Mao-Chan

2 reviews - 6.5 total score (Explanation of the rating system)
avg. score: (3.3)

2. Tempy

Japan is being invaded by really cute aliens who like to steal stuff. To prevent the army from looking like a bunch of bullies, it's decided to get 8-year old girls to protect Japan. Mao defends the lands, Misora defends the skies, and Sylvia defends the seas.

Created by Ken Akamatsu who also did Love Hina. The artwork is similar, onsen turtles make an appearance, and there's even a visit to Hinata Inn where the girls meet the violent Naru who runs the inn with her good-for-nothing husband (his name isn't mentioned, but we can safely assume it's the bumbling Keitaro). Don't be fooled into thinking Mao-Chan is anything like Love Hina though. The story is most definitely aimed at a very young audience. The characters and story are very simplistic. You won't find any subversiveness here.

The show has a huge awwwww factor. The show does have its (uber cute) charming moments, but the simplism can have a head-pounding-against-the-wall effect as well. There are just too many episodes for this reviewer to retain his sanity, but your mileage may vary.

1. Tyrenol

Now this is from the same people that had created Onegai Teacher and Love Hina. In fact, you'll notice the spitting images of Naru and Motoko running around wearing military uniforms and talking seriously. And as you read from my review on Ken Akamatsu's most popular work, you can tell that I'm not very happy with it. But somehow he proves that he doesn't just create shows about "attractive women beating the snot out of losers (and it's suppose to be funny)." Nope. This type of show has the type of dynamic about it that can't be forced.

Mao-chan, Misora, and Sylvia are the granddaughters of the Chiefs of Staff for the ground, air, and sea defense forces respectively. 8-year-old granddaughters I shall emphasize. Which means that they spend more time crying, looking cute, and being friendly with each other than protecting Japan from aliens. And these aliens aren't exactly the ones you'd find during Evangelion or some other psychological "Earth Vs. Alien" thriller. Nope. They're cute. They fall to the sky in "UFO catcher" capsules. And did I mention that they're cute?

It makes sense for the Japanese Defense Force to send cute kids to use their new-found powers against cute aliens. They'd end up looking like the Bush Administration if they went ballistic on them. But at the same time, this show is really beautiful. It reeks of such beauty for 15 minute each episode, that you'd hardly believe that it was done by the "Love Hina" guy. Very impressive!