Panyo Panyo Di Gi Charat
Director
Masato Takayanagi
Production
Broccoli, Madhouse
Country of origin
Japan
Format
Series
Running time
48 episodes, 6 mins each
Year
2002
Panyo Panyo Di Gi Charat Volume 1 - Nyo!
By David Rasmussen
16th Dec 04  Volume 1 - Nyo!
Company – ADVFilms
Rated – Suitable for All Ages.
Planned by BROCCOLI
Executive Producers - Takaaki Kidani & Masao Maruyama
Original Character Designer - Koge-Donbo (Pitaten)
Series Composition - Toshiki Inoue
Character Designs - Makoto Koga
Music - Motoyoshi Iwasaki
Animation Production - MAD HOUSE
Produced by BROCCOLI
Directed by Masato Takayanagi Panyo Panyo Di Gi Charat
Volume 1 - Nyo!
Before We Begin...
If you're expecting an outing similar to the mangas from either Studio Ironcat, VIZ or Broccoli International (for the most part) then you'd be off base this time out. Seemingly a "prequel" to the Di Gi Charat series, this all ages anime takes a look at a young Digiko and her "life" on the planet Di Gi Charat... and all the wacky adventures she will, of course, end up getting into. Far more innocent and good than she is in the regular series, this completely different Digiko has new friends (you'll meet them during the review), and one new enemy along with a returning old enemy (Piyoko) but more on that later... Also note that the "episodes" are a collection of mini episodes, 3 per "episode" so the box notes this to have 12 "fun-filled" mini episodes... which equate to four big 20+ minute episodes. Ok. Let's start reviewing, shall we? Episode 1 (it begins with an episode of meetings...)
"It's the First Story!"
Maybe it was the stuffy confines of the palace.
Maybe it was the excessive amount of books.
Maybe it was the oddly titled book she was reading ("the World, For the World, For the People, Legend of a Great Man")
Maybe it was that time of the year.
Or maybe it was just the fact that this would have been one boring series if it wasn't taken outside. Regardless of why it happened it seems that one day Digiko was influenced by a book she read to go out and help the people of the world, which of course meant she had to ditch the life of royalty and head out into the world to help it... even if her "watcher" thought otherwise. the violence and musical chase sequence will now begin... take cover and keep your cell phone close just in case you need to call for musical assistance.
this episode is basically the Great Escape - the Musical (only without the nazis). NOTE - If you're paying attention then you've spotted the Statue of Liberty Dejiko on the palace grounds... which is oddly placed since this episode is all about Digiko (and Puchiko) seeking their freedom from palace life to go into the outside world. NOTE - By the way, never ever listen to English Dub episodes when singing is concerned... it'll never turn out well. Never. the Tenchi Muyo episode where Kiyone/Mihoshi sing karaoke proved to me that English dubs of singing in Anime will never ever work out. these episodes reinforced that belief with a vengeance. It's A Strange Cake Shop.
But it's NOT the cake shop that's strange... it's the comatose baker inside that's strange!
Shh! She's sleeping... myu So now that Digiko and Puchiko (along with Gema) have left the palace, what next?
Looks like the gang will take a confectionary treat break, and meet Reena the sleepy baker.
Well, techinically speaking she's normal since cats sleep about 20 or so hours a day, and the people on this world ARE part cat... ah, time for another song... this song (about why Digiko's attempt at baking failed) and the first song from the previous short are the best songs of this episode... maybe the series but I have to see more before I say that. Capture the thieving Cat!
Now that a third member of the gang... uh, nobody's counting Gema so don't try... uh, now that a third member of the gang has joined up what next? How about adding a fourth member in a tomboy girl named Meek (Mee-kay)? Her story revolves around the pursuit of a bandit cat that steals fish from Meek's family business... but wouldn't you know it, after a long non-musical chase sequence we find out there's a darn good reason why that cat was stealing... bet you know what that reason is already, don't you!
Ok. Moving on... Oh, yeah, considering this is a world of cat-people why are there normal regular cats on this world?
Kind of odd for a planet of cat people to have cats as pets and strays in their cities... freaky even. Who's the Best Behaved Child?
Time to meet the bad people. the evil Piyoko, who has seemingly been delegated to "sidekick" role this time out, and the "boss" evil in this show, a strange being called the DejiDevil.
Odd. the Dejidevil looks like a second cousin of that lame villain from DragonBall, and isn't all that evil at all. Especially when it sends Piyoko to "win" the good child contest which turns out badly.
What a way to begin things. Yuck. Episode 2 (Why Future Digiko is obsessed with being a movie star)
Become A Star!
So we know that Rabi En Rose wants to be a diva (or Tokyo Idol), but why does Digiko want to be a movie star? Apparently, according to this plot, the next four shorts explain that.
While wandering about looking for people to help Digiko and company end up wandering into a director in need of a star (or therapy... whichever comes first), and he picks Digiko... too bad a boy with aspirations for stardom bursts onto the scene and steals all the costumes meant for Digiko. Another non musical chase ensues and things go wacky. NOTE - Uh... this is a boy, because they say so... which would have been odd since they seemingly (from what I can see of the voice) use a female voice actress for this character (Japanese dub), and he suffers a bout of cross dressing during the chase by donning a stolen princess outfit that was one of Digiko's costumes. Yet even cross dressing he's still chosen to be in a film by the fickle director who originally picked Digiko to star in his film... what a freak. NOTE - the movie the director is trying to film? It's called "Panyo-Dejiko"... go figure. Being An Actress Is Tough!
Once again we're back to the acting thing, but this time it's Piyoko (and not a minor character) interfering with Digiko's star plans... which is going to be nothing but trouble (and lots of pain) for Piyoko as she goes through every possible painful trap she could go through while attempting to mess Digiko up. Ouch.
then again that's what you get for planning everything out to such excessive detail for no good reason! I'm going to Be a Magnificent Actress!
Another episode with Piyoko attempting to interfere with Digiko's acting, only this time it looks like the plan might actually succeed... maybe. NOTE - Check out Digiko as Cinderella Cop, and a boxing movie... Raging Digiko? Digik-ocky? Leave the Last Scene to Me!
Work has been called off today because it seems the odd director has seen a ghost.
Yeah, good one, whatever. But that doesn't stop the gang from stopping in at work, only to run into a young girl who has to finish her movie... but she can't because the last scene is a bike riding scene and she can't ride a bike! So it's up to Digiko and company to come to the rescue!
Bet you know how this'll end, but it's a darn sweet episode and the best of this batch! Episode 3 (things To Do With Time)
What happens when the gang end up taking over for the local town time keeper? Nothing but trouble.
Since this is the last episode of the batch I'll keep my notes short. the gang has taken over for the local time keeper who is down sick with a cold... a cold that seems to linger for FOUR mini episodes... sheesh.
Obviously nothing but trouble will come from this, and sure enough that is exactly what happens as the gang ends up on the wrong side of DejiDevil's mood since their work keep him up at night, causing him to miss his morning cartoon... eh? He's called "DejiDevil" and he watches morning cartoons...
So much for him being the evil one, eh? they'll also have to deal with a troubled artist seeking inspiration, a party at the palace that DejiDevil somehow gets Reena & Meek into (which is not good for Digiko and Puchiko who are keeping their royal identities secret from their new friends), and finally the troubles of a time travelling boy wrap up this episode. Ok. Let's move on. Optional Extras (Region 1)
Voice Actress Commentary - Commentary by Luci Christian (Dejiko)... which is basically her rambling on about playing the character and the scenes you're watching her in. Uh... not much to that. Production Sketches - Want to see the behind the scenes production artwork of the characters? Here's your chance! Original Japanese Promotionals - Kinda says it all, eh? Clean Opening/Closing sequences - that pretty much says it all, doesn't it? Sticker sheet - Included in the case! Cool! Panyo Panyo Di Gi Charat Breakdown the 1st
What's Hot? - Little super deformed Di Gi Charat that's lighter fare than the regular series (that's rated for teens)? What's not hot about that? Sure, sure, it doesn't have the bite of the regular series but that doesn't mean it's not a good view nevertheless. Some episodes are downright cute to an extreme, and should probably (if ADV ever gets around to it) put into a GameBoy Advance pack of just the best mini-sodes! I haven't seen the rest yet, but if it has the appeal factor of this DVD then I'll have to definitely recommend this (from me to you)! What's Not? - I didn't like the English Dub. No, no I didn't.
Otherwise there's nothing wrong with the series. Yes it's for a younger set so it doesn't have the bite of the regular series, but then again a little lighter fare for your collection is a good thing sometimes. Moments to Remember? - Lots. But I remember the first three mini-sodes of Episode 1, the last of Episode 2, and the time traveler mini-sode from Episode 3. they're definitely memorable in my book. What to Ignore? - Uh... let's NOT have the English Dub on that GameBoy Advance treatment I spoke of earlier... otherwise not much to ignore... oh, wait. Ignore the fact that the series seems to have delegated Piyoko to the role of "sidekick"... I don't know what they were thinking but somehow the big bad from the regular series has been reduced down to a minor role here, playing second fiddle to a nobody character you'll never hear about again. Not good. Ignore it. Overall? - Despite the fact I didn't like the english dub, and Piyoko seems to have a watered down role in this one, that doesn't stop the series from being worth recommending. Yes, it is a lighter fare from what you might have seen before, so it might not appeal to all... yet somehow I think it's well worth checking out (at least in my book) so give it a chance, at least rent it to see if you'll like it (you never know!)
-- David Rasmussen 16th Dec 04
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