If you are after a comedy that actually makes you laugh out loud, AIKa is available on streaming right now. The 1-season run is exactly the right length for what it is doing. An 8/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Hiroko Konishi sets the tone, and the rest of the cast matches it scene for scene. Available now — press play and find out why people keep recommending it.

Part of the current wave of titles people are actually watching, AIKa earns its spot. The jokes in AIKa land because the characters underneath them are worth caring about. Aika Sumeragi works as a salvager for hire, but gets caught up in a plot for world domination. Between them, Hiroko Konishi and Rei Sakuma carry the comedy without ever forcing it. AIKa premiered in 1997–1999. What keeps AIKa from feeling disposable is a cast that clearly understands the material better than the format usually demands. The hit rate here is high enough that skipping ahead never feels like an option.

AIKa is the kind of thing you put on in the background and end up fully watching. Viewers who responded to AIKa ZERO will find a lot to like here too. It is a manageable watch, easy to fit into a single week. Hiroko Konishi's comic timing carries it through its weaker moments. The kind of comedy you recommend to someone who claims they do not watch much.

AIKa wrapped up in 1999 — and 1 season is available to watch from start to finish. Find exactly where it's streaming below, and TV Butler Pro's free voice app makes it effortless to track your progress as you go. Just say the name, and Butler finds it instantly, tells you which service has it, and remembers exactly where you left off.