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Azumanga Daioh: The Animation (あずまんが大王) Imagica/GENCO/J.C. Staff/TV Tokyo/King Records, 2002 ADV Films, 2004 Directed by Hiroshi Nishikiori (Gad Guard, Angelic Layer) Based on the manga by Kiyohiko Azuma (Yotsubato!) Running Time: 25 minutes per episode Rated 13+ for mature situations and mild language. "Tsukurimasho, tsukurimasho, Sate sate nani ga dekiru kara. Hai! Dekimashita!" - Chiyo MihamaCast (Japanese) Tomoko Kaneda (Marie in Please Teacher!, Bonta-kun in Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu) as Chiyo Mihama Yuki Matsuoka (Alyssa in Uchuu no Stellvia, Hitomi in Appleseed: The Movie) as Ayumu "Osaka" Kasuga Yuu Asakawa (Motoko in Love Hina, Jura in Vandread) as Sakaki Chieko Higuchi (Shiho in To Heart, Ai-chan in Transformers Car Robots) as Tomo Takino Rie Tanaka (Chii in Chobits, Saki in Steel Angel Kurumi) as Koyomi "Yomi" Mizuhara Houko Kuwashima (Kirika in NOIR, Quon in RahXephon) as Kagura Akiko Hiramatsu (Miyuki in You're Under Arrest, Nene in Bubblegum Crisis) as Yukari Tanizaki Aya Hisakawa (Haruka in RahXephon, Skuld in Ah! My Goddess) as Minamo "Nyamo" Kurosawa Kouji Ishii (Oji in The Legend of Black Heaven, Taiga in King of Braves GaoGaiGar) as Mr. Kimura Sakura Nogawa (Hiroko in Narutaru, Tsukasa in Daphne in the Brilliant Blue) as Kaorin Sayaka Ohara (Racquel in Scrapped Princess, Ezra in Vandread) as Kimura's wife Norio Wakamoto (Coach in Gunbuster, Vicious in Cowboy Bebop) as Chiyochichi Synopsis Azumanga Daioh chronicles the adventures of high school students Chiyo (The 10-year-old genius), Osaka (the resident airhead), Sakaki (the shy one prone to cat bites), Tomo (the loose cannon), Yomi (the short-tempered one) and Kagura (the resident jock) - along with their rather childish homeroom teacher Yukari. Story: A+ It's hard to believe that an anime based on school life can be this good. Right from the first episode, you'll be hooked on Azumanga Daioh's cheerful characters, witty storytelling and jokes that stick to your head like Krazy glue. Animation: A- The colorful opening sequence puts Disney to shame. The series animation itself isn't as flashy as other titles, but still a masterpiece on its own. Yasuhisa Kato's (Happy Lesson, Banner of the Stars) character designs are faithful to Azuma's original artwork. Soundtrack: A+ Sometimes, there's an anime soundtrack that leaves a smile on your face. Azumanga Daioh's music by Masaki Kurihara and the Kuri-corder Pops Orchestra is a perfect example, mixing school instruments with retro '60s surf music perfectly like bread and butter. And the opening theme "Soramimi Cake" by Oranges & Lemons is easily the most kawaii anime theme today. Sub vs. Dub Congratulations, ADV. You've just given us the worst English dub since Neon Genesis Evangelion. DVD Extras: A (Boxed Edition) If you purchased the boxed edition, you get two limited edition cloisonne lapel pins featuring Chiyo-chan and Kamineko. More pins are available on vol. 3 (Neco Coneco), vol. 5 (Chiyochichi) and vol. 6 (Yamamaya). The vol. 1 DVD itself has clean opening & ending sequences and an image gallery. The Bottom Line Arguably the best anime comedy for the whole family, Azumanga Daioh is a must-have for all anime fans. Links Azumanga TV Daioh (Japanese) J.C. Staff's Official Azumanga Daioh Homepage (Japanese) Media Works' Official Azumanga Daioh Homepage (Japanese) ADV Films' Official Azumanga Daioh Homepage Reference Anime News Network