Upotte!! [Season 1]

Title: Upotte!! Season 1: When Guns Go to High School (And It’s Weirder Than It Sounds)

Let’s cut to the chase: Upotte!! Season 1 is the kind of anime that makes you go, “Wait, did I just watch a bunch of high school girls shoot each other… and learn about firearms?” Yes. Yes, you did. And honestly? It’s way more fun than it has any right to be.

First off, the premise is wild. Seishou Academy isn’t your average high school—every student is an anthropomorphized assault rifle. Think: cute girls with names like Ichiroku (an M16A4) and Eru (an L85A1) who bicker about homework, hang out in the cafeteria, and… occasionally engage in “training exercises” that look suspiciously like shootouts. The art style leans into the moe aesthetic hard—big eyes, pastel uniforms, the works—but don’t let that fool you. This show is packed with military jargon and weapon trivia that feels like it was written by a gun enthusiast who also really loves slice-of-life anime.

The humor is where Upotte!! shines brightest. Fans on MyAnimeList can’t stop talking about the “gun puns” and the absurdity of seeing a character like Shigu (a SIG SG 550) complain about her recoil while eating taiyaki. One user joked, “I never thought I’d root for a rifle to pass her exams, but here we are.” The slice-of-life moments are surprisingly endearing—like when the girls panic over a school festival or argue about who has the best “fire rate.” It’s silly, but it works because the characters feel like actual friends, not just walking weapon fact sheets.

But let’s be real: the gun stuff is both the show’s biggest strength and its most polarizing feature. If you’re into firearms, you’ll geek out over the accuracy—each character’s design and personality mirrors their real-world counterpart. For example, Ichiroku is loud, brash, and a bit of a show-off, just like the M16. Eru is uptight and prone to malfunctions (a nod to the L85’s reputation for jamming). Even the sound effects are on point—you can tell the creators did their homework. However, if you’re not into guns, some scenes might feel like a lecture. One reviewer noted, “I skipped through a few parts where they explained bullet calibers… but the rest was hilarious.”

The animation, while not groundbreaking, is solid for its 2012 release. The action sequences are dynamic, with bright, flashy effects that make the shootouts feel more playful than violent. The character designs are memorable—each girl has distinct features that hint at their weapon form (like Ichiroku’s camouflage hair ties or Eru’s British accent). It’s not Studio Ghibli-level art, but it’s charming in its own way.

Now, the elephant in the room: the fan service. Upotte!! doesn’t shy away from it—there are plenty of panty shots and “accidental” groping scenes that feel unnecessary. Some fans defend it as part of the moe genre, but others find it distracting. One MyAnimeList user wrote, “I love the gun stuff, but the fan service feels forced. Can’t we just have girls being guns without the pervy jokes?” It’s a valid critique, and it might turn off viewers who aren’t into that kind of humor.

But here’s the thing: Upotte!! Season 1 isn’t trying to be a masterpiece. It’s a niche show for people who love two things: cute girls and military hardware. If that’s your vibe, you’ll have a blast. The pacing is fast, the jokes land more often than not, and the characters are likable enough to keep you coming back. Even if you’re not a gun nut, the absurdity of the premise is worth checking out—where else are you going to see a rifle cry because she can’t shoot straight?

In conclusion, Upotte!! Season 1 is a guilty pleasure. It’s silly, it’s informative (sort of), and it’s definitely not for everyone. But if you’re in the mood for something lighthearted and completely unapologetic about its weirdness, give it a shot. Just don’t be surprised if you end up Googling “M16 vs. AK-47” after watching.

Final Verdict: 7/10. For gun lovers and moe fans, it’s a must-watch. For everyone else, it’s a fun, if flawed, distraction.

P.S. Stick around for the post-credits scenes—they’re full of even more gun jokes.