Anime Retrospective Review: Di Gi Charat (The Original Series)

Well, that new season of D.Gray-man I was waiting for still has not arrived so I have decided to take a look at an older anime series I happen to keep on hand. At the very least, I will have something old to compare to the many new releases that are supposed to flood my inbox based on the mascots of the popular anime merchandise store Gamers in Akihabara and with a total of 16 episodes spanning only one DVD, Di Gi Charat is an insanely cute and funny series that certainly kills an hour.

An alien space ship lands in Akihabara and out pop the cute Di Gi Charat (aka Dejiko), her little sister Petit Charat (Puchiko), and their guardian Gema. Dejiko sets her sights on becoming a Japanese idol but the three wind up working at the local Gamers store and embark on various wacky misadventures each spanning about three minutes. In the course of one hour, Dejiko & company will gain a new rival, several fans, fight aliens, learn to shoot lasers out of their eyes, get possessed by clam spirits, hold a party night, and celebrate Christmas with a bang.

While Di Gi Charat is pretty much an advertisement for the Gamers store, the show itself had some wonderful qualities. The episodes run at a frenetic pace full of gags, jokes, and insults. It is simply impossible to watch the show with a straight face. Its bizarre situations will surprise viewers as they wonder what the writers were drinking when they came up with those ideas. Despite the cheap animation, the character designs are unique and enduring. From the background shoppers shaped like thumbs to the girls' outfits catering to various anime fans, those designs remain iconic to anime. The English dub voices take a lot of getting used to as they attempt to recreate their original Japanese counterparts. But the lines remain funny in either language track and the DVD provides liner notes explaining cultural references.

The success of the original Di Gi Charat led to further stories like their summer & Christmas adventures, an alternative version in Di Gi Charat Nyo, and a prequel series Panyo Panyo Di Gi Charat. They each have a humorous and cutesy charm in its own right, but it is the original series that I turn to for cute comedy relief. Judging from the Di Gi Charat merchandise I managed to accrue despite never setting foot in a Gamers, it is safe to say that Dejiko & company successfully served as marketing mascots.