Asobi ni Iku yo!

Cat Planet Cuties

Characters

Kio Kakazu

MAIN

Eris

MAIN

Aoi Futaba

MAIN

Manami Kinjou

MAIN

Jens

SUPPORTING

Satoshi Fukuhara

SUPPORTING

Muttley

SUPPORTING

Durel

SUPPORTING

Ichika

SUPPORTING

Narrator

SUPPORTING

Lawry

SUPPORTING

Yuuichi Miyagi

SUPPORTING

Maki Itokazu

SUPPORTING

Sarah

SUPPORTING

Toni Grimdenbaum

SUPPORTING

Janis

SUPPORTING

Maya

SUPPORTING

Antonia Morfenoss

SUPPORTING

Aiko Ishimine

SUPPORTING

Eizoubu Buchou

SUPPORTING

Kuune

SUPPORTING

Arisa Oshiro

SUPPORTING

Takao Kawasaki

SUPPORTING

Endou

SUPPORTING

Melwin

SUPPORTING

Cat Planet Cuties Season 1: A Playful Sci-Fi Romp with Catgirls and Chaos

Cat Planet Cuties (also known as Asobi ni Iku Yo!, meaning “Let’s Go Play!”) is a 2010 anime series that blends science fiction, comedy, romance, and a generous dose of ecchi fan service. Adapted from Okina Kamino’s light novel series and produced by AIC Plus+, the 12-episode first season (plus a bonus OVA) aired from July 10 to September 25, 2010. With its vibrant animation, quirky humor, and a premise centered around curvaceous cat-aliens, the show delivers a lighthearted yet chaotic adventure that’s equal parts charming and polarizing. Here’s an in-depth look at Cat Planet Cuties Season 1, exploring its plot, characters, themes, and reception.

Plot Overview: A Galactic Meet-Cute

The story follows Kio Kakazu, a kindhearted high school student living a mundane life in Okinawa, Japan. His world turns upside down when he encounters Eris, a bubbly, voluptuous catgirl from the planet Catia, who crash-lands on Earth during a memorial service for one of Kio’s ancestors. Eris is on a peaceful mission to learn about Earth’s inhabitants and foster diplomatic relations, but her arrival sparks chaos. Kio’s house becomes the impromptu Catian embassy, hosting Eris and her fellow feline aliens, while secret organizations, rival dog-aliens, and even a fanatical catgirl-worshipping cult complicate matters.

The season unfolds as a mix of episodic hijinks and an overarching plot involving interspecies diplomacy and action-packed conflicts. Eris’s presence attracts attention from groups like the CIA, Japan’s Immigration Bureau, and the “Beautiful Contact” sci-fi fan club, all with their own agendas. Meanwhile, Kio’s childhood friend Manami Kinjo (a CIA recruit) and Aoi Futaba (a teleporting ex-assassin) grapple with their feelings for Kio, creating a harem dynamic laced with romantic tension and comedic misunderstandings. From train hijackings by a kitty-loving cult to a high-stakes mission to save a plummeting Catian mothership, Season 1 balances playful fan service with surprising moments of heart and heroism.

Characters: A Colorful Cast of Catgirls and Humans

The characters are the heart of Cat Planet Cuties, blending archetypal anime tropes with enough charm to keep things engaging:

• Kio Kakazu (voiced by Mutsumi Tamura in Japanese, Aaron Dismuke in English): The everyman protagonist, Kio is a sweet, slightly naive teen whose life is upended by Eris’s arrival. His kindness and determination to protect his friends drive the story, though his voice acting in the English dub has drawn mixed reviews for lacking dynamism.
• Eris (voiced by Kanae Ito in Japanese, Brittney Karbowski in English): The cheerful, curvaceous Catian emissary whose mission is to “play” and learn about Earth. Her cat-like traits (including a heat cycle) and flirtatious nature fuel much of the show’s humor and fan service. Eris is both endearing and capable, often saving the day with alien tech.
• Manami Kinjo (voiced by Haruka Tomatsu in Japanese, Monica Rial in English): Kio’s tough, bullying childhood friend with CIA aspirations. Her unrequited feelings for Kio and rivalry with Eris add emotional depth, though her aggressive streak can feel jarring.
• Aoi Futaba (voiced by Kana Hanazawa in Japanese, Tia Ballard in English): A reserved ex-assassin with teleportation powers working for Japan’s Immigration Bureau. Her quiet affection for Kio and internal struggles make her a fan favorite, with her action scenes stealing the spotlight.
• Supporting Cast: The show introduces a slew of memorable side characters, including the Catian Captain Kuune (Kikuko Inoue), the quirky Assistroid Lawry (Aki Toyosaki), and antagonists like the Dogisian dog-aliens and the cult leader Maki Itokazu (Hiromi Hirata). The Assistroids, robotic cat-like helpers, add comedic flair with their tiny signs and deadpan antics.

Themes and Style: Fan Service with a Side of Sci-Fi

Cat Planet Cuties is unapologetically a fan service anime, leaning heavily into ecchi tropes like revealing outfits, suggestive situations, and Eris’s mating season shenanigans. However, it’s not just a “nudie jiggle-a-thon.” The show weaves in themes of interspecies cooperation, loyalty, and the clash between personal desires and duty. Eris’s mission to build bridges between Catians and humans mirrors the characters’ struggles to reconcile their feelings with their affiliations, particularly for Manami and Aoi, who are labeled traitors after defying their organizations to protect Eris.

The sci-fi elements, while not deeply explored, add a playful twist. Catian technology, like weapons that destroy only inanimate objects (leaving characters conveniently naked), injects humor into action scenes. The show also pokes fun at anime tropes, with cat and dog puns galore and a self-aware approach to its harem dynamics. The animation quality is a standout, with vibrant colors, fluid sequences, and detailed character designs that elevate the visual appeal. The soundtrack, including catchy opening and outro themes, complements the romantic and comedic tone.

Reception: A Divisive Yet Charming Adventure

Cat Planet Cuties Season 1 has a mixed reputation. Fans praise its high production values, likable characters, and ability to balance fan service with a coherent story. Reviewers on Amazon and IMDb highlight its charm, with one calling it “one of the best anime seen from 2010” for its humor and heart, despite its reliance on “sexiness.” The English dub by Funimation is generally well-received, though some criticize Kio’s voice acting as a weak link.

Critics, however, point to its shallow plot and heavy fan service as drawbacks. The story prioritizes lighthearted chaos over depth, and some viewers find the ecchi elements (like nudity and Eris’s heat cycle) gratuitous. Others lament the lack of a second season, as the light novels and manga extend far beyond the anime’s 12 episodes, leaving many plot threads unresolved. The manga, serialized in Monthly Comic Alive, and the 20-volume light novel series offer more content, but English translations are incomplete, frustrating fans hoping for closure.

Availability and Legacy

You can stream Cat Planet Cuties Season 1 on platforms like Crunchyroll (via the Crunchyroll Amazon Channel) or purchase it on Amazon Video and Apple TV. Funimation’s Blu-ray/DVD combo includes extras like a U.S. trailer, making it a solid collector’s item. The show’s single season and OVA (a strip-game-filled sequel) have kept it a cult favorite, though hopes for a Season 2 remain unfulfilled as of 2025.

Final Verdict: A Frisky, Flawed Feline Fantasy

Cat Planet Cuties Season 1 is a delightful guilty pleasure for fans of sci-fi comedy and ecchi anime. Its blend of catgirl antics, harem romance, and action-packed rescues makes it a fun, if not profound, ride. While it leans heavily on fan service and doesn’t fully explore its sci-fi potential, the show’s charm, animation, and memorable characters make it worth a watch for those who don’t mind a bit of “bouncing.” For better or worse, it’s a purr-fectly chaotic snapshot of 2010s anime excess.

Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, Amazon Video, Apple TV
Rating: TV-MA (violence, nudity, risqué humor)
Recommendation: Ideal for fans of To Love-Ru or Tenchi Muyo! who enjoy lighthearted harem anime with a sci-fi twist.