Review: Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear

(Non-Spoilery)

Season Aired: Fall 2020 - 12 episodes

MAL Link: Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear

I watched it at: Funimation

Review:

This show follows the adventures of a teenager from our modern world who is transported to a fantasy world to make a new life. She is provided a bear costume to wear which protects her from danger with its overpowered abilities.

This type of show has become very common and formulaic. The main character who is transported to the fantasy setting possesses futuristic knowledge along with god-like power which makes them very difficult to challenge, physically.  Any stakes that the show raises for the main character are typically at the social or emotional level.

The Plot in a Nutshell:

Fifteen year old modern Japanese teenager is obsessed with a virtual reality fantasy game.  One day when she logs into the game, she is asked some questions by the Game Master.  When she answers appropriately, she is transported to a fantasy world to start her life over.  She is provided a bear costume which allows her to defeat monsters and protect herself.

Soon she has joined the local Adventurers Guild and so begins her journey to fight monsters and find a way to eat traditional Japanese cuisine in this new world.

My Verdict: 

Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear isn't terrible.  It just doesn't bring anything new to the table in the Isekai genre.  These kind of shows follow a pattern which is fairly predictable.  The differences between them seem to be around the edges.

The main character is pleasant and relatable, so that is a plus in it's favor.  The art is fine, the production values are fine and the characters are cute and easy to watch.  The story is as easy to digest as a bag of Doritos, and about as memorable.

Not every anime needs to be a masterpiece.  Switching off your brain for a couple hours to take in a show like this can be relaxing.  If you were entertained, then the goal was met.  However, if you are looking for a masterpiece or more mentally challenging fare, you will need to look elsewhere.

Score: 3 out of 5

Review Rating Scale:

5     Brain wildly entertained. Neurons saturated with entertainment.

4.5  Brain extremely entertained. Neurons firing regularly. Outside world forgotten.

4     Brain entertained. Neurons well stimulated. Brain wants to look for the blu-ray.

3.5  Brain in Neutral. Neurons a little stimulated. Brain generally pleased.

3     Brain in neutral. Neurons flat lined. Meh, brain pleased just enough.

2.5  Brain in neutral but occasionally displeased.

2     Brain displeased and not entertained. Brain thinking about doing something else.

1.5 or less - Brain suffered through the show so it could tell you not to.