enjoyment went downhill. Now at the bottom of the hill, I can only reminisce about the view from the top. Summary. Since cub instantly brightens her lonely life, Kagura buys it and grows invested in mastering it. As a novice driver, most of the first episodes were about her figuring basics and finding needed gear. It’s a gear-per-episode pattern, but everything isn’t about gear. It’s about patient resolve to find solutions when you lack knowledge or funds. Characters. I loved the friendship between Koguma and Reiko - the way it operated on unspoken mutual fondness. Reiko was a great to the show's message about resolve. Her attempting to climb Mt Fuji and not letting failure get the best of her is my second best episode in a season. She is a badass motorbike aficionado and a natural risk-taker. Reiko is a great friend and a well-written character. What did I like the most? The peak of the season has to be a school trip episode. It unites all the experiences from the previous ones and adds a sense of pride and accomplishment. It was like watching your kid making the first big step into life. Left me feeling proud, nostalgic, and hopeful. Why so low score? The slope began after the 2/3 of the season. At first, the episodes were ok, but they failed to make an impression. Character improvement was little to nonexistent. Then the third main character was introduced - a generic shy girl who only kept breaking initial allure. Koguma became closed off and somewhat apathetic, making the whole dynamic feeling off. The story became less engaging and boring than moving or relaxing. When the infamous episode 11 happened, my emotional investment was very low to fire up my pitchfork. I get Koguma internalized that she can’t depend on any authority, but that was dumb and unrealistic. For me, even problematic since nobody older and wiser say anything bad about her act. Ending. The last episode had some of the initial magic in it, but it felt more like a commercial for Honda. The feeling of real-life accomplishment for the main characters didn't show up for the party. Animation. The first two episodes have some very ugly CGI when it comes to people. Luckily, things do improve after the second episode and bad CGI is rarely seen. When it comes to employing CG in showcasing cubs in greater detail, I don't any criticism.

Honestly, just peaceful. That's what I was looking for. A slow-pace slice-of-life. The story is simple, and yes, the main character is kind of blunt, but then you got Reiko, the second main character, which is one of the best anime characters I've seen. She's so cool. The animation is poor CGI, but you don't care about that. You just enjoy the sceneries and what a simple item like a Super Cub can offer you. Freedom. Enjoyment. Companion. If you want something to relax watching, this is a great option. They made me wanna take my Nmax 155 and travel as far as I can.

Alright, so I watched this Honda ad anime primarily because it was available with English and Japanese dual subtitles, so to begin with it was more of a learning exercise than a choice based in pure pleasure, but I did find it charming. Something about the characters just got me. I like that we sort of casually deal with poverty, it's funny that every episode is about Buying More Accessories For My Honda Super Cub, and the long-haired girl in particular is really cute and fun to watch. I wasn't that impressed because ultimately, it's a fairly standard slice of life anime that faded into the background while I played Yu-Gi-Oh Duel Links on the side (something that absolutely defeated the point of the dual subs thing, because girl I was not paying enough attention to reading the Japanese), and you know, there's just not that much going on. It's a Honda ad. Of course, I watched all 12 episodes, because it's not that much of a time comittment, and I enjoyed some moments (e.g. "this is my cafe, Beurre, it's French for butter" - so true), but ultimately it's forgettable. Also, had to bump it down because the last two episodes just HAD to bring in some fanservice. Let's invent an anime that doesn't sexualise children sometime. xoxo

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 meaning into 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.

In Super Cub, at least every other episode they manage to find an excuse to fit in the line “with a Super Cub, you can go anywhere you want.” Which isn’t exactly wrong, by all means, they could go anywhere, the only problem is that the main character we’re stuck with is entirely disinterested in doing so. To wind back a bit, Super Cub is named after the Honda Super Cub, a specific model of motorcycle that is purchased by the main character, Koguma, which I would say sets the story in motion, but there isn’t really a story. To get it out of the way now, it is very obvious that Honda had a hand in the creation of this series, it’s hardly a coincidence that when she goes to buy her Super Cub, the only other bikes on offer are also all by Honda, and alongside the aforementioned statement about “being able to go anywhere”, they also manage to include plenty of other lines about just how great the Super Cub is, sometimes to questionable effect, as was the case when Koguma puts a box on the back of her bike to put supplies in, and comments on how great and convenient this feature on the Super Cub is, as if to suggest that the Super Cub somehow conceptualised the idea of putting stuff in boxes. I would hesitate to compare Super Cub to the likes of Pepsi Invaders, as these references to how good the Super Cub is are largely incidental, however a much bigger problem with the series is that, despite being centred around a vehicle, it never actually goes anywhere. If I had to pin Super Cub down to a genre, it wouldn’t be a slice of life or road movie, the two possibilities you’d expect (i.e. want to see), it’s more akin to Norwegian slow television or a YouTube vlog series. In any given episode, Koguma has an issue with her Cub, so she goes to the store and buys something, and that’s it. As a character, Koguma is very lacking, I am lead to assume that her seiyuu’s only previous work in the industry was just reading the side effects of medication for adverts, because she does very little to enunciate or verbally express any level of emotion. To make matters worse, it seems like the writers were downright hostile to the idea of her ever actually developing, she may not say much to evoke a real change in character, but she does manage to make a couple friends and go from never having touched a motorcycle to becoming generally knowledgeable about her Cub, and by extension having found herself a new interest. So, on account of that fact, I really cannot conceive any good reason as to why they would decide to make the closing lines of dialogue for the series a repeat of her saying “I have no friends, no money and no hobbies or interests” as she did in the first episode, but that does make for a good illustration of just how little attention they put into Koguma as a character. By her own admission, the events of the story have had no impact on her, and it was completely pointless. To make matters worse, the actual driving sequences, which you would expect to be the schwerpunkt of the series, are profoundly uninteresting. There is clear professionalism in the first episode, wherein they make full use of the audio-visual medium, and after that first episode, I thought I was actually in for something good. Therein, in Koguma’s home, her movements are almost catatonic, and a complete absence of music or ambient noise accentuates the severe boredom that is her home life, something that is completely changed once she acquires her Super Cub. However, if they want to say that having a motorbike opens up Koguma’s world, then it’s also imperative that they convey that feeling through the cinematography. This isn’t the case, as it’s all conducted through wide, static shots, predominantly against completely flat terrain. I mentioned road movies earlier, and, as it also featured bikes, Easy Rider would seem like a natural point of comparison, and it’s worth noting that the driving sequences in that film are against empty roads and deserts, barren spaces without any real significant landmarks or points of interest. But they are able to convey plenty with the cinematography, wide shots of the landscape to suggest a sense of atmosphere and adventure, and tracking shots of the main characters from seemingly any distance or height, and they’ll also use editing to further the ideas that begin through the cinematography. Back to Super Cub, the cinematography consists of medium close-ups of Koguma’s face, stationary long shots from far away as she drives towards it, and that’s about it. At least, all of this is true for 11/12 of its episodes (if you want to be pedantic, 10/11 since she doesn’t get the bike until the 2nd), as for some inexplicable reason within the last episode, my two main complaints, namely that they don’t explore any new locales with their bikes, and that the cinematography is exceedingly bland, are not applicable. It’s kind of shocking that they would wait until the absolute last episode of the series of what is supposed to be a series about travel before they travel any considerable distance, but this episode is legitimately well executed. The scenery changes as they get closer to their destination (it might sound obvious, but it’s the first time in the series they actually get to see anything new), and both the characters and camera focus upon these new places as they appear, there is a level of excitement in seeing what lies ahead, something completely unheard of hitherto. But to get back to the points they got wrong, another major flaw of this series is how exceedingly generic its soundtrack is, not an aspect I usually bring up, because I usually don’t have to. I don’t really remember them using any genre beyond slow, vaguely melancholic piano solos, I also don’t doubt that there’s plenty of other instruments they used, but I have no recollection of any of it because it must have been the most mediocre soundtrack I’ve heard, it’s just stock music, the kind of thing you can throw in anywhere and it’ll do a passable job of conveying the vague emotion you’re going for. Even in the closing episode, the only good one, there is no getting past the fact that this is a profoundly boring soundtrack, but at least it’s thematically appropriate, a mediocre soundtrack fits right in when the cinematography and characters are completely lifeless too. Ultimately, Super Cub doesn’t really have anything going for it. It touches on real aspects of driving and maintaining a motorcycle, but not anywhere close to a degree where I could call it edutainment, its main character has less in the way of temperament than her motorcycle, and it seems to suggest elements of being a slice of life, and a story about learning to enjoy motorcycling, but it never commits to either. It seems to suggest typical slice of life story beats, such as exams and culture festivals, but it constitutes a passing mention at best, “oh by the way I had exams yesterday”, neither these events nor their significance are ever really incorporated into the story. If you take it as a story about learning to enjoy the great outdoors and vast landscape that Japan offers, it is a failure there as well, because there is no exploration to be found. Super Cub isn’t even something I can hate, it is just mediocre, and there is no worse fate than being mediocre.