Series Recommendation: Ryosangata Riko: Puramo Joshi no Jinsei Kumitate Ki
Thanks to Pla Models, I have gained so many things…
While the Live-Action Gundam is in development limbo, and the mainstream war-torn Gundam series most likely won’t have anything new soon, it’s a good time to change to a different series. A Live-Action about Model-kit buildings, but this time not just Gunpla or for Gunpla fighting, but about daily life conviction and and some important lessons in society. All the while having a super cute girl being the main builder and character. Welcome to Ryosangata Riko – aka Mass-Produce Riko!
Ryosangata Riko follows Riko Komukai – an employee of an event planning company. Her department is a combination of very, very different personalities, but the common thing is they aren’t too concerned about the fact that their team is doing badly in terms of performance. Riko was even called a “mass-produce” type of person who has no intention of improving – a “ryosangata onna”. Each episode is a challenge presented to Riko and her colleagues, whereas they get frustrated and find comfort in Model Building. Riko – being a complete newbie who hasn’t built any model kit before – found this new hobby exhilarating, but after completing a model kit, she always found new meaning in life – and in the people around her. The series has 10 episodes and was released in 2022 – with a sequel broadcast in 2023.
+ Plot: The show is pretty much about human drama – where the clincher also revolves around model kit building. Each model kit from each episode carries with it a specific lesson that we as mecha fans don’t really notice before. And the model kits aren’t all mecha or Gundams either – we got Gunpla, Evangelion, a 4WD, Yamato etc… There are many lessons drawn from the show that carries significant impact in human’s daily life. While some of them deriving from the model kit is a bit cheesy and a bit of a stretch, it is still an understandable development. Each side characters also help build Riko’s development through each episode, further bringing her into the hobby and learning many more things.
+ Plot: The show is pretty much about human drama – where the clincher also revolves around model kit building. Each model kit from each episode carries with it a specific lesson that we as mecha fans don’t really notice before. And the model kits aren’t all mecha or Gundams either – we got Gunpla, Evangelion, a 4WD, Yamato etc… There are many lessons drawn from the show that carries significant impact in human’s daily life. While some of them deriving from the model kit is a bit cheesy and a bit of a stretch, it is still an understandable development. Each side characters also help build Riko’s development through each episode, further bringing her into the hobby and learning many more things.
There are no crazy action in the show, but rather the “implied” impact of the model kit. Just like when she build a Zaku we got some dramatic effects and the Gundam BGM. The model kit store’s owner’s super serious attitude when it comes to model kit represent us as both builders and mecha content consumers. We channel them into life as if they are real and become very fired up when discussing about it. The show also did a very nice job “convincing” the new people to try out the hobby, not by saying “oh, it’s very simple, you just do this” but rather appeal to their passion and guide them through the process with a very, very firm hand. After all, building model kit should be enjoyable, but for the characters in the show, there’s more than that on the line. The sense of urgency and importance add some very good fuel to the drama, and the payoff is extremely satisfactory.
Riko – the main character – is a very cute young woman in her early twenties. She follows a very ordinary routine of going to work everyday, then go home and relax to prepare for the next day’s work. In a sense, you can say she’s stuck in one place, with a fear of regressing but also no determination to take a step forward. It is also a problem with many youths these days and before they know it, time has passed them by. Riko is a great juxtaposition between a new builder and a person with daily worries. She’s curious about the hobby and was able to use it to gain new views of life. Yoda Yuuki did an amazing job portraying the character.
Riko – the main character – is a very cute young woman in her early twenties. She follows a very ordinary routine of going to work everyday, then go home and relax to prepare for the next day’s work. In a sense, you can say she’s stuck in one place, with a fear of regressing but also no determination to take a step forward. It is also a problem with many youths these days and before they know it, time has passed them by. Riko is a great juxtaposition between a new builder and a person with daily worries. She’s curious about the hobby and was able to use it to gain new views of life. Yoda Yuuki did an amazing job portraying the character.
Furthermore, it’s not just simply building a model kit, but the show shows you decaling and painting as well. There are some advanced level techniques being shown such as airbrushing and seams-removal. However, due to time constraint or logistics, they skipped out on the nub mark processing. There are virtually no nubs cleaned in the show and it might trigger some people. However, please understand that it is just for the sake of drama and normally anyone would clean it somewhat. At least they showed you the double cut technique where you cut away from the part, then cut another time closer to the nubs.
Music: The openings and endings from the show is very uplifting and energetic. Interesting to note that no matter what model kit they are building, the build BGM will always be that Gundam 0079 tune lol. I guess it’s the cheapest to license and the most iconic. There’s also some great emotional tracks during critical moments. So overall it’s very decent.
+ Conclusion: Ryosangata Riko is far from a mecha series – but rather focus on model kit building as a way to draw inspirations for real life situation. It’s not done as a competitive hobby but as a way to change someone’s perspective in life through the process of building a model kit. While we mecha fans love to dwell into the fictional world with actual giant robots, it’s also interesting to take a step back and look at the building hobby as more than just a money sink-hole. I’m sure after watching the series, you can also get inspired by what you have in your collection and it may even help you get better in life as well as model kit building. And if you like the series, you can check out the sequel: Mou Hitori no Puramo Joshi no Jinsei Kumitate ki!
Music: The openings and endings from the show is very uplifting and energetic. Interesting to note that no matter what model kit they are building, the build BGM will always be that Gundam 0079 tune lol. I guess it’s the cheapest to license and the most iconic. There’s also some great emotional tracks during critical moments. So overall it’s very decent.
+ Conclusion: Ryosangata Riko is far from a mecha series – but rather focus on model kit building as a way to draw inspirations for real life situation. It’s not done as a competitive hobby but as a way to change someone’s perspective in life through the process of building a model kit. While we mecha fans love to dwell into the fictional world with actual giant robots, it’s also interesting to take a step back and look at the building hobby as more than just a money sink-hole. I’m sure after watching the series, you can also get inspired by what you have in your collection and it may even help you get better in life as well as model kit building. And if you like the series, you can check out the sequel: Mou Hitori no Puramo Joshi no Jinsei Kumitate ki!
Check out more recommendations:
A series about building regular model kit, and using them to find inspiration in life. A very uplifting and chill series for mecha fans to change their perspective on their hobby.
The sequel to SEED – a series that brought Gundam on top of the radar. Destiny is a sequel that earned both the intense love and hate within the fandoms.
An anime adaptation of a sci-fi novel with the same name, Yakitori really stir up the scene with its unusual storytelling and animation style. However, the characters really hold the series up.
A Fafner novel written by Tow Ubutaka – the person who understand Fafner the most. Explore Kazuki’s POV and his relationship in a way you’ve never seen before.
A new Gundam for a new era. Gundam Seed is one of the most popular modern Gundam series that has fans all around the world. And it also received much love from Sunrise as well.
A love letter to commemorate the pioneer of the Mecha genre, Mazinger Z Infinity remind us of the conviction and justice that the Iron Castle had, is, and will stand for.
A badass and action-packed super robot series with an age-gap marriage between the two main characters. A hearth-throbbing and passionate tale about love and perseverance.
A new story of the boy who awoken a machine. Casshern Sins follow a conflicting young man in a world where life seems meaningless, yet everyone yearn for it anyway.
Just when things have calmed down, the Gear Users once again face an apocalyptic threat from a mysterious high order. This put Hibiki and her friends at risk once more.
New threats emerged to threaten the world. But new allies also appear to bring the Gear’s songs to a new level. A new battle await the girls!
Mahou Shoujo x Tokusatsu combined with plenty of mecha references, Symphogear bring us an audio and visual experience that is just the beginning. of a great franchise.
A new nation, a new story, a new battlefield. The reborn Eighty Six must choose between a life of peace or death. Will the Reaper be able to move on?
The depressing, gripping yet hopeful world of Eighty Six brought to life with A-1’s adaptation. The vision of Asato receives a depiction so emotional like no others.
A fun dogfight experience with some mecha combat thrown into the mix, Strike Suit Zero scratches some of that Macross action game that PC gamer has been wanting.
With his life completely smashed apart and turned upside down, teenage boy Ayato had to navigate a new world while being the key to control the winged giant RahXephon.
Not just your usual 70s Super Robot, Zambot 3 is more than just a battle between good and evil, but also about endurance, perseverance and the unyielding heart to do what’s right.
Expanding upon the original work of Yokoyama-sensei, GR: The Day The Earth Stood Still introduces a world where the supernatural and super-technology co-exist. And in the midst of that is a Giant Robo.
If you fancy beautiful girls cladded in sleek power armor fighting cyborg crimes, then Bubblegum Crisis is the choice for you, with amazing 90s cyberpunk dystopia atmosphere!
The Cyber Beast Force may have disbanded, but their burning hearts are still raging. Dancouga combines once again to fight an unexpected enemy. Is it human, or something else much more sinister?
Suit up! It’s time for some Oni hunting! An anime tribute to the Tokusatsu genre, Shikizakura show us the power of hope, willpower and compassion to overcome any darkness.
The bullet-train robot is back! Two young kids take on a new threat to protect the world. Shinkalion Z takes off after its predecessor and set itself apart from other Takara series.
A song that rings during the apocalypse. Vivy is a bold idea involving a century of fighting and yearning. Vivy will bring your visual and auditory sense to the max!
What is a true Ally of Justice? What kind of “Heroism” is worth fighting for? Linebarrels of Iron is a manga that you won’t be able to put down!
Hot-blood, explosive and FIRE! S-CRY-ed tells a badass yet emotional adventure of two youths on their way to unravel the truth of a world changed forever.
Absolute music, Absolute animation, and…Absolute LIVE! Macross Delta Zettai Live brought the emotional climax of Hayate and Freyja story to a breathtaking conclusion.
A hidden gem of a steam-punk mecha anime. Gad Guard literally start from a hidden “gem”. If you fancy some noir mecha x vigilante style with awesome OST, this is the series for you.
A man who lost everything decided to throw away himself for revenge. A mysterious threat from space with an unthinkable objective. Experience the masterful visual of Argento Soma.
An alternate and expansion of the famous “Doan’s Island” of Gundam 0079, Cucuruz Doan’s Island focus on the characters that further show us the cruelty of war.
The finale of the Sidonia no Kishi animated saga. Ai no Tsumugu Hoshi gives us the climax of the Gauna War and conclude the story between Tanikaze and Tsumugi.
An alternate version of the tv series – Macross Delta Passionate Walkure condense the action, music and plot into one movie to setup for entirely new events.
Macross’ music power is taken to a new heights with Macross Delta – where an idol group fight alongside Variable Fighter pilots on the frontline.
A story about the beginning of the Macross saga. Macross Zero commemorates the franchise 20th Anniversary with a lot of love for the first Variable Fighters.
A new Iron Castle is in town! Shin Mazinger The Impact: Z-Chapter bring back the Iron Castle with the age-old question: Will you become a God, or a Devil?
The next and maybe final Fafner saga to conclude the journey for the Azure sky. Fafner: The Beyond bring us to the climax, both in terms of story as well as action.
A new saga opened after the movie, Exodus brought us the best Fafner experience yet. Amazing visuals with compelling story and character arcs, the Azure has returned for more!
It’s not just us that can appreciate the azure sky. Another decisive battle approaches Tatsumiyajima. With new animation and new design, where does Heaven and Earth bring us?
Deep in the azure sky, children are risking their lives for the survival of mankind. The start of an endless struggle for hope in the face of an unforgiving enemy.
The third and most different Aquarion series, Logos show us how powerful words can be. The concept is interesting and unique, however its execution still leave much to be desired.
A good old crossover between fan-favorite superheroes from Tatsunoko Pro. Four heroes come together to save a young girl as well as the fate of the universe(s).
The continuation of the first movie – and the end of the triangle. The wings of the Valkyrie wave its goodbye in Macross Frontier: Sayonara no Tsubasa.
A retelling of the Macross Frontier tv series – with new story, new VFs and new songs. Itsuwari no Utahime explore a different direction of the Triangle.
A short, impactful and gorgeous OVA, Gunbuster was Hideaki Anno’s first director work and definitely one of the best. A great starter for new and old fans.
Amidst world full of greed and power struggle between adults, the young children has to fight for their own survival. To protect their friends, they have to forfeit their humanity, to become a Liberator.
Every legend has a start. The most influential mecha franchise started over 40 years ago with an iconic anime that broke new grounds: Mobile Suit Gundam 0079.
Sunrise Beyond demonstrate how good they can draw mecha with Kyoukai Senki. A story where a normal boy rise up and struggle against his nation’s oppressors.
Faced with an alien invasion, a divided Germany stand on the frontline of two wars at the same time. It’s up to the 666th TSF Squadron – Schwarzesmarken – to pave the way for the future.
Faced with an alien invasion, a divided Germany stand on the frontline of two wars at the same time. It’s up to the 666th TSF Squadron – Schwarzesmarken – to pave the way for the future.
After thousands of years, the legendary Solar Wing awakened once again to protect humanity from extradimensional threat. Sousei Gattai! Go, Aquarion Evol!
An inspiring mecha journey from Peter Tieryas. Mecha Samurai Empire promises intense giant robot combat and an emotional coming-of-age story
Evangelion ANIMA – A story about self-growth, building determination and forging your own path. Along with badass mecha action.
