![]() ![]() With two episodes that maintained the standard of what went before, it is easier to forgive the creators for an ending that is something of a let-down. Gainax have a reputation of delivering a powerful message or two in their work, however off-the-wall it may seem with the first viewing (even FLCL had method in its madness) but by the end of Abenobashi I wondered what message the series was trying to leave us with. The opening episode and the more serious parts of others suggested that there was more to Abenobashi than sharp parodies and zany humour: perhaps a deeper and more serious message about ways of dealing with loss and change that go with the natural process of growing up, for instance. Of course, it’s not just the destination but the getting there that’s important but I personally was left a little unsatisfied at how the story was wrapped up. Right from the start there’s no way of guessing how the series could possibly end, but when the closing credits roll for the last time the final impression is almost disappointing. It is at this point that the story falls down. Unfortunately Saashi’s repeated failures at getting them home start to become almost annoying, and he hasn’t seemed to have learned from his mistakes. The parody side takes no prisoners: the humour in the penultimate episode makes the leap from Japanese to Western culture effortlessly thanks to the countless Hollywood film references and visual gags the Battlefield episode, with its chillingly authentic bomb crater-ridden buildings as a backdrop, falls into typical Abenobashi hilarity with the over-the-top weaponry and ruthless mockery of straight-faced military films. After dodging bullets and bombing each other to smithereens they find themselves in an Abenobashi that seems closer to the one they knew and loved”¦is it finally the end of the road?Īs always, the source of humour is as much the parodies of everything from WWII military dramas to Hollywood action flicks as the interactions between Arumi and Saashi. This series will be an instant fav with all who watch it.As the final episodes of Arumi and Saashi’s manic journey draw to a close their disagreement as to whether they should return to their home world manifests itself in the most dramatic possible way: the Shopping Arcade literally becomes a war zone! Our young heroes find themselves enlisted in opposing armies that are fighting for control of the Arcade, yet Saashi still can’t bring himself to tell Arumi about why he doesn’t want to go home. There's some very nice fan service too! Don't miss out on this top-notch anime. The animation is vibrant and versatile, altering to fit the new world while remaining characteristically the same. Tarzan and the whole hard-boiled detective theme) so those not familiar with the Japanese references can still get some of the jokes and nods. Many of the spoofs and parodies are American (i.e. otherwise you just wont get it.Ībenobashi is the most exciting romp of anime parody since Excel Saga. Don't read it until you've watched the episodes though. Included with the DVD is the "Weekly AbenoSpoiler" which is a very humorous news spoof of the episodes. ![]() Both the sub and dub are very well done - especially the use of Osaka/Texas accents - the English voice actors for Arumi and Sasshi have just grown on me. I also watched most of this dubbed (unusual for me). Occassionally they were in the way more than they were useful, and sometimes I had to pause/rewind to catch them all because they are fast, but the information they provide regarding spoofs, cultural nods, etc. I watched all three episodes with the AD-Vid Notes turned on. The art style changes for that episode, and includes the most outrageously funny use of chibi characters I've ever seen!!! The third episode provides a little history and background about the shopping arcade and it's founders. The gangster/mob-esque episode is very well done with excellent tongue-in-cheek humor. This time they must survive dinosaurs and cavemen (and their scary women leaders) as well as crime bosses. ![]() Unfortunately, gobins aren't very realiable so instead of ending up home, they end up in another alternate reality. To get home they must defeat the goblin plaguing that world and force it to help them with the needed incantation. Arumi and Sasshi and two twelve-year-olds who were transported from their Abenobashi Shopping Arcade to an alternate dimension of the same place. Grade: 9 Abenobashi is a highly-addictive anime rush. Readers should proceed at their own risk. Reviews may contain information that could be considered 'spoilers'. Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi #2 by Sheena McNeil Sequential Tart: A Comics Industry Web Zine - The Report Card ![]()
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