Ah! My Goddess

[areaseven]

Aa! Megami-sama ( ああっ女神さまっ )

AIC/TBS/Bandai Visual, 2005

AnimeWorks, 2005-2006

Directed by Hiroaki Gohda (Ah! My Goddess: The Movie, Please Teacher!)

Created by Kousuke Fujishima (You're Under Arrest)

Running Time: 25 minutes per episode

Rated 13 and Older for mature situations and mild language.

College sophomore Keiichi Morisato is looking forward to university life. But in reality, he has no luck in anything, and he has trouble with clubs, love, etc. The truth is that he has an unlucky star above his head. One day, Keiichi is stuck watching the dorm while his sempai are away, and has a mountain of chores to boot. But Keiichi is a good-natured person, and is set about doing his duties. As he is about to finish his final chore, he makes a phone call to his sempai, only to connect to the Goddess Help Line. Shortly afterwards, a beautiful goddess named Belldandy appears in front of him from the mirror of his room.

Story: A-

For over a decade, fans have wished for an anime adaptation of Ah! My Goddess that's more than the 1994 OAV's five episodes. Well, we finally get one. But since the OAV messed up the manga's continuity, this new series starts from scratch.

And it's a very long start.

Instead of just starting with Belldandy popping out of the mirror (which actually happens later on), the first episode completely focuses on Keiichi - and we learn that he's very different from the character we've known in the OAV and movie. For instance, there's emphasis on his crush on the snobbish Sayoko Mishima and why his bike has a sidecar. And then, the story deals with his share of bad luck - lots of it. And as all this happens, Belldandy prepares for her appearance.

For the most part, it's good that the storyline is more stretched-out, which gives us more-than-ample room for character development. This also gives the opportunity to introduce many favorite characters from the manga into anime form for the very first time.

Animation: B+

The new series may have CG effects similar to the ones in the 2000 theatrical release. Unfortunately, due to the simplicity of digital art, it doesn't have the gorgeous artwork displayed in the OAV and movie. Nevertheless, it's still impressive. Hidenori Matsubara (Sakura Wars, Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040) returns as the series' character designer.

Soundtrack: B+

You are greeted by a wonderful opening theme by Yoko Ishida (Ai Yori Aoshi, A Little Snow Fairy Sugar). The BGM by Shiro Hamaguchi (AMG: The Movie, Kiddy Grade) is good, but somehow doesn't stand out compared to the OAV's music. Besides, when will we once again hear songs from the Goddess Family Club?

Sub vs. Dub

Reprising their roles are Masami Kikuchi (Tenchi Muyo!, Yusaku in Kimagure Orange Road) as Keiichi, Kikuko Inoue (Mizuho in Please Teacher!/Please Twins!, Aina in Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team) as Belldandy, Yumi Touma (Najica Blitz Tactics, Deedlit in Record of Lodoss War) as Urd, Aya Hisakawa (Haruka in RahXephon, Ami/Sailor Mercury in Sailor Moon) as Skuld, Kiyoyuki Yanada (Leon in Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040, Zabine in Mobile Suit Gundam F91) as Tamiya, Issei Futamata (Godai in Maison Ikkoku, Shinshi in Patlabor) as Otaki, Yuriko Fuchizaki (Anthy in Revolutionary Girl Utena, Li Kohran in Sakura Wars) as Megumi, Ikue Ohtani (Konjiki no Gash Bell!, Pikachu in Pokemon) as Hasegawa, Nobuo Tobita (Kamille in Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam, as Aoshima, and Rei Sakuma (Kazumi in Gunbuster, Nina in Mobile Suit Gundam 0083) as Peorth. Also featured are Mamiko Noto (Rin in Inu-Yasha, Nodoka in Mahou Sensei Negima!) as Sayoko and Megumi Ogata (Shinji in Neon Genesis Evangelion, Yukito in Cardcaptor Sakura) as young Keiichi.

With Media Blasters picking up the domestic license, who knows which studio they'll use for the English dub? Odds are on either NYAV Post (Berserk, Samurai Deeper Kyo) or Bang Zoom! Entertainment (Rurouni Kenshin, Figure 17). I hope they use Bang Zoom!, as they have the same voice actors from the movie.

DVD Extras

Once the R1 DVD comes out, I'm picking it up.

The Bottom Line

With the storyline finally closer to the manga, Ah! My Goddess will generate a larger fan following than ever.

Links

TBS' Official Ah! My Goddess Homepage

Reference

Anime News Network

[chrono]

Storyline: Agreed it's a solid A-.

Animation: Disagree, at most it's a C+ due to it's low overall quality and consistance. The first few episodes are fairly ok, but it takes a dumpster dive afterwards.

Soundtrack: B, it simply doesn't strike any cord nor does it make itself a part of the anime. Not like the soundtrack in Crest of The Stars does.

Sub vs. Dub: No comment because the entire issue is only for the PURIST of PURIST(ie complete and utter losers).

The Bottom Line: Yeah the storyline is closer, unfortunatly 'growth' for the Belldandy character is even further reduced because of it. Shame the entire series is gonna only be 27 episodes at maximum. We can only hope that it goes 'The Slayers' route for anymore.