Otherside Picnic is the new Paranormal Yuri anime among the slog of idol and isekai anime this season. The anime is based on the intriguing light novel series by Iori Miyazawa (which also has notable similarities with the popular book ‘Roadside Picnic’ in both name and genre). The anime struck me as intriguing right from the start as it introduces viewers to this drab and surreal world known as the “Otherside,” where one of two of our heroines (Sorao Kamikoshi) is alone, scared, and on the brink of drowning. That is until she’s saved by a beautiful blond stranger named Toriko Nishina, who initially mistook her for someone else.
A Notable Lack of Detail
Their introduction is interrupted by an encounter with the Wiggle Waggle, which is a non-threatening name for a highly threatening eldritch-like monster from an urban legend that drives one mad by the mere sight of it. After a decent amount of struggle to defeat the creature, Sorao and Toriko luckily escape with their lives but at the cost of a change in each’s body parts. For example, Sorao’s right eye can now see elements of the Otherside more clearly, and Toriko’s left hand became translucent and able to grab things in this world most cannot.
While the first episode was interesting, it also struck me as quite odd for an introduction. The episode first introduces us to Sorao through her inner monologue which describes her struggles. It also explains why she wandered into the Otherside to be alone. However, that’s all the information we get on her background throughout the three episodes that have aired so far. This makes her seem a bit hollow as a character. Toriko isn’t any better, as the first episode introduces her as this lone, armed girl who is no stranger to the Otherside that’s happy to help strangers despite the dangers that come with it. Yet it fails to explain literally anything else about her and just continues on with the plot.
However, despite the clear lack of character details, it’s clear the episode wants us to understand these two as polar opposites. Sorao is a gloomy, introverted pessimist in contrast to Toriko as an outgoing, optimistic extrovert. This dynamic has quite frankly become overused. While we also know that these two have visited this world multiple times, the episode gives no exact details on its origin or how these girls came to discover the Otherside in the first place. Instead, it explains things in a way that assumes most viewers already know what everything is. On the other hand, I can understand the appeal of keeping the details slim as it gives the viewers an incentive to watch the succeeding episodes to find out more about this peculiar world. Hopefully, it delivers on that aspect.
The Yuri Adventures of Velma and Daphne
Thankfully, further episodes do shine more light on the details concerning some aspects of the anime but not enough. In the second episode, we’re introduced to the researcher Kozakura who’s referenced in the first episode. Subsequently, we get more details on Toriko’s missing friend Satsuki. The episode also made it clear that the Otherside is very much a mystery in this universe despite many knowing of its existence. The next two episodes then focus on the pair as they continue their search for Satsuki. Despite Sorao’s reluctance to do so, she continues to help Toriko search, only driven by the obvious feelings she’s starting to form for her.
On their journey so far, the two have encountered more urban legends and strange creatures. One of which is the popular ‘Hachishaku-sama’: An eight feet tall Yokai in a white dress. Additionally, there are alien-like creatures with large heads not unlike Bloodborne’s eldritch-like Celestial Minions. What I’ve learned so far from these encounters is that the Otherside is simply a housing realm for cosmic horrors and urban legends, at least for now.
Production-wise, Otherside Picnic’s animation is quite decent, with its sullen and drab environments and aesthetic being my favorite aspect. Unfortunately, the anime also makes use of jarring CG that’s oddly placed most of the time. I understand making use of CG in scenes involving the monsters as it ups their creepy factor, but using it during wide shots of the characters walking is highly questionable.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, Otherside Picnic has been a mixed bag so far, but a good mixed bag. Like a Trail Mix with more cashews than almonds. Its premise is interesting, and I enjoyed watching the pair’s interactions with one another during their adventures, but its setup and presentation is somewhat lacking and underwhelming. Hopefully, this changes with the coming episodes, and hopefully, we’ll also get to see the relationship between Sorao and Toriko flourish as we learn more about them. That being said, all that’s left is the one question that’s no doubt on everyone’s mind; can this be categorized as an isekai anime?
If you haven’t seen Otherside Picnic, it’s available to stream right now on Funimation.
Have you seen Otherside Picnic? What do you think of our impressions? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
