Mabu x Reo and Toi x Kazuki (I adore this series)
Anime Spotlight - Saranzanmai
Oh god I loved this anime, this is the reason I love anime so much for shows like this. This series was just made for me with everything I want and enjoy in an anime in one place.
The plot is after accidentally breaking a statue of a kappa that serves as the guardian god of Asakusa, middle school students Kazuki, Toi, and Enta are transformed into kappas by Keppi, the prince of the Kappa Kingdom. They come to assist Keppi in collecting the Dishes of Hope, which fulfill the wishes of whoever possesses them. Dishes are acquired by collecting the shirikodama of zombies created by Reo and Mabu, agents of the Otter Empire that has warred with the Kappa Kingdom for generations. To defeat the zombies, the boys must make the sound "Sarazanmai", which can only be produced when the three are united. They struggle to connect, as each time the sound is made, one of the boys' secrets is revealed.
This si another great work by Kunihiko Ikuhara who is known for Utena, Penguin Drum and Yuri Kuma. If you this directors work then you know what your in for. Sarasanmai has all Ikuhara’s traits for surrealism, to the colour palate. There are LGBT relationships, metaphors, social commentary, weird animal characters, transformations, catchy songs and symbolism. I could right an essay on the hidden meanings in this anime.
I loved the characters and the exploration of their personalities and their development. It was an weird and wonderful world with humor but also real emotion and interesting ideas. I just loved this series!