Excel Saga

Publisher
Viz
Country of origin
Japan
Year
1997

Excel Saga Volume 1 review and synopsis.

By Mark B.
30th Jan 05

Well after watching the Excel Saga anime I just had to read the original manga and thankfully I was not let down one bit (I am currently up to volume 10) but before I get into the review I would just like to point out that this review at times will be spoiler heavy.

Right now that is out of the way lets get started by pointing out what you will not find in the Excel Saga manga.

1. No Nabeshine.
2. No Pedro.
3. No Pedro's family.
4. No Great Will.
5. No Puchus.

I may have missed one or two minor thing out but that is the main things missing that were in the anime but don't worry the manga is still a total riot and in my honest opinion much better then the anime.

The review is broken down into chapter (missions) descriptions and an overall review.

Mission 1: The Initiation Of A Legend.

The World is introduced to the super secret organization ACROSS and it's plans are (sort of) revealed for their conquest of firstly the City of Fukuoka and eventually the World, only problem is that ACROSS consists of only charismatic leader Lord IL Palazzo and his feisty, loyal yet dim witted Executive Officer, Staff Officer, Combatant and Latrine Orderly Excel (as well as a wooden dummy) and in Excel's first mission she must direct traffic while dealing with (imaginary) state conspiracy's out to attack ACROSS and it's ideals.

Mission 2: Today And Tomorrow For Farewells.

The secret headquarters of ACROSS is in a crisis that was not foreseen (bad weather) also Excel must go forth and deliver news papers in the name of ACROSS (and a decent meal) while making a new potentially edible Friend but once again a state conspiracy rears its ugly head in an attempt to destroy the great ideals of ACROSS, meanwhile IL Palazzo decides it is time to increase the forces of ACROSS and make the decision to place a help wanted add.

Mission 3: Today And Tomorrow For Encounters.

With Excel held captive at the immigration detention center the mission of her rescue is left in the hands of the newest ACROSS member Hyatt but first she must make it to the company housing (hide out) without dieing (and staying dead), meanwhile Excel launches her own daring escape plan from her evil captors.

Mission 4: Everyday Living Permissible.

Lord IL Palazzo has taken a 72 hour leave of absence and Excel and Hyatt must now deal with such crisis's as unwanted visitors and how to prepare dog without the guidance of their great leader, meanwhile just why is it so hot on only one side of Watanabe's apartment?.

Mission 5: Those That Burn, Those That get Burned.

With IL Palazzo back Excel and Hyatt are sent on their first mission which is to investigate the problem of waste management and are victims of yet another state conspiracy while Mince laughs her own daring escape plan.

Mission 6: The (Untreatable) Unbeknownst Disease.

In a rare showing of generosity IL Palazzo gives the bumbling excel funds to help buy some medicine for the usually on deaths door Hyatt but as usual even a simple mission such as going to the Chemists is an impossible task for poor Excel, meanwhile sickly Watanabe get some (unwanted) nursing from neighbor Sumiyoshi.

Mission 7: A Night Of Necessary Evil.

Christmas is almost at hand and the ACROSS girls newest job is selling Christmas cakes at the local shopping mall, Hyatt gives an all new meaning to red nosed Rain dear leading the first of many run ins with the dreaded Dr. Iwata and his long suffering Nurse, meanwhile Watanabe, Iwata and Sumiyoshi hold a party in which of course they are the only guests.

Review.

Volume 1 of Excel Saga couldn't have done a better job of introducing us to its warped, crazy World as well as the people that inhabit it, the high points have to be the hilarious antics between Watanabe and co. along with IL Palazzo's rather bizarre rant about Christmas but pretty much everything in this volume is brilliant and unlike the anime (which I also loved) the manga seems to be more structured and less random with the humor more geared to wards society and not anime parody's, my favorite characters have to be Iwata and the totally outrageous Dr. Iwata who was only featured briefly in a few episodes of the anime but every character has his/her moments.

The only downer I would say that things can get a little repetitive at times but thats only a minor thing and do nothing to harm what is over all a great fun read filled with strong, colorful and above all likable characters and sharp well written dialog.

Highly recommended for fans of the Excel Saga anime, something different or just manga in general.

-- Mark B. 30th Jan 05