Ranked #391

Michiko to Hatchin

What would you get if you crossed Thelma & Louise with City of God? You may get complete drivel, or you may, if you're very lucky, get something like Michiko to Hatchin.

Manglobe, the production company (and the brains behind), Michiko to Hatchin, have really pushed the boat out with this anime. But then, they're no strangers to success or quality, being the company responsible for Ergo Proxy and Samurai Champloo. The series was directed by Yamamoto Sayo, and is effectively her first full time at the helm of a production, and whilst this may have been a gamble on the part of Manglobe, it's one that certainly payed off as Michiko to Hatchin has a certain "fresh" quality that I haven't seen in anime in a long time (not since Cowboy Bebop in fact).

The tale is about an escaped convict named Michiko Malandro, and her quest to find her lost, and supposedly dead, lover Hiroshi Morenos. In order to achieve this, she"kidnaps" a girl who is supposedly Hiroshi's daughter, initially thinking that she would know where Hiroshi is. However the world has changed during her years in prison, becoming at times more brutal, and less forgiving.

The decision to set this tale in a quasi-South American (Brazilian), country was a stroke of genius, as the creators and director could do things that would never have been included had this series been given a more staid setting. In addition to this, the characters themselves are able to have that little bit more "flair" about them because of the setting, something that initially detracts from some of them until one realises that the gaudiness is all simply part of that character's persona - more on that later.

Fans of Ergo Proxy and Samurai Champloo will know that Manglobe are able to produce some stunning work, and Michiko to Hatchin is no slouch in this department. From barren deserts to lush jungles, from slum shanties to sleek factories, the level of detail is excellent, and well above that of many recent titles. In addition to this, the various settings in which the story takes place have a certain realistic quality about them that belies the fact that this is an anime.

Characters are extremely unique and well designed, again, adding to the sense of realism about the show. The lead characters and immediate supporting cast are individuals to a tee, with each character possesing a certain lifelike quality that many anime would find difficult to match.

One area where the show excels is with the animation. It's rare that I've seen such life-like movement in anime, and in many ways I would have to say the fluidity and natural motion in Michiko to Hatchin is a step up from that of Samurai Champloo.

Sound is another area where this show works well. The effects are extremely well used, and whilst some may be overwhelming, this is actually purposeful because of the situation the characters may find themselves in. The music used throughout the series is verll well chosen, and is reflective of the Latin-American feel of the show. The OP, a track called "Paraiso" by the Japanese jazz band Soil & "Pimp" Sessions, is excellent, and harks back to the classic "Tank!" of Cowboy Bebop fame. Unfortuantely, I didn't think much of the ED "Best Friend" by Karutetto, as it is a bit too "boy-band" for my tastes.

Now, one of the truly great things about Michiko to Hatchin is in it's choice of voice actors. Manglobe and Yamamoto took the somewhat surprising (and risky), move when they chose the actors to be used, opting not for established voice actors, but for screen actors in their own right. However, this has paid off in spades for the series. Maki Yoko (Battle Royale II: Requiem, The Grudge), is extremely vesatile as the sexy, pouting, hotheaded, and somewhat childish Michiko, whilst Ohgo Suzuka (Year On in the North, Memoirs of a Geisha), is truly excellent in the role of Hatchin, giving her character a depth that is rare to find.

Which neatly brings us to the characters themselves. Michiko is willful, headstrong, selfish in the extreme, and very childish. Hatchin is somewhat shy and nervous, but also responsible, tidy, and hates laziness. Both leads are extremely well defined from the outset, something which is reinforced as the relationship between the two is extremely combative (the two are effectively polar opposites). Other characters like the terrifying Satoshi Batista or the terrier-like (i.e. always chasing Michiko), Atsuko Jackson are also well defined from the start, and through the first few episodes it may be difficult to see how any of the characters are actually developing because of the strength of the characterizations.

One reason for this is because both Manglobe and Yamamoto decided against using normal anime practices for developing characters, and instead chose a far more realistic and subtle approach. One needs only to look at the relationship between Michiko and Hatchin, or even Michiko and Atsuko, at the beginning of the series, and compare it with their behaviour at the end, to see exactly how much they have developed as characters. An example of this is the fact that Michiko at the beginning of the series is very much an annoying, sexy, pouting, selfish jerk, however at the end of the series she reminds of Balsa from Seirei no Moribito. Hatchin, Atsuko and Satoshi also undergo this extremely subtle development (you'll see how much by episode 20).

I thoroughly enjoyed this series for many reasons, the main one being the fact that this is a show that is not afraid to show the casual brutality of its setting. There will be some out there who didn't like the way the series ended, however I found the conclusion to be very much in keeping with the eseence of the series, whilst at the same time being far more realistic than the endings of most other series.

This is a rare anime, and is one that should not be prejudged on the basis of one or two episodes. The complexity of each character, the harsh, unforgiving setting, the sometimes brutally real actions of individuals, and the extremely subtle development, all serve to make this one of the best shows of last season, and one of the best anime to appear in the last decade. At times Thelma & Louise, at times City of God, at times Laurel and Hardy, this series possesses a style and flair that surpasses that of Samurai Champloo - a feat by any measure.

Given the quality of this series, and its previous titles, I'm rapidly becoming a fan of Manglobe. read more

Michiko to Hatchin possesses a lot of elements that have the potential to appeal to a wide range of viewers. By MAL's count, not many people on this site have seen this anime, which is a shame because it is presented well and more people should give it a look.

This is my first review and I am going to try to be as unbiased and as fair in the rating process as I can, although I will most likely fail...but I'll try hard not to (hooray! for redundancies).

Story 9/10:

Michiko to Hatchin follows a duo accompanied by many ups and downs throughout their travels in what resembles Latin America (Brazil in particular). Michiko forms one half of the duo, a prison escapee on the run from the law in search of her lover. Hatchin is an orphan and supposed daughter of the man Michiko is searching for. The "searching for someone long lost" concept has been used many times in the past, but the creators of Michiko to Hatchin have added a lot of unique elements to the story to make it fresh; truthfully, each episode feels like a story of it's own, and they all piece together nicely to achieve the main plot line. If I were to give an example, I would say it feels similar, but not exactly like, Cowboy Bebop (a common goal lingers throughout the series but each episode has a uniqueness to it).

Art 9/10:

There has been better art and animation out there, but Michiko to Hatchin brings a sense of realism that I really haven't seen another show do quite as well. The environment looks very nice and is very detailed. Close-ups on characters look well done, as do their animations, particularly during the action sequences.

Sound 10/10:

If I'm gonna be biased it is here because I am a fan of jazz music and Bossa nova (a Brazilian style of jazz introduced in the 60's). The sound director/coordinator/"insert title choice here" is Shinichiro Watanabe, who directed Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo, so if you liked the music on either of those shows you will enjoy this too. The soundtrack is top notch and represents the setting of the show very well. The voice acting for the whole cast is well done, especially Hatchin. The environmental ambiance sounds great and all of the sound effects sound nice as well.

Characters 10/10:

The characters are very well thought out. Each character is uniquely drawn and represented in a realistic fashion. Michiko and Hatchin are both well developed and the story takes time to look into both of them to explain to you what makes them tick. The supporting characters are even developed more than, in some cases, the main characters of other anime are.

Enjoyment 10/10:

I thoroughly enjoyed this show and will definitely re-watch this in the future. It is definitely one of my favorite shows ever, whether it be anime or any other form of visual entertainment. This show has something for everyone. It has strong elements of action, adventure, romance, and comedy. It does everything well but it doesn't go over the top on any one thing.

Overall 10/10:

I sincerely hope that more people check this show out. I watch anime for fun as I am sure everyone else on MAL does and I don't take it too seriously, so I hope I didn't over-hype this show. I just enjoyed it very much and I hope this review has been at least somewhat useful.
(Sorry for the over-usage of the word hope!) read more

After seeing the first few minutes of MtH, I hav enoticed the character design for Michiko. She doesn't look like 99.99% of anime girls (woman in her case) but she looks 99.99% better than them. The sexy, cute, strong, rowdy, independent woman is composed to perfection in her. And I am glad to say that she never uses her sex-appeal to get what she wants.

As you can probably see, Michiko is the strongest point in this anime, but that doesn't mean that the side characters are worthless. This is one of the handful of animes in which side-characters and "villains" have more depth in them than 99.99% of the main characters in animes out there.

However, there are times in the 22 episodes that can be so confusing that you just leave it be. Maybe it's because all the factions (including Michiko minus Hatchin) are folks who were born on the very bad side of life. But this is a good thing as well since it doesn't give the viewer a generic "black and white" that they have seen hundreds of times already.

Art-wise, it's great. The characters move fluidly; The camera angles are perfect; the action scenes are strong. Music-wise, the music fits the poverty stricken side of Latin-America. And of course, the story. It's realistic and feels like real life which just makes the title feel different from your run of the mill anime. And yes, it does feel like Cowboy Bebop, except that MtH is a more realistic version of that. read more

****As of Episode 11****

Story - 9.1/10 (A-)

For the most part, the story brings you in from the first episode. A real good plot, some really well drawn out character backgrounds, a spice of latin flavor in each episode and the occasional boob shaking, finger flipping action, courtesy of Michiko. You're going to love the random yet plot focused action of the femine duo. Many twists and turns await, and as of episode 11, it's been a great ride.

Art - 9.7/10 (A)

Well, i haven't seen such colorful designs in..never. Each episode brings something as unimportant (Ex. Shoes, TV's, a gas station) to life. This has something to do with the setting, a great choice by the creator. You'll be amazed how well each piece of setting and backdrop is well animated. Michiko's design of a bad girl convict shows itself from the very beginning.


Sound - 8.3/10

--OP/ED Theme: 9.0/10
The Opening theme is a latin-flavored beat, "Paraiso" by Soul & Pimp Sessions, it really shows the cultural stance of Michiko to Hatchin. An upbeat, fiesta that can show that a non-vocal song can be just as good as a vocal one.

The Ending theme brings the show down to a mellow, humble stop with "Best Friend" by Karutetto (Quartet). A moving song with a variety of different drawings in each part of the ending, something that can really leave you (almost) in tears. Beautifully well sung, the adding vivid images that accompany it also well done.

--BGM: 8.3/10
The BGM is really well played, from the town on the outskirts to the strip bar scenes, it blends well. Some of the lesser bgm will probably leave your mind the next episode, but it's still good while it lasted.


Character - 8.9/10
There's a shortage of characters but the one's i can name are really well done. Aitsuko, the police chief and a (former) friend to Michiko, another bad girl cop with a no-nonsense attitude, how someone like her and Michiko ever became friends is still a mystery to me. Every character has a purpose for being there, and Michiko to Hatchin is one of those shows where they all come together in their own seperate and uniquely different ways. Now we have members of Monstro, including Satoshi. He's a real charmer..right.

Final Conclusion/Enjoyment - 9.3/10

Michiko to Hatchin is a show with a great future and a greater chance of becoming a hit show with a cult following, no doubt. It has the basic components that make a show and more. Only 6 episodes in, and i can tell you it's good and you WANT more. While every show that has been deemed "perfect", it's highly unlikely. Every show has faults, Michiko to Hatchin is no exception. However, it's cultural upbringing and remarkable characters along with the homely latin-flavored music can easily overcome those tiny faults. If you want a change, vote Michiko to Hatchin (pun intended).

Overall(Averaged): -8.8/10 (B+) read more

Introduction:

We often see in a lot of anime series either the same setting, Japan or an alternate apocalyptic distant future setting, well that happens most of the time in anime these days. Been a fan of anime I often ask myself: "When are we going to see the setting of a story, crossing the Sea of Japan and reaching a different shore?" Well Michiko to Hatchin is the answer. This series delivers in a single episode more of what you can see in anime these days, imagine all 22 episodes? The breathtaking locations, landscapes and scenarios are perfect; you will actually be transported into this amazing country that has cultural traces from Brazil. I got to hand it to Sayo Yamamoto, this is her first directional debut, and what a job she has done, creating pure art. I am looking forward to see more of her work in the future. Studio Manglobe has done it again, form being highly involved in classics such as Samurai Champloo and Ergo Proxy, into creating one if not the best anime series this decade of 2000 has offered.


Story:

This is a story that focuses and tries to unite the two main character's differences into one goal. Suddenly everything becomes a wild adventure and you are there witnessing this entire phenomenal and unique bond between two people, despite the stepping-stones that awaits them in the road. The locations in the story left me speechless, there are scenes in rivers, deserts, cities, ghettos, and beautiful portrayed forest and jungles. You will see all kinds of characters in this story: from mafia syndicate leaders, to different kinds of gangs and hitmen, to robbers and cops, pimps and prostitutes, poor people and junkies. You will also see most importantly in the story characters that have good hearts, feelings and good intentions toward others. Every little detail in the story it is explain, there are no plot holes. The story is just to impressive and unique, even if it looks a little similar to the Hollywood film; Thelma and Louise, it's still way superior and also Michiko to Hatchin's story offers you way more, it is inspiring.

10 of 10


Art:

If you liked Samurai Champloo's art and animation, then Michiko to Hatchin will not disappoint you, because basically it's the same people. Studio Manglobe did this series with passion and love, something they have done before. The art is superb and beautiful, almost like a goddess. Every character is treated unique in their art design. The action and adventure's art and animation is perfectly executed. Like watching Cowboy Bebop's or Samurai Camploo's art and animation, you never get tired because it's perfect. Thats why the animation clearly never fails in every episode. The opening of the series is very creative, it has a 70's and 80's style but really impressive and the colors used are stylish, like the series. The ending is not that colorful like the opening; it's a calmed and relaxing projection of the hidden side of the story. The landscapes they create and show you are literally the definition of art. You are transported into the scene, and you will believe that you are inside, because of how perfect this art and animation has been done.

10 of 10


Sound:

Every sound and music is perfectly sync and synchronized with every scene in the entire series. The seiyu in this series did one heck of a job, although the main cast is compose of more film actors than Seiyu, but they did a perfect job by lending their voices for those epic roles in this classic. Their voices match every character the play in the story. In this series when you hear gunshots the perception you feel is that they are real, because of how well the sound department has created them. The music composed is by a Brazilian music group called, Kassin + 2 and is also produced by Shinichiro Watanabe (Director of Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo). The music is great in the entire series, because it fits in every important scene. Kassin + 2 does a great job with the music taking us into the roots and lands of Brazil with their music. The opening theme: "Paraiso" by Soil & "Pimp" Sessions is a good song, it depends on your music taste, some might like it, and others might not. But if you liked the originality that Yoko Kanno and The Seatbelts displayed in Cowboy Bebop's opening creating "Tank" then "Paraiso" will not be a disappointing song. The ending theme: "Best Friend" by Karutetto, is more passive than the opening, imagine the name says it all, but also a good song, also very original and not annoying. The sound and music of this series does not top the one in Ghost in the Shell SAC series or Eureka 7, but it takes another different direction, it takes you directly into the core of the cultural traces of Brazil.

10 of 10


Character:

One of my favorite things in a story, are the characters. Well let me tell you that in Michiko to Hatchin every character was literally develop to it's maximum. You never see a character get left behind in the story or plot like in other anime series. This is one of the great things that this series offers to it's viewers, also you get to see a lot of different points of views that every character offers you, so you can know him better thus in the end you can judge him differently. The names of all the characters are pretty solid and original. One of the main characters is named Hatchin (voiced by Suzuka Ohgo). She was a character that did deliver a solid performance, and left me speechless, she definitely earns a spot as one of the greatest characters in anime. All the characters are stylish; they have their own personalities and egos. Most of the characters in this story need innocence in order to prevail, that's something you see often in life. You will either feel a connection with one of the characters or one will automatically take you to feel his situation. That's how powerful the characters are develop in this story, they are memorable and not forgettable. One of the finest and best character developments I have seen since Cowboy Bebop.

10 of 10


Enjoyment:

This is a series that when you actually finish watching it, you will say I will put it again because every moment was enjoyable and unforgettable. The action scenes are highly enjoyable and never boring, you will see them over and over again. To the problems and situations the main characters get into, to the gun shots you see, to the fighting scenes, to the fast pace action car chases and to every detail you come across with. You will enjoy it and you will be asking for more at the same time, hoping it never ends.

10 of 10


Overall:

I was thinking that Code Geass was basically the best series of this decade, but I was wrong. Upon discovering Michiko to Hatchin everything changed. This series is more than about freedom, it's about what we have in life and what do we do with it, and what it means to us every second and moment of our existence. Every episode teaches us something different about life, something you don't see frequently in anime these days. If you like Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo, then think of Michiko to Hatchin as the fused version, of those two titans. Clearly Michiko to Hatchin takes a whole different direction in anime, going beyond and transcending what is called a classic masterpiece. That’s why Michiko to Hatchin is the best anime series the 2000’s has given us. It deserves to be called, the greatest anime of this decade.

10 of 10
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This is an Anime I've been looking forward to watching since I read about it: the action taking place in Brazil, chocolate skinned heroine, different characters (you hardly find an anime with latino or afro foreigners playing so many good roles..Let's not speak about some exceptions, for they make the rule true u_u), interesting story...You could get me hooked by less than that, people 8D!

So, where do I start?

The incredible Michiko that I've liked from the beginning to the end? This bombshell has got will, brain, so much guts and naïve feeling of love. The way she's so wild, she knocks and she fights back..wow. I wish women with more personality like this would run more often in the Anime stories. Also, I found her funny: she made me smile whenever she's fighting with Hatchin, giving some back to antagonists and ignoring horny guys all the way.

Hatchin? Wouuuuh >_< I luved her. I luv luv luv this character, whether her appearance, her personality or her troublesome relationship with Michiko. She's a responsible fighter for a 10 yrs-old girl. I also liked the fact that she didn't get involved emotionally with the whole father story. Besides, she's cute u_u and even when she is older, she's cuter 8D

The story? Well, a relaxing exotic purpose to stay on the road on a motorcycle, be part of gangs' wars, get involved with other people's life or in the other way, passing by when you could have helped. The story is good even though I felt the writers could have come with better stuff and episodes if they weren't committed to the one-little-story-per-episode. In addition to this, I was expecting the end and it came as I figured it out..I knew the writers wouldn't screw up the scenario just to please happy-endings-moods. Besides, let's face it: an anime showing kids who hold guns and kill, grownups who abuse children in so many ways and people killing each other in the same way they'd say "hello" can't have a clean end O_o.

Michiko e Hatchin sets my motorcycle dream on fire and makes me feel good, either about my life or about the world we're living in. It makes me want to visit dirty Brazil and witness more of the other sides of things ^^. It's a pleasant exotic and original anime with impressing main characters and good homie supporting ones read more

One of the few anime with a vividly realised foreign setting (South America, complete with a swingin' latin soundtrack), also unusual for its serious feminist veiwpoint. The road-trip storyline is rather disjointed, and nothing extraordinary in its premises, but the two leads are flawed and strong willed girls you can't help but admire.

At its best, this show is wonderfully detailed, and shows thought patterns hardly seen before in anime, astutely. Hatchin's voice work ozes character, and a raw edge pervades the best scenes. Other plot elements, especially earlier, seem sadly ludicrous, and male characters are almost uniformly weak, but the leads manage to steer the show to an excellent conclusion.

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"Michiko e Hatchin" is a hybrid between Brazilian and Japanese culture that is best compared at first as a "Cinderella"/"Prisoner 701 Scorpion" mix, however the episodes that follow seem more like a Thelma and Louise story arch accept it's a mother daughter combo. "City of God" was also mentioned by another reviewer and it's hard not to compare the Braziling like gang violence that occurs throughout this series. These comparisons are really loose references though, considering Michiko and Hana's relationship became much more dynamic as the series progressed. The artwork is very vibrant and fun, and the music has a spicy Brazilian edge and keeps the tempo of this fast paced action drama melodically interesting.

Background Info:

Sayo Yamamoto's debut as a head director is full of promise. Yamamoto is no stranger to smash hits as he has directed episodes of Samurai Champloo, Eureka Seven and Ergo Proxy. Shinichiro Watanabe himself the director of "Cowboy Bebop" is lending a hand for his friend by producing the Music, and Seiki Tamura the art director of "The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya" and the Background art director of "The Girl Who Leapt Through Time", "Princess Mononoke" and "The Grave of the Fireflies" helps make this production definitely something that needs to be watched.

Story and Character Analysis:

At the center of this anime is a story about a society in which two little girls are forced to grow up early due to abuse and a world that won't let them have a childhood. Michiko(mother) and Hana(daughter) are both subjected to physical and mental torture from a young age. For Michiko, the need for love and reconciliation from the one person whom she believed loved her, husband Hiroshi, was originally the driving force to her existence. Michiko deeply desired some normality in her life, since she was forced as a little girl to grow up fending for herself. The normal future that was ripped away from her by a crime syndicate was something she never forgot. This dynamic later switches from Hiroshi to her daughter Hana.

Hana's search for her father is one part escaping her original dismal and abusive situation but eventually evolves into a quest to gain her mothers love and some since of family. Through out this story the mostly painful relationship between her and Michiko occurs mostly because of Michiko's selfish nature and Hana's protective personality. The mother/daughter angst story arc plays out right until the end and made the series feel completed and more realistic in my mind.

The little criticism I do have revolves mostly around the other underdeveloped story arc's which included subtle but sometimes blatant lesbian implications. Definitely a story that can be appreciated by feminists, me included.

Great Series!

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Even though there has been only one episode aired, for those who want to know if this is good enough to watch - watch it. The first episode was full of surprises. It had me grinning, then depressed, then happy again. So far, the story is really good (very original), I really have not seen anything like it before. The voices don't seem to go well with the characters, but I know for sure that it'll grow on you as you watch. The pace seems slow, but it goes with the artwork, so it goes well with each other.

I might have given up to early, but I saw 2 episodes and I just got really bored.

It feels predictable and nothing special happens.

The anime doesnt make me curious to what is going to happen next and that is one of my criteria to continue watching. Im not patient enough.

It may be an ok anime and appeal to some individuals, but I wouldnt recommend it. I just got really bored.