Review: Ribon x Oha Suta Specials

Today's reviews will be animated OVAs that ran as a collaboration between Ribon, a monthly shoujo manga magazine, and Oha Suta a morning program for children (known for it's coverage of idols, Pokemon, anime and young pop-culture).

These shorts (which are very short) served as commercials to gain interest for the manga that were being sold. I'll do my best to attach links to where to read these manga online if you're interested!

If I can find any online videos, they will be included and you can watch along with me and comment with what you thought

See you below the cut!

Romantica Clock

Wiki information here

Don't be misled, I got this on bakaBT thinking it was a short series but it seems to be more of a trailer or teaser to encourage you to watch the anime. The animation looks like panels from the manga with very fluid movement and beautiful pastel-like shading. They've got some pretty good voice actors which makes me wonder if they had a drama cd or radio show... or would consider one.

The plot that I can gather from the 3 minutes, it's a story about these twins; one of which is trying to keep a promise from childhood to his sister about becoming a vet, while the sister promises to always aim to be better than him? I think.

Sounds brattish, but it seems really cute! I can't get over the striking beauty. It's a shoujo paradise crammed into minute long episodes! Really want to learn more about this mangaka. 

If you want to read this manga go here.

Sugar*Solider

Information here

Growing up with a sister who was a model, this girl decides she's going to make it own her own until Hottie McBishie kicks a football at her face and crashes into her in efforts to... not hurt her?

"When girls think about becoming cute, they become stronger!"
It's hard to read into what seems to be a really shallow idea for a manga. At the heart it seems this girl is constantly feeling overshadowed by the confidence of her sister and when she feels confident that it's still not good enough; that's when our handsome bishie demonstrates she has value by taking time to worry about her despite being popular?

I'm not sure about the plot here at all. These are titles aimed at young teens after all, if you want to find out more about this for yourself you can read it here.

Tsubasa to Hotaru

Information here

I couldn't find an English sub of this anywhere! But there is a full OVA that I plan on reviwing!
In the meantime, read the manga here!

Zekkyou Gekkyuu

Information here

It's always encouraging when you hear Ali Project music straight of the bat in an anime short.

The introductions to each "short" are very interesting.. as you, the viewer are welcomed to the class and  asked a few questions before leading back into story. That voice acting alongside the ALI Project music gives me shivers.

A group of students are planning a Halloween ball and realise they haven't talked much to the rich transfer student.. one thing leads to another and they go to her house and are warned away from the storage cupboard. But this is a horror story. So someone opens that door.

Throw in some voodoo that actually changes an abrasive brother into the ideal anime stereotype sis-con brother. Imagine changing everyone into your ideal when the slightly annoy you..

Welcome to "Screaming class"- a girl who longs to sing better is granted a beautiful voice at the expense of a demon taking over her throat.

I've never been a fan of horror. Mystery is okay.. fantasy is okay. But the second I saw that thing crawl in her throat. It doesn't matter how amazing the art style is! Though it may be a bit more tolerable if I read it in the manga. It won't be one I'll rush to.

If it's one you'd rush to read, look no further and read it here!

Crash!

Information here

The story seems to be focusing on the number 1 idol group; called Crash, a member of which was one off her childhood friends. After going to a live event of theirs, she becomes suddenly popular and meets the group's producer who is a high school girl she knows!

The interactions between characters seems to be very humourous as a lot of chibification goes on during shenanigans between the almost devilish nature of the producer and the many shades of tropes of the band members.

OH MY GOD THIS ART STYLE!!!! This is definitely a manga I will read, not really for the story as I'm not certain it won't just be a reverse harem.. but that art style.... omg.
Read the manga online here! 

Nagareboshi Lens

Information here

Finally, something over 4 minutes in length! There's a lovely quality to the backgrounds, and the detail that goes into everything, we're talking strands of hair- that kind of quality.

The story is heartwarmingly sweet and the emotions of a first love are portrayed to the point where I think every girl will empathise. The love interest is a believable type, which doesn't come too commonly with shoujo manga, usually they are laughably imagined.

So many moments had me sitting doe-eyed with a huge smile, cupping my face in my hands and the sheer dere-dere nature of the story telling. Exchanging pens and phone numbers!! Ahhh too cute!!!

I will totally read this, you too can read it here.

Hiyokoi

Information here

Hiyori is hit by a truck before her first day of school and returns after 12 months. Her best friend Misa and the rowdy, giant Yuushin try and help her come out of her shell to make her realise that coming to school and confronting her fears were worth the effort.

There's 2 versions of this- the 3 episode Oha suta and a full length OVA.
I'll cover the full OVA in another blog.Until then, you can watch the shorts and of course red the manga here!