'Grand Blue' Is the Funniest TV Show of 2018

I decided to pick up Grand Blue Dreaming, or simply Grand Blue, because it was hyped by the recommendations I encountered as this hilarious anime comedy series.  And indeed, it lives up to the hype.  It’s honestly the funniest TV show I’ve seen in 2018 – not just among anime shows, but on TV as a whole.  No other program this year has made me laugh as much and as hard.

As a youth-oriented anime, it immediately sets itself apart from the rest by shunning the typical high school setting, but instead, featuring characters who are in college.  Thus, it’s not subject to many of the usual tropes, as it explores a new subculture and takes fresh storytelling directions.

The central character is Iori Kitahara, a freshman in Izu University excited for college life – where he can meet new friends and date girls.  However, upon entering “Grand Blue”, his uncle’s scuba shop in which he’ll be staying, his dream of an ideal college start is shattered when the very first thing his eyes set on is a bunch of rowdy, drunken, naked upperclassmen.  As it turns out, the shop is the usual hangout of the “Peek a Boo” diving club, who enjoys heavy drinking as much as diving.  Soon, Iori is pulled into taking part in the club’s activities.  Although he’s initially coerced into the club, he eventually begins to get fond of the camaraderie in it, adopt their ways, and fall in love with scuba diving.

Again, the best thing about this show is the comedy.  It’s mostly hinged on crude, “frat boy”-style humor, and thus, it could have easily become tiresome and cringe-worthy.  However, it doesn’t.  The combination of outstanding comedic timing, clever build-up and execution, well-thought-out premises, and dynamic, comical art-style make its gags regularly uproarious.  I busted my gut laughing during all 12 episodes of its debut season.  I can’t remember any unsatisfactory, unfunny episode.

But even though comedy makes up a huge fraction of this series, it’s still able to insert well-placed quiet moments where it effectively delivers thoughtful, sentimental life reflections, especially on friendship and making unforgettable memories.  However, before one can have the time to consider and be surprised by the depth that the show has suddenly decided to plunge toward, it will abruptly break the trance with a quick, sharp joke, returning the narrative to its usual bubbly, boisterous tone.

On a side note, its uplifting opening song deserves a shout-out.  It’s fantastic.  It’s tied with the opening of Overlord III as my most favorite of the summer 2018 anime season.

All in all, Grand Blue is a great anime series.  It’s well-animated, and arguably well-written, considering it has successfully presented an endearing ensemble of characters, ludicrous but imaginative scenarios, occasionally affecting insights, and – above all – unfailing hilarity.  I immensely enjoyed it, and am absolutely looking forward to a new season.