Hello folks, and welcome back to Wrong Every Time. Today we’re checking out a fresh and fairly recent production, as we explore the first episode of last year’s Takopi’s Original Sin. Even before there was any hint of an anime adaptation, I was vaguely aware of Taizan 5’s original two-volume manga, whose reputation ranged from “a stark, unflinching portrayal of childhood’s genuine tragedies” to “basically just misery porn.” And given a variety of my own favorite stories are often uncharitably described as misery porn, I’m quite curious to see where my feelings on the material land.
As for this adaptation, I’ve heard nothing but effusive praise regarding Shinya Iino’s take on the material, as well as the brilliant animation conjured by character designer Keita Nagahara and his top-notch team. The small staff list and extensive support of young, digital-native animators seem to imply a labor of love embodying anime’s increasingly global talent pool, making me all the more excited to see what painstakingly sculpted horrors await. Let’s get to it!