Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi was another odd one for me to look at. I remember seeing this years ago, and until now, had no words to describe it. The context of the anime seemed so absurd back then, but then again, it was back when I was actually sane as a common human (According to a good friend, being an anime fan = insanity.)
Anyway, Abenobashi has a bit of a background, but to save time and strength (and because I'm lazy), I'll jump straight into the plot at hand. The anime deals with childhood friends Arumi and Sasshi, and the title is actually the name of a commercial district in Osaka, where the story takes place. Through an accident, they find themselves in a sword and scorcery world, something akin to perhaps Dungeons and Dragons or Tower of Duraga. While they try to return home, they experience other worlds, most likely manifested through the otaku interest of Sasshi. Their quest is that of a bildungsroman at best, as it shows the growth of the protagonist, due to him unwilling to return home. All I can say is: strange, strange, strange...
Abenobashi saw TV airings via the channel G4, a channel that originally had video games as a focal point. Created in the Gainax and Madhouse studios, it was licensed for US by ADV, which is no longer active. The series itself isn't all that lengthy in general, lasting only 13 episodes, which ran from April to June 2002, the manga beginning and ending the same year. Sasshi is voiced by Luci Christian in the dub, while Arumi is voiced by Jessica Boone.
Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi is an adventurous comedy dealing with the supernatrual. Still trying to butt heads with it, I'll say a 6 of 10, maybe 7.
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