Customer Reviews

Hand Maid May - Memory Failure (Vol. 3)

5 star:		(33)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Actually, I was quite reluctant to purchase Hand Maid May as I feel that anime seems to be getting more and more expensive. However I decided to give it a try, and I definitely think I got my money's worth.

Satome Kazuya is a your typical comedy anime hero : poor, has weird friends, but is surrounded AND adored by girls and has genius level intellect. He's very much into computer programming, and is finalising an Artificial Intelligence program to be used in his squid robot, Ikariya (such a cute thing !!! If there were a soft toy of Ikariya I would definitely buy it). Insanely jealous of his past successes, his disgustingly rich best "friend" cum jealous rival from childhood, Nanbara, (perhaps the most obnoxious and yet endearingly FUNNY character to ever appear in an anime ever !!!) gives him a CD-ROM promising Satome that the software within contains the most up-to-date A.I program ever developed.

Not surprisingly, Satome, the most innocent character this side of Tenchi, loads the program which contains Nanbara's personal virus. Hijinks and laughter ensue as the virus is an insult program that proclaims Nanbara's everlasting greatness. (Hit the rewind button on this one over and over again...it's one of the funniest sequences in anime history !!!) With the virus uploaded into the computer, Satome accidentally orders a cyber doll from Cyberdyne, and thus, Hand Maid May is introduced into the series as a 1-foot cyberdoll that relies frequent recharging using a USB cable plugged into...erm...ahem...her unmentionables.

Every character in the Hand Maid May series is instantly lovable. You have the hero, Satome, who blushes constantly even though he seems to harbour a hidden desire to stare at the "taboo" areas of the females that surround him.

Then there is Kasumi, the tomboy but sentimental daughter of Kasumi hostel, who is not only Satome's best friend, but also shows a lot of romantic interest in Satome.

May, the cyberdoll, is sweet and innocent and is SOOOOO adorably cute !!! She always tries her best to help Satome with the housework and daily chores, but for the first few episodes, makes quite a mess of things.

And of course, Nanbara himself, the most HILARIOUS "villain" ever to appear in an anime !!! Nanbara is pompous and greedy, and most of the show's funniest moments involve him; if he's not being hit by giant stuffed bears or falling down from ladders, he's generally making a fool of himself by overexaggerating his movements and actions. The two other characters in the first four episodes, Rena, the child cyberdoll who has a penchant for being overly cute and getting her way through crying, and Sala, the ramen-devouring cyberdoll who appears to be a villain at first glance, but actually has a sensitive side AND a thing for Satome as well, are equally lovable and able to identify with. In fact, you should be able to identify with anyone of the characters, or at least know someone who resembles their personalities.

Hand Maid May is definitely a must-see for fans of Tenchi Muyo. In my opinion, it's much more hilarious, and the characters are definitely cuter than any other anime character, even Cardcaptor Sakura !!! The one thing I must caution you about though, is the amount of fan service in the series. There's a LOT of bouncy chests, bra straps slipping and panty shots, but there's no real nudity shown at all, nor is sex suggested at any time in the series. In fact, the fan service adds to the appeal of the show by making moments more awkward and thus funnier.

Both the opening and ending themes are catchy and will leave you humming at the beginning and after each episode. The "Next episode" blurbs don't make much sense though, you just get more of Nanbara screaming in his weird but endearingly humourous voice. Give this anime a try if you're looking for an anime with either (1) funny or (2) extremely cutesy characters and plots !!!

Story : 5 of 5
Picture Quality : 5 of 5
Sound Quality : 4 of 5
Price : 4 of 5 (still a bit too expensive for me though)

(Note: This review is based on watching the original Japanese edition. Based on other Pioneer dubs I have watched, not much should be changed for the English dubbed version.)

Kazuya Saotome is a college student who lives at the Kasumi Sou (Inn). His dream is to build a doraemon (robot). He is always being followed by his school rival Kotaro Nanbara. One day Kotaro gives Kazuya a computer disc. Kazuya runs the disc, which turns out to be a net virus. While the virus was running, unknowing to Kazuya, an order is placed at the Cyberdyne Co. Several minutes later, there's a knock on the door. Kazuya receives a parcel. Inside the box is CBD May, a cyberdoll about 1/6 the size of a human girl. The doll is an excellent work of artificial intelligence. Once Kotaro finds out about May, he is doing whatever he can to get the cyberdoll. But Kotaro is not the only one. The Cyberdyne Co. is also looking for payment of the US$1.45 million price tag for the CBD May.

This anime series, although short (10 episodes plus a "video only" episode), is truely a winner. Hand Maid May allows you to use your imagination and realize that it does not matter what someone is (human or cyberdoll), you can care for them just the same. Overall, I give this series an A-.

Parents: Hand Maid May is the story of a boy who has several lifelike robots (cyberdolls) fall in love with him. Almost every episode contains at least one or two borderline ecchi (suggestive) references such as bouncing breasts and up the skirt scenes that many animes are known for. Besides this, there is no sex in this series. The only violence is the comical type that is typical in anime. As with most anime, the storyline is the focus and most episodes have a cliffhanger. I recommend Hand Maid May to 13 and up.

I'm kind of up in the air about this series. While the amazon review basically calls it a waste of time, I don't agree. Hand Maid May is a short and sweet series. While it is basically a harem comedy ala Love Hina or Steel Angel Kurumi, it did have a couple of elements that made it stand out.
1. Unlike Hideki in Chobits, or the guy from Love Hina, Kazuya strikes me as a nice, NORMAL guy. I still, to this day, can't figure out Hideki's attraction, but Kazuya generally seems to care about everything, and everyone. This helps to explain everyone's attraction to him. OK, I got that
2. May is a very sweet character. She tries very hard, and she seems genuine. Or, as genuine as an anime character can be. This point comes in handy when you have to belive her love for Kazuya. I'm sorry, but the romance in Steel Angel Kurumi was unrealistic, and as much as I love Chobits...I never once believed Chi had anything approaching feelings. May, however, makes me believe.
3. I didn't feel any of the ridiculousness of characters I did in Love Hina. Naru, for instance, drove me nuts with her Keitaro, you pervert shouts every 5 minutes. Come on...cut the guy a break...especially when it isn't his fault. Ahem. While Mom was over the top, I felt that the characters in HMM were very genuine and entertaining.
4. This is SHORT! You almost can't get hung up on the oddities or inconsistencies in this series because it is so short. 11 episodes does not take too long to watch, and the story wrapped up quite nicely by the end. (unlike ANYTHING by gainax!)
All in all, I'd say this series is worth the watch. It is a heartwarming, if unoriginal, tale.

This is one of those series that you're almost embarrassed to admit that you like. The packaging leads you to believe it's another cutesy anime, until you open it and find a few...er, revealing drawings on the insert. The packaging is more ecchi than the series, although the series does have its moments (some of which give the old Gainax bounce a run for its money). Once you actually start watching the series, though, you're likely to become addicted to it very quickly. Sure, the genre's been done before, but not to my knowledge with a 1/6th human sized "cyberdoll" as the star. You really start caring about May, Kazuya, and Kasumi as the series progresses. Even the 'bad guys' are fun, especially given their high rate of defection to May's/Kazuya's side (Sara is one of my all-time favorite 'nemesis' characters now - watch the series and you'll see why). This DVD wraps up the series with 3 regular episodes and a special bonus that was only included on the original Japanese DVD set. If you enjoyed the drama of the middle episodes, you'll really love the way the series ends - while it's no dramatic masterpiece, it's extremely well done for a show of this type. You'll also love the bonus episode, which is arguably the funniest one of the series. All in all, it's a show worth your time - as long as you can see past the gratuitous panty shots, that is. ;-)

Being a college student, I don't particularly have much time on my hands to watch a full 26-episode series consistantly, so I'm working with spurts of Anime. Enter Hand Maid May, which is a sweet 11 episodes about a computer programmer who accidently orders an expensive, 5-inch maid online, and the funny events that happen afterwards.

Granted, the majority of characters are female, and there is an emphasis of fan service (hence the 13+ warning). However, there's no nudity nor adult situations, and the comedic elements kept me pleased with the anime overall.

Although more than half of the time the series is just introducing characters, there's still an underlying plot (pretty imaginative, and not often used in anime, either) that ties everything together.

And the characters, both male and female, have their redeeming charms, which you'll soon impersonate. (best do it when you're alone, though, to save yourself from looking like the greatest idiot in the world.

The DVD compliments this even further, thanks to Pioneer. A lot of nice extras to be seen in the DVD, and after the first few episodes, you'll like the menu even more.

Overall, if you're looking for something quick, funny, and at times sentimental, then Hand Maid May is just the thing for you.

(Note: This review is based on watching the original Japanese edition. Based on other Pioneer dubs I have watched, not much should be changed for the English dubbed version.)

Kazuya Saotome is a college student who lives at the Kasumi Sou (Inn). His dream is to build a doraemon (robot). He is always being followed by his school rival Kotaro Nanbara. One day Kotaro gives Kazuya a computer disc. Kazuya runs the disc, which turns out to be a net virus. While the virus was running, unknowing to Kazuya, an order is placed at the Cyberdyne Co. Several minutes later, there's a knock on the door. Kazuya receives a parcel. Inside the box is CBD May, a cyberdoll about 1/6 the size of a human girl. The doll is an excellent work of artificial intelligence. Once Kotaro finds out about May, he is doing whatever he can to get the cyberdoll. But Kotaro is not the only one. The Cyberdyne Co. is also looking for payment of the US$1.45 million price tag for the CBD May.

This anime series, although short (10 episodes plus a "video only" episode), is truely a winner. Hand Maid May allows you to use your imagination and realize that it does not matter what someone is (human or cyberdoll), you can care for them just the same. Overall, I give this series an A-.

Parents: Hand Maid May is the story of a boy who has several lifelike robots (cyberdolls) fall in love with him. Almost every episode contains at least one or two borderline ecchi (suggestive) references such as bouncing breasts and up the skirt scenes that many animes are known for. Besides this, there is no sex in this series. The only violence is the comical type that is typical in anime. As with most anime, the storyline is the focus and most episodes have a cliffhanger. I recommend Hand Maid May to 13 and up.

I had heard about this series when I got "I Dream of Mimi". It was made to sound rather...risque. Some were calling it Hentai. I figured that it couldn't be as risque as "Mimi" was.

Turns out I was right.

This was a sweet story. Some would say a bit predictable...
True...but no more so than in most superhero comics.

Almost all the characters were likeable (Sorry, Kotoro, you're a BIT too much over the top, even for an anime...), filled with life, convincing, and enjoyable to watch. The plotline, for the most part, was solid, as well.

However, I did think that the aforementioned plotline began to fragment a bit as it neared the conclusion, just when I was beginning to hope that everything would all come together and be answered. (Most specifically, time travel and causality regarding Kazuya/Kotaro and thier destinies). (I would've preferred the 11th episode to address these logical problems, rather than being the enjoyable 'filler' episode that it came off being, IMO.) Then again, that MAY be intentional on the creators' part, and it may all be resolved if they choose to do more episodes in the future. I DO hope they do so, as the characters all but BEG to be developed further...

The additional CD in this set was was enjoyable to read through, with behind-the-scenes info on the series, the characters, and the creators.

(I thought that Kotoro's 'music area' on disk #1 was cute, but unnecessary.)

The audio character snippits in the 4 DVD's were enjoyable. I'd love to put them as sounds on my computer.

All told, even with those few minor quibbles, I heartily believe I got my money's worth with this set. It's another gem for my growing anime collection and WELL worth the money, IMHO.

(One last question...If May, at a foot tall (Barbie-sized) costs $1,450,000...how much would the full-sized Sara, Mami, Kei or Rena be? $1 billion?)

This anime is truly one of the best I have seen. It's funny, cute, but most of all, it's has something what some of the anime I've seen don't have-PLOT. This series has more plot than Ranma 1/2 and Sailor Moon combined. Although I like Ranma 1/2 and Sailor Moon, I still like Hand Maid May, too. But parents beware, rated PG-13 UP

I have to applaude the director for this show. From scene to scene, the pacing is an example of how all anime and cartoons should be made. You're given little room to anticipate the next joke, and what pulls it all together is the best bunch of characters ever pulled together for any show! (A warning: A lot of humor depends a lot on visual fan service)
I was wondering, though, if the second half of the series is essential. Because the first five episodes can stand alone as an OVA that's as good as "Oh My Goddess!" I find episode 5 a particularly sweet and romantic episode. Anyway, it's a good thing they made more stories involving May, and there seems to be something deeper that's brewing in the Cyberdyne Corporation--I can't wait to see the ending.

this is an alright show nothing great but enjoyable. it centers around a guy named kazuya who accidently orders a miniature cyberdoll maid named may who does your typical maid things like cleaning house, cooking etc. as time passes they start getting feelings for each other but then comes the part of this show that really irks me.

this is an 11 episode series and that is way way to few to keep adding all these new characters every episode. the show is just fine with kazuya may and the nextdoor neighbor kasumi(more on her later) and one of the them comes at nearly the very end of the show you hardly even get a chance to know her. they are all cyber maids who for one reason or another hang around kazuya. there are just too many characters and there is absolutely zero character development except for a little bit from may if that even counts. by the time the show is over you wont know much about the other cyber maids that you wouldnt have figured out 10 seconds after seeing them for the first time.

there are a lot of girls so that means there has to be fanservice, about 95% of this comes from kasumi who always seems to at just the right angle that gives you a shot right up her skirt so you can see her panties. every episode has at least 1 panty shot and everytime she "accidently" flashes them kazuya always peeks. not really recommened for younger viewers.

i cant really say the plot is rushed as there really isnt much in the way of a plot. the next door neighboor kasumi and may have a crush on the kazuya and they feud at times, the other girls supposedly have a crush on him too but youd have a hard time telling at times. when it gets near the end of the series it is somewhat interesting and does get to be a little better but then before you know it the show is over abruptly, the ending did not feel like a real ending i was not satisfied with it.

if you have 5 hours to kill this is an enjoyable watch and its actually not as predictable as some other animes(ok i know thats not saying much but there are a couple scenes that may surprise you)but after its over you will either wish it was longer or wasnt that impressed with it, it just leaves you with a sense of incompleteness if you can i would just rent it or borrow it from someone unless your just into shows with lots of girls and lots of panty shots and if your that type then there are plenty of better choices