Magical Meow Meow Taruto

Publisher
US: Bandai
Director
Tsukasa Sunaga
Production
Bandai, Dentsu
Country of origin
Japan
Format
Series
Year
2001

Magical Meow Meow Taruto V.1

By David Rasmussen
16th Jan 05

Company - BANDAI
Rated - Age 7 and up.
Created by Kaishaku
Original Story Published in Monthly Ultra Jump (Shueisha)
Director - Tsukasa Sunaga
Planning - Nagateru Kato (TNK) & Masao Maruyama (Mad House)
Series Supervisor - Kouji Ueda & Akihiko Takadera
Character Design/Key Animation - Hiroko Kazui
Music - Hikaru Nanase
Produced by BANDAI Visual & Dentsu
Region 1 Release Date - February 20th, 2005

Taruto V. 1 - A Magic Cat
Before We Begin...
So where does it all begin?
At the start of Episode 1 they do give an introduction, but in brief...
In the other dimensional world of Ganache there once lived a race of cat-humanoid people.
They were ruled by the kind and good Kinka Clan, until the day their rivals (the dark Byoh Clan) started an uprising and overthrew the kingdom, taking it over.
Before his kingdom fell, however, the King of the Kinka Clan entrusted his baby daughter to a retainer and had his daughter spirited from Ganache before the takeover was complete.
The daughter (the soon to be "lost princess"), and apparently a lot of other people who managed to flee before the finale, escaped and ended up as refugees on Earth... at least, that's what it seems to me.
Then again... see "The Lost World" Dilemma below...

We begin the story years later, as a Ganache girl named Taruto moves to a new town with her beloved... uh... "master" Iori and his... her mom is his older sister so she must be his niece... uh... niece Kinako.

Oh, wait... before we continue we have two things to go over.
The Species Dilemma
Notice how the star of this show has a "master"? She's not a slave despite the implications.

Apparently the Ganache species (which is about a 1/3rd of the height of a normal human) appears as nothing more than a normal household cat to human eyes, while to each other they're walking, talking cat-humans.
Now while this is NOT implied in the episodes (and if you watch the first episode you might not come off with the notion that they don‘t see Taruto as she truly is), it is noted in the booklet that comes with the first DVD... which, by the way, you should skip reading until you watch the episodes (spoiler material).

Now then, why humans cannot perceive the Ganache species in their true form is a mystery that isn't explained in any detail. Most likely it stems from the Ganache coming from another dimension.
Heck, for all we know Ganache is just another dimensional Earth but instead of humans it's inhabited by cat-humanoids. But, again, no details are given.

Anyway due to the series' being aimed at young girls there's very little chance of there being a proper explanation as to why there is this "species dilemma" so I guess you'd just have to take it as it is.

The Lost World Dilemma
Now I said before they MIGHT be refugees from Ganache... only WHEN they came from Ganache however remains to be seen! Apparently these Earthbound Ganache regard their "homeworld" as nothing more than myth and legend told in stories, and seemingly have not been to their homeworld in sometime!

Not to mention there seems to be LOTS of Ganache who seem to be that world's "cat" population... strange. You think people would notice their "four" legged friends are anything but four legged.

Anyway as for the whole planet thing? This probably means the Earthbound Ganache are immigrants from hundreds of years ago (during the Golden Age of the Ganache people) so they've all but forgotten their world. Then AGAIN why is it they seem to remember their "lost princess" when it seems to have happened only a few years ago (Taruto seems to be a young teenage Ganache girl) while they've forgotten their world? Yet another thing I hope they explain, but they probably won't.

Okay. Nuff' said. Let's get into the episodes!

Episode 1 - Beginning, Beginning
Taruto is quite excited to be in a brand new town with her "master" Iori! But there's something about the dark sinister house in the distance that has her worried... and somehow I think she has a right to be worried!
But enough of that, it seems that Kinako is doing all the work and Iori is decked out zoning away, listening to music and thinking about potatoes.

Some people live in their own Private Idaho. Iori IS his own Private Idaho.

But it looks like Taruto is going to help out on moving day with her magic... problem is she can't cast very well, and her spells are kind of sloppy (which manifest in the form of bubbles that, when they strike an object, cause all kinds of weird uncontrollable things to happen). Anyway she can forget helping to move... especially since it seems there's someone else in the house besides herself and Iori (Kinako went out).

Who is it? Turns out two girls of the Ganache species are sneaking around the house and capture Taruto in the kitchen so one can raid the fridge for snacks.

One, the one stuffing her face with cupcakes (which are the size of huge cakes in her small hands) is Charlotte. Charlotte is a strong-willed, prideful (even to a fault) kind of gal who tends to jump into anything without giving it much thought. She makes fun of Taruto but wants to be friends.

Then there's Chitose, who seems to have formed an entirely (if this wasn't rated 7+) suspicious attachment to Taruto's tail... anyway she's a soft spoken girl in comparison to the loud Charlotte. Quiet and graceful, her one failing (most likely) is that she is easily manipulated by Charlotte (which can't be a good thing).
She's the "cat" of the old candy shop in town (the Golden Shop, which will probably be the location of at least one episode in the near future -- Episode 3 for instance) and is good friends with Charlotte... though her even-temper has yet to rub off on her more explosive counterpart.

But guess what? Seems there's ANOTHER presence in the house! And it's NOT Charlotte and Chitose!
Can Taruto, with a little "encouragement" from the TV that she accidentally turned on while trashing the room Iori's in (she put him to sleep ten minutes ago in the episode and he's still sleeping) face up against her fears and prevail against this threat and protect her master?

However the point of this episode isn't Taruto facing her fears (it turns out to be a case of mistaken identity anyway and it's quite harmless). The POINT is for her to use so much power that anyone sensitive to magic in the nearby area can't help but notice... of which two groups have noticed.

One is a trio of mask wearing Ganache folk in black who wander around strangely seeking something.
They were supposed to have caught up with Taruto in her old home, but just missed her as she moved out with Iori and Kinako.

The other is an old Ganache woman in that mysterious black house Taruto felt bad vibes from earlier, and her two minions. Now it seems the forces of good and evil are seeking Taruto... but which is which?
Only time will tell. Actually next episode will tell.

But what time WON'T tell is how the creature Taruto finds in the house, who is NOT of the Ganache species, is such a know it all about the Ganache' legend of their "lost princess"! Explain THAT to me!

Episode 2 - Blossom, Blossom
The start of the episode reaffirms the fact that new character met last episode who is NOT a Ganache (flying squirrel?) seems to know more about the whole "lost princess" thing than a non-Ganachian should.
Guess what's going to be in my Ignore segment! Go on!

Taruto, whose magic seems to finally become focused by accident when she willed forth a strange magic wand from nowhere (in a moment of panic) seems to think she IS this "lost princess" and becomes quite excited by this.

Of course she hasn't put any thought into the whole implications of this revelations.
For instance why it's "lost princess" to begin with!
And the fact that, once she embraces her true destiny to restore her kingdom and save her people, she'll have to abandon any hope of being together forever with her "beloved" Iori.

But those are hard decisions that she doesn't have to face... yet. So let her have her happiness for the time being, somehow I wonder if it'll last as the day draws closer for her to return home and evict the evil Byoh Clan from her homeworld.

Anyway it's time to meet and greet the neighbors, so Iori and Kinako go door to door to see the people.
And so too does Taruto, and she meets the neighbor who is a cat lover like Iori.
He remembers each and every cat he had, but sadly they've all gone. Still, spring is coming and he wishes to see a very special blossom... you'll understand when you see the episode.

Taruto, who has been captivated by the neighbor, can't help but want to help him! However since her magic is not exactly solid in terms of her ability to control it? She needs help.
That is not an easy task it seems, especially after the LONG explanation about magic from the first person chosen to help her... don't stare, don't stare... the second person (who might be a relative of Yoda's) gives her a little better advice (but not much).

Well, you'll be pleased with how this ends so you'll find it to be quite the cute story.

What's NOT cute, however, is that we finally narrowed down the forces of good and evil. Sorta.
The trio of mask wearing folk must be good since it seems the dark old woman and her two minions in the strange mansion are the evil of the series. She has sent her two minions to hunt for Taruto... problem is they have NO idea who they're looking for, so in an Abbott/Costello kind of way they begin to bumble their way into the mission to find Taruto (this episode posting "wanted" posters to try and gain the help of the local Ganache population).

Oh, and a new character in a Ganache collecting obsessed human girl (who has captured the heart of Iori) appears to make more trouble for Taruto... since she WANTS Taruto as her very own possession!

Episode 3 - Long, Long Ago
It seems that girl who has "Caught" the heart of Iori has not given up on her quest to own Taruto.
Good thing she has found a refuge in the city that she uses to get away from her tormentor.
This triangle shaped hidden "paradise" in the middle of all this urban sprawl has caught Taruto's fancy and she aims to make it her own, even as Kinako and a rival boy tries to make it their own.

Her desire to expel Kinako and the boy (and his fancy suit dressed Ganache companion) is doubled in strength when she learns the sad and tragic tale of the lot, which fuels her desire to expel the "interlopers" even more! But how? And how does this triangle lot tie into the search for an elusive candy shop called the "Golden Shop", and the duo who are searching for Taruto for their evil mistress without knowing they‘re searching for Taruto? You'll find out as you watch!

Yet another beautiful and touching story that'll set a tear in your eye... and yes, it did that for me so I know what I'm talking about here! The ending is yet another beautiful ending (ala Episode 2)! Bravo!

Region 1 Optional Extras
Music Videos (2) - Whee! Musical clips featuring the Japanese voice talents! Yah!!

Textless Opening Credits (1st) - Watch the first opening credits sequence (Episode 1) cleanly, without the credits blocking the images.

Limited Edition Character Decals - In this copy I got to review I found character decals (limited editions)! I don't know if this is going to be standard fare when the Region 2 one comes out (if one comes out) but I think it should be! Nice!

Character/Story booklet - This is the most useful booklet I ever seen! It holds background info on episodes (little gems of info you might not have known) and character info!
Of course this means you should probably skip reading this until after spinning the disc once. You know, so you don't spoil it by reading the spoiler material too soon.

Taruto Breakdown the 1st
What's Hot? - The last BANDAI series rated 7+ I approved of was Fancy Lala. This is no exception.
A cute, beautiful and captivating little series that just tugs at you and compels you to watch, this is most definitely one of the better series for the age group I have seen and one I can recommend for both young and old alike. With a solid cast, beautiful animation, lovely musical score and great writing it is sure to be a beloved little series that just captivates you.

There isn't much out there that is suitable for all ages, but this one fit's the bill. And, yes, while it IS aimed at young girls (sadly I don't see young boys getting into it) us older males who are abit more cultured can appreciate the series and see that it is good for lots of people.

You can't go wrong here. If you have a girl and want to find something in Anime for her this is one of those series I recommend (along with the aforementioned Fancy Lala).

What's Not? - I can't find fault in this series. Yes, I did mention some things but that isn't grounds for passing on this. No, not at all. It's just too good to pass on. So you'll hear no complaints from me.

I guess I can say it's a little at fault for being such an emotional view at times! Episode 2 and 3 have such emotional and touching moments in them! But that is another one of the beauties of this show so again I can't find fault here.

Moments to Remember? - Taruto is the center of all things memorable. It is her adventure so she is the brightest star of the show. But right behind her is the duo of Charlotte and Chitose, who have their own moments as well. Ah, what the heck, the three episodes are cute and memorable!

Another memorable thing is the heartfelt, heartstring tugging moments of Episode 2 and 3.
Episode 3 most of all which has the most heartbreaking sidestory that makes Taruto cry (and steels her resolve in her "quest" in this story), and which has the best ending! (The ending to Episode 2 is also touching and memorable as well!)

What to Ignore? - Ah. Here we go! My "Ignore the Talking Flying Squirrel" moment!
Oh-kay! We have one thing, may be a flying squirrel, who is the "creature" in Episode 1!
He's been hibernating in the house since winter and only now has woken up, but that isn't my problem!
My problem is that, somehow, he seems to be quite knowing of the whole Ganache "lost princess" thing despite the fact he's NOT Ganache (when speaking to Charlotte and Chitose in Episode 2 he, in a round about way, says this in so many words).

So, then, how did a species NOT Ganache even come across all this info, and be so knowing of it anyway!
I'm going to ignore it for now until I get a better explanation... which might not happen since this IS a 7+ series so, again, deep profound answers may not be on the way.

And why the heck did he come back to be Taruto's "fan"? I thought he had places to go!

To quote the new host of Iron Chef America...
"Oh, bother."

Overall? - Yes, I love this series. Yes I do have a few questions and seem quite put off by the whole knowledge over the "lost princess" thing but that doesn't change the fact I'm giving this a high recommendation. With truly touching moments in the first volume, as well as nice humor and great storytelling with a fine cast of characters I can't recommend this enough!

From me to you I can say that if you can get ahold of this series (which should be out in Region 1 format in February) then you should do just that.

Seems there's four volumes (noted on this flyer that came with the DVD) so that means... uh... maybe 12 episodes? An even dozen? That'd be nice.

The one downer, however, is an uncertainty as to whether this'll be ported over to Region 2 format.
This, I implore, MUST be done. It is one of the few all ages series I've seen that is most deserving of this (along with the once again aforementioned Fancy Lala). So, hopefully, by Christmas 2005 if not earlier, BANDAI has taken this little gem of a series and swung it by it's tail across the Atlantic to Region 2 release! You'd be missing out if they didn't, and that'd not be a good thing.

NOTE - Yes. I'll remember to order the DVD months in advance so I'll have a review of Taruto V. 2 when it releases (probably in April 2005)! Promise!

-- David Rasmussen 16th Jan 05

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