Golden Boy

Title: Golden Boy
Series: Golden Boy
Director: Hiroyuki Kitakubo
Studio: A.P.P.P.
Release Date: October 27, 1995
Episodes: 6
Genres: Adventure, Comedy, Ecchi
Rating:

Kintarou Ooe is a specialist in part-time work, riding all over the highways and byways of Japan on his trusty steed, the Mikazuki 5, and finding employment wherever he can. His adventures bring him knowledge and experience that can't be taught in a classroom, from political corruption to the delicacy of a young woman's heart. With nothing but the open road before him—not to mention the many beautiful women along the way—Kintarou pursues his spirit of education while attempting to hold down his various odd jobs, however undignified they may be. As he learns from each task he takes on, who knows what could happen? He might even be able to save the world one day. One thing is for sure—this will all be very educational!

Review

Golden Boy is the dirty old man of comedy anime, and frankly one of my favorites. It’s a short six episode OVA that follows a mid-twenties college dropout named Kintaro Oe, as he travels around Japan seeking knowledge. The opening tells you right away that Kintaro had completed all the credits required for law school, but never graduated.

Like any young man, Kintaro is girl crazy and is a essentially a simp, but love and even sex are not his goal. Kintaro jumps from one job to the next simply because he likes to learn, and he does so in unconventional ways, finding fun and adventure everywhere he goes. The humor in this anime is so salacious I can’t help but laugh. I didn’t watch this series until adulthood, a little over 20 years after it was originally released. Watching it made me nostalgic for the anime I grew up watching in the 1990s and 2000s. It’s an anime that is so perfectly representative of it’s time.

It’s worth noting that the English vocal cast, especially the voice of the lead Kintaro Oe. Doug Smith’s voice is memorable, and he captures the ridiculous chaotic energy of the main character well. Even though the original Japanese voice acting is great, the English dub is actually my husband and I’s preferred version thanks to Smith’s outrageously funny performance.

Is it stupid? Yes. Is it fun? Also yes. If you’re an enjoyer of ecchi comedy anime Golden Boy is a classic in the genre and a real treat, especially if you’re like me and grew up watching anime from the same era.