Warning: Undefined array key "HTTP_ACCEPT_LANGUAGE" in /var/www/minitokyo/www/includes/common.inc.php on line 360 Hachiko's Hanamaru Youchien Tv Review - Minitokyo
»

Hachiko's Hanamaru Youchien Tv Review

Hanamaru Youchien tv Review

Story & Characters

Today, I take the time to review Hanamaru Youchien (also known to all you anglophones as Gold Star Kindergarten), a wholesome 12-episode series that is a collaborative between Gainax and Square Enix joining forces for the cause. It's a straightforward slice-of-life plot about a young man teaching a group of kindergarten students. What makes Naozumi Tsuchida a courageous soul is his willingness to perform a capacity that is usually reserved for women and his ability to learn on-the-fly. It's uncanny. Of course, like any enthusiast, Naozumi is never without staying up all night to get his game on or waddle through loads of gravure magazines.

And Naozumi is surrounded by a great line of supporting characters, There Nanako Yamamoto, Naozumi's well endowed love interest, the sporty Ms. Kusano, the know-it-all known as Ms. Kawashiro, the refined Ms. Kakogawa and the loose-as-a-goose Ms. Nishikaze.

And there is the student body of Hanamaru Youchien. Among the students highlighted in this show are Anzu, Hiiragi and Koume. Anzu is an interesting case, as she is the child of a former love interest of Tsuchida. A risk-taker with a blonde hair streak, Anzu is Naozumi self'-proclaimed significant other. Hiiragi is a cosplayer by nature and can get easily embarassed, but not as much as Koume, who is shy like you wouldn't believe.

Overall, the storyline and characters are well-thought out.

Rating: 8

Art

It should be a given: when GAINAX and Square Enix team up for this classic, the art will be refreshing a vibrant. And it is. The animation here is smooth, and the color selection matches the mood and concept of the show. GAINAX doesn't play dumb when adapting shows. They didn't do it with Evangelion, they didn't do it with FLCL, they didn't do it with Gurren Lagann, and certainly they didn't do it here. Seiji Mizushima has done a sensational job directing the artiwork and the character design.

Rating: 9

Sound

The music selection for Hanamaru Youchien is diverse. Start with the OP, "Aozora Triangle (?????????)" by Kei Shindou, Ayahi Takagaki and MAKO. It sets the tone quite nicely for the rest of the show with a dancy beat and an uplifting melody. You can say that the ED for Hanamaru Youchien is a jukebox. This is the first time since Lucky Star that Iyours truly has had the pleasure of watching a jukebox of ending themes. It's ear candy for the mind.

The background music of the show fits the concept. This is a kindergarten school, people! The sound is going to be minimalistic, light and playful. Wholesome stuff. Wholesome, wholesome stuff. But that's not all.

The voice acting is also on the money. Among my favorites are Kei Shindo as Anzu and Satoshi Hino as Naozumi Tsuchida. You may recognize Satoshi as the voice of Yuuji Sakai from Shakugan no Shana and Saito Hiraga from Zero no Tsukaima. Also commendable is Ayahi Takigaki playing the role of Nanako Yamamoto.

Thus, solid voice acting, a blend of the background music combined with the ending jukebox and opening theme gives Hanamaru Youchien high scores in the sound department.

Rating: 10

Presentation

There is a reason why Hanamaru Youchien was touted during the Seiji Mizushima panel at Anime Expo 2009. The joint forces between GAINAX and Square Enix was a match made in heaven. And this is a show that the Hachiko recommends. It's fun for the whole family to enjoy, it's got enough laughs to make you want more of the misadventures of Anzu and Tsuchida, and it's got the music to bundle it all up.

It's a show that speaks for itself. Recommended.

Rating: 9

Final Verdict

8.8333 (very good)

Reviewed by Hachiko, May 08, 2010

Comments

  1. rukasu04 Mute Member May 15, 2010

    Nice review :D

  2. emina07 Mute Member May 23, 2010

    children were so cute..

  3. rukasu04 Mute Member Aug 12, 2010

    Nice review :P

  4. SchRita Aug 27, 2010

    You worked hard on this review, thanks!

  5. patriz0 Oct 07, 2010

    kodomo!

page 1 of 1 5 total items

Only members can post replies, please register.

Warning: Undefined array key "cookienotice" in /var/www/minitokyo/www/html2/footer.html on line 73
This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Read more.