Kyousougiga Review

You guys are in for it!  I don’t even know if I have the capacity to review this ONA but I’m going to try.  Here is OVA review #2 and it is sure a weird one.  Kyousogiga is a 26-minute long Original Net Animation created by Izumi Todo, which was released in December of last year on Nico Nico Douga.  Todo is known for creating the Pretty Cure series that has 400+ episodes.  Anime powerhouse Toei Animation is behind the animation.  When I first watched this I thought it was only going to be a one shot, but recently Todo announced more episode are coming out eventually.  Okay let’s get to the review and I will see if I can figure out what the hell I just watched!

Plot Summary

Three kids are stuck in a strange city causing massive mayhem through the land. They are searching for an atypical rabbit in order to return home. Koto, the eldest of the three, seems to have some sort of connection to this weird place ruled by a monk, a demon, and a priest.  (AnimeNewsNetwork)

Lets start with the animation.  Kyousogiga is an ONA so the overall budget wasn’t very high.  The animators did the best they could with what they had and they actually turned out some amazing animation.  The world in Kyousogiga is very colorful and abstract.  The best way I can explain the animation is if Studio Shaft had a love child with FLCL on acid.  That doesn’t make any sense does it? Well the animation and the action sequences are crazy.  The animation is sometimes a little sloppy in a good way (reminiscent of FLCL) and just as fast paced with an abstract twist.  The best way to understand the animation is to just watch it yourself, I guess I just suck at explaining.

9/10

 The characters are fine but a little confusing at times.  26 minutes wasn’t long enough for me to get all the characters straight.  Also if you’re not paying extremely close attention you are going to have issues understanding how all of the different character relate to each other.  Koto is the protagonist and she is just an ordinary girl who likes to destroy things.  She is really hyper and the show runs at a fast pace trying to keep up with her.  Without out her the show would probably be boring, she really livens up everything.  Don’t go in expecting a complex cast of characters because there aren’t any.  That being said the characters are a joy to watch and create a very lively atmosphere.

7/10 

The voice actors are all great.  They all play their characters well.  Most have very over-the-top voices because Kyousogiga is an over the top anime.  The background music is barely noticeable and forgettable.  A J-Rock song was picked for the credits, which is also forgettable.

8/10

There are many parallels between Kyousogiga and Lewis Carol’s Alice in Wonderland.  I’m not too familiar with Alice In Wonderland so if you’re interested in how they compare, there are other blogs out there that have tackled this subject.  I’ll just say there is a rabbit and Kyousogiga is set in a fantastical alternate world.  As I said before the show moves at a very fast pace.  With the fast pace mixed in with the crazy abstract world of Kyousogiga I found myself easily lost.  There is so much going on at the same time, I found myself missing parts of the story.  It is really something you need to watch multiple times to really see and understand everything.

8/10

Overall Kyousogiga is a blast of fun energy.  I 100% recommend this but it does have the ability to overwhelm those who are not prepared.  I didn’t delve too much into the overall story because I don’t want to ruin it for anyone but trust me it worth watching.  I am really excited now that more episodes have been announced.  I have no idea when they will come out but I really want to blog them!

Final Score 8/10 

Thanks for reading

-Xana

A boat beneath a sunny sky,
Lingering onward dreamily
In an evening of July

Children three that nestle near,
eager eye and willing ear,
Pleased a simple tale to hear

Long has paled that sunny sky:
Echoes fade and memories die.
Autumn frosts have slain July.

Ever drifting down a stream
Lingering in the golden gleam
Life, what is it but a dream?

Taken from “A Boat Beneath A Sunny Sky” By Lewis Carroll, as quoted in the beginning of Kyousogiga.