CLVII: "Pumpkin Scissors"

For the longest time, I thought that Pumpkin Scissors was an odd name to give to an anime dealing with war, crazed destroyers and blue lanterns. Turns out that there is a reason for that name: it's because of the platoon, who are the anime's main group.

Pumpkin Scissors hones in on a military group by the same name. Their purpose is to aid in the war relief effort across the empire, called officially the Imperial Army Section III. The titular name came from one of its officers, supposedly as a metaphor for their work. In regards to it, however, Pumpkin Scissors are usually berated and ridiculed by everyone: by the thieves they are to hunt down, by the army they serve under, and even by the citizens of the Empire. This changes, however, when a soldier with a shady past joins their ranks. A kind giant, Randel Oland is warm and welcoming, and is well mannered with his allies. Nobody would expect that a mysterious lantern could bring such a drastic change to his demeanor. Armed with a mere anti-tank gun "Door Knocker" and many scars, the kind Oland becomes fatally fearless and when he sees an enemy, he'll see to his termination! There is more to him then meets the eye, as they look into the Invisible 9, while  bigger plot awakes... a plot that may very well shake the Imperial Army from within!!

Pumpkin Scissors lasts for 24 episodes, licensed for US by Funimation. For a long while, I was reluctant to watch, but by chance saw it and was drawn in. Granted that I see war-related material often, but Pumpkin Scissors stood out to me, as the seemingly 'little guys' of the Army are the main heroes. Of all the characters, Randel is voiced by Adam Dudley, and Alice L. Malvin, the female main protagonist and the one who suggested the name, is by Kaytha Coker in the English Dub. A running gag happens in the anime: in part to Randel being constantly hospitalized, an recurring scenario happens when they request a urine sample from him. Ultimately, the gag is finding a suitable container that's also unbreakable (granted that Randel is a giant, I think the gag is NEARLY self-explanatory.)

A grade of 7.6 of 10 for Pumpkin Scissors. Honestly, I didn't think I'd be interested, but in a way, I'm glad I did look at it on a whim back then.