Story(9/10)- Penguindrum's story is one wrapped in what seems to be endless layers of symbolism. One can easily be overwhelmed by the sheer vastness of it. Everything from a single line of dialogue to an unusual camera angle is there for a reason. It will probably take many years for this show to be fully deciphered, it goes to show us that A LOT of effort was put into this story. The reason why I hesitate to give story a perfect score is because of how hard it is to fully comprehend. I must admit, I almost dropped the show in the first few episodes because I had no idea what was going on. Undoubtedly, most of you reading this review probably did the same thing. But, if you are willing to stay for the ride, I guarantee that you will be thankful for doing so.
I cannot simply talk about the story, without talking about the themes Penguindrum covers. It ranges from Rape, Nihilism, Existential Longing, and isolation. But the biggest theme here would have to be, "Fate." What is fate? Does fate truly exist? The show starts off with narrator saying he hates fate. These themes are tackled in an unconventional manner, using slap-stick comedy and symbolism. The mood generally sways between both drama and comedy. Ultimately, the ending itself, I found it to be cathartic yet bittersweet. A saddening, yet fitting end to such an audacious show.
Art(9/10)- The art in this show is great to say the least. The presentation is bombastic and erratic. All scenes in this show are breathtakingly beautiful and will capture your attention. There is a meticulous level of detail in every scene. This is something that should be appreciated.
Sound(9/10)- The soundtrack is music to my ears, no pun intended. It is bold, unique and different. It varies from pop tracks, to melancholic soundscapes. You would be hard pressed to find a soundtrack better than this.
Character(9/10)- Penguindrum's cast is unique........to say the least. You won't be able to easily understand characters until later in the show. Still, the cast and antagonists are very well written. Their intentions aren't so cut n dry that you can understand them immediately. You will sometimes have to rewatch certain scenes, in order to fully grasp certain characters EX: Sanetoshi and Momoka.
Mawaru Penguindrum is probably one of the most mentally straining anime I have ever had the pleasure to watch. This is not a show for everyone as I mentioned earlier. It is a must see for those anime watchers who love having their minds stimulated. After watching this show, other shows that have been released seem mediocre compared to it. My final verdict is, a 9/10.
