Kujima: Why Sing, When You Can Warble? – Episode 1

What’s it about? In his first year in middle school, Arata Kousa meets Kujima, a strange creature who ends up becoming a permanent fixture in his household. There’s a charm to Kujima, but even though its only supposed to stay until Spring, something bittersweet is becoming entangled in the family’s day to day lives…

Head to the Japanese countryside where the days are as slow and easy as a creek, and where Arata Kousa, a first year middle school student, attends Amami Junior High School. His days are pretty routine—that is until he meets Kujima, a strange bird-like being that seems to be made of putty and, also, has hands. Immediately, Arata’s mundane life becomes much more complex when he takes said creature home.

Born in Russia, but residing in Japan during Russia’s cruel Winters, Kujima has come to Japan for yet another season to practice getting used to its flock and being a migratory bird. However, Kujima has other plans—it wants to eat as much Japanese food as possible while trying to regain its avian culture.

I kind of knew from the start that I might not be the target audience for this premiere because of the subjective nature of humor. I also was intensely unsettled by a be-handed bird who was the same height as a teenager. Still, even I can admit that I understand the appeal of Kujima and the humor of an oddball, sapient bird who craves Japanese food and will not stop until it gets it.

That said, this one is hard for me to judge because Kujima, quite frankly, weirds me out, especially once I realized that I made a mistake: it’s SIGNIFICANTLY taller than Arata, and that…frightens me on a soul-deep level. That said, objectively as a reviewer, I understand the appeal and can definitely see this becoming that weird sleeper hit we all talk about after the season ends because of its comedic dissonance. It’s got this kind of Nichijou-esque energy, after all, and while that sense of humor isn’t in my wheelhouse either, I still get why someone would like it.

I’m just terrified of a bird with hands and the ability to do Russian ballet.

I know there’s a target audience out there for this series because of its mundane meets outlandish humor and pacing. For all I was unsettled, even I can admit that Kujima mashes up the simple life of the countryside with the unique addition of a “bird” who quickly installs itself in the plot and just kind of vibes inside the Kouda household. There’s also a deep sense of humor in how everyone but Arata reacts to Kujima’s presence, which like…yeah, same, I’d be giving up my lease to this thing if I saw it.

Still, I hope that folks who do watch this find it well worth watching. Were I not terrified, I’d be sitting down to enjoy this after a day of work because it’s very, very chill. That said, I’m going to let my fear win me over and end my time with what is definitely a solid premiere, just not one for me.