Kamichu!

[Kaoru-sama]

I've seen this one cited as a 'magical girls' show. Of course, I'm familiar with these...I do have titles like Someday's Dreamers and such.

Being this is a Geneon title, and we all know what happened to them, and this being a show that only appeals to a certain group of fans, it's licensing is probably in doubt. I've already got a backlog building of other titles for 2008 (not from Geneon) I'd prefer to put my attention to. However, so long as I got the means after getting some cash for Christmas, I figured I'd ask for opinions before I threw down the money, or allocate it to other series for another day.

This one's out in a complete series set, so that's what I'm looking to.

EDIT: Not a 'magical girl' series. My bad. ^^;;

[Lord Timaeus]

First off, I must be the first to tell you that it's not a magical girl show per se, but really more of a pseudo-slice-of-life show about a middle school student who had somehow literally become a god overnight. The focus, to my knowledge, isn't really on the light "magical girl" premise, but rather the responsibilities that come with this student's newfound divinity.

But yes, it is a title that most people on AN will recommend to you, especially when it recently went out of print like everything else by Geneon.

[Vic]

Its good stuff, imo worth buying, its much more a slice of life anime with fantasy theme to it, then a magical girl show. Its a simple but relaxing show to watch, I enjoyed more then I thought I would when I originally watched it.

[Levon]

Yeah its not a magical girl show at all.
Its a slice of life comedy with fantasy that feels sorta like Spriited Away(to me anyway).

[Panko Z]

i just started watching it last night. it's far from the likes of CCS and more similar to Someday's Dreamers if you've ever seen it (another Geneon release). i'm really digging it since it's so heartwarming so i'd say just go for it while it's around (i don't think it'll be licensed again either)

[Kaoru-sama]

Not a magical girl show I see.

Not that it mattered. The opinions on it are still welcome. I'm into slice-of-life also.

I don't know what's going on with me lately. I get my genres mixed up at times. Forgive me for that.

[Soluzar]

My gut tells me you aren't going to like it.

I can't really explain beyond that.

[Lord Timaeus]

Also, as Geneon DVDs are getting harder and harder to find, you should also consider the Gankutsuou boxset assuming you have the money and if you don't already have it. It's basically a loose adaptation of Alexandre Dumas's The Count of Monte Cristo, only with a futuristic setting rather than a 19th century European setting.

[Levon]

Gankutsuou = Masterpiece

[mdauben]

Originally Posted by Soluzar

My gut tells me you aren't going to like it.

If the OP prefers anime with action, violence, sex, teen heroes, or ecchi humor, he probably won't like Kamichu!

If, on the other hand, he enjoys light-hearted fantasy, slice of life, charming characters or heart-warming stories, Kamichu! is made of win.

[KasumiTen]

Kamichu is one I bought blindly without knowing anything about. I have to say that while Geneon put out a lot of titles, this has to be one of their best licenses. Not only is the animation beautiful, but the music is gorgeous (I had to purchase the CD which has also been available through Geneon) and the story is very touching. If you do like slice of life you owe it to yourself to own this title.

[Soluzar]

Originally Posted by mdauben

If the OP prefers anime with action, violence, sex, teen heroes, or ecchi humor, he probably won't like Kamichu!

If, on the other hand, he enjoys light-hearted fantasy, slice of life, charming characters or heart-warming stories, Kamichu! is made of win.

I'll say it right out then. I think it's too Japanese for Kaoru's taste.

Most anime are only a bit Japanese. If you watch the dub you'd be able to put them anywhere in the world. This anime is filled with Japan, and I observe that Kaoru doesn't have the taste for that. I loved it, but then I don't have a problem with the subject matter.

[Levon]

I really don't know what you mean Soluzar



Anyway, Kaoru mostly watches dubs & he should know that the Kamichu dub is extremely well done, one of the best I'd say. New Generation never disapoints!

[mdauben]

Originally Posted by Soluzar

I'll say it right out then. I think it's too Japanese for Kaoru's taste.

Well, the basic concept of the series is based on the shinto religion of Japan. When they say the main character becomes a "god" they are not talking about any sort of omnicient, omnipotent, western style diety, but a Japanese style being with certain supernatural powers, and she becomes involved with the very diverse and numerous society of such "gods".

Still, I didn't find it at all inaccessable as a westerner (that is, you don't need to be an expert on Japanese culture and folk lore to understand the story) so I don't see that as a real barrier, and not liking an anime just becuase it is too firmly set in a Japan setting seems kind of... silly to me, but everyone has their own tastes and preferences I suppose.

[Soluzar]

Originally Posted by Levon

Anyway, Kaoru mostly watches dubs & he should know that the Kamichu dub is extremely well done, one of the best I'd say. New Generation never disapoints!

It is of course not the dub that presents what I perceive as being a problem. It is rather the content and subject matter of the anime. When I made reference to dubs earlier that was only because I know Kaoru's exclusive preference in such matters.

The point is that sometimes when you dub an anime, that has the effect of rendering it neutral in terms of setting. I'd say that's true for a lot of anime. They aren't explicitly about Japan. Kamichu on the other hand is an anime about Japan. It is liberally sprinked with Japanese culture. In fact, if you took the Japan out of Kamichu there would not be enough left to make a workable story. Some people aren't looking for that. I feel it only fair to raise this point.

Originally Posted by mdauben

Still, I didn't find it at all inaccessable as a westerner (that is, you don't need to be an expert on Japanese culture and folk lore to understand the story) so I don't see that as a real barrier, and not liking an anime just becuase it is too firmly set in a Japan setting seems kind of... silly to me, but everyone has their own tastes and preferences I suppose.

If it had been you who had made this thread, I would not have said such things. Since it's Kaoru, I want to offer an opinion that might influence his decision to buy. I enjoyed the series thoroughly. I found it to be one of the most enjoyable series I've watched, but I'm not convinced that Kaoru's opinion would be similar to mine.

I'm not attempting to say anything contentious here, I'm just saying that I don't believe it would be to his well-documented tastes. I'm sorry that I seem to have unintentionally ruffled some feathers here, that's not what I wanted to do at all. I wanted to offer a meaningful opinion that might help Kaoru out in his buying decision. If it turns out I'm wrong, then he remains free to buy the set. He can even tell me how wrong I am, and I won't take any offense at all.