![]() ![]() Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi is a parody show that does so much right. It gained a cult following over the years, but it never really grew out of that small, devoted fanbase. ![]() ![]() Sadly, this is another one of those shows that just didn’t have a chance in the market. And, frankly speaking, in a world where time and money are equally precious, why would one rush for the imitation when the real thing was out and available for purchase? On top of this, there was a general feeling that the format was done, and done better by other shows, like the recently completed Excel Saga.Īnd that was strike 3: The narrative stated that this was a poor man’s Excel Saga. While most of the reviews spoke highly of the show, they did caution that various references would leave a number of fans in the dust. The final strike, though, was the overall response in the critical community. That’s strike 2: a perceived superior alternative on the market that has universal approval by the masses Fans raved about the quirky sense of humor and frenetic pace that just needed to be seen to be believed, while critics gushed over the show’s clever jokes and madcap action. For comedy shows, Excel Saga was pretty much hailed as the gold standard at the time. On top of this, ADV had just finished its run of Excel Saga in April. That gives us Strike 1 in the case of limited visibility. In December 2003, no fewer than 63 anime titles hit store shelves, including heavyweights like Witch Hunter Robin, You’re Under Arrest, and Dragon Ball GT. Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi first hit stores on December 16, 2003. All the while, they’ll need to avoid the crazies of each realm, as well as a strange bespectacled lass known only as “Mune Mune.” It’s an adventure of a lifetime, to say the least! Why Was It Passed Up? To get home, the two need to find their way through these alternate worlds, which range from lands of swords and sorcery, to film noir playgrounds, and even a realm of martial arts mayhem. When the final statue breaks, Sasshi and Arumi find themselves in a magical world, where everything is similar, but somehow totally different. Legends say that it was built on four points to invoke good fortune, with each point being marked by a special statue. Sasshi’s family’s bath house was torn down, and Arumi’s family is making plans to move to Hokkaido, in hopes of landing better jobs.Ībenobashi isn’t a typical shopping center, though. Shops shutter with each passing day, as people seek a way to survive elsewhere. Recently, though, Abenobashi is but a husk of its former self. In its heyday, the arcade was a bustling marketplace, where families thrived and people traveled from miles to get their shop on. It’s here that Satoshi “Sasshi” Imamiya and his childhood friend Arumi Asahina were born and raised. Where was I? Oh, right! Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi is set in Osaka’s Abenobashi Shopping Arcade. The same Gainax that’s able to have viewers in peals of laughter at one moment, and gut-wrenching sorrow the next. Yes, the same Gainax that gave the world Evangelion, and Gurren Lagann, and Panty & Stocking. Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi is a 13-episode comedy series from Gainax. ![]()
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