Locodol (or Futsuu no Joshikousei ga [Locodol] Yattemita, which translates as Normal High School Girls Tried Being Locodols) is a twelve-episode anime based on the manga written by Kotaro Kosugi. The anime was adapted by Feel. In addition, there is a thirteenth episode, which is an OVA.
Ordinary high school girl Nanako Usami is approached by her uncle to become a local idol, or Locodol, in order to promote their hometown Nagarekawa. She partners up with her upperclassman Yukari Kohinata to form an idol unit called Nagarekawa Girls. They perform alongside Nagarekawa’s mascot, Uogokoro-kun. The person inside the mascot is generally Yui Mikoze, though Mirai Nazukari serves as a substitute later on.
As the English title implies, the main characters are normal school girls. Nanako requires gentle encouragement from Yukari at first, but it doesn’t take her too long to really take to life as a Locodol. What is clear from the start is that Yukari has feelings for Nanako.
Yukari isn’t overbearing with those feelings. She will tease Nanako occasionally, but she never means any harm. As the series goes on, it seems that Nanako moves steadily closer to reciprocating those feelings. This is demonstrated through a particularly heartwarming scene before the climax of the anime.
As for the other characters, they have their own charms. Despite being older than Nanako, Yui is shorter. However, she has a well-developed figure, which is a sore point for Nanako. Her friend, Mirai, does not possess much in the way of confidence, but she can be relied on to perform as Nagarekawa’s mascot, Uogokoro.
To begin with, Nagarekawa Girls very much serve as the supporting act for Uogokoro-kun. They slowly work their way up to appearing on national TV, partaking in all kinds of odd jobs. As mentioned before, Yukari is always there to provide support for Nanako, and the two have a great dynamic together.
The soundtrack for Locodol is good. From Nagarekawa’s catchy theme to the Nagarekawa Girls’ debut single, there is a lot to be listening to. The Uogokoro-kun song is pretty much an earworm.
Locodol is pure joy to watch. The interaction between the characters, their development and just everything combine to make an anime that is well worth checking out.
Score: 10/10
Watching Nanako and Yukari take on life as Locodols is fun to watch, and the soundtrack to go along with it is great. Worth checking out if you like idol anime, and heck, it even has yuri elements.
Rory Muses 