Tsukikage Ran

[Joshua Christopher]

I've heard that a few of you are into this series...

I downloaded an AMV with some footage, and it looks pretty darn nifty!
I found the boxed set for only $35, and was wondering if any of you fans could give me a quick run through of the content. ^_^
I know there is alcohol usage, and I'm okay with that (for the series, I mean), but what of other stuff?
Help will be appreciated.

[agasfas]

I was actually considering on purchasing this because with my bestbuy discount I get it for $20. That's not bad for a whole series. THough, the revies I've read have all seemed to be average. I may just have to take my chances and get it. Who knows? Though it looks to have an interesting story-- woman kenshin? I doubt it's totally like it, but it's looks like it may be worth seeing.

[Rogie]

This is one of those series that I disposed of after buying it because it bothered me so much. The alcohol usage IS pretty much the whole series' main point. Also, in one of the early episodes, two men get naked and dance around. All we see is their butts, but it's still not pleasant.

I encourage you to NOT watch this series.

[termyt]

I would have thought, considering your avatar, you would have liked the series, rogie_san, since I think Jubei-chan and Tsukage Ran have a similar style and comedic flare. I guess that should serve as a warning about the alcohol usage to anyone considering the series.

The alcohol content is heavy, as it is the favored pastime of the main protagonist. Ran is really a female Kenshin, but the shows aren't all that similar. Instead, the show is set up like an old Kurosawa samurai film and it really captures the feel of that genre very well. Ran is a wandering samurai who walks the country side righting wrongs and drinking sake. She acquires a martial artist fall-guy / side kick / comic relief expert in the formidable Meow of the Iron Cat Fist. Together they get into many ridiculous situations requiring the pummeling of many bad guy thugs. How can you go wrong with an equation like that?

I truly enjoyed the series. It has it's own sense of style and comedy that I really connected with. It isn't even close to what I'd call conventional in that way, so I can see why many wouldn't connect with it like I did, but I found it hilarious at points.

The best part of the series is the action sequences. They spent a ton of time and animation cells putting them together. They are among the best animated action sequences I have ever seen. You can literally follow the action if you watch it in slow motion - it is almost as good as live action TV for fluidity of movement.

Objectionable content: Just the alcohol and the rather odd scene mentioned by rogie_san. The show actually usually finds a pretty good moral to its stories, if you can get past the frequent drinking of the main character.

[CDLviking]

I'm in the process of writing a review of it now, and I just happen to have my notes with me.

Violence: Lots of sword fights, people do die (she isn't as heldback as Kenshin is), but there is generally no blood shown (with one exception).

Language: There is a noticeable amount of swearing, usually when the bad guys are confronted each episode. It seemed a bit worse in the dub. Two or three uses of G** D**n in the entire series.

Sex: none. Meow does seem to suggest that a little girl they helped might have a thing for Ran, which she quickly dismisses. It was a very small and insignificant scene.

Nudity: An anatomically correct diaper changing. Two thieves try to ingratiate themselves with Ran and Meow in order to steal something they have, and in doing so make fools of themselves by dancing naked, though they do cover themselves in front. Meow offers to strip for an artist painting her, but he turns her down. One hot spring scene, but everything stays covered.

Religion: Ran does love her sake, but she never appears to get drunk, even when she drinks quite a bit of it. She even scolds others who do get drunk off of cheap sake. I would say she's more of a connoisseur than a drunk. Bits of Shinto Buddhism sprikled throughout as part of the context of Edo Period Japan. Meow steals an offering from a shrine, but repents of it later. An entire episode deals with faith healing scam. The title of the episode is "There Was No God in This World," which in the context of the episode is not a declaration of athiesm, but a taunt that Ran gives the fake mountain priest when the "wrath of Heaven" falls on him instead of his enemies. There is also a crucifixion scene, but it has no religious significance.

The fight scenes are some of the best out there, but the show in general is average. We don't get very much info about either of the main character's backgrounds except for two episods that give a little info into each of there paths. There is no overarching plot, so each episode is independant of any other episode.

I'll admit that I bought this episode solely because Akitaro Daichi directed it. Due to the disjointed plot, I don't feel that it is as great as his other works that I've seen, but I was entertained enough to consider it a good buy for the money.

[Rogie]

I would have thought, considering your avatar, you would have liked the series, rogie_san, since I think Jubei-chan and Tsukage Ran have a similar style and comedic flare. I guess that should serve as a warning about the alcohol usage to anyone considering the series.

You're right. The reason I bought is because I'm such a huge fan of comedy in general and of Akitaroh Daichi's comedy especially. I loved Jubei-chan (see my Bantaro and his ruffians in my avatar?), as well as Fruits Basket and Animation Runner Kuromi. I figured Tsukikage Ran would be equally great and funny, but it sadly isn't as funny, and the content did bother me.

Our favorite directors sometimes miss the mark with their stuff, and I consider Tsukikage Ran Daichi's worst mistake. I think it was one of his earliest shows, though, so you could credit it to lack of experience.

[Joshua Christopher]

Kurosawa

That's all I needed to hear. Seven Samurai is one of the greatest films ever. Heck, I payed $40 for my copy. X_X

And this Jubie(sp)-Chan sounds interesting...hmm...

[CDLviking]

Jubei-chan is much more of a comedy and takes place in the present day. It is by Akitaro Daichi, need I say more.

[Joshua Christopher]

Jubei-chan is much more of a comedy and takes place in the present day. It is by Akitaro Daichi, need I say more.

Hai, I read the review. I'm actually thinking about getting Jubei-Chan within the next few days.
I will get NAT, HAT at some point in time, but I haven't been able to find it for less than $60 (aside from eBay, but i don't like eBay).
Amazon.com has Jubei-Chan boxed set for $35, and I'm going to check Best Buy...

[termyt]

Kurosawa

That's all I needed to hear. Seven Samurai is one of the greatest films ever. Heck, I payed $40 for my copy. X_X

And this Jubie(sp)-Chan sounds interesting...hmm...

So, all I really needed to say was "blah blah Kurosawa blah blah." That's probably all you remember since you didn't even pick up the correct spelling for "Jubei-chan" All that typing for nothing!

Anyway, Jubei-chan is worth it, too.