Asobi Asobase

Asobi Asobase (Japanese: あそびあそばせ, transl. "Why Don't We Play Together?")[lower-alpha 1] is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Rin Suzukawa. It began serialization on Hakusensha's Young Animal Densi website in June 2015, and has been compiled into ten tankōbon volumes as of August 2020. An anime television series adaptation by Lerche aired in Japan from July to September 2018.

Asobi Asobase
Cover of Asobi Asobase volume 1 featuring Olivia
あそびあそばせ
Genre	Surreal comedy[1]
Manga
Written by	Rin Suzukawa
Published by	Hakusensha
Magazine	Young Animal Densi/Manga Park Young Animal
Demographic	Seinen
Original run	June 26, 2015 – present
Volumes	11
Anime television series
Directed by	Seiji Kishi
Produced by	Shō Tanaka Shigeki Yamada Aya Iizuka Kaori Kimura Mitsuhiro Ogata
Written by	Yūko Kakihara
Music by	Masato Koda
Studio	Lerche
Licensed by	^SA/SEA Muse Communication
Original network	AT-X, Tokyo MX, KBS, BS11, Sun TV, TVA
Original run	July 8, 2018 – September 23, 2018
Episodes	12 + OVA + 2 Specials

Plot

The series centers on Hanako, Olivia and Kasumi, second year students at an all-girls middle school and the only three members of the Pastimers Club, a not officially recognized club. The club has very ambiguous goals, usually consisting of whatever so-called "pastimes" the girls happen to think up.

Characters

Hanako Honda (本田 華子, Honda Hanako)

Voiced by: Hina Kino[2]

Hanako is Olivia and Kasumi's classmate who is extremely energetic, dragging both of them into her pace by playing strange games at school. Despite her childish nature, she is shown to be highly intelligent in her academics and is a natural talent in sports, although she has no interest in them. Her family is shown to have some of wealthy or noble connection as she is able to obtain objects upon request.

Olivia (オリヴィア, Orivia)

Voiced by: Rika Nagae[2]

Olivia is Hanako and Kasumi's classmate who pretends to be an American transfer student despite having only been born and raised in Japan with foreign parents. Thus, she pretends to speak in broken Japanese to keep her image while gradually getting better to solidify her act.

Kasumi Nomura (野村 香純, Nomura Kasumi)

Voiced by: Konomi Kohara[2]

Kasumi is Olivia and Hanako's classmate who dislikes playing games due to her sister's constant teasing when she was younger. She is very bad at English. She enjoys writing BL fantasies, though ironically, she is extremely androphobic.

Chisato Higuchi (樋口 千紗都, Higuchi Chisato)

Voiced by: Ryōko Maekawa[3]

Chisato is a female teacher who is blackmailed into becoming the advisor for the Pastimers Club. She often feels downhearted over not being able to find a husband.

Maeda (前多)

Voiced by: Ryōtarō Okiayu[3]

Maeda is Hanako's family butler. Due to being probed by aliens, he is capable of firing laser beams out of his butt. He can quickly build or procure any item that Hanako asks for, from an inflatable kiddie pool to a robot that speaks in pre-programmed English phrases.

Student Council President (生徒会長, Seitokaichō)

Voiced by: Honoka Inoue[3]

She is a quiet, bespectacled girl whose real name has not been revealed. Despite her timid demeanor, she managed to win her position anyway due to her vice president's speech that sounded threatening to the rest of the student body. She constantly throws up procedural barriers for the Pastimers Club, and wavers between trying to be friends with them or undermining their club. She also has a habit of seeming terrifying and condescending when she's actually trying to be compassionate.

Oka (岡)

Voiced by: Mai Kanazawa[3]

Nicknamed Rū, Oka is the leader of the Occult Research Club who befriends the Pastimers Club, teaching them occult-themed games.

Aguri Mato (間桐 あぐり, Matō Aguri)

Voiced by: Megumi Toda[3]

Nicknamed Agrippa, Aguri is Oka's fellow member in the Occult Research Club. She was temporarily out of school for medical reasons.

Tsugumi Aozora (青空 つぐみ, Aozora Tsugumi)

Voiced by: Aoi Yūki[3]

Tsugumi is a feminine-presenting classmate who the Pastimers suspect of actually being male, especially when Olivia overheard Tsugumi confess they were a boy when breaking up with their boyfriend, leading them to go to great lengths to uncover Tsugumi's true identity. Tsugumi keeps their identity ambiguous and enjoys teasing the club in return, especially Kasumi.

Sainan (済南)

Voiced by: Yasunori Masutani[3]

Sainan is the school language teacher who often becomes the hapless victim of the girls' mischief.

Takayanagi (高柳)

Voiced by: Mitsuki Saiga[3]

Takayanagi is the school guidance councilor who is rather manly in appearance. She has an equally manly younger sister in her third year who is president of the Swimming Club.

Kentarō Honda (本田 健太郎, Honda Kentarō)

Voiced by: Eishin Fudemaru[3]

Kentarō is Hanako's younger brother.

Olivia's Brother (オリヴィアの兄, Orivia no Ani)

Voiced by: Toshiyuki Morikawa[4]

Olivia's older brother, he is an otaku who has two PhDs.

Media

Manga

Asobi Asobase is written and illustrated by Rin Suzukawa. It began serialization on Hakusensha's Young Animal Densi website on June 26, 2015,[5] which was later replaced by Hakusensha's Manga Park website on August 1, 2017.[6] The series has also been published in Young Animal since November 25, 2016.[7]

No.	Release date	ISBN
1	February 29, 2016[8]	978-4-5921-4179-2
2	August 29, 2016[9]	978-4-5921-4180-8
3	February 28, 2017[10]	978-4-5921-4708-4
4	August 29, 2017[11]	978-4-5921-4709-1
5	January 26, 2018[12]	978-4-5921-4710-7
6	June 29, 2018[13]	978-4-5921-6126-4
7	December 26, 2018[14][15]	978-4-5921-6127-1 978-4-5921-0522-0 (SE)
8	August 29, 2019[16]	978-4-5921-6128-8
9	February 28, 2020[17]	978-4-5921-6129-5
10	August 28, 2020[18]	978-4-5921-6130-1
11	February 26, 2021[19]	978-4-5921-6196-7

Anime

A 12-episode anime television series adaptation, directed by Seiji Kishi and animated by Lerche, aired from July 8 to September 23, 2018.[20][21] The scripts were written by Yuko Kakihara and the music was composed by Masato Koda.[2] The opening theme song is "Three Piece" (スリピス, Suripisu), while the ending theme song is "Inkya Impulse" (インキャインパルス, Inkya Inparusu), both by Hina Kino, Rika Nagase and Konomi Kohara.[22] Crunchyroll streamed the series outside Asia.[23] In Southeast Asia and South Asia, Muse Communication licensed the series and streamed it on Muse Asia YouTube channel.[24] An original video animation episode was bundled with the manga's seventh volume on December 26, 2018.[25]

No.	Title [26][lower-alpha 2]	Original air date
1	"Equivalent Exchange" Transcription: "Tōka Kōkan" (Japanese: 等価交換) "Cheap Thrills" Transcription: "Chīpu na Suriru" (Japanese: チープなスリル) "Pleasure Seekers" Transcription: "Asobinin" (Japanese: 遊び人) "The Kind Pervert" Transcription: "Yasashī Hentai" (Japanese: 優しい変態)	July 8, 2018[27]
Annoyed by her noisy classmates Hanako and Olivia, Kasumi shows them how to play a proper game of "look over there". Struggling in her English grades, Kasumi tries to get English lessons from Olivia, who secretly doesn't know any English, in exchange for teaching her Japanese pastimes. To this end, Kasumi sets up a Pastimers Club and recruits Hanako and Olivia as members, with their first activity being playing in an inflatable pool.
2	"Killing Time" Transcription: "Himatsubushi" (Japanese: 暇つぶし) "Friendship Game" Transcription: "Yūjō Gēmu" (Japanese: 友情ゲーム) "The Witch Trials" Transcription: "Majo Saiban" (Japanese: 魔女裁判) "Non-title Match" Transcription: "Non Taitoru Matchi" (Japanese: ノンタイトルマッチ)	July 15, 2018[28]
The girls unsuccessfully try to negotiate with the student council president to get their Pastimers Club officially recognised and obtain funds. Afterwards, Kasumi confronts Olivia over how she doesn't actually know English. Later, Hanako tries on some makeup before challenging the soft tennis club with hagoita rackets.
3	"A Battle That Must Be Won" Transcription: "Zettai ni Makerarenai Tatakai" (Japanese: 絶対に負けられない戦い) "Puppets" Transcription: "Ayatsuri Ningyō" (Japanese: 操り人形) "Betting My Life" Transcription: "Inochigake" (Japanese: 命懸け)	July 22, 2018[29]
The girls play a game in which the loser must smell the others' armpits, which turns deadly when it becomes apparent how bad Olivia's pits smell. Later, teacher Chisato Higuchi seeks the girls help in finding love, only to get blackmailed into becoming their club advisor. Afterwards, the girls are challenged by the Shogi Club for the right to use their clubroom.
4	"Lower Body Lasers" Transcription: "Kahanshin Kara Bīmu" (Japanese: 下半身からビーム) "Pots and Kettles" Transcription: "Me Kuso Hana Kuso" (Japanese: 目クソ鼻クソ) "Illegal Occupation" Transcription: "Fuhō Senkyo" (Japanese: 不法占拠) "Butt Play" Transcription: "Shiri Asobi" (Japanese: 尻遊び)	July 29, 2018[30]
Not being able to tell a young Hanako the rules of shogi, her butler Maeda spends most of her childhood shooting laser beams out of his butt. Chisato hears from one of her college friends about an alleged "Lord of Pastimers", who turns out to be something else entirely. After playing teshuo sumo together, Hanako discovers Kasumi's hobby of playing yaoi games, leading to Maeda offering advice on writing a boys' love novel.
5	"Devilish Taste" Transcription: "Akuma-teki Sensu" (Japanese: 悪魔的センス) "Loaded Questions" Transcription: "Yūdō Jinmon" (Japanese: 誘導尋問) "Maeda's Curse" Transcription: "Maeda no Noroi" (Japanese: 前多の呪い) "Sex Ed" Transcription: "Seikyōiku" (Japanese: 性教育)	August 5, 2018[31]
Hanako wears a rather bizarre outfit that proves distracting for Kasumi and Olivia during a study session at a restaurant. Olivia discovers that there is allegedly a crossdressing boy attending their school, suspecting it may be their classmate Tsugumi Aozora. Oka, the sole member of the Supernatural Club, teaches the Pastimers Club an occult pastime. Later, the girls have an awkward conversation about how babies are made.
6	"Asterisk" Transcription: "Asuterisuku" (Japanese: アスタリスク) "Studying for Exams" Transcription: "Tesuto Benkyō" (Japanese: テスト勉強) "A New Look" Transcription: "Imechen" (Japanese: イメチェン) "Spirited Combat, Again" Transcription: "Gekitō, Futatabi" (Japanese: 激闘、再び)	August 12, 2018[32]
Oka learns that her former clubmate Aguri Mato fell ill and tries voodoo to make her better. Hanako feels downhearted when she places second in her class, so Maeda makes her an android to help her study. Olivia attempts to cut her own hair with disastrous results. Later, the gang play yet another bizarre pastime.
7	"Phantom Thieves: Pass Club" Transcription: "Kaitō Aso-ken" (Japanese: 怪盗・あそ研) "Woman of Terror" Transcription: "Kyōfu no On'na" (Japanese: 恐怖の女) "Weirdo Go" Transcription: "Denpa de Gō" (Japanese: 電波でGO) "Boobie Tragedy" Transcription: "Oppai no Higeki" (Japanese: おっぱいの悲劇)	August 19, 2018[33]
Tsugumi asks the girls to sneak into the student council's office and steal something known as the "Banana Papers". After successfully stealing it without being discovered, the gang learn that the papers are in fact a log of incidents caused by the Pastimers Club. Later, Kasumi helplessly stands outside the classroom while Hanako sneaks a peek at her BL novel. Afterwards, Hanako and Olivia try to help Kasumi with a shirt that is too small for her bust.
8	"Gotta Catch 'em All!" Transcription: "Baikin, Getto da ze" (Japanese: バイキン、ゲットだぜ) "Divine Revelation" Transcription: "Kami no Keiji" (Japanese: 神の啓示) "The Evil Sugoroku" Transcription: "Ma no Sugoroku" (Japanese: 魔のスゴロク)	August 26, 2018[34]
Olivia plays a game about catching bacteria around the classroom. Hanako ends up regretting buying a ridiculous looking dress she bought during a shopping trip with everyone. Hanako and Kasumi decide to test Olivia's luck with a penalty-ridden game of sugoroku.
9	"Troubles of a Fake Foreigner" Transcription: "Ese Gaikokujin no Nayami" (Japanese: エセ外国人の悩み) "A Dutchey Wife" Transcription: "Datchi na Waifu" (Japanese: ダッチなワイフ) "Genetic Engineering" Transcription: "Idenshi Sōsa" (Japanese: 遺伝子操作)	September 2, 2018[35]
Olivia asks Hanako to help change her reputation as an English-speaking foreigner. When Olivia is chosen to represent the class in an English-speaking competition, she tries to find a quick way out. Olivia's older brother is called to school to apologize to the teacher after she is caught reading manga in class.
10	"Heart Go Boing Boing" Transcription: "Kokoro ga Pyon Pyon" (Japanese: 心がぴょんぴょん) "Hanako's Trial of Shame" Transcription: "Hanako no Harenchi Saiban" (Japanese: 華子のハレンチ裁判) "Secret of the Dong" Transcription: "TinPO no Himitsu" (Japanese: ティンPOの秘密) "Film Production" Transcription: "Eiga Seisaku" (Japanese: 映画制作)	September 9, 2018[36]
English-speaking classmate Fujiwara learns about Olivia's inability to speak English, while Kasumi is suddenly kissed by Tsugumi. Upon hearing about this, Hanako flips out and puts Kasumi on trial. After having a dubious dream that she can't get her mind off of, Kasumi becomes determined to look up Tsugumi's skirt to properly determine their gender. Later, the girls film a sci-fi movie for the upcoming culture festival.
11	"Goodbye, Student Council President" Transcription: "Sayonara Seito-kaichō" (Japanese: さよなら生徒会長) "Oka-ken Witch Project" Transcription: "Okaken Witchi Purojekuto" (Japanese: オカケン・ウィッチ・プロジェクト) "Face of Mass Destruction" Transcription: "Ganmen Kyōki" (Japanese: 顔面凶器)	September 16, 2018[37]
The Student Council President tries to sneak out to visit the nearby boy's school across the street, which the vice-president always ditches work to go to. Meanwhile, the Supernatural Club make some cookies for the upcoming culture festival, which they give to the language teacher to taste test. Later, the vice-president has to deal with the Pastimers Club members trying to get their culture festival project approved as she tries to put her makeup on.
12	"Daniel" Transcription: "Danieru" (Japanese: ダニエル) "Bra Meeting" Transcription: "Bura Kaigi" (Japanese: ブラ会議) "Fairy Tale Battle Royale" Transcription: "Meruhen Batoru Rowaiyaru" (Japanese: メルヘン・バトルロワイヤル) "Paper Wars" Transcription: "Kaminomizo Sensō" (Japanese: 紙のみぞ戦争)	September 23, 2018[38]
The Pastimers Club look after Chisato's friend's baby Daniel, who they soon discover has a bad attitude for his age. Hanako looks into buying her first bra, only to discover her bust is smaller than she thought. The girls play a cutesy appearing online game, which soon turns out to be a gory battle royale game. Afterwards, the girls, along with Maeda, play a drawing battle game that makes little sense.
OVA	"Cosplay Contest" Transcription: "Kosupure Taikai" (Japanese: コスプレ大会) "To the Future Me" Transcription: "Otona no Watashi e" (Japanese: 大人の私へ)	December 26, 2018[25]
The Pastimers Club decide what to wear at the premiere of their movie at the cultural festival. The Eiken (Film Studies) Club, consisting of a young Chisato, Andou and Hijiri, write future letters to themselves on an iMac.

Specials

No.	Title [39]	Original release date
1	"Little Brother" Transcription: "Otōto" (Japanese: おとうと)	November 28, 2018[39]
The Pastimers Club meets Hanako's little brother Ken, and they play games at the park.
2	"Armstrong" Transcription: "Āmusutorongu" (Japanese: アームストロング)	December 21, 2018[39]
The Pastimers Club hold an arm wrestling contest.

Notes

1. This is a polite form used by (especially upper-class) women.
2. All English titles are taken from Crunchyroll.

References

1. Pineda, Rafael Antonio (January 25, 2018). "Asobi Asobase TV Anime's Visual Unveiled". Anime News Network. Retrieved January 26, 2018. The "surreal gag" comedy manga revolves around three classmates who play traditional hand games, board games, and card games.
2. Pineda, Rafael Antonio (March 18, 2018). "Asobi Asobase Anime Reveals Cast, Staff, July Premiere". Anime News Network. Retrieved March 19, 2018.
3. Hodgkins, Crystalyn (April 28, 2018). "Asobi Asobase Anime Adds 10 More Cast Members". Anime News Network. Retrieved April 28, 2018.
4. Pineda, Rafael Antonio (August 13, 2018). "Asobi Asobase Anime Casts Toshiyuki Morikawa as Olivia's Brother". Anime News Network. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
5. "あそびあそばせ" (in Japanese). Hakusensha. Archived from the original on November 17, 2015. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
6. "あそびあそばせ | マンガPark" (in Japanese). Hakusensha. Archived from the original on January 26, 2018. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
7. "3人娘のお遊びギャグ「あそびあそばせ」がアニマルに、きづナンの新連載も". Natalie (in Japanese). November 25, 2016. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
8. "あそびあそばせ" (in Japanese). Hakusensha. Archived from the original on November 13, 2020. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
9. "あそびあそばせ 2" (in Japanese). Hakusensha. Archived from the original on October 1, 2020. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
10. "あそびあそばせ 3" (in Japanese). Hakusensha. Archived from the original on August 7, 2020. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
11. "あそびあそばせ 4" (in Japanese). Hakusensha. Archived from the original on August 7, 2020. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
12. "あそびあそばせ 5" (in Japanese). Hakusensha. Archived from the original on October 27, 2020. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
13. "あそびあそばせ 6" (in Japanese). Hakusensha. Archived from the original on August 7, 2020. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
14. "あそびあそばせ 7" (in Japanese). Hakusensha. Archived from the original on August 7, 2020. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
15. "あそびあそばせ　アニメＤＶＤ付き限定版 7" (in Japanese). Hakusensha. Archived from the original on August 7, 2020. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
16. "あそびあそばせ 8" (in Japanese). Hakusensha. Archived from the original on March 10, 2020. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
17. "あそびあそばせ 9" (in Japanese). Hakusensha. Archived from the original on February 28, 2020. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
18. "あそびあそばせ 10" (in Japanese). Hakusensha. Archived from the original on November 13, 2020. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
19. "あそびあそばせ 11" (in Japanese). Hakusensha. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
20. Pineda, Rafael Antonio (June 1, 2018). "Asobi Asobase Comedy TV Anime Premieres on July 8". Anime News Network. Retrieved June 1, 2018.
21. Sherman, Jennifer (July 9, 2018). "Asobi Asobase TV Anime Listed With 12 Episodes, Mini Anime". Anime News Network. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
22. Pineda, Rafael Antonio (June 8, 2018). "Asobi Asobase Anime's Theme Song Artists, Original Anime DVD Revealed". Anime News Network. Retrieved July 20, 2018.
23. Ressler, Karen (July 2, 2018). "Crunchyroll Adds 10 More Simulcasts for Summer". Anime News Network. Retrieved July 20, 2018.
24. Pineda, Rafael Antonio (July 25, 2019). "Muse Asia Offers Spring, Summer 2019 Anime With English, Chinese Subtitles". Anime News Network. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
25. Pineda, Rafael Antonio (June 29, 2018). "Asobi Asobase Manga's Original Anime DVD Slated for December 26". Anime News Network. Retrieved July 20, 2018.
26. "Story". asobiasobase.com. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
27. "週間番組表(2018/07/02～2018/07/08)". AT-X (in Japanese). Retrieved August 5, 2020.
28. "週間番組表(2018/07/09～2018/07/15)". AT-X (in Japanese). Retrieved August 5, 2020.
29. "週間番組表(2018/07/16～2018/07/22)". AT-X (in Japanese). Retrieved August 5, 2020.
30. "週間番組表(2018/07/23～2018/07/29)". AT-X (in Japanese). Retrieved August 5, 2020.
31. "週間番組表(2018/07/30～2018/08/05)". AT-X (in Japanese). Retrieved August 5, 2020.
32. "週間番組表(2018/08/06～2018/08/12)". AT-X (in Japanese). Retrieved August 5, 2020.
33. "週間番組表(2018/08/13～2018/08/19)". AT-X (in Japanese). Retrieved August 5, 2020.
34. "週間番組表(2018/08/20～2018/08/26)". AT-X (in Japanese). Retrieved August 5, 2020.
35. "週間番組表(2018/08/27～2018/09/02)". AT-X (in Japanese). Retrieved August 5, 2020.
36. "週間番組表(2018/09/03～2018/09/09)". AT-X (in Japanese). Retrieved August 5, 2020.
37. "週間番組表(2018/09/10～2018/09/16)". AT-X (in Japanese). Retrieved August 5, 2020.
38. "週間番組表(2018/09/17～2018/09/23)". AT-X (in Japanese). Retrieved August 5, 2020.
39. "Products - BD&DVD". asobiasobase.com (in Japanese). Retrieved August 5, 2020.

External links

• Asobi Asobase at Manga Park (in Japanese)
• Anime official website (in Japanese)
• Asobi Asobase (manga) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia