The Helpful Fox Senko-san (世話やきキツネの仙狐さん)

Anime Mini-Review

Work can suck, but for Japanese salaryman Kuroto Nakano, the stress and poor work-life balance leaves him with an ever-growing aura of misery engulfing him. But the risk poses a risk not only to him, but the world as a whole. The risk is so great that the gods opt to do something about it, sending him an adorable 800-year-old fox girl named Senko to “pamper” him at every opportunity. From cooking and cleaning to whisking him away for holidays on supernatural beaches, Senko becomes a valued, helpful fox.

The Helpful Fox Senko-san is true to its opening theme song, in that it is very mofu mofu~ (Fluffy~ Fluffy~). Those after a rich narrative will probably find little to enjoy, as most episodes are standalone experiences. But if the idea of watching a fox girl clean an exhausted guys ears, scrub his back before a path or pamper him in all sorts of adorable or hilarious ways sound up your alley – few series can match the anime in this department.

The Helpful Fox Senko-san does not cover the entire manga it is based on, which is still being created to this day, opting for a more standalone experience and leaving the door open for a second season. Because of this, many mysteries are still left up in the air our downright teased, and while there were attempts at adding a level of suspense in the final episodes, most episodes ultimately focused on being super-comforting, 100% aww-able and totally mofu~ mofu~. Having read about the events depicted in later events of the manga, I would be disappointed if they didn’t continue going with at least one more season, as there are evidently more cute hijinks and mysteries to be solved. Combined with the small but well-utilised cast, an overall charming aesthetic, and a story which I would describe as ‘Relaxing, The Helpful Fox Senko-san is an easy show to binge and enjoy.

My only complaint is… just how bad do you need to be to get yourself a cute fox girl to pamper you? Cause I would love one to both be pampered by, and to pamper myself.

8

The Helpful Fox Senko-san is now available to stream in North America, Australia and New Zealand via Funimation. Both Japanese voice over and English dub options are available. There is a home video release in North America, but no word on when it will be available to purchase physically in Australia.

This review was originally posted in the article ‘Three Anime which Give Off That Warm Fuzzy Feeling‘, published in July 2021.

Sam
Sam
Founder of The Otaku's Study. I have been exploring this labyrinth of fandom these last fifteen years, and still nowhere close to the exit yet. Probably searching for a long time to come.

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