Azumanga Daioh – The Animation 1 (Animé TV)

 

Picture: C+     Sound: B-     Extras: C-     Episodes: C

 

 

Another entry in the “girls in school” Animé cycle is the series Azumanga Daioh, beginning its appearance on DVD with this first volume.  This is an average example, but one of the better ADV Animé titles we have looked at so far.  Some of the language is definitely for age 13 and above, while the storylines are mixed.  The episodes are:

 

1)     Miss Yukari

2)     Osaka’s Day

3)     Nyamo

4)     Pool, Pool, Pool

5)     Summer Break

 

The characters get introduced in this first set of shows, so it is hard to tell if the show will get better as it goes on, but we are also exposed to animal characters who look like all the one’s that have already been played out.  One yellow feminine character looks like the Pokemon franchise’s star animal Picachu crossed with the talking female M&M named Green after a recent visit to Chernobyl.  The biggest problem is that none of this is particularly memorable or distinctive.

 

The full screen image has the on-purpose softness and lightened color typical of many titles aimed at a young female market, which is not great.  The Dolby Digital is available in an English 5.1 or Japanese 2.0 Stereo mix with Pro Logic surrounds.  As usual the Japanese sounds more natural and smart than the English, as the English has watered-down dialogue.  Extras include the opening and closing animation credits without added text, previews for other ADV DVDs, production sketches, a reversible cover, and 12-page booklet in the clear case.

 

It should also be said that these initial shows have a mixed energy level.  Though we have seen worse, this is one of the oddest Animé shows, though it does not go out of its way to be so.  Azumanga Daioh is for mature teen girls only.

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo