Title - "Kid Shinsengumi Moeyo Ken"/"Kidou Shinsengumi Moeyo Ken"
Alternative title(s) - "Mobile Shinsengumi Burning Sword"
Genre(s) - Action, comedy, etc.

I'll try my best to not be so biased in this review. Why? If you have seen the fan sub of it by now, you should know who did the editing. Yup, yours truly did edit the script.

"Kid Shinsengumi Moeyo Ken" is a 4-OVA series from Marvelous Entertainment and Pony Canyon that came out a couple months ago, which is based on the Play Station 2 game of Enterbrain and Red Entertainment from the year before last year. Taking place in 19th century Japan, various demons have attacked villages. It's up to the trio of the tomboyish Kond Yko, the graceful Hijikata Toshie, and the young Okita Kaoru to protect the villages with mobile armor they wear. Of course, along the way there are moments of insanity, as the trio would get into arguements quite often.

Who's causing these problems? Look no further than the trio of Saotome Miki, the mistress, Tanaka Ukon, the knight who protects the mistress and Suzuki Sakon, the short and chubby guy. Will their plans of creating a new beginning happen? Only time will tell.

Right away, you'll wonder why this series is a lot like "Sakura Taisen". It is obvious, no? Red also created that series.

Fun - 9

Right from the bath scene, I knew I was going to like this series. Well, it still shows to this day. This experience has been a fun one up to this point.

The characters are a joy to watch, especially Yko, who brings out many flat out weird acts. Kaoru's story is pretty touching. The battles are interesting if I say so myself.

It's too early to give a perfect score up to this point. I want to know the backgrounds on some of the characters like Toshie. Only time will tell if I that wish will come true. That's the only flaw that's within.

Life - 9

It may be short, but it is a pretty entertaining series. The characters give off long lasting joy. I doubt this will be a gum series.

Story - 10

Aside from a minor error or two, it gives off the basic layout of the game. Plus, the story itself is fine. So, all is well here.

Audio - 9

One question that had been in my mind for a long time was "When will Ikezawa Haruna-san get her big break?" Well, I found my answer. "Kid Shinsengumi Moeyo Ken's" Kaoru has now thrown that question out of the way.

Don't worry. There are some familiar names in here as well like Orikasa Ai-sama as Yko. Adding on, at times, I feel like I'm watching "Di Gi Charat" because some characters add a catchy sound in the end of their sentences and there's Sakon that says "-su" like Misha of "Pita Ten". He's evil in terms of stealing Misha's catch phrase and in terms of being an evil guy of the series, but I just found him, well, weird.

Well, it has the "Sakura Taisen" touch. I'll give it that. The opening, though fitting, can't give off a memorable feeling in the end, though the ending song can. Sometimes, it feels too silent, though this is a short series. So, I can sort of understand. If it grows off me in the end, then I'll give a perfect score here.

Art - 10

You should be able to recognize the character designs by now. Yup, Takahashi Rumiko-sensei did the designs and I didn't find any of the designs to be horrible. Okay, some were just weird like that one weird guy, but that's all.

Overall - 9

"Kid Shinsengumi Moeyo Ken" is one series I would definitely recommend to anyone. The characters are wonderful. The series just brings out moments of nostalgia. This is a flat out entertaining series. So, if you have a DVD player that can play discs from Japan, I suggest that you pick this up right now.

+

The series gives off the basic layout of the game, nostalgic moments, the break Haruna-san needed and an entertaining first half overall.

-

It's too soon to tell, though the opening song, although is good, doesn't give off a memorable feel in the end.

Date of creation - 1/1/04

Last update - 8/10/04

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