Unveiling the Fascinating Journey of Studio GoHands in Summer 2023

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K Project, also known simply as "K," gained popularity among anime fans on Tumblr back in 2012. The series, created by Studio GoHands, stood out with its stylish designs and vibrant colors, making it a success. However, the studio's subsequent works have received mixed reactions, with some being disappointed and confused by the decrease in quality. This has made the release of their newest projects highly intriguing.

Established in 2008 as a spin-off of Satelight, GoHands emerged from their Osaka branch and achieved success with early hits like K and the Mardock Scramble trilogy. However, in recent years, their name has become associated with poorly received series such as Hand Shakers and W'z. Surprisingly, Hand Shakers even found its way into Funimation's 'Essentials' collection.

Now, GoHands is set to release two new series this season: The Girl I Like Forgot Her Glasses and The Masterful Cat Is Depressed Again Today. Both are adaptations of manga, with the latter based on a webcomic. Initial impressions suggest that these new series have improved in quality compared to their previous works. While there is still a level of caution among viewers, one can't help but wonder if the studio has overcome its challenges or if they will repeat their past mistakes.

Why The Hate?

The reasons behind the poor reception of the studio's work may be unclear to those who are not familiar. The issue is that the elements that make K Project popular are the same ones that have negatively affected their other projects. This is largely a result of the studio's style and their ambitious approach.

GoHands heavily relies on digital effects to enhance their productions. It is worth acknowledging that they have established a unique identity. However, it is also evident when these effects are utilized effectively and when they are not, with the latter being more frequent. It is rare to come across shows that appear both dull and vibrant at the same time, primarily due to the use of accents, lighting, and color tones.

The color design in K Project was bold and attention-grabbing, possibly to an excessive extent depending on personal preference. Each warring clan was identified by a distinctive color, resulting in vibrant team colors that filled the screen, creating a glowing effect around the characters. Initially, this complemented the artwork and animation, but this harmony did not last for long.

Between the first season of K Project and the subsequent film, the studio increasingly relied on CGI for vehicles, backgrounds, and magical effects. This shift was noticeable and did not enhance the overall visual appeal. Subsequently, more and more productions by GoHands started incorporating computer-generated elements, which created a jarring contrast with the 2D characters.

The studio's flaws are magnified by the term "overambition." The excessive use of CGI, flashy lighting, and unconventional camera work creates a surreal and unsettling atmosphere in the studio's projects. At times, the visuals appear distorted, while other moments feel like witnessing a fever dream.

GoHands' Next Step?

The story revolves around Kaede Komura, a boy who finds himself captivated by his classmate Ai Mie, known for her glasses. Whenever Ai, who is prone to forgetting her glasses, misplaces them, Kaede eagerly steps in to assist her during class, leading to a growing bond between them. This heartwarming tale, adapted from Koume Fujichika's manga of the same title, is brimming with adorableness from the very beginning.

The Masterful Cat Is Depressed Again Today (AKA Dekineko) revolves around Saku, a working woman who graciously adopts a stray cat. However, this seemingly ordinary cat undergoes an extraordinary transformation, growing into a towering and articulate feline with an exceptional knack for maintaining domestic chores. Delving into the realm of comedy, the story unfolds around an adult grappling with the complexities of life while being inexplicably cared for by an anthropomorphic creature. While undeniably peculiar, the narrative remains within the realms of supernatural slice-of-life, without venturing into excessive peculiarity.

Based solely on the trailers, these series don't instill much confidence that they won't repeat the same pitfalls as GoHands' previous works. The trailer for Megane wo Wasureta starts with a tracking shot of Kaede walking up stairs, which feels unnecessarily disorienting due to the characters' bobbing movements and erratic angles.

The same can be said for Dekineko, where the impressive character animation is overshadowed by the computer-generated environments, particularly the car driving across the bridge. It should be noted that the issue lies not in GoHands' methods themselves, but rather in the execution and excessive reliance on certain techniques.

To be honest, the main reason for writing about GoHands' new projects is how surprisingly ordinary they appear, despite the aforementioned warning signs. When the camera isn't constantly moving, the visuals actually look pretty decent. The character designs, in particular, are a significant improvement compared to Hand Shakers, possibly because these shows are adapted from established manga.

It's possible that the studio is better suited for adaptations rather than their riskier original projects. However, it remains to be seen whether these shows will succeed and whether it will be because of or in spite of the animation. Currently, many of the same trademark elements are clearly visible, and while ambition is admirable, sometimes showing restraint is the wiser choice.

Summer 2023 appears to be quite busy with the release of highly anticipated shōnen shows, the return of popular series, and a few unique surprises. GoHands, a studio that has faced challenges in recent years and has not matched the success it achieved during the peak of K Project's popularity, still holds potential. It would be truly unfortunate to witness a studio that clearly possesses great passion struggle to discover its true purpose.