“Cat Planet Cuties,” or Asobi ni Iku yo!, emerges as an anime that seemingly prioritizes pandering to fetishes over crafting a compelling narrative. In an era saturated with similar shows, it struggles to distinguish itself, offering little beyond a parade of overused tropes and missed opportunities. From the outset, the anime makes a critical misstep: it brings nothing new to the table. In a landscape already overflowing with shows aimed at the male 2D enthusiast demographic, “Cat Planet Cuties” fails to present any element that hasn’t been explored more effectively elsewhere. The initial impression is, to put it mildly, underwhelming.
The central theme, and arguably the anime’s primary draw, revolves around cat girls – the nekomimi phenomenon, complete with ears and tails. While this concept forms the foundation, the anime attempts to layer additional fetishes on top, aiming for a spicy and varied experience. This approach holds some initial appeal, but the novelty quickly wears off as the series progresses and the fetish-driven scenarios become repetitive and less engaging than their initial presentation. On a personal note, the aesthetic of girls with cat ears, particularly when superimposed on human ears, is jarring and frankly unattractive.
Delving into the narrative, or lack thereof, “Cat Planet Cuties” presents a flimsy premise about cat women visiting Earth ostensibly for fun and to interact with the Archetypical Loser protagonist. Any semblance of plot beyond this is mere window dressing. Conspiracies, alien invasions, espionage, mecha battles, and spaceship explosions are thrown into the mix, but these elements are executed in a rushed and simplistic manner, serving only as filler to justify the anime’s true focus: creating situations for cat girls to engage in suggestive and sexualized activities.
The core concept of alien visitors studying human culture while simultaneously grappling with intergalactic conflicts and shadowy organizations possesses genuine potential. However, “Cat Planet Cuties” squanders this potential by reducing its exploration of human culture to hentai magazines and cosplay shops. While the anime positions itself as a comedy satirizing otaku culture, its approach is so heavy-handed and blunt that it borders on offensive, lacking the nuanced wit required for effective parody.
The male lead embodies the most tiresome iteration of the Indecisive Lead archetype. He is devoid of any distinguishing characteristics, a generic, bespectacled nerd who is emotionally stunted and passive in the face of conflict. Despite his utter lack of personality, he inexplicably becomes the object of affection for multiple attractive female characters. This trope, unfortunately, remains prevalent despite its implausibility.
The primary female character fits the bimbo stereotype, characterized by large breasts and limited intellect. She enters the protagonist’s life abruptly and immediately pursues a sexual relationship with him, driven by an in-story biological imperative to mate. The protagonist, exhibiting his typical apathy, barely reacts. Adding to the ensemble are two super-spy human girls, skilled in combat and mecha piloting, who also inexplicably fall for the bland protagonist. The supporting cast is further populated with oversexualized female characters – lolis and MILFs – whose primary function is to provide additional fan service. The anime hints at deeper backstories for the main female characters, suggesting motivations for their interest in the protagonist, but these are quickly overshadowed by the relentless focus on cheap nudity and sex jokes centered around nekomimis reduced to hypersexualized cosplay enthusiasts.
Finally, the anime’s mascots, small cat android helpers, are intended to be cute and appealing. However, they are visually unappealing with emotionless, featureless faces and simplistic, uninspired movements. These mascots are jarringly out of place and detract from any potential charm the anime might have hoped to cultivate.
In conclusion, “Cat Planet Cuties” prioritizes fleeting fan service over meaningful storytelling and character development. It’s a missed opportunity, failing to capitalize on a premise with genuine potential and instead delivering a derivative and ultimately unfulfilling experience.
