Watch Golden Boy
- Not Rated
- 1995
- 1 Season
-
8.0 (7,616)
Golden Boy was a Japanese anime television series that first aired on December 14, 1995, and ran for a total of six episodes until its conclusion on May 1, 1996. Directed by Hiroyuki Kitakubo, the series was based on a manga of the same name written by Tatsuya Egawa.
The show portrayed the life of Kintaro Oe, a young man who dropped out of Tokyo University's law program after completing all of his coursework. Instead of progressing through the profession in a more traditional manner, he sets out to acquire self-taught knowledge about the world and experiences by taking on myriad odd jobs.
Throughout the series' run, Kintaro works as a computer specialist, a stuntman, a tutor, a chef's apprentice, a feudal lord's retainer, among others. Along the way, he interacts with a variety of supporting characters, including the beautiful women he inevitably meets and attracts. However, despite the many temptations that await him, Kintaro shows an unwavering commitment to his self-taught education, which is always his top priority.
Golden Boy's animation quality was considered to be one of the show's most significant strengths. The show's art style was animated by the same company and team that worked on Ghost in the Shell and Akira. The team's attention to detail and intricate motion work paid dividends, as the series featured remarkably fluid sequences and impeccable detail.
The voice cast for the series was also considered to be an essential element of its success. Kintaro was voiced by Mitsuo Iwata, and his dog Comet was voiced by Doug Smith, both of whom gave exceptional performances that brought the characters to life. Other voice talents included Yoko Asada, Chieko Honda, and Kinryu Arimoto.
Golden Boy's comedic tone and highly sexualized content were another cornerstone of the series. The humor throughout the show was both crude and witty, which combined well to make the show a cult classic among viewers. The show did not shy away from the intimate nature of Kintaro's encounters, but it never became vulgar or repugnant in any way. The show presented Kintaro's antics throughout as a fun-loving and non-threatening endeavor that kept audiences laughing throughout.
The show's soundtrack was also considered to be first-rate, drawing heavily on jazz and other contemporary music of its time. The music was composed by Enterprise, who succeeded in capturing an essence of both high-brow jazz and fun-loving pop styles.
Overall, Golden Boy was a highly-acclaimed anime show that appealed to a broad audience. It provided a unique and refreshing take on the concept of lifelong learning, which was presented with a deft touch of humor and a nod to our cultural fascination with sex, dating, and other similar topics. The show was never preachy or self-righteous, and it left viewers with a feeling that they had received an insider's view into a life most of us would never experience, let alone understand. The series proved to be both wildly entertaining and highly educational and, as such, cemented itself as a cultural touchstone for Japanese animation.
Golden Boy is a series that ran for 1 seasons (6 episodes) between November 6, 1995 and on Other