Battle Programmer Shirase review

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Battle Programmer Shirase. Ah, what to say, what to say.

Well first of all, it's structured somewhat differently than your usual comedy anime TV series -- there are 15 episodes (of about 12 minutes each), but each episode is one of a three-part story arc. So it's just as truthful to say there are 5 episodes of 3 parts each. A bit confusing.

Anyway, Shirase Akira is a 20-something computer programmer who doesn't have a regular job.



He apparently spends most of his time in his small apartment, tinkering with his computers. Or simply passed out on the floor.



Unless it involves computers, Shirase is slightly out of touch with most of the world. But you see, he is also the legendary Battle Programmer Shirase!!! or "BPS" for short. BPS will perform those difficult programming hacks for anyone... for a price. Of course, BPS doesn't take cash... rare computer equipment or unobtainable anime-related merchandise; this is what is needed to hire the mythical BPS!

This is the basis for half the show's humor, as we watch BPS get hired by different men from different organizations (even though the men all have the same name), and the various tasks he performs. Any real programmer is going to realize instantly the "tasks" are pure malarkey, but it's the spirit of the thing. Besides, wouldn't you like to be able to microwave a hacker opponent's house to smithereens from halfway around the world?

The other half of the humor comes mostly from Amano Misao, Shirase's young grandniece.



Misao visits Shirase often, as his apartment is really owned by Misao's family, and Misao often cooks his dinner. The implication is that without Misao he probably would forget to eat. Misao is shy around most people, except for Shirase, whom she calls "onii-chan" (brother). Shirase enjoys having Misao around... perhaps too much?

See, Shirase keeps getting discovered in somewhat suspicious circumstances. For instance, while Misao is visiting, there is a sudden minor earthquake, and Misao loses her balance and falls. Shirase naturally runs to assist her, but slips on a magazine lying on the cluttered floor. Perfectly innocent. But his latest employer opens the door at just that moment to see...



Alas, poor BPS gets into these kinds of misunderstandings quite often.

I liked this anime. It spoke to me about things from my daily life and experience, as well as addressing many of my own long-felt desires. I'm talking about the computer programming of course -- I'd certainly rather be a Battle Programmer than the crap programming I have to do at work. Oh yeah, the fanservice is funny, too -- although the reactions of the people "discovering" the innocent misunderstandings got annoying after a while.

The animation is pretty good, and the music is fittingly mostly techno, but it stays safely in the background. The OP song, though, is infectiously catchy and the OP sequence itself was pretty damn distinctive, in a good way.

This humor anime is just a bit of silly fun with a bit of fanservice thrown in; a niche anime that doesn't try to stretch beyond that niche. It's obviously aimed at the "computer-oriented, likes cute anime girls perhaps a wee bit much" anime fan, and doesn't hide that fact. While I of course don't fit that profile myself (ahem), I watched it anyway, for the greater glory of ArsAnime. Parts of BPS got repetitive, and they reused a few jokes too much. And perhaps the fact that the series addressed a personal interest of mine (the computers, what did you think I meant?) made it more interesting to me than it might be to someone without that interest, but it's a nice little comedy anime.

Watch it when you want some laughs.