Stream It Or Skip It?
Prime Video continues to build upon its animated offerings with its recent addition of Tatsuki Fujimoto 17-26. This Japanese sci-fi fantasy drama anime anthology series delves into the early works of Chainsaw Man creator, manga artist Tatsuki Fujimoto, with each episode covering a different short story he made between the ages of 17 and 26. “A Couple Clucking Chickens Were Still Kickin’ In the Schoolyard” is a story that Fujimoto created at just 17 years old. Despite the author’s youth, the tale manages to depict heavy themes like life, death, empathy, and humanity. Between the stunning visuals, sharp humor, and original (albeit a bit bleak) storyline of the pilot episode, it’s clear that this entire anthology series will be something to behold.
Opening Shot: We hear a man’s voice say, “And I realized I had to keep Ami safe,” as the screen cuts back and forth between blackness and brief, vibrant snapshots of moments that include a seeming wasteland, the aftermath of an altercation, and a young girl running away. The man shares that if you should remember one thing, it’s that an alien and a human lived hand in hand. Cut to black.
🎬 Get Free Netflix Logins
Claim your free working Netflix accounts for streaming in HD! Limited slots available for active users only.
- No subscription required
- Works on mobile, PC & smart TV
- Updated login details daily
The Gist: Welcome to the uncanny valley world of “A Couple Clucking Chickens Were Still Kickin’ In the Schoolyard,” where everything on Earth is familiar yet, quite literally, alien, as beings from other planets now inhabit the homes, schools, and recreational haunts of humans while simultaneously hunting and feasting on mankind. You wouldn’t notice these violent undercurrents, however, as you watch blue teenage alien Yōhei (Kazuki Ura) rush to get ready for school.
On his stoop, Yōhei meets up with “cute girl,” Moemi Kaneda (Kimiko Saitō), a towering, muscular green alien with pincers in a midriff-baring schoolgirl uniform. They head to a school that’s full of aliens, pausing so Yōhei can fulfil his “animal duty” and feed two chickens in the courtyard… Only those chickens are actually humans wearing chicken head costumes from a school play to avoid getting eaten, as the aliens in this area don’t find poultry especially appetizing.
The humans are Yūto (Kensho Ono) and his energetic young charge, Ami (Shion Sakurai). By voiceover, Yūto explains that it’s the year 2019 in a world where transforming aliens quickly overpowered and devoured humanity. Aliens love the taste of humans and have eaten them to near-extinction. As a result, things look grim for humanity’s future, and even more so when Yōhei enters the courtyard alone, revealing that he knows the two beings there aren’t really chickens. Although Yōhei quells Yūto and Ami’s fears with the assurance that he doesn’t want to eat them, the arrival of a new chicken-loving transfer student, Masatoshi Endō (Mitsuo Iwata), could soon spell their doom. Is there hope for humanity yet, or is this the end of Yūto and Ami?
What Shows Will It Remind You Of?: Naturally, since they share a creator, this series will remind you of Tatsuki Fujimoto’s breakout anime, Chainsaw Man, due to the striking visuals, irreverent humor, and casual yet brutal violence present in both shows.
Our Take: The episodes of Tatsuki Fujimoto 17-26 depict everything from a human who gives underwater piano lessons to a mermaid, to a vampire who hires an assassin to end his own 3,500-year-old life, to a teen girl looking to get revenge on her younger sister over a humiliating painting. It’s safe to say that no story in this anthology will be exactly alike, but what all seem to share are their striking visuals, unique characters, and evocative stories that often hint at something deeper and darker hidden beneath the surface.
“A Couple Clucking Chickens Were Still Kickin’ In the Schoolyard” is one such tale that holds something grim and unsettling at its core, beneath the veneers of gorgeous animation, humorous moments, and mundane snapshots of daily life for aliens on Earth. Because beneath these happy alien lives lurks the sinister reminder that it’s built on the bones, creations, and sacrifices of humanity. The further we progress through the episode, the more we understand that things are not as they seem, and that the promise of shocking violence lurks around every corner for any living thing that an alien deems edible or prey.
At just 17 years old, Tatsuki Fujimoto already clearly had some disquieting, amusing, and thought-provoking things to say about humanity, so it’s well worth it to see how his vision and skills continued to develop over the years by watching Tatsuki Fujimoto 17-26 now on Prime Video.
Sex and Skin: None in this episode, but there might be some nudity (and definitely more violence) in other episodes, so viewer discretion is advised.
Parting Shot: To avoid spoiling the whole thing, we’ll just say that the episode ends cyclically, with scenes of a battle and some of Yuto’s same words from the beginning, urging whoever’s listening to “just remember one thing: That before the fall of humankind, an alien and a human lived together, hand in hand. Remember, a couple of Clucking Chickens are still kicking in the Schoolyard.”
Sleeper Star: Despite her brief screentime, the hulking Moemi-chan certainly is memorable, from her surprisingly cutesy attire to the way she’d bellow almost-mannishly. For an alien, she walks an interesting line between masculine and feminine, alien and human, which definitely makes her stand out.
Most Pilot-y Line: There’s not a ton to pick from, but perhaps one of the more exposition-heavy lines, like, “Recently, I heard a rumor that the human race is now extinct. The aliens don’t know that humankind lives in this very schoolyard.”
Our Call: If you are a fan of anime, then Tatsuki Fujimoto 17-26 is an absolute must-watch. With every frame a detailed feast for the eyes, it’s clear that this series was lovingly produced and animated by a dedicated team who believe in Fujimoto’s work and vision, culminating in this quirky, affecting, and engrossing anthology unlike anything you’ve seen before. STREAM IT!
Where To Stream Tatsuki Fujimoto 17-26
Maddy Casale is a Chicago-based writer and comedian who covers everything from animated series to Hallmark movies. Follow her on Duolingo @MCasale.
Let’s be honest—no matter how stressful the day gets, a good viral video can instantly lift your mood. Whether it’s a funny pet doing something silly, a heartwarming moment between strangers, or a wild dance challenge, viral videos are what keep the internet fun and alive.