Takai
09-25-2010, 09:37 PM
Sumomo Mo Momomo
Reviewer: Brian
Original Title: Sumomo Mo Momomo: Chijou Saikyou no Yome.
Alternative Titles: Sumomo Mo Momomo: The World's Strongest Bride.
Format: TV series, 22 episodes, + Specials, 2 episodes, complete.
Year(s): 2006-2007.
Genres/Themes: comedy, satire, school, romance, martial arts, ecchi; seinen.
Animation Studio: Studio Hibari.
Director: Nakanishi Nobuaki.
Original Author(s): Otaka Shinobu.
Number of Episodes Seen: 22/22 + Specials.
Introduction (optional):
I think it was Keter who tipped me off to the series. I was looking for a new comedy anime to watch, so I decided to go with this one.
Plot and Setting/Story: 7/10
There are twelve clans of martial artists, one for each of the signs of the Chinese zodiac. The clans are divided into the Army of the West, headed by the Dragon Clan, and the Army of the East, headed by the Dog Clan. In order to unite the clans, the leaders of the Dog and Dragon clans have arranged a marriage between their children: Momoko Kuzuryu, daughter of the Dragon Clan leader, and Koushi Inuzuka, son of the Dog Clan leader. However, Koushi is studying to be a prosecutor, and wants nothing to do with martial arts. When Momoko arrives at his house, he refuses her love and devotes himself to his studies. At the same time, the remaining five families from the Army of the West have sent assassins to kill Koushi and prevent the unification. Momoko ends up protecting him, while at the same time trying to maintain her delusion that he is a strong and worthwhile person.
Plot is not the strongest part of the series. Sometimes the characters’ actions are rather implausible or contrived, and the ending of the series is rather a disappointment. Additionally, episode 14 doesn’t fit into the series at all and can be skipped. Episode 4 is probably the funniest part of the series. The obligatory bath scene is in one of the Specials.
Characters/Character Development: 6/10
If you’re looking for characters with deep histories and complex personalities interacting in interesting ways, you won’t find it here. The characters are fairly two-dimensional, and almost completely predictable. Momoko remains devoted to Koushi no matter how badly he treats her. Koushi refuses to accept his heritage through almost the whole series, even though his life is threatened on a constant basis. Iroha Miyamoto (with her loyal follower Hanzo) is an assassin from the Snake Clan, who originally intends to kill Koushi but instead becomes friends with him and Momoko, and helps to protect him as well.
The most interesting character in the series is Sanae Nakajima, a girl from the Horse clan. The Horse clan warriors are the secret protectors of the leader of the Eastern clan. Sanae is a shy and quiet girl who attends school with Koushi, and they are attracted to each other. However, as his secret protector, she cannot pursue a relationship with him. When using her warrior powers, she wears a sort of superhero costume which amplifies her powers, and uses the name “Divine Horse Mask Warrior”. Unfortunately for her, the costume looks like a kinky animal fetish outfit, which is very embarrassing for her. Even worse, in order to get the full effect , she has to remove parts of it in order to concentrate the power. Since the Horse’s best attack is the kick, she’s at her most powerful when she is wearing only the boots.
Art/Animation: 6/10
Most of the series is well drawn, although some of the episodes in the middle are kind of sloppy. The series is notable for having the most poorly-drawn bus I have ever seen. I was also kind of disappointed in the lack of detail in the combat scenes. CG is used in the combat scenes when the characters invoke the powers associated with their clans.
Sample Screenshots:
Please click on thumbnails to see the images in original size, as well as to read the additional comments from the reviewer.
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a68/vitas_fd/acf/reviews/sumomo01sm.jpg (http://www.animechatforums.com/forum/album.php?albumid=70&pictureid=1719) http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a68/vitas_fd/acf/reviews/sumomo05sm.jpg (http://www.animechatforums.com/forum/album.php?albumid=70&pictureid=1723) http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a68/vitas_fd/acf/reviews/sumomo03sm.jpg (http://www.animechatforums.com/forum/album.php?albumid=70&pictureid=1721)
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a68/vitas_fd/acf/reviews/sumomo07sm.jpg (http://www.animechatforums.com/forum/album.php?albumid=70&pictureid=1725) http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a68/vitas_fd/acf/reviews/sumomo04sm.jpg (http://www.animechatforums.com/forum/album.php?albumid=70&pictureid=1722) http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a68/vitas_fd/acf/reviews/sumomo02sm.jpg (http://www.animechatforums.com/forum/album.php?albumid=70&pictureid=1720)
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a68/vitas_fd/acf/reviews/sumomo06sm.jpg (http://www.animechatforums.com/forum/album.php?albumid=70&pictureid=1724) http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a68/vitas_fd/acf/reviews/sumomo08sm.jpg (http://www.animechatforums.com/forum/album.php?albumid=70&pictureid=1726)
Music/Sound: 8/10
For the first 12 episodes, the opening song is a Chinese-sounding J-pop about making babies, and the end theme is more rock style. The second half has a sort of martial-arts sounding opening (still about making babies) and an annoying J-pop ending song.
The background music during the episodes is traditional Chinese yangqin and Japanese instruments, which I rather liked. One of the warriors who challenges Koushi to a fight has drummers who follow him around. Sanae also has her own theme music when she is wearing her Horse Mask outfit.
Additional Comments or Warnings:
It’s not Akira (http://anidb.net/perl-bin/animedb.pl?show=anime&aid=28). The series isn’t an epic drama, and doesn’t pretend to be. There’s no great cinematic moments or profound philosophy, just mindless fun with martial arts and girls in skimpy costumes (or out of them). Lots of people getting punched and kicked, underwear, some Barbie-style nudity, and Momoko trying (without success) to seduce Koushi.
Overall Anime Rating: 7/10
If you want some slapstick humor that you don’t have to think about too much, Sumomo Mo Momo Mo is worth watching.
Reviewer: Brian
Original Title: Sumomo Mo Momomo: Chijou Saikyou no Yome.
Alternative Titles: Sumomo Mo Momomo: The World's Strongest Bride.
Format: TV series, 22 episodes, + Specials, 2 episodes, complete.
Year(s): 2006-2007.
Genres/Themes: comedy, satire, school, romance, martial arts, ecchi; seinen.
Animation Studio: Studio Hibari.
Director: Nakanishi Nobuaki.
Original Author(s): Otaka Shinobu.
Number of Episodes Seen: 22/22 + Specials.
Introduction (optional):
I think it was Keter who tipped me off to the series. I was looking for a new comedy anime to watch, so I decided to go with this one.
Plot and Setting/Story: 7/10
There are twelve clans of martial artists, one for each of the signs of the Chinese zodiac. The clans are divided into the Army of the West, headed by the Dragon Clan, and the Army of the East, headed by the Dog Clan. In order to unite the clans, the leaders of the Dog and Dragon clans have arranged a marriage between their children: Momoko Kuzuryu, daughter of the Dragon Clan leader, and Koushi Inuzuka, son of the Dog Clan leader. However, Koushi is studying to be a prosecutor, and wants nothing to do with martial arts. When Momoko arrives at his house, he refuses her love and devotes himself to his studies. At the same time, the remaining five families from the Army of the West have sent assassins to kill Koushi and prevent the unification. Momoko ends up protecting him, while at the same time trying to maintain her delusion that he is a strong and worthwhile person.
Plot is not the strongest part of the series. Sometimes the characters’ actions are rather implausible or contrived, and the ending of the series is rather a disappointment. Additionally, episode 14 doesn’t fit into the series at all and can be skipped. Episode 4 is probably the funniest part of the series. The obligatory bath scene is in one of the Specials.
Characters/Character Development: 6/10
If you’re looking for characters with deep histories and complex personalities interacting in interesting ways, you won’t find it here. The characters are fairly two-dimensional, and almost completely predictable. Momoko remains devoted to Koushi no matter how badly he treats her. Koushi refuses to accept his heritage through almost the whole series, even though his life is threatened on a constant basis. Iroha Miyamoto (with her loyal follower Hanzo) is an assassin from the Snake Clan, who originally intends to kill Koushi but instead becomes friends with him and Momoko, and helps to protect him as well.
The most interesting character in the series is Sanae Nakajima, a girl from the Horse clan. The Horse clan warriors are the secret protectors of the leader of the Eastern clan. Sanae is a shy and quiet girl who attends school with Koushi, and they are attracted to each other. However, as his secret protector, she cannot pursue a relationship with him. When using her warrior powers, she wears a sort of superhero costume which amplifies her powers, and uses the name “Divine Horse Mask Warrior”. Unfortunately for her, the costume looks like a kinky animal fetish outfit, which is very embarrassing for her. Even worse, in order to get the full effect , she has to remove parts of it in order to concentrate the power. Since the Horse’s best attack is the kick, she’s at her most powerful when she is wearing only the boots.
Art/Animation: 6/10
Most of the series is well drawn, although some of the episodes in the middle are kind of sloppy. The series is notable for having the most poorly-drawn bus I have ever seen. I was also kind of disappointed in the lack of detail in the combat scenes. CG is used in the combat scenes when the characters invoke the powers associated with their clans.
Sample Screenshots:
Please click on thumbnails to see the images in original size, as well as to read the additional comments from the reviewer.
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a68/vitas_fd/acf/reviews/sumomo01sm.jpg (http://www.animechatforums.com/forum/album.php?albumid=70&pictureid=1719) http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a68/vitas_fd/acf/reviews/sumomo05sm.jpg (http://www.animechatforums.com/forum/album.php?albumid=70&pictureid=1723) http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a68/vitas_fd/acf/reviews/sumomo03sm.jpg (http://www.animechatforums.com/forum/album.php?albumid=70&pictureid=1721)
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a68/vitas_fd/acf/reviews/sumomo07sm.jpg (http://www.animechatforums.com/forum/album.php?albumid=70&pictureid=1725) http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a68/vitas_fd/acf/reviews/sumomo04sm.jpg (http://www.animechatforums.com/forum/album.php?albumid=70&pictureid=1722) http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a68/vitas_fd/acf/reviews/sumomo02sm.jpg (http://www.animechatforums.com/forum/album.php?albumid=70&pictureid=1720)
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a68/vitas_fd/acf/reviews/sumomo06sm.jpg (http://www.animechatforums.com/forum/album.php?albumid=70&pictureid=1724) http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a68/vitas_fd/acf/reviews/sumomo08sm.jpg (http://www.animechatforums.com/forum/album.php?albumid=70&pictureid=1726)
Music/Sound: 8/10
For the first 12 episodes, the opening song is a Chinese-sounding J-pop about making babies, and the end theme is more rock style. The second half has a sort of martial-arts sounding opening (still about making babies) and an annoying J-pop ending song.
The background music during the episodes is traditional Chinese yangqin and Japanese instruments, which I rather liked. One of the warriors who challenges Koushi to a fight has drummers who follow him around. Sanae also has her own theme music when she is wearing her Horse Mask outfit.
Additional Comments or Warnings:
It’s not Akira (http://anidb.net/perl-bin/animedb.pl?show=anime&aid=28). The series isn’t an epic drama, and doesn’t pretend to be. There’s no great cinematic moments or profound philosophy, just mindless fun with martial arts and girls in skimpy costumes (or out of them). Lots of people getting punched and kicked, underwear, some Barbie-style nudity, and Momoko trying (without success) to seduce Koushi.
Overall Anime Rating: 7/10
If you want some slapstick humor that you don’t have to think about too much, Sumomo Mo Momo Mo is worth watching.