Senyu

I've only watched two episodes of this show so far (all that are currently available). Normally I don't watch the abbreviated shows (Crunchyroll has several series like this), but I only had a few minutes, so I decided to give it a try. I found Senyu to be fast paced but easy to understand, with some very funny dialogue and really funny asides (directed to the production staff and the audience). Despite being short four minute segments, the plot is developing, as are the characters. I'm looking forward to seeing more!

I love the way this parodies the Fantasy/Adventure genre by poking at all of its clichés so brilliantly. It pokes at all those elements that've become so done and redone in these kind of stories, and does so with a cold bucket of confettis just to point out the actual ridicule in them. It throws all those usual "wow, how unexpected" or "never saw THAT coming" (sarcasm intended in both) plot elements but usually gives them a rather silly twist, rather unexpectedly sometimes, actually.

Short, hilarious and quality doses of fun. They're almost like a fix. It's refreshing from the others with this theme, as it's light hearted, comic and genuinely entertaining.

Its episodes are short and some are complaining about it, but I think it suits the show best as it keeps the concept efficient and fresh. Were the episodes to stretch and last longer, the joke would get old.
There are MANY references and winks made in this and you don't even always have to know exactly what they're pointing at to get them.

As for the characters, they're all lovable. Even the worst of them. While they're purposely cliché, they have outrageously silly personalities and often poke themselves at how ridiculous and their situations can get. They are voiced fantastically and the delivery supports the comedy brilliantly.

Well the music isn't that amazing, but it does its job well as it feels like a parody in istelf. Simple and lighthearted, the music paces and drives the emotions and intensity into exagerated moments which rarely fail to amuse.

All in all, Senyu is a fun (can't say it enough), simple, friendly break that flawlessly will bring you at least one smile per episode. I'm hooked, personally, and I'm already in need of my weekly fix.
5/5 Recommend to all those who just enjoy a bid of absurd and silly humor.

You know? I read the one star reviews and I wasn't going to watch it because of them. "Hey, I like Gintama,... sounds like I won't like this because it is too stereotypical... I hate that."

But I am glad I watched it anyway because there is nothing else to watch. 5 minutes investment... and really it gets its point across in short skits... that is why it is 5 minutes. Damn funny and ridiculous.

The characters are "one-dimensional"... it is like criticizing Saturday Night Live - "Well all I know is these guys, one is Will Ferrell, they come out and do cheerleading... so one-dimensional..." this is anime sketch comedy spoofing everything from Dragon Warrior/Quest to just about every anime with quests and swords...

I really don't like it when people criticize the art in episodes... guys... this is how they wanted to draw it... it is a spoof... several times the art design changes to specifically spoof other animes that use that style... Use your brains.

Anyone that does not get the humor, this anime was made to laugh at you then. You are either 5 years old or you refuse to grow up sophisticated... and can't see that anime has the same old story lines, same arch-types and effects... it is ok to laugh at this. That is what spoof comedy is about. If it is too much... too self aware... no crap it is. It is comedy and the more self aware it is, the more it is letting you in on the fact it is a joke. They are presenting the arch-types that make up the serious anime and then presenting it in an absurd way... if you can't see the absurdity, then I can imagine you probably would walk around town dressed as an anime character and think you intimidate people because you look so cool and not because you are embarrassing.