Chobits - Persocom (Vol. 1)

Chobits is not at all sexist, its doesn't degrade women, nor does it sterotype women as sex objects. It's a very cute series and the characters are very lovable. Chobits is full of light humor and it's very easy to get into. The animations are absolutely fantastic, the characters are lovable, and the story is interesting. What else is there to say? Practically everybody who've spent more than 5 minutes with this (unlike Mr. Solomon here) have fallen in love with this series. The earlier episodes, like the ones on this dvd are especially good.

PS - To call Chi passive and unexpressive is an insult to everybody's intelligence.

Chobits tries to be a lot of things at once... a love story, a drama, a fanservice comedy. What is amazing it that it manages to stay so interesting. About the only negative thing I can say here is that Chobits deals frequently with sexual subject matter. But if you have access to cable TV then you and your kids have already seen enough to make this lightweight as far as adult subject matter.

@#$@! I just can't find much to criticize.

I give up. I admit it. I like Chobits. A lot. I want Chobits merchandise, and I want more Chobits DVDs to come out. Syrup never tasted sooo gooood.

Hideki Motosuwa, 18, has worked on a farm all his life, and is shattered to find out that he was rejected from the college of his choice. He decides to go to the big city and enroll in a Yobikou or Cram School (similar to Kaplan Prep or Princeton Review programs) to get into school. The first thing that catches his eye is the popular Persocon phenomenon--nearly everyone he sees when he first steps into the city has one form or another of human-looking robot companions (the jutting ear/headpieces being the only way to identify them). Sadly for farm-boy Hideki, they cost an exorbitant amount of money. Still, nearly everyone has one (they're equivalent to the popularity of cell phones for us), and he continues to want one.

Leave it to wishful thinking to have Hideki find a near-naked Persocon lying in the trash by his apartment complex. He takes her home and (here comes the PG-13/Feminist Beware part) activates it by pressing in what is quite a special spot. She comes to life but with one flaw: she can only say the word "Chi."

Through the various friends he makes in this first disc--landlady Hibya, neighbor and classmate Shinbo (and his adorable mini-mobile Persocon Sumomo), as well as Persocon expert/child genius Minoru (and his own Persocon Yuzuki)--Hideki finds that his Persocon (soon to be named "Chi") is running without an operating system or learning software, with processing speeds of nearly infinite capacity. Shinbo and Minoru theorize on what Chi could be: a Chobits, a legendary series of Persocons that, above all their unique abilities, can exercise free will.

The series continues as such; Hideki juggling school, a part-time job, teaching Chi words and manners, while everyone attempts to find out 1) if Chi is indeed a Chobits, 2) who made her, 3) what her full capabilities are. Several subplots include a mysterious e-mailer sending photos and clues of what appears to be Chi; a series of fairy tale books that hooks Chi, and seem oddly to relate to Hideki and her situation. Thematically, "Chobits" puts forth reasonably deep questions regarding identity: what is it to be human? What is it to be a Persocon? And can love cross those boundaries? There is a mid-sized pool of characters in "Chobits," each with their own experiences regarding love and Persocons, as well as two powerful, independent-minded Persocons named Dita and Jima, the former seemingly bent on finding and stopping Chi.

The art is great; Japanese animators have become so extremely skilled as to seamlessly integrate computer graphics and effects into the drawings, as well as easily use various lighting and multi-layering techniques. "Chobits" features a very active camera that constantly changes angles, zooms in and out, and appropriately get blurry or sharp. The soundtrack includes one of the catchiest opening and ending themes; not since "Cowboy Bebop" has the "adventurous/comedic" music been so appropriately used, and not since "Rurouni Kenshin" has a melancholy piano instrumental been used so perfectly to evoke sadness. The Japanese vocals for Chi and Sumomo better match their images than the English dubs, the only significant vocal difference.

The PG-13 issue...There is no flat out nudity or even excessive swearing or violence, but "Chobits" certainly doesn't lack for adult topics. Kidnapping, adultery, pornography and inappropriate touches are all covered in "Chobits." Thankfully, the computer jargon isn't overwhelming; computer illiterates won't falter since the main character (Hideki) is himself quite a naive dolt when it comes to those things.

The feminist issue...This is a series that more likely than not would cause a walkout if it were played on Oprah or The View. Persocons are almost exclusively female in "Chobits," and not once in the 26-episode series, other than Jimma (who appears in the last 1/4 of the series), is a male Persocon brought in as a major character, although you can oftentimes glimpse male persocons in the background. Chi is *extremely* submissive--everything she does is "to make Hideki happy." Minoru's Victoria's Secret-clad maids and Sumomo's genie outfit will certainly raise eyebrows as well. But to counter, several female characters do play key, empowered parts: Shimizu the teacher, fierce Persocon Dita, as well as the flipside to landlady Hibya's identity. On a more open-minded level, "Chobits" is more concerned with the ideas of love and devotion for those you care for. For each of Chi's submissive actions is a life-risking display by Hideki as well.

No giant robots, no major sword and kung fu fights; still, "Chobits" is highly watchable for its unique atmosphere, a mystery unfolded at just the right pace, and the eye-candy art. You can forward through three "recap"-type episodes: one in the middle, the second to last one, and parts of the last episode, all of which merely play montages of what had happened in the series. Highly recommended for most all anime fans.