By Shanel Kamara

I knew what I was gearing myself up for when I decided to watch this; I mean firstly it falls under the shoujo/music category, secondly the overall plot follows the activities of a male idol group, and thirdly the anime is of one of Rejet's and Idea Factory's otome titles (no discredit to Rejet and Idea Factory's work). In spite of acknowledging all of these facts, I still cannot keep myself from asking the question: why I am watching this. Even though I know, the answer is because I need something completely nonsensical albeit light-hearted to watch, as opposed to something serious and profound, it does not stop the insistent questions: why are the idol group members excited over physical examinations? What kind of (excuse my language) imbecile takes off their underwear for an examination and how exactly does someone drop something like underwear, without realizing, and it end up on a tree branch?

The more time I spend ruminating on it, the more my head hurts - although that might just be due to the cold, I recently caught. Whether it's a case of the cold or the show itself, my advice to anyone who has not yet been exposed to the heart-stopping, cringe causing dance moves, gaudy idol uniforms, or the sickeningly sweet song lyrics featured in the opening and ending soundtrack, is to not think while watching this type of show or take it too seriously. It took me a while to realize this, but I feel a lot better after having this epiphany (seriously); I am apparently a lot more serious than I thought.

It's weird, but I think watching these kinds of shows now and again can be good. I certainly feel more cheerful now, not that I was feeling particularly down or anything. Marginal#4 is silly, but nevertheless enjoyable and fun. I definitely recommend it to anyone in need of some bubbly entertainment.

Score: 3/5

Marginal #4: Kiss Kara Tsukuru Big Bang E.02