"1 + 2 = Paradise" review: What is the charm of this film that is so bouncy everywhere?

"1 + 2 = Paradise: Here and There, Puri Puri": A look back at the nostalgic OVA

In the early 1990s, OVAs (Original Video Animations) were gaining attention as a new medium of expression in the Japanese anime industry. Among them, "1 + 2 = Paradise: Acchi Mo Kocchi Mo Purin Purin," released by Toei Video on February 23, 1990, was one of the works that left a strong impression on viewers at the time. In this article, we will take a closer look at the appeal of this OVA, the background to its production, and its evaluation from a modern perspective.

Overview

"1 + 2 = Paradise: Here and There, Puri Puri" is an OVA based on the manga of the same name by Junko Uemura. Although it is a short 30-minute episode, it has a dense story and unique characters. It was directed by Junichi Watanabe and produced by JC Staff.

story

The story begins when the protagonist, a young boy named Kenichi, meets a beautiful girl named Mika and her friend Yuki who suddenly appear one day. As Kenichi spends time with them, he gradually learns about their secrets. The OVA tells a story that combines the bittersweetness of youth with a little fantasy, centering on the relationship between Kenichi, Mika, and Yuki.

character

Kenichi: The main character is a boy. His values ​​and feelings are greatly shaken by his encounters with Mika and Yuki. Mika: A beautiful girl who attracts Kenichi's heart. Her secret is an important key to the story. Yuki: Mika's friend, with a bright and cheerful personality. Through her interactions with Kenichi, she plays a role in helping him grow.

Background

This OVA is a work that follows the trend of "bishoujo anime" that was popular from the late 1980s to the early 1990s. At the time, the new medium of OVA appeared, and there was an active movement to pursue content and styles that could not be fully expressed in television anime. "1 + 2 = Paradise Acchi Mo Kocchi Mo Prin Prin" was produced as part of this trend, and in order to maximize the appeal of the original work, a lot of effort was put into the character design and illustrations.

Main Staff

・Original story: Junko Uemura ・Director: Junichi Watanabe ・Script: Nobuaki Kishima ・Character design: Akiyoshi Serizawa ・Chief animation director: Keiichi Sato

These staff members worked together to recreate the worldview of the original work in animation. In particular, Akiyoshi Serizawa's character designs reflect the trends in bishoujo anime at the time while still exuding their own unique charm. Keiichi Sato's skill as animation director also shines through, with the characters' movements and expressions being depicted vividly.

Evaluation and impact

"1 + 2 = Paradise: Here and There, Puri Puri" was a work that received enthusiastic support from some fans during the OVA boom at the time. In particular, the charm of the beautiful girl characters and the story depicting the bittersweetness of youth captured the hearts of many viewers. It was also praised for its expression that took advantage of the characteristics of the OVA medium and for faithfully recreating the worldview of the original work.

However, some people also pointed out that the series was too short (only one episode) and that the story development was a bit abrupt. Due to the nature of the OVA format, it is difficult to tell a detailed story like in a feature-length anime, but it seems that some viewers felt it was lacking.

Evaluation from a current perspective

Even now, more than 30 years later, "1 + 2 = Paradise: Here and There, Puri Puri" continues to be loved by some fans. In particular, those who grew up during the OVA boom of the 1990s are reevaluating its appeal with nostalgia. It is also considered an important work in the history of anime for beautiful girls.

Looking at it from a modern perspective, the quality of the character designs and drawings was high for the time, and the story has universal appeal in that it depicts the bittersweetness of youth. However, some viewers may feel that the story development and character development are lacking in comparison to modern anime. Nevertheless, there is no doubt that this work is a part of exploring the possibilities of the OVA medium.

Recommendations and related works

For those who enjoyed "1 + 2 = Paradise: Here and There, Puri Puri," we recommend other works that led the OVA boom of the 1990s and other masterpieces of bishoujo anime. Below are some of them.

• "Gall Force": An OVA series produced from the late 1980s to the early 1990s. It is a work that combines beautiful girl characters with science fiction elements.
• "Bubblegum Crisis": An OVA series produced from 1987 to 1991. This work is appealing for its beautiful characters and action.
• Urusei Yatsura: An anime series produced in the 1980s and 1990s that combines beautiful girls with comedy elements.

These works, like "1 + 2 = Paradise Acchi Mo Kocchi Mo Purin Purin," are works that allow you to fully enjoy the charm of beautiful girl anime. They are also interesting works that explore the possibilities of the OVA medium.

summary

"1 + 2 = Paradise: Here and There, Puri Puri" is one of the bishoujo anime that emerged during the OVA boom of the 1990s. Although it is a short series, the story, which depicts the bittersweetness of youth and the charm of the characters, left a strong impression on viewers at the time. Its appeal has not faded even today, and it is a work that is reevaluated with nostalgia. It is also an important work for understanding the history of bishoujo anime and OVAs, so be sure to give it a watch.