After “this guy” predicted how I would review Kamichu, I just had to watch it. Lately, I’ve been getting more and more interested in slice-of-life series (I’m currently a huge fan of Kaze no Shoujo Emily), so I was willing to give this series a try.
However, when I started watching, I didn’t really understand what was so special about this series. Sure, it was a nice watch, and it definitely had heart-warming moments, but it didn’t really set itself apart from other series, and I’ve seen much better attempts at slice-of-life anime. I also didn’t understand Omo’s line of “But for those of us who can see beyond that, Kamichu is a masterful reprise of a childhood to remember and the fun people had growing up.”
But now that I finished the series, I understand. I totally understand. The final four episodes (so the last two TV-episodes, and the last special episodes that came with the DVDs) were bloody awesome, and they definitely make Kamichu something more than “just another slice-of-life” series.
So basically, if you start Kamichu, you just have the obligation to finish it, or otherwise you won’t feel the magic. The series does have its problems, though. The biggest one being episode four, which makes it really hard not to lose interest, when it comes with a really bad premise, changing the entire tone for the series, just when you began to get used to it. A ridiculous idea that you just can’t take serious is used, involving a creature that can be best described as “Pururin” from NHK ni Youkoso gone wrong. Plot elements that come from nowhere are introduced, and we never see these again, and afterwards the series goes back to its original focus, like nothing happened. There are more of these continuity errors, by the way. One episode, for example, ends with a giant pudding in the middle of the school square, and the next episode just happily acts like none of it ever happened.
Still, you’ll definitely get rewarded once you get past this point. The characters are really charming, and even though you wouldn’t say it at first sight, they’re very compelling. Kamichu is one of these series where the best comes in last, once you’ve come to know all the different characters. The graphics and the music also look decent enough; they’ve got some nice production-values, though they’re a tad too plain for my tastes. They’ll never beat the music of Figure 17, the art of Asatte no Houkou, or the OP and ED for Mahou Tsukai Tai.
Overall, if you’re a slice-of-life fan, I see no reason why you shouldn’t give Kamichu a chance. Just remember to stick with it, even after the horrible episode four. A personal complaint of me is that it could have used a few more episodes, though. Seeing as it ends, just when things are getting really good.]]>
Kamichu Review – 85/100
Episode 4 is the pink alien right? I know most people find that and the cats episode to be annoying, but I loved ep4. Kamichu! was an instant favorite for me from the time I hit play. I enjoy how it even shines a light on some of the silly things as well.
Well, glad you enjoyed it (I think).
And yes, this show goes all over the place in the first half, but I see it as a scattershot effect rather than as a sign of inconsistency. Your childhood is going to be different than mine and everyone else’s, after all.
And yep, anyone who can sit down to a slice of life show has to see Kamichu.
@omo
Oh really?
Might make some time for this series in the future then. =)
The cat episode and the pink alien one was indeed annoying, in fact because of those eps it made me drop Kamichu entirely.
Reading your review though makes me want to watch it again. Hope it does not disappoint me for the second time.
I just wanted to drop in and say that the pink alien episode of Kamichu was actually THE REASON I got INTO the show! I don’t know why people find it annoying — it’s an adorable episode, and easily the best of the first four. It captures the feel of the show perfectly, and is just so over-the-top that it makes for a highly entertaining, highly charming viewing.
-Tom
I liked Kamichu specifically because it wasn’t visually stunning. The skirts were actual skirt length and the main characters realistically portrayed, which is itself almost unheard of in an artform where the scool uniform uses a wide pleated belt as the skirt.
And the subtle details of how the characters move and react was dead on, although not obvious when you’re used to people bouncing off the walls on every reaction.
As to the pudding, each episode is its own world and has little effect on others. Only the character development continues on. If it bothers you, remember she ended that episode sleeping off a binge of improving the school.m By the next episode, she had already woken up and fixed everything.