Butareba: The Story of a Man Who Turned into a Pig

I watched the story of a man who turns into a pig so you don't have to! But hey, you can still give it a shot; it's not particularly offensive, save for a few eye-roll-inducing jokes and the occasional inappropriate comments from the pig. Nothing kinky going on here, though the plot revolves around a girl and a pig journeying through a mysterious fantasy realm — with a hint of romance, mind you. Thankfully, it's not another Inukai-san’s Dog. The most startling aspect here is the world itself and how society treats a certain group of inhabitants. My curiosity about the inner workings of this peculiar world and the secrets of the capital city kept me hooked until the end. Were all my questions answered? Yes, but I can't shake the feeling that the rationale behind it all boils down to a lack of imagination on the part of those in power. I didn't feel a sense of satisfaction or surprise — just a resolution to something I could have deduced on my own without much effort. The final episode, which arrived after a month-long hiatus, is a mixed bag. While it effectively conveys the emotional bond between the heroine and the pig, featuring some poignant musical cues, it's marred by static images and lackluster animation, making it feel rushed and incomplete. And as for the ending itself? Apparently, this is just the first novel; the story continues across seven more published novels, with more in the works. While I'm mildly curious about what lies ahead, it's not due to the gripping narrative but rather to see what more is there to deal with. Reflecting on what I watched, there were bits I enjoyed — the characters, the world-building, the occasional intriguing twist. However, the world often felt hollow, the plot failed to truly surprise me, and the animation was lackluster at best. Did I find enjoyment in it? A tad here and there, but overall, it was a middling experience, sometimes even dipping below average. Hence, a modest 4.7/10. (05/02/2024)