A unique collaboration between studios SHAFT and GAINAX, Kono Minikuku mo Utsukushii Sekai (This Ugly Yet Beautiful World) was GAINAX’s 20th anniversary work, yet is fairly unknown in the anime community today. That’s probably because it was a fairly standard, forgettable story typical of the era.
Nevertheless, the studios both bought a certain visual flair and a willingness to animate otaku-pandering fanservice, making it a winner in my book!
Premise:
High school student Takeru Takemoto works part time as a (motor)bike courier. During one of his deliveries, he saw a mysterious light passing him and fell into a forest. What he had found was a beautiful girl coming out from a glowing cocoon, calling herself “Hikari.” While Takeru was quite embarrassed because of Hikari’s nudity, a strange monster suddenly showed up and immediately attacked the two. Both Takeru and Hikari demonstrated the power of their other selves before Takeru had a clue of what’s going on.
The promo artwork shows the cute, simple designs and vibrant colours!
Bloomers right off the bat!
The entrance scene for any mysterious girlfriend character is always important, and this one is certainly memorable. She floats down from the sky, cast in a warm magical light, start naked and bearing a pair of utterly perfect breasts.