Papuwa: Wild Things

Reviewed By: Carla Land

ADV Films DVD

Review based on volume 1 (episodes 1-5)

Rating TV 14

What it’s (basically) all about:  A young boy arrives on the second Papuwa Island with no memory of who he is. The island residents know, but are trying to stop him from remembering because he destroyed their first island four years ago and they’re afraid he’s going to do it again. Unfortunately, Kotaru (called Rotaru on the island) is wanted by several different people- including his father, the army, and renegade soldiers. Will Kotaru’s power reawaken and destroy everything again, or will he just go crazy with the island madness happening all around him?

Nitty Gritty: Language is mostly mild (limited to “shit”, “goddam” and “asshole”, none of which appear until the third episode, and then infrequently.) The violence isn’t too bad; mostly cartoony and off screen, though there is blood used frequently (animal bites, porcupine football mishaps, bloody-nosed hippo insects). The story is confusing and hard to follow if you aren’t used to the fast paced anime comedy style.

The story itself isn’t too hard to follow, but the many strange characters can get confusing, There are several effeminate characters, a mushroom that keeps getting everyone high, assassins that aren’t very intimidating, and creatures that keep trying to eat Kotaru and his friends. That doesn’t even include the fish with legs (and fishnet stockings), the ex-special forces soldier turned maid, and Papuwa himself, a small child with amazing strength and abilities.

There is some innuendo in each episode, but nothing that is too over the top or alarming.

Anime Network, anime downloads, and  Newtype USA promos kick things off. Extras include translator notes (a lot of reading here), character art gallery (color slideshow), clean opening and closing animation, and DVD credits. Previews are for This Ugly Yet Beautiful World, Vermillion Pleasure Night (live action/ animation and mature in content), Cromartie High School, Excel Saga, Shadow Skill (older animation style and on the violent side), and Ellcia (another older anime with violent tendencies.)

Survey says: The preview for Vermillion Pleasure Night is just too much to have in a teen collection. Though I think the show itself could work in teen collections, this series would be better classed as adult because of the previews..

Personal Ad: Though I found it amusing, I wouldn’t class it as one of my favorites.