All Claws Out in "Animals"

Animals tells the story of a harried, overworked, and unappreciated AD for a popular Television Morning Program, named Umi Shikamori (Airi Sizuki) . Though she is 100% committed to her job and is fast, efficient and reliable, she is constantly belittled, blamed and saddled with all the problems the program generates.

So busy is Umi that she has little time for self-care, going days without sleep and no time for things like make-up or looking good for herself. But she does her job diligently for both her and her little sister Nagi (Yuna Hoshino) both of whom are living away from home and have an apartment to pay for.

But the thankless and endless jobs continue, and eventually all the overwork and sleepless nights comes to a head when Umi passes out during a broadcast. 

When she is woken by the Television Host, she blurts out, “I’m Sorry…I haven’t slept in three days!” This causes quite a stir as it is being broadcast live on air!

Glamorous model Hina Kazami (Erica Murakami) sticks up for Umi, addressing the camera that this kind of overworking employees is of a bygone era. She is even there to comfort Umi and reassure her that what happened was not her fault.

But of course, the angry TV director Okamoto (Kento Shibuya) doesn't see it that way, and when he and he studio feels the heat from angry social media outlets over the poor treatment of their assistants, he makes her apologize and even comes up with a plan for her to appear on TV to apologize in front of everyone.

Later that evening, the Shikamori sisters are visited at their home by an unlikely friend: Hina Kazami, who asks Umi if she would like to leave her current job and come work for the company she’s working with, a top makeup line called Animal Beauty.

Animal Beauty! This is a name  of whom Umi is familiar with, having pored lovingly over their latest products, But she doesn’t know if she has what it takes to work for such a fast fashion conscious company.

But this is quite a leap from the AD job she had before...could she really do it? Unsure, she says she'll have to think about it.  But after another grueling confrontation with her boss, Umi decides to take the plunge and goes in for an interview at last! 

She's quite unsure of herself. But with the help of friends she has made along with way because of her sincerity like photographer Kazuo Nagamine (Kyoka Honda) and Keisuke Sakaki (Jin Shirasu), maybe the awkward and unremarkable Umi CAN take that first step towards becoming a brand new woman, one that she can be proud of!

WELL, the Summer Season is starting off with a BANG, and Animals has surely hooked me with its intriguing 1 1/2 hour long pilot episode!!! at a short 8 episodes, this one promises to be an interesting one!
PS: Airi Suzuki was a member of C-UTE??? Whaaaaaa….Time sure flies…..