Ganglion

Alright, let’s dive into Ganglion, the latest short-form anime that’s got fans buzzing—even if it’s only three minutes long. Based on a 2007 manga by Hisaya Shiraiwa, this series takes a wild premise and crams it into bite-sized chunks, leaving viewers both intrigued and craving more.

Set in early 2000s Tokyo, Ganglion follows Kenji Isobe, a combatant for the evil corporation Ganglion. The first episode throws us straight into his chaotic life: he’s decked out in a bodysuit, facing off in absurd missions like the “Tokyo Cedar Pollen Operation” or the “Mount Fuji Demolition Plan,” only to get crushed… and then head home like it’s just another 9-to-5. The vibe? Think The Office meets Mad Max—if Dunder Mifflin was trying to take over the world.

Fans on MyAnimeList are split, but mostly hyped. One user called it a “dark comedy on the hardships of an henchman as a commentary on the suckish nature of the 9-5 corporate job,” which hits way too close to home. Another praised its “good style, good acting,” but groaned, “Wtf are those 3 minutes???????” Let’s be real—three minutes is barely enough time to microwave popcorn, let alone unpack a story. But here’s the twist: that brevity might be its superpower.

The animation, while short, is sharp. The art style has a gritty, retro feel that fits the early 2000s setting, and the voice acting (from what we can hear) sells Isobe’s deadpan exhaustion perfectly. It’s like watching a salaryman’s existential crisis unfold in fast-forward. And hey, the ending theme is a bop—proof that even tiny shows can have big energy.

Critics (and by critics, I mean random people on forums) are divided on the format. Some are “so disappointed” it’s not a full-length anime, arguing, “This would be great if it had actual anime length episodes.” Others, though, are here for the chaos. “Looking forward to this as a SOL [slice of life] of daily life of the evil corporate salaryman,” one user wrote. “Enjoying the approach so far—it’s a hard trope to break down. Hope they go all in.”

What makes Ganglion stand out is its willingness to lean into the mundane. Isobe isn’t a supervillain—he’s a guy just trying to pay rent, even if his “rent” involves blowing up landmarks. It’s a clever take on the “evil minion” trope, turning it into a relatable (if exaggerated) metaphor for office life. As another fan put it: “They are just working and going back to routine XD.” Relatable content, honestly.

The manga, which ran for only 12 chapters in 2007, is being faithfully adapted, so if you’re craving more, that’s a place to start. But for now, the anime is a fun, if fleeting, ride. Will it become a cult hit? Maybe. Will it leave you checking your watch every three minutes? Definitely. But in a world where anime episodes can drag on for 24 minutes of filler, sometimes a quick, punchy dose of chaos is exactly what you need.

So, should you watch Ganglion? If you love weird, short-form anime that’s equal parts funny and existential, yes. If you need a full plot arc in every episode, maybe skip it. But for everyone else? Grab your popcorn (microwave it quickly), sit back, and watch a guy in a bodysuit question his life choices. It’s three minutes well spent.

P.S. Shoutout to the fansubbers working overtime to translate this—we see you, and we appreciate you. Now, when’s episode 2 dropping?

Final Verdict: 7/10. It’s short, it’s weird, it’s relatable. What more could you ask for?

Disclaimer: No Mount Fujis were actually harmed in the making of this review.