Grrl Power! (2002)
Review by Dindrane
Film:
DVD:

Written & Directed by Akitaro Daichi

Features:

• Q&A with Japanese cast
  
• Interview with English cast
  
• Interview with writer/director Daichi
  
• Audio commentary with English cast
  
• Production sketches
  
• Featurette from Japanese premiere
  

Dindrane's Anime Warnings:

• Chibi characters
• Cute, but not TOO cute
• Some irritating incidental music

Released by: ADV
Region: 1
Rating: 12+
Anamorphic: Yes.

My Advice: A must for young fans

Grrl Power, based on the manga of the same name, relates the adventures of three young schoolgirls who have their own business--an odd jobs service that handles anything...for a price, and only if they like you and believe in your job. But as cutesy as this might all seem, this OAV is a bit more than you might expect; this is no mere Snow Fairy Sugar. The plots are actually beautifully paced and action-packed, and the show manages to avoid killing you with saccharine, not unlike another fan-favorite with female ensemble cast, Azumanga Diaoh.

The trio consists of the usual female stereotypes: we have Ao, the kind brains of the group, the "everygirl," the spirited tomboy Sora, and of course the pretty, flirty Umi in her pink dress. The major categories of Japanese, indeed "modern," womanhood are represented. The characters work well together to create interesting plot twists and provide someone for just about any viewer to identify with.

The features list is surprisingly nice, perhaps because the OAV is so short. We get Q&A type interviews with the Japanese voice actresses and an interview with the English voice actresses, as well. We also get an interview with Akitaro Daichi, the writer and director of the show, an audio commentary (where the English actresses even break into character, which is amusing), and a selection of production sketches that will fascinate and please any sketch artist, anime fan, or production geek. A final feature is a short film showing off the film's premiere in Japan--a neat insight into Japanese life and how films are handled outside the Western world. It's unusual for a one-off show, especially one without a pre-existing fan base, to get this sort of treatment, so we should appreciate it when we can and thank ADV for their attention with our dollars.

The audio and video quality are both first-rate. Both the English and Japanese casts are skilled, lacking the usual screechy quality that makes some female characters nigh unto unwatchable in some other shows (Rini, I'm looking at you). The animation quality really shows up in the sign language that is an integral part of the show; sloppy production values would have ruined everything. Everything about the cast and crew screams out "fun," and while the show itself has many moments of pathos, you won't be sorry to see this one.

Basically, if you have a youngish girl in the house, get this for her to try out. As an OVA, you don't have to worry about sinking hundreds of dollars into numerous series box sets. The suggested age range is 12+, but younger girls should be able to follow the action just fine, and there is nothing offensive here for parents to consider. Even though the film itself is less than half an hour, this disc is still worth the price and more. Fans of shows like Fruits Basket, Sailor Moon, and Di Gi Charat or anime fans sick of the sex, horror, and angst of recent years will be pleased as punch with this one. If you're tired of boys getting all the fun in anime or just want something a little less violent for your spawn to enjoy, then Grrl Power could be your answer.