Third-rate Magical Pokaan
Episodes: 12
Episodes: 12
Aired: April, 5 2006- June, 21 2006
Runtime: 26 mins per episode (5.2 hours total)
Producers: Shinobu Yoshinuma, Nobuhiro Osawa, 室谷陽平, Katsuhiko Nozawa
Runtime: 26 mins per episode (5.2 hours total)
Producers: Shinobu Yoshinuma, Nobuhiro Osawa, 室谷陽平, Katsuhiko Nozawa
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The opening sequence was the clincher, however I later found it didn't really portray the anime at all- for this, my friends is very much a parody. |
DISCLAIMER:
This anime has quite a lot of fanservice and I wouldn't recommend it for young teenagers due to this. In clicking past the cut you are saying you are above the age of 17.
Synopsis:
Four Princesses of the Netherworld for a reason that's not fully known. The anime is about their trials and tribulations while trying to live in the human world with its strange ways, learning to blend into society and also trying to keep safe and out of the clutches of the occult Super Doctor K-ko.
Plot:
Director: Kenichi Yatagai
A group of Princesses from the Netherworld come to live in the human world in a tree house, at first the plot is centred around them trying to understand the human world and trying to integrate, with the typical anime-girl worry of getting a boyfriend. They are captured at the start by a self-proclaimed Doctor of the occult Dr K-ko, who wishes to prove the exsistance of
Director: Kenichi Yatagai
A playful take on the magical-girl archetype; Yuuma is a very clumsy witch in training with a heart of gold, childish innocence and a love for romance manga. I've been so overwhelmed with her archetype so I guess she's faded somewhat from my memory; bit some things do remain.
when she casts a spell her pants become visible which makes her intensely embarrassed, this is a refreshing difference from the usual goings on with magical girl but conflicted from how at the start she got in trouble for unashamedly bearing her breasts in public (unless she learned human shame..?)
She holds a lot of traits of the genki/happy type, she's usually seen laughing, smiling, winking and speaks in a high nasal tone with childish speech patterns. Yuuma is a human otaku, she is fascinated with many aspects of human life, from postmen to TV shopping. her nativity holding out of course, because she thought it was all free...
Pachira is a very haughty vampire who unfortunately lacks the womanly curves of a traditional succubus and thus doesn't really get any male attention so she seems to somehow survive from drinking tomato juice and eating normal meals. She has an aversion to strong garlic but can eat mild garlic dishes without "burning her stomach" and she can also go outside in daylight providing she has something covering her face. In keeping with traditional vampires she has no reflection and can only be seen via thermal imaging on television/pictures.
Pachira is close to having a tsundere personality in that she seems cold and on the outside able to just make people her servants, but is against biting people and usually falls in love with people without biting or sleeping with the target of her affection. She is shameless when it comes to trying to lure a man and will willingly flash her underwear while adapting a very submissive demeanour. She has the tropes of the twintailed princess brat and of course, being a vampire wears gothic lolita clothing. She has two pet bats that live on her clothes and react to her emotions.
Liru (The werewolf)
Liru isn't the kind of werewolf you'd imagine, she can control her transformations for a start, but at heart she's like a mix between a puppy and a cat with a hilarious deposition towards meat and anything vaguely spherical. She is rather simple and as a result does things like trying to free taxidermy wolves from a museum. Whilst being a lazy creature that loves nothing more than sun and slacking, she is quick to fight and does enjoy watching people fight.
Aiko (The android)
Aiko is an adorable, gentle-souled android who acts like a household appliance by doing all the repairs, cooking and cleaning. She has a deep affinity with other appliances, seeing them as her cute comrades and takes great offence to anything being referred to as "obsolete technology" perhaps almost in the same way as calling a person old, she sees it as a personal insult. Being an android she is susceptible to common computer issues, she tends to overheat, stall or crash if put under stress and if left uncleaned she can cease to function altogether, her technology is slightly outdated and due to this she craves updates and sadly, her memories are all stored on VHS, which for now cannot be read.
Animation/art:
Art Director: Kawamoto Ayu
Do not get the art from the opening confused with how the actual art will be in the series, the opening is an overstretch of the actual quality and fluidity of the actual animation, so it may disappoint some to see it is not carried through past that point.
That being said I'm still impressed. This could be because I'm so used to watching older anime, though this anime is now nearly 10 years old (I would have classed this as a 'new' title.. eep). Some times the proportions of characters are totally askew and there's some fluctuation of hair length, ear sizes, leg to torso ratio, shorts sizes.. the list goes on. Though you can forgive this as the colouring is pretty and bright, very fitting for the comedic genre.
That being said I'm still impressed. This could be because I'm so used to watching older anime, though this anime is now nearly 10 years old (I would have classed this as a 'new' title.. eep). Some times the proportions of characters are totally askew and there's some fluctuation of hair length, ear sizes, leg to torso ratio, shorts sizes.. the list goes on. Though you can forgive this as the colouring is pretty and bright, very fitting for the comedic genre.
Translation Quality:
Subtitle Group: Kotomi
Easy to read, timing brilliant.
There were quite a few instances of inaccurate translations and the annoying spelling of Yuma as Uma (though I think this is how American media decided to have her name). Also translation of the last few lines of the ending song seems very very off.. maybe they were going for an artistic edge to match the tone of the song?
Subtitle Group: Kotomi
There were quite a few instances of inaccurate translations and the annoying spelling of Yuma as Uma (though I think this is how American media decided to have her name). Also translation of the last few lines of the ending song seems very very off.. maybe they were going for an artistic edge to match the tone of the song?
BGM, Songs and SFX:
Sound Director: Matsuoka Yuuki
Opening song: Senketsu no Chikai- Yousei Teikoku
This is an amazing song, at first it reminded me of Wakeshima Kanon with some aspects of Ali Project. A classical gothic, electronic rock feel with breathy, doll-like vocals. A very dark and dramatic song, completely the opposite of the anime itself. But it serves as an amazing parody to a lot of anime of it's kind.
Ending song: Shichaimashou OOO (different versions for all characters)
I loved the idea of this. There's a base tune and chorus, but the rest of the song is tailored to whichever character is singing at the time. It's one of the first times I look forward to listening and watching through the next ending theme. Though the spell incantations can be a bit hard on ears not used to high-nasal voices.
The overall score is refreshing, with light-hearted wind instruments and upbeat instrumentals backgrounds during conversations. It nicely creates an atmosphere between the characters and makes the viewer feel part of the experience. Though at points the music reminds me of some Japanese children's movies, which again may be part of the parody aspect?
This is an amazing song, at first it reminded me of Wakeshima Kanon with some aspects of Ali Project. A classical gothic, electronic rock feel with breathy, doll-like vocals. A very dark and dramatic song, completely the opposite of the anime itself. But it serves as an amazing parody to a lot of anime of it's kind.
I loved the idea of this. There's a base tune and chorus, but the rest of the song is tailored to whichever character is singing at the time. It's one of the first times I look forward to listening and watching through the next ending theme. Though the spell incantations can be a bit hard on ears not used to high-nasal voices.
The overall score is refreshing, with light-hearted wind instruments and upbeat instrumentals backgrounds during conversations. It nicely creates an atmosphere between the characters and makes the viewer feel part of the experience. Though at points the music reminds me of some Japanese children's movies, which again may be part of the parody aspect?
Final Thought:
Original Creator
So much fun... so funny, so cute.. so confusing. There's often a fine line between parody and down right annoying, but I thoughrally enjoyed this.
If you want to watch it too, the season is here (there will be a short ad first)
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