Wandaba Style is one of those anime entries that will either make you laugh uproariously (if you're 13-ish and understand Japanese humor), bristle uncomfortably (if you're wondering about all of the fan service--i.e., undies and cleavage), or frown in bewilderment (if you just have no idea what's going on.) What little plot there is revolves around a Japanese pop group called Mix Juice comprised of failed starlets. Desperate for a gig, they are hired as astronauts by a 13-year-old billionaire who wants to launch a mission to the moon via various environmentally-friendly means (such as the power of carbonation) that inevitably backfire. Wandaba Style is crammed with so much inane humor as to make it almost incomprehensible, and the jokes most often revolve around the characters' greed, ambition, stupidity, or infamous “oops, I just happened to pull off your shirt” type of slapstick. Even more irritating is that while the dubbing is fine, the subtitles are consistently one line off from the Japanese language track, rendering the original unwatchable. Accurately rated TV-PG, this four-episode disc also includes audio commentary and outtakes. Although this has its moments, the series is really aimed at hardcore humor anime fans. Not recommended. [Note: Wandaba Style, Vol. 2 is slated for release on Mar. 15.] Aud: P. (R. Brenner)
Wandaba Style: Rocket to Stardom! Vol. 1
(2002) 100 min. DVD: $29.98. ADV Films (avail. from most distributors). Color cover. ISBN: 1-57813-995-3. Volume 20, Issue 2
Wandaba Style: Rocket to Stardom! Vol. 1
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