(L) Magical Shopping District Abenobashi

[skylion]

I didn't get a chance to see this series (if it was ever available as a torrent). But NewTypeUSA magazine has a special DVD tipped in. Contains the first episode of the series release in english.
I busted a gut. The characters are endearing, the dialouge is fresh and original, and it holds alot of promise for a great series.

The english dub is well......you have to hear it. I love the approach. Just my two cents. I think fans are either going to love it or hate it.

[Lambda]

The first episode is very different to the next five. Which are very different to the seventh. And which is where I got up to. (Not due to not wanting to follow it any more, but non-availability of fansubs.) Generally, it's very risky to judge anything Gainax from one episode.

[moonglaive]

Yay! I'm glad to hear that. Greg Ayers said the DVD is supposed to be out REAL soon to buy, and I've been waiting and waiting and waiting....

[skylion]

Originally Posted by moonglaive

Yay! I'm glad to hear that. Greg Ayers said the DVD is supposed to be out REAL soon to buy, and I've been waiting and waiting and waiting....

I told my friend how excited I was about it coming out. He told me not too make any plans to buy it. Or the Season Five Buffy Box. I smell Christmas here.

[Megane]

Ooo, a preview episode, hmmm? Abeno was a fantastic parody series, and kept in the same vein of humour until the end. There was also something in it that reminded me vaguely of FLCL, I think it was the charcater design, and perhaps that recognisable Gainax touch. I love their work, and I'll probably be picking this title up, assuming ADV have done their job.

Hopefully this means we'll be seeing the DVDs soon, and AnimeOnDVD have it listed as having a December release.

[drexel]

The first DVD/DVD+box comes out on December 16th. You can get the box at Deep discount dvd for $23.99. This series really looks interesting. after seeing the first episode i can't wait to see the rest.

[Paper Lilies]

So I have borrowed all four DVD's of Magical Shopping District Abenobashi from a friend who goes to school with me. I'm up to episode eight about five minutes in. So here's my question, can anyone tell me who some of the dating-sim girls are? Most of them are semi-familiar, I've reconized two of the girls from 'Pia Carrot DX' (Azusa and Tsukasa, although not exactly the same. (Different hair colours and Azusa's hair is up.)) Anyone else catch any?

[Forbin]

Turn on the (I call them the Menchi notes). It's one of the subtitle options. They explain that game and where it came from.

I loved this show, It was one of my first though and I turned it off the first time because I couldn't figure out why everyone had a texan accent. (Now I know....Kansai!)

[Paper Lilies]

Thanks! That's alot of help.

[Guardian Enzo]

Here's one from the archives - Gainax is coming out with a special episode of Abenobashi. It'll be kinda nice to see these guys again, but I wonder what was urgent enough to dredge these characters up after 7 years?

[Ihadurca]

Will it have a story from the Manga version?

[Guardian Enzo]

I don't know that detail - it was just an announcement that came out of Fanime.

Now, can we get someone to give us a real ending for Mahoromatic, please?

[KimmyChan]

This series looks like a lot of fun & is definately one I'll have to check out very soon

[Guardian Enzo]

Originally Posted by KimmyChan

This series looks like a lot of fun & is definately one I'll have to check out very soon

It is a lot of fun - uneven, but that's to be expected since it basically parodies a different genre with every ep. It's pure Gainax -raunchy, slapstick, sometimes very smart. Not their best work, but a worthwhile venture.

[SeijiSensei]

I enjoyed the historical parts as much as the parodies. This was one of the first shows I ever watched since it was being telecast on ADV's Anime Channel a few years ago. Smart and funny, with real depth of character, which few series seem able to pull off. I was a bit puzzled at the ending; maybe the follow-up episode will sort some things out.

ANN has this press release on the special: http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news...ee-diving-work

Ayumi is pretty stunning in the film-noir episode.

[Guardian Enzo]

I'm interested in seeing if the kids are older, or it picks up more or less after the anime left off. Maybe we'll get a "Shounen Onmyouji" crossover...

[KimmyChan]

I know that the DVD box set of this series has finally been released over here now

[roriconfan]

YET ANOTHER ONE OF THEM REVIEWS

Spoiler for Press to open the path to your doom:

PROLOGUE
Abenobashi should only be viewed by people who have seen several genres of anime, are familiar with most Hollywood blockbusters and are accustomed to the Japanese culture. It is brimming with so many parodies of anime stereotypes, famous movie clips and cultural references that if you are not a seasoned otaku, you will miss most of the jokes. If you are not one yet, you better leave this aside until you become one. So… MOVE YOUR BUTT AND WATCH AS MANY AS YOU CAN if you ever want to truly appreciate the series.

ART SECTION: 7/10 [Wacky to the point of originality.]
General Artwork 2/2
Character Figures 1/2
Backgrounds 2/2
Animation 1/2
Visual Effects 1/2

- Each episode features the exact same area (a shopping district) dressed as a different anime genre each time. It didn’t strike me as repetitive but as creative. So, yeah, I liked the concept.
- The graphics are heavy on deformity, as characters are drawn simplistic and very often with erratic proportions. Being a parody, this is to be expected; a grotesque perception of the fine arts is a common trait in comedy. If you prefer clear drawings and stable proportions, then this series is not your cup of tea. Still, the deformity and the same background being changed on each episode was a nice idea and with a well presentation.
- The animation is chaotic, as everything moves with cranny fps and little concern about the laws of physics. This mockery is done intentionally for increasing the laughing factor. If you prefer realism, look elsewhere.
- Lightning/ Visual Effects are scarce but present. When something serious is going on, 3D models and nicely made lightings pop-up.

SOUND SECTION: 6/10 [Sounds like fun!]
Voice Acting 2/3
Music Themes 2/4
Sound Effects 2/3

Voice acting and music themes are never serious-sounding but they are very high-spirited. If this were a serious series, then that would be something to bitch at. But since it’s not… they fit like bread and butter! A notice must also be given to all those easily recognizable variations of several blockbusters’ soundtrack themes.

STORY SECTION: 8/10 [Transformerabenobashi! More than meets the eye!]
General Scenario 2/2
Pacing 1/2
Side Stories 1/2
Believability/Reasoning/Realism 2/2
Conclusion 2/2

- There is scenario present only in the first, the seventh and the last episode. Unlike the cheery atmosphere of the general plot, it’s gloomy and serious. The story starts serious; not funny at all, continues as a parody and ends as a metaphysical mystery. Bizarre is not a strong enough word for it. But it definitely is different and interesting in the same time.
- The serious part involves two kids who see the shopping district they grew up in to be about to shut down. Their families will move away and they will separate, a thing that makes them really sad and pessimistic about the future. Then suddenly…

… The parody part begins with the kids being transported to alternative realities! On each episode (generally stand-alone), their district is transformed into a different-themed place. From epic phantasy (RPG parody), to science fiction (mecha parody), to martial arts, film noir, date simulations, and more (always parodies). And as I mentioned before, you have to be accustomed to many things in order to get the jokes. Most of the time, the kids try to find a way to return home but then…

… The metaphysical part comes to bring revelations, plot twists and a really weird conclusion (can’t say more without spoiling the surprise).

- The story has no side stories and is not even a main attraction. But it definitely gives reasoning for all the wackiness you get to watch and a purpose for the characters (other than making us laugh, that is). And yes, even deeper meanings can come out of it (can’t reveal what; spoilers suck). Compared to most parodies, Abenobashi not only has a serious side to it, but it also makes sense and provides philosophical questioning (if you stretch it a lot, of course). Even if undermined in favor of parody, it deserves a good mark for that.

CHARACTER SECTION: 8/10 [A bunch of likable idiots.]
Presence 2/2
Personality 1/2
Backdrop 1/2
Development 2/2
Catharsis 2/2

- The two main characters (the boy and the girl that travel throughout the alternative dimensions) start off quite uninteresting; wimpy boys and edgy girls are the norm of most anime. But as the story closes towards the metaphysical part, they become a lot more than what they seem at first (no, I can’t say more; you know why). They do develop and find a form of catharsis in the end.
- The rest of the characters are there just for laughs, although the boy’s father and grandfather are part of the serious part of the story and that wizard/scientist does provide reasoning for all the strangeness of the show. No character development but really strong presence and mostly vulgar humor is what makes them better than average stunts.
- In general, all characters have funny quirks that provide them with a strong presence in the story.
- Interesting backdrop stories and personalities are otherwise hard to find in them.

VALUE SECTION: 6/10
Historical Value 0/3 (None)
Rewatchability 2/3 (Most episodes are funny enough to deserve a second view)
Memorability 4/4 (Quite unique in its approach)

ENJOYMENT SECTION: 7/10 [Tribute galore!]
Depending on your personal tastes and acquired knowledge over movies and anime, some episodes will appear funnier than others. There is a repeating motif on the parody-based episodes that will probably tire you after a while but as a whole it is very enjoyable. Being a famous series that ends a lot different than it began, it does make it even more special and memorable, even if you didn’t like the ending or the crude jokes.

VERDICT: 7/10
Hey, now I get it! And yes, it’s funny! All those hundreds of lukewarm animes I watched over the years really paid up for something.

SUGGESTION LIST
FLCL (good) has a similar feeling. But it lacks the anime parody and is generally wackier and more superficial in comparison to this series.
Excel Saga (very good) is also an awesome anime parody.
Genshiken (awesome!) is a great slice-of-life that parodies otakus and their queer tastes in anime.

[SeijiSensei]

Abenobashi was one of the first anime shows I watched because it was available as part of then-ADV's on-demand service that came with my cable television package. Even though I was obviously not a "seasoned otaku," I still enjoyed the parodies because many of them are based on well-known film or gaming genres. Probably the only episode for which I had no prior referent was the visual novel parody, but most of the other episodes made perfect sense.

Of course, I didn't know who Abe no Seimei was at that point. Even though he's a recurring character in anime, he's probably still not very well-known among Western anime viewers.