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Abenobashi Mahou Shotengai
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Animation - 8.2 |
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Sound - 7.8 |
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Story - 7.4 |
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Character - 8.2 |
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Value - 7.8 |
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Enjoyment - 8.2 |
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Average - 7.8 |
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| Average |
5.3 |
| Animation |
8 |
| Sound |
8 |
| Story |
4 |
| Character |
4 |
| Value |
4 |
| Enjoyment |
4 |
| Parody anime have never quite struck a cord with me, and this time is no different. Like all the others, Abenobashi tries to be funny, but it rarely is.
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Summoner |
(2008-03-08 11:24:05) 2008-03-08 11:07:27 |
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| Average |
6.8 |
| Animation |
7 |
| Sound |
6 |
| Story |
7 |
| Character |
7 |
| Value |
7 |
| Enjoyment |
7 |
| How far is fantasy and real world apart? Are the thoughts, the worlds in our minds only exist as just faint waves, or are they stuffed somewhere in some place as a concrete matter? Wouldn't it be possible for a single mind to create thousands of different dimensions, thousands of different worlds, with their own rules, physics and characters? Wait... haven't movies, anime, other similar media already achieved that? We can see different worlds from different heads of various people on our screens or paper anytime. Anyway, Abenobashi Mahou Shoutengai is all about the power of the mind and its ability to create different, normal or nonsensical worlds alike. Also, it's about people who escape to these worlds, people who ignore reality and chose fantasy over it. People who are very common amongst otaku. Seriously, if you are one - watch this show, I can't really guarantee it, but this show should give you something to think about it. Actually, this show might have come as a shock to me if I had watched it three or so years ago, when I was on the brink of losing reality myself. Though then, something else made me realize that real world should never be ignored, so this show could only confirm the truth I have already found way before. Nonetheless, it certainly was enjoyable.
Packing tremendous amount of parodies, hundred of gags and cleverly hidden philosophical story Abenobashi Mahou Shoutengai is one of the best shows I have seen this year. While at the beginning plot seems episodic (and really nonsensical) everything comes along together later. And as long as its episodic - good characters are going to carry it very well on themselves. Also, the ending of the show is terrific, I was literally gaping my mouth wide open on the very few last scenes in this show. Not only the ending proved me that Abenobashi Mahou Shoutengai is not exactly intended as a comedy show, but that it also carries a very strong message for many otakus out here. Hehe, but to get it, you sure have to be a heavy otaku yourself. Well, in the end all I can say is "as to be expected from GAINAX", creators of Furi Kuri and Neon Genesis Evangelion (though don't go around shouting that this show is as good as those two, it's not. But it's good nonetheless).
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1 of 2 people found this review helpful.
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| Average |
1.0 |
| Animation |
0 |
| Sound |
0 |
| Story |
0 |
| Character |
0 |
| Value |
0 |
| Enjoyment |
1 |
| I decided just to rank the enjoyment factor, since I didn't see it through. Usually that means I don't feel I can review. However, when something is supposed to be funny and you watch it to at least see something that's supposed to be funny, and fail, then something is very wrong. Not that I think I get all jokes, especially when it comes to parodies (since you are unlikely to always identify the links to the original material) but I should at least be able to identify when something is supposed to be funny, even if it doesn't appeal to my sense of humor. The pace is terrible, so I doubt there can be much funniness. It does not remind one of Excel saga, it reminds one of Nadesico. I didn't get that one either, but at least I could identify that some things were supposed to be funny. I can write no more, since I have no idea what to critize, since I don't see what was going on in the makers' mind.
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0 of 2 people found this review helpful.
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| Average |
6.0 |
| Animation |
7 |
| Sound |
7 |
| Story |
6 |
| Character |
5 |
| Value |
6 |
| Enjoyment |
5 |
| Two kids get stuck in a parallel universe and end up travelling through different worlds trying to find their way back to their own. That’s basically all that happens. If you like scantily clad, big busty women, suggestive poses, urinating, farting and nose picking then you’ll be in hog heaven. I’m not a big fan of overused, long-running gags, so I quickly got bored of watching a prepubescent boy continually ogle a woman’s barely covered chest. Watching the boy’s companion repeatedly bash him over the head wasn’t any more fun.
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0 of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Bokusha |
(2007-04-09 18:01:55) 2007-01-05 16:33:26 |
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| Average |
4.8 |
| Animation |
7 |
| Sound |
5 |
| Story |
4 |
| Character |
5 |
| Value |
0 |
| Enjoyment |
3 |
| Abenobashi's a bit of a weird anime that's not nearly as enjoyable as it could've been by being horribly inconsistent in both artwork and premise.
The series starts out as plain comedy (and admittedly it has a few gutbusting moments, even if it's potty-humour) and parody series (although the parodies themselves aren't really funny) but tries too hard at becoming serious halfway through and fails hard at it. In short, the second half of the series is neither funny or interesting and feels like a waste of airtime.
One of the few series I really felt I wasted my time on.
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0 of 1 people found this review helpful.
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| Average |
8.0 |
| Animation |
8 |
| Sound |
8 |
| Story |
8 |
| Character |
8 |
| Value |
7 |
| Enjoyment |
9 |
| Gainax traditionally seems to try to meld two very separate genres into one anime with varying success. Think about Mahoromatic, the first part of each season was hilarious, but in the last few episodes, the tone changed almost abruptly to drama. While Abenobashi is not this extreme, it also tries to combine comedy with some kind of moral or dramatic element, sometimes even in the same scene.
That said, this anime is actually one of the funniest and most well done that I have ever seen. It is mostly a parody anime, where in each episode, the same seven or eight characters show up in different worlds with varying roles and objectives. For instance, one world is Dinosaur Land and another is Hollywood Land. Each land is still the Abenobashi Shopping District, but transformed to fit whatever the current world theme is.
I found most of the episodes to be hilarious, and the comedy never got stale. The varying worlds allowed the same characters to be used over and over with out any problems. My only complaint is that Gainax actually tried to put in some kind of meaningful plot towards the end, and because of this, the last episode was not very funny and kind of confusing. It is a let down to have nonstop comedy for 12 episodes, then have the final episode drop the ball in an attempt to add some kind of meaning in the last episode.
However, despite the little bit of misplaced drama, I highly recommend watching this show if you are looking for a bit of off the wall comedy. Just be prepared for a change in tone towards the end of the series.
Also, I figured that I needed to add that this anime is the raunchiest anime that I have seen this side of hentai. I'm sure that it pushed even the Japanese limits of what could be aired on TV. If you watch this anime, be prepared for gratuitous ecchi scenes, scantily clad women, bare breasts and even male genitalia (though these are very simply drawn).
Average Score = 7
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andy |
(2006-11-04 16:50:50) 2006-06-15 14:56:32 |
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| Average |
8.5 |
| Animation |
9 |
| Sound |
10 |
| Story |
7 |
| Character |
8 |
| Value |
8 |
| Enjoyment |
9 |
| Abenobashi is of the comming of age genre, which seems to be pretty popular these days. It's kinda like FLCL, with a slightly different look at growing up. It's full of parodies and a humor in the same vein as FLCL, just...more so.
Parodies are usually dry and boring, but Abenobashi keeps it fresh, as the parodies are merely backgrounds. The real amusement comes from the interactions of our main characters sashi and arumi.
Also, you won't have to worry about not getting 90% of the jokes. A big chunk of the parodies are actually of western movies/shows/etc.
I have really mixed feelings about Abenobashi. It's pacing gets pretty erratic, moving from heavy drama to random parodies between episodes at times. It's usually not really integrated as smoothly as FLCL. All the parody episodes are quite amusing though, and not in the excel saga manner either. Excel saga has A LOT of gags and random jokes, while the bulk of Abenobashi's amusement comes from interactions of the two main characters. It's also usually not as random.
The technicalities of the plot take an agonizing half an episode to come out, and i think the explanations as to why the dimensional rift or other headspinning aspects of the world exist could have easily been left out. They are too complicated, and completely unneccessary. But the plot was saved by it's simple, and touching core about one of the aspects of growing up: Letting go of your attachments and accepting reality.
Abenobashi is a very amusing show thanks to sashi and arumi. Their antics are cute and they convey a childhood friendship very well.
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1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
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| Average |
8.3 |
| Animation |
9 |
| Sound |
9 |
| Story |
7 |
| Character |
8 |
| Value |
8 |
| Enjoyment |
9 |
| Excel Saga made by Gainax. Is good.
Abenobashi is all about parodies. Basic story is that our two heroes, Sasshi and Arumi, are transported to a weird world of a certain theme. Whether it is fantasy adventure, film noir, scifi or fighting anime, the results are hilarious. There's no use of explaining them but shortly put they hit the nail on the head most of the time. As a bonus most of the jokes are from well known anime or a theme otherwise known by a Western viewer so that could laugh at them freely and not staring at the liner notes. This is a major difference from Excel Saga that suffered from obscure references and word plays.
Putting the nice parodies aside what else does Abenobashi contain? There are brief attempts to tell a story of the kids grandparents and surprisingly even if it's for a short while, they manage to convey some good emotions through. It's nothing remarkable but a nice little break from the continuous parody fireworks. The other good aspect is the main duo of Sasshi and Arumi. They work wonderfully together and half of the time I was going "that's so adorable" while watching them interact. Sasshi's obsessions of the world's they visit and Arumi's sarcastic and desperate comments are fun to listen (somehow reminds me how Kyon comments on Haruhi's actions in Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya). Otherwise the characters aren't anything mentioning for. Mysterious dude appearing and disappearing, fanservice girl (Arumi's a bit too young for that), old men in roles that don't fit them, they're all recycled from world to another. They're fun allright but nothing worth remembering.
When it comes to sound, one thing is above all. The voice actor of Osaka in Azumanga Daioh Yuki Matsuoka is here again and in her best form. I could listen Arumi talk for ages, it just sound so good. Osaka dialect is fun. Opening song is weird and funny and prepares the viewer for the show. The ending song captures the nostalgic part of the show. The BGM is good too as it follows the many different moods and surroundings of different worlds. Animation is colorful and fluid and goes through many styles as the music. You can see and hear this a Gainax production.
What I was left wanting from Excel Saga Abenobashi delivers. It's a 13 episodes of great fun going through all the things pop culture has to offer for us.
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| Average |
6.3 |
| Animation |
8 |
| Sound |
7 |
| Story |
6 |
| Character |
6 |
| Value |
5 |
| Enjoyment |
6 |
| Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi obviously is a parody on various aspects of what guys love. Each episode makes fun of various themes - we have video games (RPGs), mecha, hentai games, martial arts fighting, war, space battles, dinosaurs, mafia, etc. Each episode has the exact same characters, with the same personality, but in different roles. Essentially, this anime is one humungous role playing skit - it probably was really fun for the creators to make this. Absolutely no seriousness in this anime. The only characters that are familiar with the whole dimension changing are our two main characters who somehow get in various diffcult situations because of Sasshi's overarching desire to never go home that messes up inter-dimensional travel.
I've never been much of a fan of any type of parodies. However, Abenobashi ALMOST is watchable because it is pretty blunt about the fact that it doesn't try to be anything independent. There are a lot of original ideas here and they put together a lot of various related things together well in one episode. Transitions are pretty entertaining and you pretty much take Abenobashi for face value.
Only watch this anime if you don't really care about having no trace of story or character development at all. If you like parody animes, this one is done pretty well because it is so blatantly overexaggerating about everything. One of the better pure parody animes out there that doesn't try to be something too independent. Totally random... and sometimes scenes are pretty funny because of the obvious reference to other media.
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0 of 1 people found this review helpful.
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| Average |
6.0 |
| Animation |
0 |
| Sound |
0 |
| Story |
0 |
| Character |
0 |
| Value |
0 |
| Enjoyment |
6 |
| Basically a series of parodies of various anime and non-anime genres. The first episode just sets up the characters, and is sort of slow and too explanatory. It picks up fabulously after that, with a couple of really fun episodes, probably the best parodies of the bunch. Then the whole schtick becomes a bit old and tedious. It's clear that the "plot" is an excuse for the parodies, but nevertheless it drags a bit as the parodies become less imaginative and funny. Still, it's wonderfully animated, with some interesting main characters. The end is a letdown though, completely Deus Ex Machina, which instantly ties everything up in a neat bow while offering no satisfaction or poignance or humour or really anything at all. Maybe if there was a bit more juicy foreshadowing there might have been a payoff, but it really comes off as unsatisfying.
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0 of 0 people found this review helpful.
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|
quamp |
(2007-12-09 19:06:08) 2006-01-17 19:29:23 |
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| Average |
9.8 |
| Animation |
10 |
| Sound |
9 |
| Story |
10 |
| Character |
10 |
| Value |
10 |
| Enjoyment |
10 |
| Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi is a story that goes from crazy to insane, and gets lots of laughs. One of the few animes set in Osaka, and it wouldn't work anywhere else.
This is the tale of Sasshi, a young boy in Osaka and his friend Arumi. They are at a shopping arcade that is about to be torn torn. However, the thing is that it's a nexus point for alternate realities - worlds in which things are similar to, but very different from our own. As the last protective totem falls, Arumi and Sasshi are drawn into world after world of weirdness...
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1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
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| Average |
8.3 |
| Animation |
9 |
| Sound |
9 |
| Story |
8 |
| Character |
8 |
| Value |
8 |
| Enjoyment |
8 |
| Craziness. . . pure craziness. Wow. This show is the craziest show ever.
The animation was nicely done. We always expect nice animation from Gainax.
The sound was nothing spectacular but the music fit the situations the kids were in.
This is where the craziness comes in. These kids travel through alternate worlds and it is like watching looney tunes. Fast paced and very entertaining. Many parodies make this show extremely intriguing.
Characters are pretty good. We got the two main characters. And we got the girl with the boobs and the old guy that dresses like a woman. Very funny characters that keep the pace of this up tempo anime.
Overall this show is very very entertaining. If you're a fan of Gainax productions and a fan of comedy/parody, this show is definitely recommended.
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0 of 0 people found this review helpful.
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| Average |
7.7 |
| Animation |
7 |
| Sound |
7 |
| Story |
8 |
| Character |
9 |
| Value |
7 |
| Enjoyment |
8 |
| Abenobashi is itself, does parody very well. With the many spoofs from the many themes of movie/animes, it does seem to prove itself funnier than some others.
The one thing I've always noticed that in alot of comedy/parody shows I've seen (Excel Saga for one), that generally character development can take a back seat when all you're doing is poking fun at other shows. However Abenobashi does have some decent character development, and unfortunately I did felt at time that it wasn't really needed. It is an above average anime with some refreshing spin on the genre. I did found the episode of the Hong Kong and Sci-fi themed episodes particularly strong in the comedy field.
Its an ok series, just one that obviously has quite good character development too. Whether you liked it, or felt that it wasn't appropriate, is clearly upto you. Personally I felt it wasn't needed =p
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0 of 0 people found this review helpful.
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| Average |
8.3 |
| Animation |
9 |
| Sound |
8 |
| Story |
7 |
| Character |
10 |
| Value |
7 |
| Enjoyment |
9 |
| The first episode of Abenobashi barely gives this wacky laugh-fest any justice. If you can sit through this boring expository episode and start watching episode 2, then you're in for the ride. Abeno is a parody in league with Excel Saga and FLCL, cracking as many jokes about particular genres as possible while maintaining its story. Be warned though, that Abeno is more for mature audiences despite its kiddy-like animation style and pre-teen protagonists. Episode 3 will help explain why. O_o;;
The story gets really bizarre for me, and I may have to rewatch the last few episodes just to understand why Arumi and Sasshi are trapped in these strange worlds. The revelations just went by too quickly for me. But the strongest aspect of Abeno, for me, is the character development. Sasshi is your potential lecher geek who collects just about everything under the sun, while Arumi is a harisen-wielding temper tantrum, but you can sympathize with her desire to return home as the series goes on. All the other characters from the original Abenobashi Arcade help instill a sense of familiarity as they retain their personalities, yet are moulded to fit the world that Sasshi and Arumi are in. There are two characters of importance who don't hail from the original world: Mune Mune, the busty and hyperactive red-head, and Eutus the mysterious magician suffering a mid-life crisis. Who are these two and what relations do they have with Sasshi, Arumi and the strange worlds they go through?
Overall a good anime worth your time, if not for the laughs and parodies, then to pique your curiosity as to WHY all of this is happening. I didn't get any of the references at first, but that didn't ruin my experience, so watch Abenobashi with an open mind, or else you won't enjoy it.
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0 of 0 people found this review helpful.
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| Average |
8.2 |
| Animation |
8 |
| Sound |
9 |
| Story |
7 |
| Character |
9 |
| Value |
7 |
| Enjoyment |
9 |
| This is possibly the funniest anime I will ever see! Admittedly there isn't much of a storyline (although it does come into play a little towards the end), but quite honestly that isn't necessary for you to enjoy this wacky, crazy and utterly hilarious anime, which proceeds to take the p*ss out of every anime genre, RPG and even Hollywood itself!
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0 of 0 people found this review helpful.
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| Average |
9.3 |
| Animation |
10 |
| Sound |
9 |
| Story |
8 |
| Character |
10 |
| Value |
9 |
| Enjoyment |
10 |
| I always get a little worried when i start watching a show that is for the most part, labelled as a parody of other shows. one the one hand i always come to expect to be shown scenes of utter madness, where constant pausing is required to read the flurry of subtitles that spray the screen, in addition to the blinding kaleidoscope of images that flash before your eyes, ala excel saga. on the other hand i expect to sit there and get (with luck) around 60% of the jokes, and forced to sit idly while the other incomprehesible 40% fly by. Even having watched a fair share of shows, there's one side of said parodies that i don't think i'll ever get, and that's the stabs at japanese pop culture. Taking into account the fact that anime has become more popular in the western world, this makes me feel as if some shows, though heralded as "must-sees" by the general populace, tend to alienate a part of their intended audience due to the references that make these shows what they are.
Having said that, watching Abenobashi was a very fun experience for that lack of these problems. Instead of going for specifics, AMS opts instead to focus on more general aspects and wider known references that really anyone should easily be able to spot, while not completely forgetting fans that hope to get something more than just another show filled with spoofs.
Actually at the heart of it all, you can find a rich backstory behind all the ruckous that goes on. Sure it doesn't exactly get explored a lot, and yes, maybe another couple of episodes could've explained a few open areas, but that wasn't the point. To be honest, i found it hard to see what the point was. but in any case, i'd still say it stays quite consistent throughout, and doesn't really botch up the rhythm it builds up, despite the odd pacing of slower episodes placed in the middle of the show.
The characters throughout the show make it really easy to carry on watching. Everyone is an absolute blast to watch, Sasshi and Arumi make perfect partners, it's like they're the opposite of each other yet very alike at the same time. In addition there's a great essemble cast of excentric characters to watch as they ham it up in each different world. it's amusing at first, but the fact that this world could possibly exist and these people actually follow that kind of lifestyle just adds a whole new level of hilarity. fortunately they very rarely go overboard (a fact that can actually be contested), and it's not entirely unbelievable or out of place when the main characters have to show some sort of emotion. I think the fact that all these worlds come across as taking place on a supernatural level adds a little credibility to this since Sasshi and Arumi are in fact the only "original" ones.
I've never really thought of Gainax as a studio whose big selling point was their animation. Basically I figured they were really good animating organic figures as well as impressive abstract imagery. In this show they use it all very liberally but it doesn't come across as forced or gimicky (Dead Leaves comes to mind), and doesn't really lose the viewer at any point. What really impressed me was how they played with character designs so well, especially Sasshi and Arumi. Every different world they go to they adapt the appropriate look and what stood out to me was how they looked so different yet still retained that distinct look that kept the character the same.
Overall, I'll just repeat myself by saying I had a really good time watching AMS, and by giving this title a well deserved spot for recommendation, I hope others do as well.
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0 of 0 people found this review helpful.
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| Average |
9.2 |
| Animation |
9 |
| Sound |
10 |
| Story |
8 |
| Character |
9 |
| Value |
9 |
| Enjoyment |
10 |
| haha absolutely hilarious. definitely the funniest anime ive seen.. and hey- its by gainax. cant be bad if its gainax, producer of evangelion and furi kuri. Thoroughly enjoyable, though there are some eps which are sleep-inducing.. i spose they needed these for the character development, but thankfully theres only 2 or so of these eps.
Its hilarious, but i guess it depends on your taste... if you dont mind dirty, in -your-face, crude humour, then hell, go watch it. Lovers of puni puni poemi, excel saga, furi kuri, etc, will love this, though its not for the kids haha.
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0 of 0 people found this review helpful.
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|
|
| Average |
8.7 |
| Animation |
9 |
| Sound |
9 |
| Story |
9 |
| Character |
8 |
| Value |
8 |
| Enjoyment |
9 |
| Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi was a mind-blowing experience for me. This is one of the most funniest, weirdest, and crude anime I have ever seen. (Of course, the guys that made Evagelion made this.) This anime will make you laugh until you pee. This anime will also freak the living heejeebees out of you too. Whether you laugh or freak out, you'll definitely enjoy Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi.
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0 of 0 people found this review helpful.
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|
| Average |
8.2 |
| Animation |
10 |
| Sound |
7 |
| Story |
8 |
| Character |
8 |
| Value |
8 |
| Enjoyment |
8 |
| HAHAHAH this is one heck of a funny anime. It really gets funnier as it progresses. My fave episode is Episode 11 ;) That's the only ep when i get all the spoofs :D
This series might seem nonsensical at firstt, but it actually has an underlying seriousness. you need to practice patience before it is unfolded though. nevertheless, the series is oprett entertaining and 13 eps s just enough to milk the spoof factor without it being too boring or drawn out.
one thing though, the Osaka-n dialect needs some gettng used to :) but besides that, this is a pretty fun anime to watch, ESPECIALLY if you get the spoofs :D.
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| Average |
9.2 |
| Animation |
9 |
| Sound |
9 |
| Story |
7 |
| Character |
10 |
| Value |
10 |
| Enjoyment |
10 |
| Ada orang nanya gue kenapa suka ini tapi gak suka FLCL? Kenapa gue kasih nilai tinggi? Aneh, kacau dan gak karuan, tapi lucu, imut dan berarti. Dibanding FLCL yg gak ada arah, dari semua kekacauan yg terjadi di filem ini, segalanya ada semacam makna. Sebetulnya kalau dipikir2x ceritanya cukup sedih.
Yg gue masih gak jelas itu terakhirnya. Kayanya kontradiksi banget deh dengan message yg selalu sampaikan oleh filem ini.
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