Maburaho Volume 1: Bewitched and Bewildered - Active Anime
- Active Anime
- Rommel Saladanan
- 08/02/05
- click here
People are accustomed to certain social rules that are unspoken but universally understood. Society dictates a hierarchy of classes according to these rules. The most prevalent today is the division created by wealth. The amount of money one has is used to define them. In Maburaho it is no different except that social rank is determined by the number of times one can use magic and not the number of cars one has. Often in creating an entirely new world there is nothing left for the audience to relate to. Maburaho instead subtly alters the audience?s world, making it fresh but familiar. The problems of class struggle, striving for acceptance, and the wrath of selfish powers are present. Essentially this show remains true to the life we know except adds magic potential as one more way to segregate individuals.
The setting is easy to connect with due to its likeness to reality. The plot is easy to connect with because it is the typical man?s dream. Kazuki lives the fantasy of many men. Although shy, aloof, and unpopular, three beautiful girls start pursuing him. Without trying, and even resisting, he has girls chasing after him with lust in their eyes. Unfortunately for Kazuki they aren?t actually lusting for him but the power and prestige his children will possess due to the strong wizards and witches in his lineage. All the girls really want are his babies. Of course, Kazuki is an honorable young man who doesn?t want to be the center of this sort of attention. He wants to be liked for him. This conveniently maintains Kazuki as an upstanding main character but also allows him to live out every man?s dream. An audience?s dreams are crucial to a show because that is what interests and attracts them. The audience can be drawn into the show this way and then the creators can tell their story.
Besides, who doesn?t like to see the little man win? While it comments on social structure and animates men?s fantasies, this show is mostly about having fun. The main reason people go to the movies is to cheer up and laugh. People want to be happy and enjoy a series that helps them towards that. Maburaho is not merely a comedy, but it is riddled with boisterous humor. Awkward moments and grave misunderstandings abound. Klutzy but adorable Kazuki will bring laughs and from the looks of it, eventually romance.
EXTRAS: This DVD comes with an amusing mock school newspaper insert. On the disc itself there is an insightful interview with series translator Richard Kim, an artwork slideshow, a clean opening and closing, the original promos, previews for six other ADV releases and a peek at Maburaho Volume 2.
IN SUMMARY: Maburaho slightly alters the world we live in by adding extra spice of both magic and fantasy. Kazuki, sought after by all the school?s beautiful girls, is living any teenage boy?s dream. Maburaho is sure to bring cheer.
Posted on Tuesday, August 02, 2005 (Archive on Friday, September 02, 2005)