Reviews

Jan 21, 2018
Mixed Feelings
Welcome ladies and gents fasten your seatbelts cause this is the big one.This is a review of one of the craziest,zaniest animes the world has witnessed,Excel Saga.

And it's not just crazy,this anime is a very important chapter in anime's history..You might be thinking that it's quite a bold claim for an anime i rated a mere 6,right?Well kinda no,you see ES was conceived in a time when comedy/parody genre was still in short trousers or in some cases not even a fertilised egg in the minds of people.And some day a mad bloke from Japan thought:"Know what,i think i can make one batshit crazy anime and people will love me and think i'm interesting and at parties they won't avoid me like they would avoid frenchkissing a bulldog"..And boy the world laughed and laughed,but when the damn thing hit our screens it did so with a punch so deadly it puts Goku to shame.

Story?....Erm....There is one but don't expect a soul crushing story or anything of the sorts.It's basically a blonde airhead(where have i seen this before?)who has just graduated from high school and as she dances and sings through the streets,she has a taste of the real world in the from of a truck.However,an unknown entity decided to bring her back to life(sounds like a female Jesus),because it's not yet her time to die....Note at this point that this is how the anime starts..From that point on she becomes the wildly annoying and totally useless tool of destruction of a sketchy guy called Lord Il Palazzo,who plans to conquer Earth.Her very first task is to punish those pesky rats that spread anarchy with their evil designs that demoralise the youths,the manga artists or more specifically,the manga creator of Excel Saga.And just like that you're into a world of insanity,blood and guts..My kind of place.

Quack Experimental Excel Saga as is the full name is proof that over there in the distant Japan mangakas have been heavily influenced by the Dutch artists and went heavy on the drugs.Fortunately that didn't end up with their ears or noses cut off but it shows in animes like this.It's violent,crude,primal,politically incorrect,and it's just the thing normal people like me were waiting for.People who are tired of the Dragon Ball or Neon Genesis copies and are in desperate need of something to bring light to their empty souls..The weird thing is that it does it in such a way that it doesn't need to resort toilet humor like South Park does.And as a rare treat the protagonists are the bad guys.

Starting with Excel who is not very bright.When it was raining sharp razors she was the only one to be holding an umbrella.This results in forcing Il Palazzo to use any weapon he has in his disposal on her just to shut her up.One has to wonder how she managed to get to graduation..And though she mighgt be annoying she isn't as annoying as you might think,she is a very well thought of character and brings back memories of some old friends in other animated series.What's more,she's a walking-breathing natural disaster.The situations that unfold when she sets out to do a mission beggar belief.And don't get me started with what happens when you add Hyatt to the mix.It's as explosive as drinking a whole pint of vodka with just a minor splash of juice..It's gonna make you vomit blood from every hole in your body..Much like Hyatt then.Last but not least Pedro,the migrant construction worker..You might thing he's there just to fill the time but trust me he does play a major role in the whole disaster..Speaking of disaster that last episode was banned from airing in TV so you know you're in for some surprise.

As for them soundtracks and VA..Dear mother of god!!!It's out of this world.Everything from the little things to the opening and ending songs are just fab.Mad props to Excel's VA who really did bring the character to life and gave her a very unique presence.I'm sure i've never heard such an outstanding performance,EVER.As for the opening song it has that 90's feel to it,oldschool stuff,kinda like Fresh Prince of Bell Air.And the ending song was Menchi singing or rather barking a ballad.I loved it all honestly.

Now i'll admit that ES is not without faults and sure enough if you watch it in one sitting it becomes incredibly tiresome but no matter what it is special and it definitely is memorable.I'll also admit that it isn't an anime that suits everyone's tastes,after all it is a comedy and comedy strikes differently among the masses.But if you are like me and you love black humour,slapstick comedy with a splash and dash of sickness then this is the one for ya.Hope you do give it a chance,it will amaze you.
Reviewer’s Rating: 6
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