Chobits

Director
Morio Asaka
Production
Madhouse, Project Chobits, TBS
Country of origin
Japan
Format
Series
Running time
26 episodes
Year
2002

Chobits Volume 3: Darkness Descends

By otaku_kei
26th Jul 05

Continuing with the ongoing story of Chobits, this volume represents the halfway point for this title. So far this show has been doling out the 'Carry On...' brand of humour like it is going out of fashion, but delivering very little by way of story development. Quick breakdown of what has happened so far: Hideki found a persocom in the trash, she is really cute but appears to have no operating system meaning Hideki has to teach her everything. And I mean everything! So shocked by how his own filthy mind works Hideki then gets into one compromising position after another with 'hilarious' results. Oh yeah, and there is also a little mentioned subplot about a new breed of persocoms who surpass everything on the market and may have a secret agenda that could revolutionise everything! But lets not talk about that or we'll get distracted from the smut. Breakdown over, here we have the third volume: is it more of the same, or are we finally going to see why this show is a fan-favourite?

Well the episodes on this disc deliver more of the same, as what we have had for the last eight episodes. We get Hideki going on a date, Hideki having to teach Chii how to take a bath (surely the smutty jokes for that episode just wrote themselves), and we get a beach vacation episode. None of these episodes in themselves add anything dramatic to the dynamic of the show already established by the earlier episodes. Now there is some further development of the Chobit story, yet the point behind this subplot still remains a mystery. But this I find is the main detriment to this show. Having not given the audience a focus of anything deeper this show remains ecchi fluff. Yes it is entertaining, but so far is doing nothing particularly new. Closest title we have to this on the UK market would probably be Love Hina and Chii may be cute but there is more eye candy in Love Hina, and the central male character is not such a perverted freak as Hideki is. Honestly if I wanted some cute anime gals and smutty jokes then Love Hina wins every time.

But that is not to suggest that this show is without its merit. Whilst the plot may be being drawn out, and the subplot still only being alluded to, this show remains an enjoyable watch. The characters remain engaging and likable, and the humour is laugh out loud at some points. This Ealing comedy style humour has always had its moments and it appears as if the Japanese are just as successful at hitting the right comedy notes. This volume may not add much to the plot, but it does have a lot of fun skirting around the issues and if you've enjoyed this series up until this point then I whole heartedly recommend you take a gander at volume 3. Is this show the best hitting shelves at the moment? In my opinion your money would be better spent elsewhere, but if cute robots are your thing then what else is there on offer right now.

R2 DVD Notes

Features: English Language 2.0; Japanese Language 2.0; English Language Subtitles; Textless Opening; Japanese Opening; Art Gallery; MVM Trailers

Release information: OUT NOW

Notes: MVM have delivered another quality disc for this series. In line with the rest of the Chobits releases so far the audio and visual quality is fantastic, with both language tracks coming through clear, and the subtitles in sync. But much like the other Chobits discs the extras are a bit lacking. Left with the standard 'Textless Opening', and the Trailers, we also get a small 'Picture Gallery', and the 'Original Japanese Opening'. I'm sure you will agree not the most exciting options when it comes to extras, not that MVM are to blame as they try to license any possible extras they can get their hands on. Just repetitive after several volumes of the same.

-- otaku_kei 26th Jul 05

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