The office worker with a death metal personality is premiering globally as a Netflix original series this Spring.
Sanrio’s Aggretsuko is now on Netflix with ten 15-minute episodes that follow the awesome red panda through her life as an office worker in Tokyo, dealing with the frustrations of office life by day. But after the working hours are done, this office worker rages to death metal karaoke and drinking beer.
Retsuko is an adorable, 25-year old red panda working as an office associate in the accounting department of a trading company in Tokyo. All she wants is to do is do her job and get through the day, but when office workday frustrations reach a boiling point, she reaches “rage mode” and vents her frustrations through death metal karaoke sessions. Her cute appearance transforms into a face painted metal rocker.
The ten 15-minute episodes of the Netflix Original series will follow Retsuko’s trials and tribulations as she maneuvers company politics, befriends co-workers, and attempts to maintain a healthy work/life balance.
Aggretsuko was originally introduced in a series of short sketches airing on TBS (Tokyo Broadcasting System), the characters of Agggretsuko (whose Japanese title is literally translated as “Aggressive Retsuko”) have hound a steadily growing fan base throughout the world.
The series is written and directed by the multi-talented Japanese creator Rarecho (Yawaraka Tank), who also voices Retsuko’s death metal interludes, Aggretsuko is co-produced by Sanrio, TBS and Fanworks (Lulu & Lolo: Tiny Twin Bears).
Aggretsuko merchandise has been out in Sanrio stores and some retail locations, such as Hot Topic. Sanrio.com has just launched The Aggretsuko Shop to coincide with the launch of the new series. Also, stay tuned for co-branded merchandise & collaboration with Amoeba Music in Los Angeles and San Francisco with pop-up shops to follow soon!
I’ve seen some of the original Japanese episodes, which are pretty funny. Having worked for a Japanese firm/company before, I can total relate. There are a few original episodes that have references to Japanese working culture that some American audiences may not understand. But since a lot of it involves work place culture, I’m sure everyone will be able to relate to it.
I’m not sure if Aggretsuko will be more popular than Gudetama, but her popularity has been steadily growing over the past year.
For more information on Aggretsuko or Sanrio, visit www.sanrio.com and catch the animated series on Netflix.
