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

Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi vol 2 (eps 5-7)

By John Huxley
10th Feb 05

The first episode takes our confused duo to an unlikely prehistoric world of dinosaurs, cavemen and meteors. After growing to accept the inaccuracies of this world they stumble upon a lonely baby triceratops whom they affectionately name spot, so they set about reuniting it with its estranged mother. Hampering their efforts are the local residents of this 'shopping arcade' (didn't actually spot any shops, there) who believe their untimely presence is a sure sign of imminent destruction. Obviously a little concerned, the stone-age cavemen and their S&M masters (don't ask...) threaten to sacrifice Arumi and Sasshi to appease the heavens (presumably). With little or no hope of leaving this prehistoric shopping arcade alive, it's up to the skimpily dressed Mune Mune and her Tarzan impression to save the day...

Although it lacks the impetus of more compelling scenarios such as the sci-fi setting of the first volume, this episode does manage to push Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi's ailing story along with a couple of key revelations regarding some of the more mysterious characters. Their significance won't become entirely clear until much later, but their inclusion nevertheless helps to add a little spice to this otherwise uninspiring episode.

As with all shows of this type (actually, I can only think of Excel Saga right now...), it's becoming increasingly apparent that Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi's success relies heavily upon the genre it is attempting to parody. The sci-fi and fantasy/RPG settings of the first volume worked so well because they drew inspiration from such rich source materials such as Mazinger, Ys and 2001: A Space Odyssey, while the prehistoric setting of this first episode fails to really spark much interest with only a passing reference to Trazan of note. Of course much of the humour remains puerile and silly regardless of the scenario, but then again I wouldn't expect much in the way of subtlety and maturity from a title that has the audacity to name one of its characters after the Japanese slang for breasts.

The setting for the next episode is entirely more successful, which sees Arumi and Sasshi transported to a moody film noir world of racketeering, hitmen, femme fatales and private dicks. The mayhem begins when Sasshi is mistaken for a legendary hitman who will help a local crime syndicate (headed by a familiar face...) eliminate their rivals in the slug (?) racketeering business. A bewildered Sasshi is soon uncovered to be a fraud when the 'real' hitman enters the equation, by which time Arumi, recently instated as a member of the local police force, has infiltrated their hideout in a bid to prevent the bloodshed and put an end to this gang war. Why exactly she has to dress in a variety of revealing costumes is really besides the point!

The film noir setting is compelling despite the absence of many obvious direct references; the cliched smoke-filled bars, beige raincoats, femme fatales and tommy guns are prominent icons that should be immediately familiar to anyone. As with the previous episode we're also treated to a little in the way of plot progression, as Arumi and Sasshi begin to question why exactly they find themselves stuck in these bizarre parallel universes.

Thankfully we don't have to wait too long for an answer, as the third and final episode on this disc takes us back in time to witness the shopping arcade's inception at the hands of a familiar blue-haired eccentric, cocky punk and well endowed red-haired beauty. Whilst it's sorely lacking in the humour department, this episode marks a welcome return to the more sedate nature of the very first episode. In stark contrast to the vivid mayhem of the shopping arcade's parallel universes, everything from the characterisations right down to the colour palette have been toned down to create an entirely different atmosphere. As story, characters and relationships are given room to develop in the absence of comedy, this more realistic segment of the show is arguably the more successful. What is certain, however, is that it provides a much needed change of pace and scenery that will hopefully increase the effectiveness of the show as a whole.

Believe it or not, there is actually a relatively sincere message behind Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi's ridiculous facade. Ultimately, how integral this is your enjoyment is negligible, but its inclusion does help to add a little depth to an otherwise shallow yet enjoyable farce. This volume is certainly the weaker of the two so far, although I'm sure things will begin to improve again once Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi sets its targets on some more interesting scenarios.

-- John Huxley 10th Feb 05

Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi Images