Chris Beveridge
04-04-2008, 01:22 PM
AnimEigo plans to release the first season (Episodes 1-40) of Yawara early in 2008 (and may be able to get it out in time for Xmas if we don't spend every day answering "when will it be out?" emails). The format will be a set of DVD9's (1-sided, dual-layer DVDs, probably with 6-7 episodes per DVD) in a Multi Disc DVD Case. This preview disc review is of the first four episodes which has been done by long time DVD reviewer Luis Cruz
AnimEigo Yawara! Section (http://www.animeigo.com/PRODUCTS/YAWARA-PREVIEW.T)
Full disclosure, when AnimEigo first announced they had acquired Yawara, there was no doubt in my mind that I would be forking over the cash to purchase every DVD. Barring an absolute butchering of the audio or video, I would be watching this series from start to finish; I fell in love with it quite some time ago and was overjoyed it was licensed. When the call went out to reviewers for a peek at the first volume, I eagerly raised my hand to snag a copy, not for myself though. I had a sneaking suspicion that everything I loved about the series would charm my wife into watching the series.
The first four episodes of Yawara provide a quick but not rushed introduction to the titular character and her life. Inokuma Yawara is almost your typical high school girl; she is hoping to get into college and acquire a handsome boyfriend. However, she has one remarkable talent that separates her from her friends; since she was a young child, she has been secretly practicing judo under her grandfather's supervision.
Her grandfather just happens to be Inokuma Jigoro, the legendary but diminutive five time Japanese judo champion. He has grand plans for Yawara; she will not only win the gold medal in Barcelona, but she will also capture the National Medal of Honor. When not manipulating Yawara to meet these goals, he indulges his rapacious appetite for food and glory.
Yawara's secret is revealed when Matsuda, a sports reporter for a third-rate paper, manages to photograph Yawara using her skills to stop a purse snatcher. He immediately recognizes Yawara's natural talent for judo and vows to learn who this mysterious girl is and why she is not currently competing. Rounding out the cast is Yawara's rival, Hon'ami Sayaka and her coach Kazamatsuri; Sayaka is your stereotypical spoiled yet talented rich girl. She has conquered every sport she has tried but finally finds a worthy challenge in judo and Yawara.
Kazamatsuri is a playboy but also possesses a talent for judo. However, he has severe stage fright preventing him from competing on any level. Yawara quickly becomes enamored with his good looks and suave attitude. This may sound like a lot of material to cram into four episodes, but the story is never rushed and progresses smoothly.
On the surface, Yawara appears to be your standard sports anime revolving around the struggle of two strong rivals. Where Yawara differs is in the warmth and slice of life aspects it brings to the genre. One episode features Sayaka attempting to draw out Yawara on live TV, but Yawara is blissfully unaware of her rival's efforts. Instead, Yawara is trying to perfect her beef stroganoff recipe so she can serve it to Kazamatsuri.
For a show about judo, we see very little judo performed at the start. Instead, we see Yawara trying to fit judo into a normal life but not let it consume all of her life. While everyone around her is trying to get her natural judo ability to shine, she just wants what every girl wants, to have fun. It may be predictable, but the story moves along with plenty of humor and charm that draws you in and makes you love the characters.
My wife is notoriously difficult to get into any anime series; the number she has enjoyed can be counted on one hand with plenty of room to spare. As the final credits rolled on episode four, she turned to me and said "Yeah, I'm starting to get hooked on this one". Ippon!
Reviewed on: Mitsubishi 27" TV, Panasonic RP-82, Sony STR-DE915 DD receiver, Bose Acoustimass-6 speakers, generic S-Video and optical audio cable
AnimEigo Yawara! Section (http://www.animeigo.com/PRODUCTS/YAWARA-PREVIEW.T)
Full disclosure, when AnimEigo first announced they had acquired Yawara, there was no doubt in my mind that I would be forking over the cash to purchase every DVD. Barring an absolute butchering of the audio or video, I would be watching this series from start to finish; I fell in love with it quite some time ago and was overjoyed it was licensed. When the call went out to reviewers for a peek at the first volume, I eagerly raised my hand to snag a copy, not for myself though. I had a sneaking suspicion that everything I loved about the series would charm my wife into watching the series.
The first four episodes of Yawara provide a quick but not rushed introduction to the titular character and her life. Inokuma Yawara is almost your typical high school girl; she is hoping to get into college and acquire a handsome boyfriend. However, she has one remarkable talent that separates her from her friends; since she was a young child, she has been secretly practicing judo under her grandfather's supervision.
Her grandfather just happens to be Inokuma Jigoro, the legendary but diminutive five time Japanese judo champion. He has grand plans for Yawara; she will not only win the gold medal in Barcelona, but she will also capture the National Medal of Honor. When not manipulating Yawara to meet these goals, he indulges his rapacious appetite for food and glory.
Yawara's secret is revealed when Matsuda, a sports reporter for a third-rate paper, manages to photograph Yawara using her skills to stop a purse snatcher. He immediately recognizes Yawara's natural talent for judo and vows to learn who this mysterious girl is and why she is not currently competing. Rounding out the cast is Yawara's rival, Hon'ami Sayaka and her coach Kazamatsuri; Sayaka is your stereotypical spoiled yet talented rich girl. She has conquered every sport she has tried but finally finds a worthy challenge in judo and Yawara.
Kazamatsuri is a playboy but also possesses a talent for judo. However, he has severe stage fright preventing him from competing on any level. Yawara quickly becomes enamored with his good looks and suave attitude. This may sound like a lot of material to cram into four episodes, but the story is never rushed and progresses smoothly.
On the surface, Yawara appears to be your standard sports anime revolving around the struggle of two strong rivals. Where Yawara differs is in the warmth and slice of life aspects it brings to the genre. One episode features Sayaka attempting to draw out Yawara on live TV, but Yawara is blissfully unaware of her rival's efforts. Instead, Yawara is trying to perfect her beef stroganoff recipe so she can serve it to Kazamatsuri.
For a show about judo, we see very little judo performed at the start. Instead, we see Yawara trying to fit judo into a normal life but not let it consume all of her life. While everyone around her is trying to get her natural judo ability to shine, she just wants what every girl wants, to have fun. It may be predictable, but the story moves along with plenty of humor and charm that draws you in and makes you love the characters.
My wife is notoriously difficult to get into any anime series; the number she has enjoyed can be counted on one hand with plenty of room to spare. As the final credits rolled on episode four, she turned to me and said "Yeah, I'm starting to get hooked on this one". Ippon!
Reviewed on: Mitsubishi 27" TV, Panasonic RP-82, Sony STR-DE915 DD receiver, Bose Acoustimass-6 speakers, generic S-Video and optical audio cable