Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi

Publisher
ADV
Director
Hiroyuki Yamaga
Production
GAINAX, Madhouse
Country of origin
Japan
Format
Series
Running time
25 min x 13 Episodes
Year
2002

Abenobashi Mahou Shotengai

By KRis
30th Jun 04

We all know GAINAX makes some pretty good stuff. (Evangelion, FLCL, Kare Kano). Have they ever let us down? I'd like to hope not, but not even GAINAX can't make a sure hit every time. Abenobashi is one of those times. I think they were trying to remake something along the lines of FLCL again, but just couldn't hit the mark.

Arumi and Sassi are two kids that have always been around each other. Times are changing though, and Arumi has to move to a new city so her Dad can open a solo diner. Sassi isn't that thrilled about the news. To make things worse, Arumi's Grandfather has an accident and is hospitalized. Things aren't the best for the two. All of a sudden strange things start happening. Old people start turning into mushrooms and houses into cardboard. Somehow in all this, Arumi and Sassi are transported to some strange place. A place where everyone and everything is different.

You get to see Arumi and Sassi travels different worlds, which every one is some how a parody of something. It ranges from the Dinosaur Era, to inside an RPG game. All the characters (such as Arumi's Grandfather, Dad, Sassi's Sister) are all in the worlds too, playing different roles. This gets repetitive sometimes as you're pretty much getting the same episode in a different context. With small jokes and countless inside jokes, Abenobashi tries to make you laugh. Where sometimes it succeeds, more often it doesn't. About half way through the series, it tries to develop a story. Why are they travelling these worlds, and when will it stop? Trust me, the reason isn't all that great.

The ending of the show is a little half assed, as it hardly concluded anything. It told you why it happened, just not how. I look at that as being very sloppy. Anyone can just decide on an ending, but the follow through is very important too. Maybe they just didn't know how to end a parody show?

The art wasn't too bad. At times it was a little too flashy, since they try to mix it up a bit. Some of the scenes looked really great though. Run of the mill music with decent opening and ending themes. Overall, I dunno, it was ok at times, but I just didn't find the show half as funny as I thought it would be. Episode 12 was really great though. It focused on poking fun at American movies. Seeing them all thrown together was really funny, but if you're going for parody, try out Excel Saga instead, as it might do a lot better job.

If you liked Abenobashi Mahou Shotengai, try out FLCL or Excel Saga.

-- KRis 30th Jun 04

Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi Images