Jan 14, 2016
This is a review of the DVD version of the “Lingerie Soldier Papillon Rose” OVA (Lingerie Senshi Papillon Rose) released by Maiden Japan in 2010. It was viewed with English subtitles. Note that the same DVD also includes the 6 episodes from the TV Series “Papillon Rose”. I will provide a separate review for those. This review is just for the single episode OVA.
"Lingerie Soldier Papillon Rose" is a comedic parody of magical girl series such as “Sailor Moon” and “Cutie Honey” with more ecchi content. The show includes some sci-fi and magic elements.
Parental Advisory:
The age rating on the
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DVD packaging is listed as MA (so 17 and up). The show includes some scenes with female topless nudity. There is an implied sex scene, but the characters are covered by a large bed sheet. Other scenes include some very suggestive adult-oriented behavior. The outfit worn by the main character is very skimpy. There is some profanity. Some combat situations occur, but they are mostly cartoon-style violence where no real harm seems to occur to anyone involved.
Brief history of Papillon Rose:
When watching or reviewing this title, it is important realize that the idea for “Papillon Rose” originated as a joke on a website. Growing fan interest in the title eventually led to the creation of the OVA in 2003, and then a TV series in 2006. There are no official novels or manga. A set of PVC figures were released by Milestone in 2007. The two versions correspond to the OVA and TV series
Story: 3/10
There is only 1 episode of the OVA and it’s only about 25 minutes long. The main character, Tsubomi is introduced along with her friend Anne, both of whom work at a Lingerie Club. Their age is not revealed, but it appears they are probably in their late teens. The manager of the club is shown briefly, and the girls’ interactions with him show that they have the upper hand. Tsubomi and Anne threaten him jokingly, and he seems to have little option but to accept their requests.
A mysterious figure, known only as “Dandy Lion”, encounters Tsubomi, and it is revealed that he has a special power to awaken the powers of the lingerie fighters…through sex. This seems like a setup for a hentai title, but the OVA refrains from showing much of their sexual encounter.
The show also introduces a set of enemies, including a female ruler, her 4 generals and some lackeys that cater to her every whim. One of the generals is sent to harvest human lifeforces, and she begins her attack near the club. Her orally powered, crotch-attacking weapon has obvious sexual connotations. Meanwhile, a talking cat named Rama finds Tsubomi, and after confirming her power by scent, he helps her activate her power to turn into Papillon Rose. The transformation scene is a parody of magical girl transformations. She even says “Cutie Honey” first before using the correct phrase. In combat, she ends up using a weapon that is basically a huge vibrator. Papillon Rose struggles in combat before Dandy Lion comes to the rescue.
Most of the ecchi content is intended for laughs, but much of it seems overly juvenile. The show ends rather abruptly before Dandy Lion has encountered any of the other lingerie fighters. The OVA seems like it was intended as the first of several episodes that would later feature the other generals before a final showdown with their leader. Unfortunately, that content doesn’t appear to have ever been completed. The 6 episodes from the TV series occur later with only a short attempt at bridging the gap in between.
Characters: 4/10
The relatively short duration leaves little time to explore characters. Most of the focus is on Tsubomi / Papillon Rose. Anne has very little screen time, though it is likely she would have been given more focus in subsequent OVA episodes if they had been produced. Both seem like very likable young women. Unfortunately, we don’t learn any background for either of them, their reasons for working at the club or their motivations.
Similarly, very little information is provided for Dandy Lion or Rama, other than the fact they are very close. The enemies seem paper thin with no reasons provided for their actions.
Art / Animation: 6/10
Considering that this title was produced in 2003, the art and animation looks even more dated than that, and seems to be more like styles from the mid-90s. Some of the sequences with Tsubomi / Papillon Rose such as her transformation scene or some with the rose motif seem better. Overall, the art isn’t bad, but it could have been much better.
Sound / Voice: 6/10
The intro song is ok. There is no option for English voice over, so I can’t rate that, or the Japanese voice acting. The remaining background music and sound effects were fine.
Enjoyment: 6/10
Overall, I find the OVA mildly entertaining yet disappointing. I would have liked to have seen further episodes of the OVA that introduced the other Lingerie fighters and to help explain things more. The juvenile humor is weak, but the crazy setup almost seems to work in a few spots.
Final verdict: 5/10
I re-watched it for this review, and I ended up lowering my original score by 1 (was 6, now 5). The art and animation seems even worse by today’s standards, and the limited story and short duration end up hurting the show significantly. If you want to see an ecchi parody of the magical girl style, it might be worth checking out, but other shows like “Shin Cutie Honey” OVAs do that better.
Reviewer’s Rating: 5
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