Tommy ‘flamingmonkey’ Walker

Inserting the DVD into my laptop I find we get (after a few corporate logos) straight to the main menu where we are presented with the usual choice of scene selection, extras, setup options and playing the dam thing already! The disc has both the English dub and the original Japanese with English subtitles, both of which I have viewed this in. The extras section is interesting as, in addition to the usual trailers, clean opening and art work parts, there is an ‘outtakes’ option. This refers to portions from the English dub where the voice actors haven’t followed the script quite as exactly as they should have and, while some are quite funny, you get the feeling that it’s all a bit forced as it is pretty evident that these aren’t bloopers as such, but random bouts of insanity. Not that it’s a bad thing!

The first episode does quite a lot of story setting, but still leaves some things out to add to the mystery. The basic premise of this series is that there are seven main high schools in the Kanto area of Japan (the bit around Tokyo) which have witnessed the rise of fighters- those who possess (or should it be possessed by?) Magatama or spirit gems. These fighters go around and generally beat the hell out of each other in an attempt to advance their school towards being the overlord of the rest. In truth, they are acting out a scenario that was first played out in china, many centuries ago.
We are also introduced to the main characters- Sonsaku Hakufu and her cousin Shuyu Koukin. Hakufu’s main assets are, well, her assets! She is also about as air-headed as they come, no stereotyping there then, and there is a lot of fan-service to be found throughout the series. A LOT. Think Najica Blitz Tactics, only more top-heavy and blatant. Also introduced are three of the ‘Big Four’ of Nanyo Academy- the school which Hakufu and Koukin attend. The first of them is Gakushu- a hulk who promptly ends Hakufu’s hopes of beating 30 people on her first day, then Saji Genpou, a cool-headed ladies man, and Ryomou Shimei, an aloof, intense girl with an eye patch.
There is very little in this, other than the introduction of characters and the setting of the scene for future conflicts in this episode. There are, though several action scenes throughout and the promise of more fierce ones to come by the episode preview.

The second episode (as there are no titles) see’s Hakufu begin school proper following her ‘induction’. She’s late. On the way to school, she talks with Koukin who tells her about Totaku Chuei- the main villain and one of the toughest people in the area. We also hear of Nanyo’s leader- Enjyutsu, calling up Kannei Koha, the last of the Big Four members. When we meet him, he is revealed to be a bit of a nut job but one who has been tasked with ‘executing’ Hakufu. Soon enough, a fight erupts.
This episode is interesting and quite full of action and, ultimately, fan service. Already, we are seeing a pattern here in the fights, which are quite well done, but you do feel that some of the fan service is a bit gratuitous and sometimes gets in the way of the fight scenes and some of the drama, giving you the feeling that it’s all just a bit forced.

Episode Three, or as I like to call it- ‘The Day After the Fight Before’, sees Hakufu sulking in bed at her recent ‘defeat’. A flashback reveals all and we see what Hakufu really did. Saji visits Ryomou in hospital where he gives her some flowers and tells her to keep an eye on Nanyo Academy. Ominous? You bet! Hakufu runs away, only to find herself lured off to a soundproof karaoke booth by a couple of unscrupulous guys and the promise of a free lunch. Fortunately, a mysterious girl saves her. As they are walking home, Hakufu spots a fighter completely outnumbered. She lends a hand and learns about an interesting new fighting philosophy- ‘Basics’! The episode ends with a shadowy meeting between three figures discussing a battle with Hakufu, and Saji’s plans are revealed as he heads to a meeting with Totaku. The preview introduces one of the shadowy figures as Taishiji and promises an epic battle!
This episode has quite a bit of plot in it and, listening to the announcer comment on Totaku, it is clear that there’s some heavy duty plotting to be expected. Strange thing to have in such a seemingly shallow series, but here it is! Very interesting, overall, with yet more fan service. It does make you wonder, though, how they can keep the interesting parts and the more blatant aspects of this anime in balance. Yet, they manage it! Onto the next episode!

The next episode opens up with Hakufu training in a new style and yelling ‘Basics’, for that’s pretty much what she’s learning. Her meeting with the Fighter in the previous episode didn’t go unnoticed and Koukin is summoned by Gakushu to explain Hakufu’s actions as Nanyo could be drawn into a war that it isn’t prepared for. As Koukin makes his way home, he is challenged by a group who take him hostage and demand Hakufu faces them. When she arrives, Taishiji reveals himself and the fight begins!
Not too much in this one- just good, ol’ fashioned fighting. There is some plot, just to keep things ticking over, as Gakushu tells Koukin what is going on with Nanyo and Totaku. The promised fight is the main thing in this episode and Taishiji comes across as a pretty cool guy, even offering to call the whole thing off if one of them can hit him. The announcer reinforces this by giving some of the Chinese history behind Taishiji and Hakufu’s relationship.

All in all, the historical context of the plot makes this is quite an engrossing series and, if you can bring yourself to look beyond Hakufu’s (as the characters describe them) ‘Booby Bombs’, you’ll find something more then just a fighting anime with well-endowed women in fragile clothing. Although this series is definitely not for everyone (read- anyone under 15), I would recommend it to most as the animation itself is of a high standard, especially the fight scenes. Concerning the DVD itself, both the subtitles and the English dub were timed well and accurately portrayed the characters and their emotions. I could detect no bugs, glitches or errors, making this exemplary and highly satisfying to watch. I give this a solid 7 out of 10 and advise that if you are looking for something fun, with enough plot to keep things running smoothly, watch this and you won’t be disappointed!