Ranked #997

Saber Marionette J

Saber Marionette J is a comedic, slight harem filled, sci-fi adventure. The story takes place on another planet that has been colonized because Earth has become overpopulated. But since this anime is also a comedy, what can be so funny about this? Its a planet with only guys. Women are no longer existent, and the males "reproduce" by cloning.

Enter Otaru, just your average kid trying to make a living on this planet. What else can a guy do? That is until he meets Lime, a female android. Although female androids are the norm, she's different. Because Lime acts like a real girl. This only marks the beginning of our protagonists drama and hysterical plot.

Saber Marionette J is a roller coaster of emotions. You'll find yourself laughing from slapstick comedy, Lime's squeaky shoes, or Mitsurugi's obsession with Otaru. (Remember its a planet with only guys and female androids.) Then you'll have your heart plucked right out when bad things happen to the androids.

Some of the characters are cliche, but thats the major premise for them. Otaru, being the protagonist, is surrounded by three lovely ladies (Who are androids) and Mitsurugi! While the three ladies each are very stereotypical: Lime is innocent, naive, and caring. Cherry is very motherly and acts like a housewife. And Bloodberry is one of those "aggressive women." But don't let their stereotypes fool you; they have their own personalities despite this. And their appearances also tie into a hidden plot. read more

Saber Marionette J can be described as a Sci-Fi-Harem-Comedy that is basically light-hearted with a bit of action thrown in. The story is about Otaru, three female androids called Marionettes, and there struggles to cope in a world without actual women.

It came to be this way because of an accident on a colonization ship that left six men alive on the surface, and they use genetics to populate the planet of Terra II. The direct clones of the six survivors rule the six nations that exist on the planet, Otaru being from Japoness which looks like feudal Japan.

Otaru tries to grow the personality of the three Marionettes throughout the series while having to deal with Gartland's (Germany during World War II) ruler Faust and his own set of three Marionettes. The story is alright if you don't have a problem with small details that could be considered giant plot holes with a lot of thought.

The art is dated even for a show from 12 years ago. The marionettes look vibrant, but completely out of place. The backgrounds of the other nations seemed to have been picked because they are easier to depict. Action scenes look merely average. It's not horrific, but it would be hard to call it good.

Characters are a much stronger point. Otaru is not your typical male harem lead. The marionettes show diversity in character as the series progress from one-dimensional to something more.

Overall, Saber Marionette J is a solid, if not spectacular, series. It sets the table well for the OVA and second series that followed, though a conclusion could have been provided in this series if they really would have wanted it. read more