Customer Reviews

Lucky Star, Vol. 1

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This is by far, one of the best "limited" deals for one of the best anime series, ever. The T-Shirt is XL, and I'm going to wear it to work tomorrow. I expect odd looks, considering I'm a guy hahaha! The screen wipe (chocolate coronet) is just adorable - there's no way I'd have the heart to get it dirty from my screen. The music cd's are good - The opening song is full length, accompanied by another song which is just as enjoyable (also includes off-vocal versions). The second music cd is based off Konata - it's an enjoyable listen. For the dvd, Japanese vocal is preserved (with English subtitles!), and the English voice track...well I don't think I could watch it because I'm used to the Japanese vocals. So yes, the entire package is a definate 5 *'s.

For the anime itself, you'll either love it or hate it. I recommend watching "The Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi", as this anime makes "several" references to it. Lucky Star also references Japanese life and culture, so it may be difficult to make many connections, but fortunately, included with the DVD is a list of what things mean in Japanese culture! Good job on this one.

When I first laid eyes on Lucky Star, I really had no idea what I was watching. From the obscure yet (amazing!) opening theme, questions will rise to the head very quickly as you try to assume what this series is made of. Of course, as I watched Lucky Star, I grew more and more into it, and so first impressions affected me no longer. Set to the everyday lives of four Highschool girls, Lucky Star is a comedy anime which questions the aspects of everything. Each episode is composed of multiple short scenes (like Peanuts or Garfield) in which they talk about or refer to specific subjects (commonly refering to pop culture), and many times you find that you can relate to what they are talking about, this is why I enjoyed it so much. There are tons of referances to other anime and videogames, and this is why I assume it gained popularity so quickly as it was dubbed the most popular anime of 2007 in Japan.

However, I can foresee that the English version might not appeal to as many viewers, probably because many of the jokes and subjects that are popular in Lucky Star pertain to the Japanese culture. Of course this doesn't mean that casual anime fans will dislike the show, as I know people who do not even watch anime who loved the show. Yet, I believe very few people know what it is so far, and so its possible only the huge anime fans will know it even exists. I've heard that the English voice cast was good, and I look forward to discovering exactly how good they are. I was incredibly pleased with the Japanese cast, as Hirano Aya did a flawless job on Konata Izumi, the main character.

I also hear that the manga is coming to America; under Tokyo Pop. This I really look forward to, as the manga was done in 4-panel comic strips throughout each volume, and has the same comedy from the show, if not better. Keep a lookout for it!


All in all, I believe that people who find the series will enjoy it, Lucky Star kind of has something for everyone. However, I will admit that the first episode can be a bad first impression, and in my opinion I found that after that episode, the series escalates into a great show. The characters are designed well, the humor is fresh, the animation is well done, and despite american appeal, I believe it has surprises in store for any anime fan. 5/5

Lucky Star is a unique delight in anime. Where most series follow the standard trend of every other show in existence of following a long, strung-out and sometimes convoluted plotline, Lucky Star subscribes to the K.I.S.S. method, or more appropriately, the Seinfeld approach. Essentially, it's an anime about nothing.

Following the lives of four Japanese teenage girls (Yes, they're all 17-ish despite their prepubescent look), Lucky Star keeps things high-paced with short segments strung together in each episode, usually focused around the four girls talking about aspects of their lives, their dreams, their questions and thoughts, or just overall goofing around. It never really follows any sort of singular plotline or progression, save for the movement of the year, but the dialogue and antics of the characters keep you fascinated, and the pacing and timing remains high, making sure that you don't get bored.

The majority of the series' laughs come in the form of references and jabs to anime, gaming and the resultant cultures, but there's something here for everyone regardless of their level of anime fandom. In Lucky Star, we get an honest and adorable glimpse into the lives and thoughts of young girls growing up in Japan, and all at once the viewer gains insight as well as finds similarities. Before long, you'll wonder who you are and who amongst your circle of friends fits the mold of the show's characters. Each episode wraps up with Lucky Channel, featuring the antics of fallen diva Akira and her assistant-cum-punching bag Shiraishi, which almost always provides side-splitting moments.

Huge kudos has to go to the localization team and English vocal talent, who retain the charm and cute level of the characters they voice, though many will still proclaim that the Japanese cast cannot be touched. Better still, the references to Japanese culture and lifestyles remain intact--a brave and wise move by Bandai Entertainment. They could have easily gone the 4Kids route and attempt to re-mold the series to better suit American trends and tastes, but here all things are left intact, preserving the colorful and insightful nature of the show.

Even if you're a passing fan of anime, you owe it to yourself to check out Lucky Star. It's funny, it's whimsical, it's fascinating, and it's all around plain unchecked fun. Everyone could use a dose of kawaii now and then.

The best review is one that tells you exactly what you're getting:

I was quite surprised at just how well made physically the items i the set are. The box itself has a lip so the DVD's don't fall out (as in i can literally hold it upside down with the one disc it it and nothing will move.) as well as coming with a ribbon to pull them out if it proves troublesome, and art EVERYWHERE, even inside the box. The CD's are excellent, with lyrics in the insert and nice art. the coronet screenwipe is interesting, and a nice complementary novelty. The shirt is nice, good quality (though if i ever wore it in public i'd be called MANY things.) The DVD case is a special edition (which means it has alternate artwork) that is pretty cool, and comes with liner notes as said above so you can fully understand all of the humor. The show itself, is as said before, love it or hate it, but if you're buying the disc, you like it.

If you've ever called yourself an otaku, this series is for you. If you've ever scheduled your life so that you could watch an anime, this series is for you. If you've ever gone without sleep at work or school because you were just too wrapped up in a new series or manga to sleep, this series is for you. If cosplay is a passion and conventions are your idea of a vacation, this series is for you. If you are one of the few, the proud, the geeky... this series is for you.



Not everyone is going to get this series; those who do are going to know exactly why. This has the makings of the next great otaku comedy. Highly recommended.

I have been heavy into anime for ten years now, and my favorite animes such as: Black Lagoon, Claymore, Ergo Proxy, etc. (adult themes).

Lucky Star is a cute-sy style anime, and yes, it may not be for everyone.

I agree it will be enjoyed more by fans of anime, due to all the references to existing anime. But this anime was not solely targeted to otaku/fans...anyone can enjoy it.

I can't get into the english dub. It doesn't do the show justice. The "cuteness" of the japanese voice actors matches the characters perfectly - English voice actors can't come close. But that is just my opinion.

Regarding the other comment posted here from Guillermo (or whatever) April 24th, 2008: I couldn't disagree more with you. Plus, if you think Cromartie High School is good anime, that says much about your taste. That is the most horrible joke of an anime ever released. I understand completely there is no arguing taste - but cmon, you're joking, right?

Bottom line: regardless what level anime fan you are --> if you enjoy watching anime and can appreciate the japanese audio with english subs, don't miss Lucky Star, you really should check it out - you will have a great deal of fun.

appdevman

Ah, Lucky Star.. an excellent anime for those just looking for complete random comedy and is full of parodies. The anime follows the life of high school girls, one of them being an otaku (just like I am, but I'm not as hard core as Konata Izumi is).

[...] was excellent with shipping when I pre-ordered this a little over a month ago. By the time it was officially released, I got the the box set in 2 days, using the free shipping option. I was rather surprised, and glad about how fast it actually got here. Everything was in great condition, even the shirt was. (bit big for me though XD)

Lucky Star isn't for everyone, but I'm sure there are many people who like animes like these.

I loved this item i purchased it for myself. I am 11 and i was watching ot with my 3 yr old neice and she also loved it. overall this was an amazing product and i am very happy i bought it!!!

Those familiar with Lucky Star will get exactly what they want out of this DVD. It contains the first 4 episodes of the anime, with both English and the original Japanese voices and both English and Japanese subtitles. It also contains plenty of extras, including a text-less version of the opening theme song with lyrics so you can learn and sing along with it and the amusing 'Adventures of Minoru Shiraishi' series. The case itself is a simple white color and all the text on the box is brightly colored so it pops and is easy to read.

If you're unfamiliar with the series, Lucky Star was originally a manga short series written by Kagami Yoshimizu published in issues of Comptiq starting back in 2004, and it eventually went on to become its own fully published book series and then the anime you see before you. It is a series of loose stories mostly following Konata Izumi, twins Kagami and Tsukasa Hiiragi, and Miyuki Takara, four friends attending high school in the city of Kasukabe. Their conversations range from anime and manga to how to properly eat a chocolate cornet. Always light-hearted and amusing, it's highly recommended for people who want a light, feel-good anime to watch and are perhaps feeling a bit lethargic.

my daughter is into manga and anime and loves this series...l little quirky at times due to the culture differences but she loves it and can't wait to to get the next dvd in the series.