CCII: "Azumanga Daioh"

Azumanga Daioh: The Animation is another rather interesting number that I completed long ago, without much to criticize on. In fact, it's one of those titles that is just too hard for me to rag on. Sure, there are areas here and there that just weird me out, but I just can't be critical about this one in the long run.

Azumanga Daioh follows 6 girls and two teachers in a high school (that is never named for some odd reason.) The personalities of these 6 students make them quite the lively, unusual bunch, though that's only the start. Students and staff alike are a colorful mix, some for the insanely comedic, and others just plain damn creepy, as is the case with Mr. Kimura. There is no terms of plot here, as it's simply a comedy that is set in a high school setting. I won't say it's random, but this title does have its moments. Oh, and did I mention there's a giant freaking cat somewhere in it!? Save for the oddball things that happen in it, it's somewhat realistic in tone.

Azumanga Daioh is an interesting title indeed, down to the very title itself. Reason why this is so is because the title is composed of 3 words. The "Manga" part is a dead giveaway, but "Azuma" came from the last name of the title's author, Kiyohiko Azuma, and the "Daioh" part was place there in reference to the magazine it was originally published on: Dengeki Daioh. It also has a web animation titled Azumanga Web Daioh, but I've yet to cross it. The anime itself lasts for 26 episodes, airing originally between April and September of 2002, so it's quite old. Since it was published in the same magazine, this title bears some relation to the manga Yotsuba&!, another slice of life comedy which does not have an anime made from it. As with the manga, Azumanga Daioh was licensed by two different companies. Made in the J.C. Staff studio, this was a title originally licensed for US under ADV Films (which no longer functions.) Following the closure of ADV, AEsir Holdings took it's place as the one holding the US license, much like how ADV Manga published the manga, and Yen Press took over when the former folded. Here's who you expect to hear as the students in the English Dubbing of Azumanga Daioh:

• Chiyo: Jessica Boone
• Tomo: Mandy Clark
• Koyomi "Yomi": Nancy Novotny
• Sakaki: Christine Auten
• Ayumu "Osaka": Kira Vincent-Davis
• Kagura: Allison Sumrall

Azumanga Daioh is not a trip per say, but it is a title that is not so... straightforward. Even so, I find it hard to say anything ill of it, and scores an 8 of 10 from me. I doubt people think much of the slice of life genre, but this is a title that instantly pops up in my head when I think of it. This title is, in its own way, enjoyable.