Review of "The All-Purpose Cultural Cat Girl": The Charming Cat Girl Character and its Cultural Influence

The appeal and evaluation of the all-purpose cultural cat girl - Banno Bunkane Komusume

■ Public Media

TV anime series

■ Original Media

comics

■ Broadcast period

January 1998

■Broadcasting station

TV Tokyo

■Frequencies

half an hour

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 12

■Original Story

Original story by Yuzo Takada

■ Director

・Director: Yoshitaka Fujimoto

■ Production

Produced by TV Tokyo, Yomiuri Advertising, Ashi Productions

■Works

© Yuzo Takada/Manneko Production Committee

■ Story

In 2013, Nukunuku, an all-purpose cat-brained androbot created by Natsume Kyusaku, a mad scientist living in Manamiki City, decided to live a normal life at a school for humans in order to join the ranks of true humans...He started his student life among his quirky classmates there. Nukunuku is threatened by the clutches of the mysterious masked secret society Black Industry, led by Hell Mishima, who is plotting world domination. Furthermore, Nukunuku is attacked by the greatest enemy, the Esper Girl Corps, a giant planet approaching the Earth, and even the threat of the Earth's destruction. Will Nukunuku be able to thwart Hell Mishima's plot and ultimately save the Earth? Today, Nukunuku fights again to protect his town, family, and friends from the troublesome giant mecha created by Mishima.

■Cast

・Nuku Nuku Natsume (Nuku Nuku) / Megumi Hayashibara ・Ryunosuke Natsume / Kazue Ikura ・Kyusaku Natsume / Akira Kamiya ・Akiko Natsume / Saeko Shimazu ・Arisa Sono / Aya Hisakawa ・Kyoko Ariyoshi, Saeko / Akiko Hiramatsu ・Juzo Mishima / Ken Narita ・Futaba Kaibara / Michiko Neya ・Chieko Shirakaba / Wakana Yamazaki ・Migiko / Eriko Kawasaki ・Rie Shibata / Sachiko Sugawara ・Yakumo Oizumi / Kenyu Horiuchi ・Eiichi Ikenami / Hideo Ishikawa ・Rintaro Shimazaki / Jun Kisaichi ・Miyuki Miyazawa / Rieko Kawasaki

■ Main staff

・Original work by Yuzo Takada・Director by Yoshitaka Fujimoto・Character design by Seiji Kishimoto・Mechanic design by Hiroshi Ogawa・Chief animation director by Seiji Kishimoto・Art director by Mitsuharu Miyamae・Color design by Tomoaki Nakano・Sound director by Jun Watanabe・Director of photography by Kazuhiro Konishi・Editor by Jun Takuma・Music by B-cats
Producers: Noriko Kobayashi (TV Tokyo), Shinichi Ikeda, Hiroshi Kato Productions: TV Tokyo, Yomiuri Advertising, Ashi Productions

■Subtitle

Episode 1: Nukunuku appears! Protect the peace of the Earth!?
Episode 2: Nukunuku vs the ancient ruins! The legendary giant god appears!
・Episode 3: A cozy cooking class! Non-chan's love attack plan!
Episode 4: Singing with enthusiasm! A family singing contest!
・Episode 5: A heartwarming and moving story about Futaba's first love ・Episode 6: A warm and relaxing midsummer battle! The trap set by the Esper Girl Squad!
Episode 7: Beyond the warm and cozy times! The proposal is a Bon Odori dance!
Episode 8: The warm and mysterious universe! An encounter with the mysterious life form Michimichi!
Episode 9: Running comfortably! The big athletic meet, huh?
・Episode 10/NukuNuku and Ryunosuke! It was a very crocodile night・SP-1/NukuNuku Wandering!? I was abandoned on New Year's Day・SP-2/NukuNuku in love! For whom is Valentine's Day?・Episode 11/NukuNuku Youth Diary! A versatile cultural musical!
Episode 12: Warm and cozy forever! I'll never forget your smile!

■ Related works

OVA
"All-purpose cultural cat girl DASH!" <30 minutes, 12 episodes>

The appeal and evaluation of the all-purpose cultural cat girl - Banno Bunkane Komusume

"All-purpose Culture Cat Girl," which aired in 1998, is a TV anime series based on the manga by Yuzo Takada, and its unique world view and characters have captivated many fans. This work was broadcast on TV Tokyo, and a total of 12 episodes were released in 30-minute slots. Below, we will explain in detail the appeal and evaluation of this work.

The appeal of the story

The story of "All-purpose Cultural Cat Girl" is set in Manamiki City in 2013, and begins with Nukunuku, an all-purpose cat-brained androbot created by mad scientist Kyusaku Natsume, living a normal student life at a human school. Nukunuku grows as a human through his interactions with his classmates, but at the same time he must fight against threats such as the Black Industry, a secret organization led by Hel Mishima that is plotting world domination, the Esper Girls Brigade, and even a giant planet approaching Earth.

The appeal of this work lies in the fact that it depicts both Nukunuku's growth and struggles. Nukunuku displays courage and wisdom in fighting powerful enemies while learning about human feelings and friendship. Viewers are particularly moved by Nukunuku's struggle to protect his family and friends. Each episode also includes different themes and events, ensuring viewers won't get bored. For example, everyday scenes, such as cooking classes, singing contests, and sports days, are skillfully combined with action scenes.

Character Appeal

Each character in "All-Purpose Cultural Cat Girl" is unique and charming. The main character, Nukunuku (Natsume Atsuko), shines in her voice acting by Hayashibara Megumi. Nukunuku is a character who has a pure and kind heart, but also shows strong will and drive in battle. Nukunuku's family members, Natsume Ryunosuke (Ikura Kazue), Natsume Kyusaku (Kamiya Akira), and Natsume Akiko (Shimazu Saeko), also have distinct personalities and their familial bonds are depicted.

Furthermore, Hell Mishima (Mishima Juzo), the leader of the secret society Black Industry, leaves an impression with his powerful performance as the voice actor of Narita Ken. Although Hell Mishima is Nukunuku's greatest enemy, he also has a comical side that entertains the audience. In addition, the members of the Esper Girl Corps, Kaibara Futaba (Neya Michiko) and Shirakaba Chieko (Yamazaki Wakana), are also charming as unique characters.

Evaluation by the production staff

The production staff of "All-purpose Cultural Cat Girl" also received high praise. Director Fujimoto Yoshitaka faithfully recreated the worldview of the original work while adding his own unique direction to add depth to the work. Character designer Kishimoto Seiji provided designs that brought out the cuteness and individuality of the characters, including Nukunuku. Additionally, mechanic designer Ogawa Hiroshi created realistic and attractive designs for the giant mecha that Nukunuku fights and the weapons of the secret society.

Art director Mitsuharu Miyamae beautifully depicted the streets and school scenery of Manamiki City, drawing viewers into the world of the work. Colorist Tomoaki Nakano used colors that matched the emotions of the characters and the atmosphere of the scenes, enhancing the visual appeal. Sound director Jun Watanabe brought out the best in the voice actors' performances, enhancing the realism of the work. Music by B-cats provided music that matched the theme of the work, stirring the emotions of the viewers.

The appeal of subtitles

The subtitles of each episode of "All-Purpose Cultural Cat Girl" are also attractive. For example, the first episode, "NukuNuku Appears! Protect the Peace of the Earth!?", is a title that indicates Nukunuku's first appearance and her mission, raising the viewers' expectations. The second episode, "NukuNuku vs. Ancient Ruins! The Legendary Giant God Appears!", foreshadows the scene where Nukunuku fights at the ancient ruins, and the third episode, "NukuNuku's Cooking Class! Non-chan Love Attack Plan!", shows an episode in which Nukunuku deepens friendships through cooking.

Episode 4, "NukuNuku Sings Passionately! Family Singing Contest!", depicts Nukunuku singing with his family, while episode 5, "NukuNuku Moved! Futaba's First Love", depicts Nukunuku being moved by Futaba's first love. Episode 6, "NukuNuku Midsummer Battle! The Trap of the Esper Girls!", foreshadows the scene where Nukunuku fights the Esper Girls' Squad, and episode 7, "NukuNuku Beyond Time! Proposal with Bon Odori!", depicts Nukunuku proposing to her through time.

Episode 8, "NukuNuku and the Mysteries of Space! An Encounter with the Mysterious Lifeform MichiMichi!", shows Nukunuku meeting a lifeform from space, while Episode 9, "NukuNuku Runs! A Big Athletic Meet, Is That So?", shows Nukunuku in action at the athletic meet. Episode 10, "NukuNuku and Ryunosuke! It Was a Very Crocodile Night," shows Nukunuku and Ryunosuke interacting with crocodiles, and SP-1, "NukuNuku Wanders!? Abandoned for the New Year," shows Nukunuku wandering.

SP-2 "NukuNuku in Love! Who is Valentine for?" shows the episode where Nukunuku falls in love with Valentine, and episode 11 "NukuNuku Youth Diary! All-Purpose Cultural Musical!" depicts the scene where Nukunuku participates in a musical. Episode 12 "NukuNuku Forever! I'll never forget your smile!" is the title of the final episode that depicts Nukunuku's growth and friendship, and leaves viewers in awe.

The appeal of related works

A related work to "All-purpose Culture Cat Girl" is the OVA "All-purpose Culture Cat Girl DASH!". This OVA is a 30-minute series of 12 episodes, and depicts Nukunuku's new adventures as a sequel to the TV series. In the OVA, Nukunuku fights new enemies while deepening the bonds of friendship and family.

The OVA "All-purpose Culture Cat Girl DASH!" is a must-watch for fans of the TV series, and allows viewers to enjoy the continuation of Nukunuku's growth and battles. New characters also appear in the OVA, bringing new developments to the story. The production staff of the OVA is just as highly regarded as the TV series, giving viewers a sense of satisfaction.

Ratings and Recommendations

"Universal Culture Cat Girl" has been highly praised for its story, characters, production staff, subtitles, and related works, and is loved by many fans. This work depicts the importance of friendship and family ties through Nukunuku's growth and battles, and moves viewers. In addition, each episode contains different themes and events, so viewers will not get bored.

The reason I recommend this work is that it depicts Nukunuku's charming character and her growth, her interactions with unique characters, and her battles with powerful enemies. In addition, the high evaluation of the production staff and the attractive subtitles of each episode also attract viewers. Furthermore, by enjoying the OVA "All-purpose Cultural Cat Girl DASH!", you can enjoy Nukunuku's adventures even more.

"The All-Purpose Cultural Cat Girl" is a work that can be recommended not only to anime fans, but also to general viewers. You will be moved by Nukunuku's pure and kind heart, as well as her strong will and drive, and you will be able to reaffirm the importance of friendship and family ties. Please watch this work and enjoy Nukunuku's adventures and growth.