With encouragement from their friend Akemi, high school juniors Shuji and Chise (he's tall and silent; she's small, shy, clumsy, and cute) begin an awkward relationship as boyfriend and girlfriend. But Japan is at war, and Chise is the military's ultimate weapon--her body has been augmented with weapons of enormous destructive power. Chise doesn't really understand the details of what's been done to her (she's embarrassed by her transformation and afraid of her potential), but Shuji stands by her, and the pair desperately try to keep their love alive as things fall apart around them. Given the show's tagline ("The last love song on this little planet"), things may not end happily in Saikano, which is similar in story and style to the excellent Voices of a Distant Star. Relationships and emotions are the focus here, rather than action (some of Chise's attacks on the enemy aren't even shown), and the animation is well done, with appealing character designs. Presented in both English and Japanese language versions, this first of four discs (compiling the initial four episodes) is bundled with a bonus disc that includes a half-hour Japanese "making of" documentary. Some sexual situations make the "for older teens" guidance on the DVD jacket appropriate. Recommended. [Note: Saikano: Break Up, Vol. 2 is slated for release on July 6.] Aud: P. (S. Raiteri)
Saikano: Girlfriend, Vol. 1
(2004) 96 min. DVD: $29.98. Viz (avail. from most distributors). Color cover. Volume 19, Issue 4
Saikano: Girlfriend, Vol. 1
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