Midori Days: A Helping Hand

Reviewed By: Carla Land

Media Blasters/Anime Works/ Bandai DVD 2005

Review based on volume 1 (episodes 1-5)

Rating NR

What it’s (basically) all about: Seiji Sawamura is a high school student whose one redeeming characteristic is he’s a good fighter that stands up for the weak. The only thing he really wants is a girlfriend. Midori Kasunago, a student from another school, has had a crush on him for years and wishes she could be close to him. In one fateful wish Seiji and Midori both get what they want- when Midori literally takes the place of Seiji’s right hand!

Nitty Gritty: Part romance, part comedy, this anime has some touching moments and memorable characters. The English voice acting is well done and the plot is clearly leading to a conclusion, though slowly. Characterization of the principle players is well done, and there are several secondary characters that have been developed as well.

This anime is a total of 13 episodes long and is based on a manga.

While otherwise acceptable for teens, there is nudity in several episodes and some language/ innuendo that would be better off in adult collections. None of the nudity is gratuitous, but it’s not stylized, either. The worst language used during the show itself is “a$$hole.”

Special features include textless opening and closing, original audio drama for day one (in Japanese), a promo reel, and outtakes (which are dirtier language-wise, but are also beeped out). There are also trailers for Otogi Zoshi, Shrine of the Morning Mist, Giant Robo, and Gokusen. The disk opens with an ad for Rareflix, which has rare and exotic DVDs for sale (not necessarily “adult” titles, but they do have sections of the page devoted to those.)

Survey says: Because of the nudity this should be put in adult collections.

Personal Ad: I think this is a cute anime, and as it’s short the whole collection can be purchased at once. It’s a silly little fantastical story with interesting characters and would be a welcome addition to libraries that have patrons who are anime fans.