ANIME

   SHINOBI

REC

REC anime opening OP: "Cheer Makka na kimochi" by Kanako Sakai

  REC is a drama and comedy anime about the relationship between Fumihiko Matsumaru, a salaryman, and Aka Onda, a novice seiyuu (voice actress). The story begins with Matsumaru being stood up by his date at a movie theatre. Just when He is about to rip up the movie tickets, he hears a voice telling him not to waste them. A red-haired girl approaches him and asks if she could have the other ticket. Mastsumaru consents, but the girl insists on them seeing the movie together.

  The movie is Roman Holiday, starring Audrey Hepburn, with Japanese voiceovers. During the movie, Matsumaru notices the girl speaking the lines out loud. She reveals to him as they are heading home that she is a seiyuu in training and wants to be the voice actress for Audrey Hepburn in the Japanese versions of her movies. Matsumaru is confused as to what to make of the strange girl, but notices that she is pretty cute. They part ways and Matsumaru heads home.

  As Matsumaru lay in his bed, he hears sirens and sees flames flickering from a nearby building. He hurries to the scene and discovers the red-haired girl staring in shock at the burning apartment building that was her home. She had lost all her seiyuu training materials in the fire and had no money left for the month. Fearing she would have a breakdown, Matsumaru takes her back to his place and allows her to clean up. Perhaps due to the trauma of the events, the two end up sleeping together. The girl reveals her name as Aka (meaning red) Onda before they make love.

  The next morning, Matsumaru discovers that Aka had gone and left what seemed to be a farewell note behind. Somewhat depressed, Matsumaru goes to his workplace, an advertisement promotion agency. He is surprised that his proposal for the advertisement mascot for a brand of candy snacks called ‘Ha’ was accepted. But as he is introduced to the newly hired voice actress for his mascot, he is shocked to see that she is Aka.

  Aka warns Matsumaru to keep their relationship a secret. She tells him he misunderstood her ‘farewell’ note and that she would be staying with him for awhile until she earns enough money for a new apartment. Furthermore, Aka refuses to acknowledge herself as Matsumaru’s girlfriend, stating the events of the previous night were all a mistake. A romance does eventually develop between Aka and Matsumaru, but It’s not without its ups and downs as both struggle with their respective careers.

Comments: REC's first episode surprised me because the two central characters actually get in bed together. You usually never see this in love comedy animes until the last episode, if at all. REC episodes also have a weird format, there are nine episodes in all (plus an OVA) with each lasting around 12 minutes.