[Filler] しろくまカフェへようこそ～

Prologue: Two fillers in a row! Looks like I am on a roll here peddling good stuff to my unsuspecting non-existent readers. Here I am shove it in your face, telling you that you must <insert appropriate verb><insert relevant specific noun, probably a tile>. Do it. Just do it. Just give it a try. DO IT! *incoherent babbles ensued*

In a parallel universe located in a undisclosed location over Japan where animals gained conscience and ability of human speech enabling them to live side by side with fellow humans...and there it is, tugged in lush foliage of trees, nestled away from all the hustle of city life: a cafe, serving you the freshest and healthiest organic food and coffee, complete with indoor and alfresco seating, providing all patrons, humans and animals alike, an opportunity to take breather from the rapid pace of modern life, a serene escape from constant stress, a place in which one can unwind and enjoy their cuppa in a fine evening just watching the time fleeting away...

"いらっしゃいませ" 

A warm welcome from the master of the cafe, a bipedaled polar bear complete with scarf and apron, serving you a welcoming drink of iced water upon seating before diligently taking and preparing your order will immediately make you feel at ease and at home.

Welcome to Polar Bear Cafe ( しろくまカフェ).  

Nice cap and badge, featuring our trio of heroes: Polar Bear-san (しろくまさん) aka the master of the cafe,  Penguin-san (ペンギンさん) aka THAT frequent customer and Panda-kun (パンダ君) aka self-proclaimed cute mascot boy.

Polar Bear Cafe has to be one of the most interesting anime offering for the Spring season and its not just because of its premise as a slice of life anime featuring adorable (yet anatomically correct...besides from actually talking of course.) critters mainly our trio of main character, Polar Bear-san, Penguin-san and Panda-kun, together with a host of eclectic and exotic animal friends and occasional humans (such as part time waitress Sasako-san 笹子さん and zookeeper at zoo where Panda-kun work as...part time panda for two days a week, Handa-san 半田さん.), sets in a cafe with surrounding beautifully animated with bright yet soothing colours (befitting of its genre as a Josei 女性 or young ladies' manga) and teeming with various animal-centric quirks and bad puns or dajare ダジャレ (courtesy of our beloved master of the cafe, Polar bear-san). No, it's not just that.

To start of with, Polar Bear Cafe features a rather impressive, a constellation even, of voice actors. Just the three main characters that we already have Takahiro Sakurai (Cloud Strife in Advent Children, Suzaku in Code Geass *cough*Misaki in Junjou Romantica*cough*) as Polar Bear-san, Hiroshi Kamiya (Itoshiki Nozomu aka Zetsubou sensei in SZS *cough*Yuu in Sekai-Ichi Hatsukoi*cough*) as Penguin-san and Jun Fukuyama (Lelouch in Code Geass *cough*Keita in Gakuen Heaven*cough*). Add in a few more among other supporting characters and there you have a roster of stars.

Oh Ono Daisuke, your Itsuki (of Haruhi Suzumiya) suaveness still come through even as a llama (ラマ).  Yes, your long eyelashes is fabulous.

As for its animal-centric quirks and jokes, it's not the usual rapid fire gags that one usual expect to see from animal shenanigan but instead it is delivered with subtle touch that will leave you with a slight chuckle and a sense of "ahhh I see.". Not overwhelming but relaxing which suits the theme of a cafe for one to unwind and enjoy a cuppa. Despite being cast as animals, the voice acting still manages to come through truthfully embodying the (supposed, of course) character of animals they portrayed. One particular animal character that I has a spot on in the three episodes that going on so far has to be the sloth with each line and action delivered with such relaxed intonation...much like a sloth if they ever gained ability to talk.

Sloth-san (ナマケモノさん), currently living in trees around Polar Bear Cafe's compound with the help of Sasako-san bringing one whole branch that he perched onto and brought him over. Just look at him and his laze.

True to my rambling train of thought, occasional tangent of digression occurs as I watch fellow animal antics. For starters, Panda-kun, Llama-san and a few more others fellow animals are working in a zoo...as part time/full time animal exhibits, generally entertaining visitors or just to be viewed at as animals...all while they can speak to their human handlers/keepers and in general living side by side in human society. (It all comes to a head in Episode 3 about dilemma of talking animal living side by side with human...visiting a zoo...as visitors. Find it and just watch it online) It's perfectly fine to put animal in exhibits (that's probably the only viable and easiest job an animal can do...and they're were happy with it anyway...or is it?) but it would be unthinkable if we put human as exhibits, isn't it? Another thought that strikes me about talking animal: what about those farm produced poultry and cattles which we human happily...consumed as food? Are abottoir/slaughterhouse as mass extermination camp? *shudder* It all makes a difference when animal are able to articulate their thought and conscience...

No, Anteater (アリクイ), that's chashu tonkatsu (Pork) ramen you're eating there. That's cannibalism (?). Please follow strictly of your insect diet. Oh what about the insects! Do they have thoughts too? ONOZ!!

Enough of my rambling thoughts. To wrap up the post, here's the Opening Song ("My Invitation" ボクにインビテーション Boku ni Inbitēshon by JP. Mocha, Latte, Earl (Gray), Chai! Last but not least, ｷﾀ━━━━(ﾟ∀ﾟ)━━━━!!!!) and Closing Song ("Bamboo☆Scramble" by Panda-kun himself. Boy he sure loves his bamboo shoots!) for Polar Bear Cafe. Even the songs are fitting to the overall theme of this series with a touch of funky. Watch it! I need to find good quality download of the series now!



Epilogue: Oh crap April is already half way through without me noticing it. Need to pick up more reading and starting writing stuff! Wait how many times do I said these before? *depressed upon realising that he shot himself in the feet repeatedly*