Cheap Mao-Chan (Volume 1) (DVD) Price

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Customer Reviews of Mao-Chan (Volume 1)

That's the basic set-up to the ultra-cute series, Mao-Chan. From Ken Akamatsu, the mastermind behind the wildly-popular Love, Hina comes a look at saving the world through the eyes of an 8 year old. In this first volume, we meet our three heroines Mao, who controls all Land-based operations, Misora, who is in charge of Air-based missons, and Sylvia, who mans all Sea-based missions. Together, the girls must stop cute aliens from taking over Japan.

Now, when I first heard about this, I thought the series was very annoying (and very girly; pink is diffently not my color nor mood). But after reading glowing reviews, I decided to give it a go.

The first volumes has a total of 7 episodes, each about 12-15 minutes long, which is just enough cuteness that won't make you puke. The animation glows with bright and neutral colors that are appealing and add over-all character to this series. I listened to the English dub and was very pleased. Pioneer/Geneon has always done a rather excellent job with translations, so they get an A in my book.

I gave this 4 stars because the voices for the English dub where rather soft and kinda high-pitched (then again, the main characters are 8 afterall). Also, with so many Magical Girl series running amuck, it puts a little strain on the over-all main characters. You also get the standerd extras, like a creditless opening, bloopers and trailers. But if you can get past teh faults, then Mao-Chan is a delightful romp through a world of cute kids (and aliens), non-violence and over-all fun!

Cute and Upbeat with a Clever Military Bent
(Disclaimer: I have never seen Love Hina.)

Watching this series makes me happy! The entire premise is based around cuteness -- I've never heard the *characters* of an anime say the word "kawaii" so frequently (I watched this subbed) -- but I don't think it's cloying or excessive. The fact that there's a definite military aspect to all of the magical girl action makes for some amusing jokes that the normal elementary-school-aged viewing audience is likely to miss. The young characters are likable (the adults less so, though I think Sylvie's grandfather is pretty amusing).

Volume 1 contains some enjoyable, quick episodes and introduces the characters. The DVD itself doesn't (iirc) have particularly interesting extras, but the show content is sufficiently worth it.

If you hate small children and think they're whiny, you'll probably dislike this, but try it if you can appreciate "the delight of viewing the world through a 2nd-grader's eyes", or cute things, or meta-humor about cute things, or cute things defending Japan from cute things, etc.

Very Cute Series!!!!!
Mao-chan is about three 2nd graders who protect Japan. Theres 7episodes per DVD. There about 15minutes long but funny cute and great animation.. A must see