Hanhua Riji

This is a review for all the 3 seasons that have come out so far.

A buddy comedy that I actually like and that is surprisingly funny. 'Hidden gem' is what some other reviews call it and I have the exact same sentiment. I say surprisingly funny because I really didn't expect it to be this original; I was expecting punchlines that are forcibly meant to be funny just because they're shouted out loud, or jokes on character X's personality quirks being recycled over and over, but no.

A LOT of the jokes took me off guard and made me laugh out loud. The humor ... in this show is absurd, but not too outlandish or random so the jokes connect to the show's elements. The plot of each episode often revolve around everyday problems that are portrayed as epic-scale struggles, and gradually just escalate into greater more absurd heights. Yet there is also a wholesome undertone that makes this an overall feel-good type of show.

So, 'God troubles me' is a lighthearted slife-of-life comedy that comes in 12min~ episode bites. Main character is a young adult working girl who discovers her ability to see household items/electronics and animals as divinities. She starts living together with her phone and cat occasionally taking human form. There is a whole plot-reasons-logics explanation for this that are covered in ep. 1, but while stuff related to that plot-point occasionally resurface, you'll essentially just follow the MC through her "ordinary" days and weeks with this sort of likeable doofus duo, who don't know much about the human world while she's also just gripling to her daily life herself.

I commend this show for staying pretty real (or relatable), but not overly self-depracating. Often the struggles end either in a funny or in an encouraging way.

The main trio are the heart of the show. Their dynamics is kind of siblings/friends under the same roof, they can be wholesome, they can be funny, and their personalities bounce off each other and take more shape as the show goes on. I will say, the show keeps its focus on the comedy and lightheartedness so not much dramatic development happens within the characters, but you'll enjoy the different scenarios they end up in.

CONS
There isn't much but still:
- Personally, only a few shows pull off the mix of comedy and hard drama really well. I was loving this show thinking it's not gonna dip into the full-on drama territory and so muddle the tone of the show, but it did happen once, at the end of S1 iirc. The tone shifts from lightheartedness to drama for an episode or two, and imo it doesn't fit. Now there are a lot of quiet, reflective moments throughout the show, and those are great!! They make the show as good as it is. But the full on switch to drama happens once and it's just a little out of place.
- This is something that happens to every country's comedies, but not all language jokes translate. There aren't many though! Just a couple puns (at least I think that's what they were) in s3, and then there are sometimes pop culture references to I suppose Chinese pop-culture, some I knew, some I didn't. Most of them are totally fine! But there's a couple where I didn't get the reference. Doesn't change my opinion on the show at all, but just to be aware of if you're a western viewer.

Yeah, overall I recommend 'God troubles me'. It's a good, relaxing time! If you want a taste of the feel, I recommend looking up the ending theme song-sequence on youtube! I never skipped it ahah.

In its own lighter genre, I give it a 9/10, mabye in comparsion to grandiouser anime, an 8/10.

Here is my review of this anime in 2022!

Story (10)
The story is about a woman who is very lazy but She found herself involved with Godly matters where her parent is actually God. After that, She can see all items and pets are becoming human forms and transforming into other forms too. In this anime, there is a lot of comedy scenes that make me laugh in every episode.

Art (9)
The art in this anime is great! I love the simplicity that they use to make the animation. Not only that, But I also love the ending animation where they are mixing reality making that. The ... opening scene that they make are using sketch book animation which matches their animation art.

Sound (9)
All the sounds that they used were suitable and adjusted to the animation.

Character (10)
The main and supporter character is very memorable. I remember how hilarious the MC and supporter character on this anime.

Enjoyment (10)
It's very enjoyable to watch this movie in 2022.

Overall (9)
It's recommended to those who love comedy!

Han Hua Ri Ji provides unique slapstick comedy, with many of the jokes I have never once seen explored in this way in anime for how 'everyday life' its humour is focused on. It's a beautiful hidden gem to behold. The first episode was absolutely hilarious that I'm genuinely considering to re-watch the show soon so that I can re-experience all of it again. The ten-second scene after the credits really sealed the deal for me with the mood of that episode, and I slapped a 9 on the score right then and there.

The main character, Ting, is incredibly realistic, a lot of anime fans ... would be able to relate to her. The other side characters primarily by her side is a cat, Diqui and her mobile phone, TianJi that interrupt her days by becoming a part of her life as gods and monsters, and I can't really explain further without giving some of the early jokes away. There are many anime and non-anime references throughout that add to that entertainment. A few obscure advertisements to other donghua are also implemented in the show.

I really enjoy the catchy credits song with a paper cutout of the protagonist in real life. It really adds to the feel of the show.

The first half is funnier than the latter, in my opinion, but both halves are still truly great and the final episode was hilarious yet also melancholic. A few extra scenes are at the end of the episodes so I would suggest checking them out.