Kuragehime Opening - Chatmonchy

Well, first let me say that if it weren’t for fatalefromage, I would never have tried this wonderful wonderful show out. (Btw, I’ve rated this a 10 out of 10...) Since it’s already been reviewed, I thought I would take a stab at reviewing the opening for this show.

This OP is probably one of my favorite anime openings ever. From the music to the animation, I can think of nothing more fitting for this feel good light hearted show. The opening theme, by the well known group Chatmonchy, is a very bright and moving treat of music. It starts with Eriko Hashimoto singing and playing guitar with a very lighthearted lyrics while on screen the main characters are introduced. As the song leaves the exposition, the characters appropriately move with the beat towards the viewer. Overall this is a very playful, colorful moment that I classify as my favorite moment of the opening.

The next scene, as Akiko Fukuoka and Kumiko Takahashi come in stronger on bass and drums respectively, comes as a pleasant surprise. I must say I was not expecting the Star Wars parody, but it was very fun to watch.

The next parody is Singing in the Rain, which happens to be one of my favorite movies, and is definitely in my top 3 favorite musicals. The fact that one of my new favorite anime is parodying it was what essentially got me excited for the real show to show me what it could do...

Next, comes a little Disney magic, with a Mary Poppins parody.

Then a scene on the train parodies an old American early1970s movie, Emporer of the North Pole.  It's actually more popular in Japan than it is here, surprisingly enough. More info on it here.

The next scene is a parody from an old 80’s movie from China entitled God of Gamblers.

James Bond comes next, parodying the classic gun barrel sequence.

Then next allusion is actually an uncommonly known double allusion. Mayaya shows up wearing the yellow jump suit which is mostly known from it’s appearance in Quentin Tarantino’s classic cult hit Kill Bill. However, that is actually a reference to a Bruce Lee film called Game of Death.

The parodies then go to the wedding scene from The Graduate.

At the end of all this, the main character Tsugumi walks into the light, holding hands with many jellyfish who are all shaped like her favorite one named Clara, an obvious parody of Close Encounters of the Third Kind.

Waking up, as if from a dream, the song repeats its opening sequence, creating a refreshing repeat to close the song. As Tsugumi looks out her open window we see the residence house with all the characters and in a playful pink text Kuregahime. The end of the opening is so catchy and perfect that I believe it makes a great segue into the show itself.

The overall animation of the opening is the same as the show with no artistic differences. Though usually I frown on it, taking the parodies and presenting the characters in said parodies, it actually makes sense since it shows the characters in a different light like it should.

The music, like I said is a perfect match. Chatmonchy is a easy going light rock type sound that perfectly matches the half comedy half romance that is Jellyfish Princess.

Luckily, this show got an early license and US fans will soon be able to purchase the show from Funimation. But, if you are unwilling to wait, or are too poor too buy it, it’s available to stream at Funimation’s website and on Youtube and Hulu. Check it out if you want a fantastic quick show that’ll knock you off your feet.

To Download the track for the opening go here

Kuragehime Review

At the beginning of last semester discovered a new anime called Kurgurehime, or as it’s known in America Princess Jellyfish. At first glance at the episode screen shot on Funimation’s video portal I jumped to the conclusion that it was a childish show. So I looked at My Anime List’s page for the anime and I was very surprised. Princess Jellyfish is anything but a show for young children. We are introduced to the main character Tsukimi as the anime opens up with a flash back from her childhood. Tsukimi and her mother are visiting an aquarium and young tsukimi is dazzled at how beautiful the jellyfish are. Her mother tells her that when she grows up she will make her a wedding dress that resembles one of the very lacy like jellyfish in the tank. Tsukimi is ecstatic and becomes a Jellyfish Otaku. Sadly Tsukimi's mother passes away shortly after their visit to the aquarium.

Tsukimi wants to go shopping in shibuya after her dorm mates warn her not to set foot in there. I could already tell that these women are going to be an entertaining bunch. Being the Otaku that she is Tsukimi vists small pink colored jellyfish she named Clara at pet store and finds that she is now in a tank with a moon jelly. At this point Tsukimi pretty much in my eyes hyper venalities and pleads the shop owner to move the little creature into its own tank. Now Tsukimi is afraid of the good looking owner and she cowers up in fear. It’s good that she is starting to show lots of character development right in the first episode. And Tsukimi really is a girl many watchers will be able to relate to.

I would have to say that this next character named Kuranosauke is the character with the most development, next to Tsukimi. Hearing her voice I could tell that something is different about this stylish ‘woman’. But I’m not going to spoil the ending of the first episode.

The story is very easy for people to understand and the characters are likable. Everyone will find a least one to relate to. I would describe it as a coming of age tale with friend ship and drama. Art wise, Kugurehime is very well done, expecially by the detail put into Kuranosauke’s many outfits. This is one thing that other anime lack. I find it boring when all the main characters only wear the same thing during course of the series. Clothing gives the character a different aura and personality.

What saddens is me is that there really isn’t a fandom for this anime. I have yet to see tons of fanart, cosplay, or fan clubs. Princess Jellyfish really deserves more recognition. It is a diamond in the rough, so to speak.

Finding out this anime was only going to be 11 episodes really made me think, “is this show going to be able to wrap up everything it needs to in that short time?” It is certain that I would love to see a second season.

I have watched the entire series , and I’m going to give Kugurehime a 10/10 because it really was one the most unique shows I have ever seen.