It's no surprise that "adulting" is challenging. Adulthood means being expected to go to jobs with environments, tasks, or people they don't like, navigate complicated relationship dynamics, and learn how to take care of responsibilities -- all while being self-actualized people who make time for fun and self-care. Sanrio's first Netflix original animated series, Aggretsuko, provides a surprisingly accurate portrayal of the stress of everyday adult life and burnout through the 25-year-old red panda, Retsuko.
Aggretsuko begins by following Retsuko on her very first day of work. Her excitement and hopeful outlook on life is quickly shattered when she twists her ankle on her way to the office, foreshadowing the trajectory of her life. Five years later, Retsuko is burned out, frustrated with being taken advantage of by her coworkers and misogynistic boss, and disappointed with her failing love life. Throughout the series, the audience watches as Retsuko and the other characters work through burnout, interpersonal struggles, and societal pressures while using the power of death metal to cope.
Short Episodes, Major Impact
Each episode of Aggretsuko is 15-minutes in length, reminiscent of popular children's television shows like Adventure Time. The pacing and colorful world give the series a nostalgic feel for the audience, further drawing them in. Each episode has a problem-of-the-week format, highlighting a significant frustration in Retsuko's life that culminates into an overarching story for the season or the series. However, despite the series' youthful look and fast pace, Aggretsuko addresses intense topics people deal with in real life: romantic snafus, familial expectations, trauma, aging, and sexism.
Season 1 focuses primarily on Retsuko's frustration with her mundane life as she tries different relationships and hobbies to free herself from the shackles of her toxic work environment. At the end of season one, Retsuko believes being a housewife is her ticket out of the soul-sucking workforce, so she starts dating a coworker from the sales department, Resasuke. At first, things are great, until she realizes she's been viewing her relationship and her boyfriend through rose-colored glasses. Not only is Resasuke an airhead, but they also have nothing in common. In the process, Retsuko neglects her work, friends, and, most importantly, her health and personality.
Aggretsuko doesn't shy away from comedic moments either, which brings fun to the series and highlights the irony of the characters' situations. Retsuko finds a romantic relationship, something she openly desires, with two "ideal" potential partners, only to realize that one is incompatible and the other, the charming Tadano, loves her -- but doesn't want to get married. The comedic irony is the most realistic part of the series, because real life can be unexpectedly absurd. The audience can relate to things happening in their lives that are so ridiculous they can only laugh to keep from crying.
Cute and Colorful Characters That Feel Human
The Aggretsuko cast is much like their other Sanrio counterparts in character design. The characters may be cute and colorful, but how they handle their struggles makes the cast seem more human than 2-D. Besides Retsuko, the audience sees how other characters address their hangups. Retsuko's coworker, Haida, a spotted hyena, is indecisive and lacks self-confidence. Haida's indecisiveness, which is a central plot point throughout the series, keeps him from asking Retsuko out despite his 5-year-long crush on her. In Season 4, Restuko's haughty boss, Ton, a boar, is an older man who has to deal with being phased out of his 30-year employment in favor of a younger crowd. In the same season, Kabae, the hippo, is forced to choose between work and motherhood.
In each story, the characters stumble forward, trying to make the best of the cards that are dealt to them. They learn to rely on others for help, stand up for themselves, and cope with things outside their control. Sometimes, fans will cheer when a character makes progress, like when Retsuko finally stands up for herself against Ton, or shake their heads in disappointment, like when Haida blunders. Anyone watching these characters can relate to at least one or more of their struggles and be inspired by their successes. Overall, Aggretsuko is a cathartic experience. The series is a nuanced reflection of the joys and struggles of everyday adult life that anyone can relate to, making it a perfect binge-watch for anyone dealing with burnout.