Reviewing Bogus Skill <<Fruitmaster>>: A Refreshing Take on Anime Tropes
The title of the new anime Bogus Skill <<Fruitmaster>> ~About that time I became able to eat unlimited numbers of Skill Fruits (that kill you)~ might suggest yet another run-of-the-mill anime experience. At first glance, it appears to follow familiar patterns where a hero receives a seemingly useless ability that eventually becomes overwhelmingly powerful. This premise resonates with the popular series Berserk of Gluttony. However, Bogus Skill manages to circumvent these conventions early on with a refreshing twist.
This twist draws on an intriguing trope made popular by Kaiju No.8, and while it feels fresh, especially within this genre, it retains a familiar emotional weight. The narrative centers on the childhood bond between Kafka and Mina, childhood friends who vow to pursue the same career paths. However, their journey diverges when only Mina achieves their mutual dream, becoming highly successful, while Kafka endures setbacks and practical struggles. In an unconventional turn, Kafka ultimately finds a way to reunite with Mina by disproving the odds, a theme that unfolds within Bogus Skill.
Bogus Skill <<Fruitmaster>> Innovates the Anime Rivals Trope
Adaptation from Hanyuu’s Web Novel Series; Produced by Asahi Production
This relational dynamic resonates deeply, as audiences are more inclined to empathize with the protagonist’s plight of being left behind. Such scenarios create more heightened feelings than rivalry alone, particularly as they threaten to alter the very fabric of friendship. Furthermore, the implications of gender roles play a pivotal role; male characters, often portrayed in traditionally masculine roles, may experience a sense of vulnerability when their female counterparts outshine them.
In the case of Bogus Skill, the stakes are heightened as Light, the male protagonist, yearns to pursue his dream of becoming an adventurer while Lena, his female counterpart, seeks to follow him. Ironically, this gripping setup shifts significantly by the conclusion of episode two. The plot takes an unexpected route when Light encourages Lena to step down from her prestigious status as a renowned adventurer, pushing them both towards a shared adventure. However, external forces become antagonistic, complicating their new path.
Bogus Skill <<Fruitmaster>> Broadly References Other Prominent Anime
Familiar Themes from Berserk of Gluttony and RE:Monster
Absent the innovative new tropes, Bogus Skill could risk being mistaken for yet another carbon copy of existing anime series sharing a similar conceptual foundation. Key aspects of its narrative echo themes from Berserk of Gluttony, where the protagonist Light bends an established rule in his world, which usually enforces an individual’s possession of just one unique ability. This limitation is reminiscent of elements found in One Piece.
In stark contrast, Light can consume unlimited Skill Fruits without adverse effects, gaining new powers with each fruit consumed. Similarly, the protagonist from Berserk of Gluttony absorbs the abilities of others, while many characters are bound to the single-ability rule. Additionally, Re:Monster accelerates these elements, showcasing how Bogus Skill balances new plot developments to stand apart within the saturated fantasy anime realm.
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Fans who appreciated the initial nod to Kaiju No.8 may find themselves discontent with the rapid narrative shift in episode two. This transition concludes a promising setup too swiftly and diminishes the potential tension between Light and Lena. Nevertheless, the reimagined direction of Bogus Skill <<Fruitmaster>> maintains originality and steers clear of the entrenched tropes commonly found within the anime landscape.
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