Harunobu Madarame
main character
TV
7.4
My TrackerPLANNING
Episode: 0 / 12
My Score:
Anime DetailsFINISHED
- Format
- TV series
- Episodes
- 12
- Episode length
- 25 min
- Total watch time
- 5 hours
- Status
- Finished
- Aired
- October 10, 2004 – December 26, 2004
- Season
- Fall 2004
- Source
- Manga
- Studio
- Palm Studio
- Director
- Takashi Ikehata
- Original creator
- Shimoku Kio
- Music
- Masanori Takumi
- Age rating
- PG — Teens 13 or older
- Country
- Japan
- AniList score
- 74/100
Estimated watch time
5h
⚡ 3 days at 5 eps/day
Tags & Tropes
Otaku Culture100%School Club84%Parody80%College77%Cosplay76%Ensemble Cast75%Meta73%Heterosexual70%Primarily Adult Cast66%Seinen60%
overview details
Synopsis
Sasahara Kanji is a college freshman who decides to join a student society to share his hidden thoughts on manga, anime and gaming. When he first visited Genshiken, short for "Gendai Shikaku Bunka Kenkyuu Kai" (Society for the Study of Modern Visual Culture), his groundless pride was destroyed by the plotting of Madarame, a sophomore student in Genshiken, but he still couldn't admit that he is an otaku. However, as he participates in society activities such as visiting dojin (private publishing) shops and anime festivals, and hangs out with other society members Kosaka (a hardcore otaku despite his extreme eccentricities and good looks), Kosaka's girlfriend Kasuga Saki (who isn't really an otaku), Ohno (a cosplayer) and the others, he opens his mind and resolves that he will make his way into the otaku world. With their help, Sasahara slowly adjusts to otaku life in Genshiken. (Source: AnimeNfo)
Main cast & voice actors
Should you watch Genshiken?
Probably, if you enjoy comedy and slice of life, especially stories with otaku culture, school club, parody.
Reception is positive but mixed: 74/100 on AniList, with 53% of 12K ratings at 8/10 or higher. It's the #13 highest-rated anime of 2004.
About 5.0% of viewers drop it, which is typical.
At about 5 hours in total, it is a short commitment — a weekend binge.
Where to Watch Officially
Availability, audio and subtitles vary by region and service.
Episodes
12 episodes are listed.
Creators & key staff
- Original creator
- Shimoku Kio
- Director
- Takashi Ikehata
- Series composition
- Michiko Yokote
- Character design
- Hirotaka Kinoshita
- Music
- Masanori Takumi
Where it fits in the series
- Start here. Genshiken is the first entry in its story.
- Watch next: Genshiken OVA (2006)
Related entries
Opening & ending themes
Openings (2)
- OP1“Kujibiki Unbalance” · eps 1
- OP2“My Pace Daioh” · eps 2-12
Endings (1)
- ED1“Biidama” by Saori Atsumi
Theme data from AnimeThemes.moe.
If you like Genshiken
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Genshiken FAQ
How many episodes does Genshiken have?
Genshiken has 12 episodes of about 25 minutes each, roughly 5 hours in total.
How long does it take to watch Genshiken?
About 5 hours back to back. At two episodes a day it takes 6 days; at one hour a day, about 5 days.
Is Genshiken finished?
Yes. Genshiken has finished airing — the final episode aired December 26, 2004.
Is there a season 2 of Genshiken?
Yes — the story continues in Genshiken OVA (2006).
Where do I start Genshiken?
Start here: Genshiken is the first entry, followed by Genshiken OVA.
Is Genshiken based on a manga?
Yes. Genshiken adapts the manga by Shimoku Kio.
Who animated Genshiken?
Genshiken was animated by Palm Studio and directed by Takashi Ikehata.
Who sings the opening of Genshiken?
The opening, "Kujibiki Unbalance", is performed by an uncredited artist.
Where can I watch Genshiken?
Genshiken is listed on OceanVeil. Availability varies by region — check the streaming links on this page.