I’m sure this goes for most fans of any type of media, but it’s a fact that there are certain anime series that I really enjoy that I have a difficult time recommending to anyone. In some cases, it’s because the material they cover is so extreme that to adequately warn for all the content would rightfully drive away most folks (I’m looking at you, Made in Abyss). In other cases, it’s more that the tone is so specific that it’s often tough to get a read on whether or not someone else might actually enjoy them.
Golden Kamuy fits the latter case very well, in my opinion. The series has a lot of traits that give the impression that it might be somewhat highbrow. It takes place in a historical setting and delves into the lives and culture of an ethnic group that has often been overlooked (the Ainu people of Japan). There are many moments throughout the series that delve into survival techniques and different traditional recipes. The other side of the coin, however, is that the series can be extremely violent and even grotesque at times, is as comfortable being comedic as it is being serious, and is filled to the brim with poop, pee, and dick jokes. I love it, but it’s an acquired taste.
Because the series delves into such an interesting variety of material, it’s no surprise that I was able to find an episode to feature during spooky season. The first season’s episode 11, “Everybody, Get Together! It’s a Murder Hotel!” incorporates many of the series more humorous strengths while introducing a new character.
In the episode, Sugimoto, Asirpa and Shiraishi arrive in Sapporo to buy explosives, and need a place to stay. A local recommends the Sapporo World Hotel, run by a beautiful and mysterious woman named Ienaga. Ienaga welcomes the group, but she has ulterior motives – as someone who follows the belief that what one eats has a direct effect on the human body, she takes a certain interest in Asirpa’s striking blue eyes. As it turns out, the hotel is a bit of a front for Ienaga to collect body parts for her own use, a habit that began when she was once a prisoner in Abashiri Prison, as were so many of the other characters in this series.
As Ienaga tries to forward her own goals, she also has to fend off Ushiyama, who arrived separately and is extremely attracted to her. Eventually the chase comes to a head when the recently-purchased explosives are set off and the entire hotel comes tumbling to the ground. But what, if anything, has become of Ienaga?
This episode has it all – a creepy hotel with a bunch of secret passages (used by Ienaga to kidnap her victims in preparation for dismemberment, of course) as well as funny hijinks as only Golden Kamuy is capable of providing. The one “issue” that might be a bit of a speed bump for some viewers (aside from the normal Golden Kamuy material – there’s a conversation partway into the episode where Asirpa dubs Ushiyama “Dick-sensei” which is about par-for-the-course as far as the show’s sense of humor) is that Ienaga is pretty clearly a trans woman, yet her road to her physical transition has her murdering (and eating?) other people, something I suspect might be insulting to some folks. Most of the characters in this series are some degree of sicko, but this adds an additional angle that could be interpreted especially negatively. It’s definitely not a series that everyone will like, but while I can’t give a blanket recommendation, I can say that I do really enjoy it.
Golden Kamuy is available to watch on Crunchyroll.