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Azumanga Daioh
Studio: Genco/J.C. Staff Format: 26 Episodes Released: 4/8/2002 to 9/30/2002 Written by: Face 
High School is an unsteady period of life. While trying to maintain a healthy balance between studies and pastimes, it is very common to see students buckle under the pressure. Azumanga Daioh is a droll comedy about High School, a caricature of the stereotypical and the bizarre, alike, and a refreshingly tasty treat of anime goodness. The story follows a group of girls through all three years of High School. The ten-year-old Chiyo has been pushed up into the freshman class in order to further develop herself as a student. Osaka has moved from Osaka to Tokyo, and soon after unwillingly adopts the nickname, Osaka. Almost immediately, they become good friends with the rest of the group. As friends, they fight, they argue and annoy one another, but in the end, they laugh, and so did I. Azumanga Daioh is entirely devoid of restraint; it's boisterous, slapstick teeming, and oddly enough, cleverly endearing. An odd mix of rudimentary style repartee, and spontaneous slapstick gimmicks work together to create a callow comedy routine that never fails to make me smile -- well, more or less. From the muddle-headed goofball Osaka, to the overstated genius Chiyo, the entire cast of quirky characters is bound to make you chuckle sometime or other. The best thing in the series, for me, is the way Osaka dwells upon her weird daydreams. She seems to agonize over the littlest things, but takes the most pride in accomplishing those trivial yet difficult tasks. For instance: while eating lunch at one point, she opens up a package that contains her chopsticks. Apparently, Osaka thinks it's good luck if you perfectly snap them in half. As she prepares for this monumental task, she focuses in with a steadfast determination, and carefully breaks them in two. She then looks up with a satisfied smile, and says, "hehehe" -- absolutely hilarious. Every episode is a different adventure, typically about an event going on at school. They go through cultural fairs, sporting events, and school fairs. Strangely, during summer vacation, the girls visit Chiyo's summer house with their teacher. Wherever they go, chaos eventually ensues, and hilarity triumphs. The girls constantly question themselves and each other over issues that (I assume) most girls think about. However, they ask questions with no reserve; if they want to know why Sakaki's breasts are bigger than Tomi's, they ask Sakaki herself. If they want to know about an experience with a man, they ask their teachers. I got a perverted kick out of Tomi's breast comparison discussions with Sakaki, and the drunken sexual experience conversation with their P.E teacher. Their overwrought sexual tension is without a doubt the most humorous and lucid element of the series. Mainly because of the Japanese teacher, Kimura-sensei. He's a pervert in every sense of the word, and he doesn't try to conceal his feelings regarding female dress policies either. One of his recommendations suggests that girls should be required to tuck their shirts in while wearing their P.E. uniform. He visually demonstrates the pros and cons of tucked and untucked during his class period, creating one of my favorite scenes of the entire series.  His and Her Circumstances was funny, even I have to admit that. It's over-the-top slapstick often caught me completely off guard. However, where His and Her Circumstances failed (in the comedy department), Azumanga Daioh flourishes. It's aware of when things are leaning towards overly redundant, and knows when a joke is no longer funny. The voice actresses have a masterful command over their characters, and consistently deliver precisely when it counts. I'm satisfied.
As a starting point for new fans or as a way for seasoned fans to broaden their horizons, Azumanga Daioh is the perfect choice. It's funny, charming, and absolutely irresistable. Get ready for a laughter-packed experience. * * * * (Very Good) Posted: February 14, 2004
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