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Review:
The cover of Jubei Chan looked harmless enough- what with the cute girl on a bike and the pink love heart designs you'd think it's just another teen series like Ranma and the like: romantic hijinks with a samurai twist thrown in.
Hah.. nothing will prepare you for the loopiness and the drama that is to follow!
300 years ago, Jubei Yagyu, Japan's greatest warrior passes away, leaving his faithful assistant, Koinosuke to look for a successor and the recipient of the lovely eye-patch. Yagyu's dying words for Koinosuke are: "bouncy, plump bon bons". Eye patch? Plump bouncy bon bons? Er.. yes, no wonder the poor guy took 300 years.
After searching the depth and breadth of Japan, Koinosuke stumbles upon Jiyu Nanohana and decides she possesed all the right qualities of "bouncy, plump bon bons" Ruuuhhhhgght....
Cue, introduction of high schooler Jiyu Nanohana who has just moved to a small
country town with her author father Sai. Father and daughter live in a simple and harmonious existence, cheerful and responsible Jiyu taking care of her absent-minded father more than the other way around.
Koinosuke with his persistence convinces Jiyu to put on the lovely eye-patch and lo and behold, she inherits the power of Yagyu Jubei and becomes ninja girl extraordinaire complete with a kick ass ninja outfit and a killer sword. That's great but it pricks the senses of the warriors of the Ryujoji Shinkage clan, sworn rivals of Yagyu Jubei. Like sharks getting a whiff of blood, one by one, they seek her out and challenge her to death defying duels.
Jubei Chan, according to Deni, [resident anime expert!] fits into the 'super
deformed' category. Super deformed is a very apt description, with its comical expressions, overzealous emotions and wacky animation. Restraint, dear readers, is a very dirty word in Jubei-Chan.
It's all gung-ho visual slapstick and it's as if the production team had been
allowed, nay encouraged, to insert all their most treasured in-jokes.
Or at least that is what they would like you to believe. By episode 7 however, not everything is super light hearted and Jubei Chan develops a lot more substantially. The zany humour is still there but there are some serious dramatic moments and pathos that will make you suck in your cheeks in anticipation. It is unfortunate then there will be many who won't get that far. The cartoony and completely random [some may say manic] humour early in the series is sure annoy many and turn them off the series.
Despite all the hilarity, there is a consistency in the narrative that is built up over the 13 epsiodes: the reluctant heroine who doesn't want to get caught up in a 300 year old samurai feud. The tender relationship between Jiyu and her father. Subplots are gradually introduced, accompanied by crazy supporting characters to keep the story flowing. Even the disturbing focus on her breasts is consistent. Ai-yah.
Overall, it might not be very memorable but while you are watching it, you may enjoy its well, let's be honest here, silly humour and laugh. Out loud even, god forbid. I think Jubei Chan would be great cartoon buffer, say, if you caught it every week after school in between two of your favourite programs. It's most enjoyable and refreshing, surprising and never taking itself seriously. 7 killer substitute teachers out of 10 by Ching Yee back to the top
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