Heppoko Jikken Animation Excel♥Saga

Excel Saga is a pure slapstick anime made to do nothing but try to produce a comedy satire of EVERY anime genre made. It actually does a pretty good job making fun of them all. The entire fact that they're just spoofing anime creates a very weak story line. But they do manage to keep a story to keep it all together, albeit full of holes and non seriousness. Character The story mainly follows 2 main characters as they're "trying to take over the world" for a company called ACROSS, i forgot what the acronym stood for. The two girls, Excel and Hyatt, all work undera man called Ilpalazzo. The great thing about the two main characters is that they're complete polar opposites of each other. Excel, is your typical over eccentric and stupidly ignorant girl, and Hyatt, is very under eccentric and is actually pretty smart. Its funny in a sense that they are Literally different from each other. They're not the only characters in the show tho. There are at least a good dozen characters that keep reappearing but always displayed in different situations. Art and Sound The art and animation is typical pre-2000 style artwork. Its all kind of lame in my opinion, but they do show their artistic variety in how they have to draw drastically different environments with every episode. The music is forgettable, although you'll laugh at the ED a few times it gets annoying after the 3-4th time listening to it. The op is a little catchy and its a nice touch to have hyatt cough during her singing. Enjoyment The best part of the anime is the line execution or the script. The use of the word "Shock" and the running joke of her eating her dog among all the other hundreds of jokes makes this show stand out so much. The simplistic lines flow very well with the simple artwork and characters. They even go far as copying characters from from digi charat, to fist of the northstar, to shinesman (you'll think its power rangers but its really a spoof off of Shinesman), really show the voice range and artistic range albeit a little simple. Overall This show does have its high points but its also with its downsides. If you're really into anime comedy, then this would be a good pickup, but even if you're not into the comedy genre it still would not be bad to pickup and watch since there is the possibility of you seeing one of your favorite "classic" anime or genre get spoofed. You'll see jokes coming from lolicon to androids, to poverty jokes, you'll see a little of everything here. It's definitely a different style of comedy and Nabeshin's comedy style transfers very well to his other work, Nerima Daikon Brothers. This anime is not for most people but you'll enjoy the ending

Title: Excel Saga Manga/Anime: Excel Saga was originally an manga created by Rikdo Koshi. It began running in Young King OURS in the April 1997 issue, and is still running at this point in time, at. Viz has licensed it Stateside, and the sixteenth volume (and the latest volume to be compiled over in Japan) was released on September 11th, 2007. The anime version was produced by JC Staff (best known for Revolutionary Girl Utena and Honey and Clover), and directed by Shinichi Watanabe (well-known for Nerima Daikon Brothers and Tenchi Muyo! GXP). It ran on TV from October 7th, 1999 to March 30th,2000. It has been licensed by ADV Stateside, and the sixth and final volume was released April 8th, 2003. Story: ...Story? What story? xD Basic plot follows ACROSS' (leader Ilpalazzo and lackeys Excel and Hyatt) attempts to take over the world. And really, that's about it. Because each and every episode can be taken as a self-contained standalone (except for the last ones), and there's almost no continuity, except in the characters, and one or two basic plot elements. You see, this anime is a parody of every single genre/major show in the history of evah. Sports anime? Done. Youth drama? Done. Gundam? Done. Dragonball? Done. End of the world? ...You get the idea. They even do an episode just to see how far they can violate TV censorship rules. It's got some good gags. But it's not satire material. It's still pretty well done, though. Art: There's not a lot to be said here, because it all depends on what they decide to mock each episode. xD But whatever they choose to mock, they do it well. Music: The lyrics to the OP are hilarious, and the fact that they're sung so horribly out of tune is the only reason the OP stands out. The ED stands out for the fact that it's just a dog barking/woofing/howling, with a translator translating them into a human language for us. The background music, as always, depends on what they're trying to mock each episode. But as with the art style and story, it's done well. I've still got some random themes bouncing around in my head... Seiyuu: The big thing for this one is that they got Kotono Mitsuishi (Sailor Moon's seiyuu) to do this, so when they do magical girl parodies, it's even more hilarious, because in a way, she's mocking herself (they even do some very specific mockings of Sailor Moon herself). xD They do this with several other seiyuu. Also, Ilpalazzo's seiyuu is Hotohori's seiyuu (from Fushigi Yuugi) and Touga Kiryuu's seiyuu (Revolutionary Girl Utena), and his seiyuu is right up there with Joji Nakata for me. So, overall, WIN. Length: I cannot think of a single genre or major show that they did not mock (and any ones that do come to mind are only because they were released after this). Plus, it starts to drag a little at the end. So, yeah, just right. Overall: A pretty decent parody gag anime with awesome seiyuu and music. Also, HAIL ILPALAZZO!! Story: 7/10 Art: 8/10 Music: 8/10 Seiyuu: 10/10 Length: 9/10 Overall: 42/50; 84% (B)

In the beginning I must state that Excel Saga is a hell of an anime series. I mean, there are lots of works that aim to be the over-the-top, crazy roller coaster rides, but most of them end rather poorly. Excel Saga does not, as director Watanabe Shinichi seems to understand well that it takes a genius to make stupidity enjoyable. Let's face it: Excel Saga is stupid. I mean, everyone (except for Nabeshin maybe) is a total loon one way or the other, and the world itself is as realistic and serious as the one in, say, the Naked Gun series or Hot Shots. Still,the viewer is immediately drawn into this world, and the characters quickly become as familiar to him/her as those in 300-episode anime sagas. The sense of humor in this series is completely lunatic, but still very efficient in making the viewer roll on the floor laughing - either because it's so clever or simply so shameless. One must bear in mind that it is a parody series, and as such it makes fun of so many movie cliches, not only anime. Actually, it seems surprisingly Western in many aspects; the critique of cheap sci-fi, action B-movies, or date games is very appealing to a European viewer (like me). However, the series goes further than just being a parody; the characters are genuinely likeable, the plot (for lack of a better word) is actually captivating, and the art is exceptional. However, I think the greatest accomplishment of the creators is the way the viewer is endlessly being surprised, caught with his proverbial pants around his ankles by sudden twists in the plot and completely crazy (but fun) developments. Is Excel Saga perfect? No, it's not; I still can't forgive them those two filler episodes made from previously shown material. However, most people will be taken aback by the sheer amount of... aimless energy, displayed not only by Excel herself, but by the entire anime. So much happens all the time that many people will undoubtedly find it annoying or hard to digest. This is not a series for everyone, that's all. I might sound like a fanboy, but I'll say it anyway: this anime radiates awesomness, if you can handle that. It's not perfect, but it's easy to forgive its failings. However, I'd rather recommend it to more adult viewers, as I think it takes some cultural experience and maturity to fully appreciate this anime. Hail, Ilpalazzo!

What a waist of time. I know this anime is supposed to be a comedy parodying other anime, but it fails miserably. This has to be one of the worst anime series I've seen. The story is, wait what am I talking about there is no story. The characters were just plain useless and had no value. Then there is the animation, which is just plain terrible. I really don't see any value in this anime, unless you mute it, and then you can half way enjoy it watching the hot girls with DD size breasts running around halfnaked. I pray that I never have to see this anime ever again.

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