14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A heartwarming tale about a boy and his android maid..., February 1, 2003
This review is from: Mahoromatic - Automatic Maiden - Combat Maid (Vol. 1) (DVD)
Though it's been explored in other animes (such as Bannou Bunka Neko Musume [Nuku-Nuku], and Hand Maid May), Mahoromatic takes the popular manga and transforms it into an anime that has all the element of an anime series worth holding on to. With all due respect to the Amazon.com reviewer, it seems as though he may have run this anime through the cynic-o-matic before refusing to allow the story to be told. Mahoromatic is the charming story about a junior high school student learning to cope with the loss of his father and mother, while also taking on a live-in maid to see to the housekeeping duties. When he calls upon a maid placement service to fulfill that request, they send assistance in the form of the battle-android-turned-domestic, Mahoro (voiced by Kawasumi Ayako: Melfina from Outlaw Star). Sick of fighting, she decides to live out the rest of her time (398 days) as a maid to this pre-teen. Though she's more than meets the eye, they both find in each other a bond: he in learning to open up to someone else, and she in learning all there is to know about him. A stunning character story from director Yamaga Hiroyuki (Wings of Honneamise), Mahoromatic will make you fast-forward through the ending credit just to get to the next episode quicker. Don't miss it!
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8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A fantastic tale that skillfully mixes tragedy and comedy, June 1, 2003
This review is from: Mahoromatic - Automatic Maiden - Combat Maid (Vol. 1) (DVD)
(Normally I don't put up reviews, but in this case I feel I must, if nothing else than to counter the apparently soul-less Amazon Editorial by Charles Solomon. Who the heck is this guy?! all his reviews I've read so far are so blatantly opposite of the truth it borders on plain stupidity - but enough venting, on to the actual review.)
Mahoromatic is a very depth-fill series that centers around the relationship of Mahoro and Suguru Misato. Unknown to Suguru, his father served alongside Mahoro as a commander in a secret government organization that has been defending the planet from alien invaders - wacky plot? No, the key to this series is that it is able to take what on the surface may be absurd situations and turn it into strongly heart-felt moments. Though overall the tone of the series is comedic, there is constant underlying tragedy as slowly each episode counts down to the number of days Mahoro still has remaining. The show plays out in a rollercoaster ride of stomach-hurting laughs, and throat-lumping misty eyes. Gainax has achieved an incredible balance between the gut-busting banter of Mahoro and Shikijo-sensei, and the repenting whispers of Mahoro's "..I don't want to die." It is difficult to provide a truthful review without revealing too much information, but suffice it to say that the story's extremely memorable characters will reside with you long after the last episode is done. My only wish was that Gainax could have chosen a less heart-breaking ending...
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Funny, dramatic and powerfully complex, June 22, 2004
This review is from: Mahoromatic - Automatic Maiden - Combat Maid (Vol. 1) (DVD)
Heads-up warning: this series earned its 16+ rating with flying colors. Moreso than any previous Pioneer (Geneon) DVD series.
That aside, introductions go well. These first four episodes are the beginning of a bizarre ride involving intergalactic war, horny junior-high schoolers, one very perverted hottie teacher, and how & why an android designed for war becomes a house maid. Sound convoluted enough? Good...
I find nearly all of the characters so far to be quite enjoyable. I'm saying nearly beacuse the perverted teacher leaves me a bit turned off. For me, the less seen of her, the better. I have to knock a star of this series on account of her, Sorry. She is funny though.
We first meet Mahoro, the retired combat android. She handles her existence quite lightly and shows no fear, often revealing that she had indured much more hardship in battle. Though she became a maid, she often asserts her opinions when she deems necessary (dirty thoughts?). It's also revealed that her reasons for becoming a maid are not simply to take on a humble lifestyle. Suguru Misato doesn't seem to be much different from Mahoro, even though he is human and has never seen combat first-hand. He is not a super hero, but he exihibits excellent leadership skills under pressure. He also has a lot of brotherly respect for all of his peers, treating even Mahoro as an equal. This is a breath of fresh air for me. Even though their social positions elicit an obvious superior male ruling over a subservient female. Their actions contradict that every step of the way.
Their band of friends round out a somewhat stereotypical cast, but not too poorly. Many of their quirks are interesting and funny. From a raging food-addict to the jealous "other guys" there is definate energy about them. One gets the feeling that these friends have been together for a while and will be willing to help each other out in times of need.
This looks like it's going to be a series that will pull no punches. There will be no scene too perverted (well.. kind of), no pun untapped, and no emotion left alone. Every episode ends with a morbidly somber countdown timer right before the credits. All indications show that this story, as funny as it is, may not be as uplifting as it seems.
That being said, to anyone not willing to accept that, I advise you avoid this series and go watch Disney's "Little Mermaid", no matter what Hans Christian Anderson origionally wrote.
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