Azumanga Daiou: Gekijou Tanpen

I liked the animation style of this mini-movie very much! I wish the TV anime series was drawn this way; the style used in this mini is more fun to watch, and is more creative.

It really is pretty funny is you've watched the whole series before watching this little short... I'm glad they did something with the pigtails because they we're didn't touch base too much with Osaka's obsession with Chiyo's pigtails. Cute, funny, and REALLY enjoyable! :D

This is the second short pilot film that JC Staff released, this one a lot closer(but still not quite matching) the animation style and budget of the TV release. It’s a bit longer than Web Daioh, and while it’s not quite as funny, it does put forth a more accurate representation of what the series would eventually be. Rather than a traditional intro, like Web Daioh had, this film opens with a shot of Chiyo riding on her dog, Mr. Tadakichi, introducing herself and nearly getting thrown off of him. The opening features some of the show’s iconic background music, which is ... always nice.

Splitting it into two halves, the first half is probably the weaker one. It features a couple of minutes of Yukari’s class, squeezing several of the running gags and staples of the series into two minutes. This includes Yukari being a dick, Chiyo getting good grades, the Bonklers(which I’ll always call them because it sounds better than knuckleheads) acting out, Chiyo trying not to be cute, Tomo standing outside, Kaorin being in love, Sakaki musing over a cat bite, and keep in mind, thisall takes place in the span of two minutes... Including the opening.

The second half, in contrast, plays out one joke on it’s own... Osaka and her pigtail dreams. If you’ve seen the anime or read the manga, you know what I’m talking about, and this goes on for almost 3 minutes. Unlike the first half, this one doesn’t stick to the established material, instead taking full advantage of the surreal situation to try some new jokes, like Chiyo slowly turning her head like an owl(creepy) and the entire class thinking she’s a lost child that doesn’t belong there. I’m not going to give away how this part ends, you kind of just have to experience it for yourselves. It’s weird.

The short ends with a thirty second credits, marking the second appearance of Chiyodaddy, and if i’m being honest, I don’t feel as though this one’s as strong as Web Daioh. It suffers in terms of pacing, with so many jokes and in-show references thrown at you in such a short time that it’s hard to process what you’re watching. The Osaka dream is at least new and interesting, especially the way it breaks away from the script.

There’s actual music in it, which I definitely like, especially since upon reflection, this is the pilot for the show’s iconic score, too. The dub is phenomenal, and the actors are on point... Save for Mandy Clark and Nancy Novotny, big surprise there... But I’d especially like to give a shout out to Jessica Boone and Kira Vincent Davis, as they play the most prominent characters in the short and absolutely slaughter their roles.

All in all, not quite as good as Web Daioh, in terms of story, but a small improvement in the area of production values. I give it a 7/10.

"Azumanga Daioh: The Very Short Movie" is essentially a flashy, spiced-up episode of Azumanga Daioh.

With a run-time of about six minutes, the show summarizes the original plot of the 26-episode Azumanga series, and it does so pretty well by combining many of the show's jokes, character interactions, plots, and themes in a way that doesn't feel forced or ham-handed. This show is pretty good in that regard.

The story is a typical scene from any random Azu episode. It takes place in Miss Yukari's class-room, and features the main girls doing their usual thing. The plot has many twists, even for such a short ... show. I don't want to spoil anything, but if you've watched/read Azumanga, it will be very familiar.

The art is especially notable and good. It is much better than the original 26-ep. Azumanga, but this is not to say Azumanga doesn't have good art to begin with. But in the movie, the art is even better. Perhaps to stick to the idea of a "movie," the art seems to have had more time, effort, and money put into it. The character's animations are smoother, the colors brighter and more vibrant, the lines sharper. it is a good look for Azumanga, and I like it.

The sound is good, but in my opinion it is no better (or worse) than Azumanga 1-26. It is clear and understandable. As for the Japanese AND English voice-actors, they are the same as those who voiced Azu 1-26.

The characters are quirky, unique, and each one funny in their own special way. Their actions and antics are similar to Azumanga 1-26. Those who've seen the original series will not feel alienated. The old characters are still themselves.

The Azumanga movie is just as enjoyable as a regular episode of Azu, but it is unfortnately quite short. Just when you are getting into it, it ends. Yet, the show is quite enjoyble, and fun, for veteran Azu fans or newcomers to the Azumanga or even anime world.

Overall, "Azumanga Daioh: The Very Short Movie" is a good watch that I certainly recommened, either as a compliment to Azumanga Daioh 1-26 or a stand-alone watch. But if you watch this short movie before Azumanga 1-26, some of the jokes may confuse you, as the show assumes you've already watched Azu 1-26.

Pros: Very nice artwork and its short length makes it easy to watch with minimal investment.

Cons: Reuses jokes from main series.

Bottom Line: This short movie acts as a teaser of sorts for the main series. Check this short movie out if you are a fan of the original, and you won't be disappointed.

This is some kind of teaser for the actual TV series, and all the events in this "movie" is also found in the series. Thus, this one is more or less pointless in the sense that it doesn't add anything to the "story" of AD. It fulfills the role of teaser quite well, though; most of the characters get introduced rather properly, and you get a good taste of what the series is all about.

The animation is better than the real series, even though I think they focused a bit too much on making the girls beautiful or even sexy. That is not what Azumanga ... Daioh is about, if you ask me.

The "happi hen" song in the end is gorgeous, but a better take exists on the soundtrack CD.

Since it is only five minutes long, you could as well watch this, you might actually like seeing the wierd girls look good for a change. Just don't expect anything new.

The short stories are reused from parts of the anime with a part at the being original animation.

The animation itself was very different from the rest of the show, trying to go with more complex art. But that's the opposite of what it's supposed to be, it should be simple, that's what adds character and makes it funny in most cases.
Instead they went for something that would be more fitting in an old hentai.

The characters felt a bit more one-dimensional and some a tad obnoxious.
But it's not like it'll eat away your time, it's a short. I'd only recommend it to a completionist, otherwise, ... there's nothing to gain from watching this.

This short film is about 5 to 6 mins. long. It was fairly decent, I enjoyed it fairly well, if i were you, i wouldn't waste my time watching it however.

Azumanga Daioh: A Very Short Movie is a pretty good introduction to the basics of the series, helping pave the foundations for each character. The animation also received a bump, with several characters shown in far more detailed fashion than in the anime. While I do appreciate the quality increase, this would be more of a detriment to the show as it works well with minimalism, allowing it to explain more with less. However, the animation appears more vivid here, and flows more fluidly. While the majority of the segment is devoted to finding Chiyo-chan's lost pigtails, there are other defining moments such as those ... involving Kaorin, though others besides Chiyo, Osaka, and Yukari have a pitifully small role. This is a great short to watch as a prequel to the series! 8/10 rating.

This is a scant overview of what can be expected in the then-upcoming series. For manga readers, it’s a lovely run through already-familiar scenarios and characters: Osaka's dream about Chiyo's pigtails, Sakaki daydreams about the cat and so on; for new viewers it’s a preview of what’s to come. It probably isn’t required viewing now as it has outlived its usefulness as a preview of the TV series but it’s so short it doesn’t really matter.

The standout here is the animation, as this was shown in theaters, so it's theatrical quality animation. Watching the characters is the main appeal of this short, otherwise there ... isn't much new here.

This was alot better than that crappy Azumanga Web Daioh, but still doesn't surpass the show.

It features the young high school girls. Everything is going fine until Osaka falls in love with Chiyo-chan and accidentally plunks her pigtails off. As she is crying, the high school girls try to find a way to make her better.

I really thought Chiyo-chan acted like a two-year-old in this. The girls treating her like a toddler with a lollie pop and everything is very cruel to a little girl.

Story: Really enjoyed the story alot. But the story turned into a twist, which made it more enjoyable. Still not as ... good as the original Azumanga Daioh series.

Art: Much better than the two short and series of Azumanga I've seen. Azumanga Web Daioh, and Azumanga Daioh. It features the best of character designs any movie can have. And it could've really turned into a feature-length movie.

Sound: Well, there's no music, but the bouncy music absoloutely fits Azumanga and I liked the English Dub. Chiyo's crying was so cute and the girls' dub was also cute too.

Character: Very cutesy characters. Chiyo, the crybaby genius, Osaka, the friendly clumsy chick, Tomo, the very aggresive high schooler, and Sakaki, the shy girl. Loved all of their personalities.

Enjoyment: I really enjoyed this little short and I think it's good for all ages. Despite the profainty Azumanga Daioh and the failure Azumanga Web Daioh, I think Azumanga: The Short Movie is really enjoyable for kids who liked the show.

A very good movie to watch. Go ahead and watch it.