The appeal and evaluation of "All-purpose Cultural Cat Girl DASH!": A must-read review for anime fans

All-purpose cultural cat girl DASH! - A new adventure of a charming cat girl

Released as an OVA on September 23, 1998, "All-purpose Culture Cat Girl DASH!" is an animated version of Takada Yuzo's unique worldview based on the original manga "All-purpose Culture Cat Girl." This OVA, which consists of 12 episodes, was released in three volumes by King Records, and although each episode is compact at 30 minutes, it is packed with a deep story and fascinating characters.

Story and Themes

"All-Purpose Cultural Cat Girl DASH!" is a story that revolves around Nukunuku, a cat-robot hybrid. While living as a member of the Natsume family, Nukunuku faces situations that force her to think deeply about her own existence and her relationship with humans. Each episode depicts Nukunuku's growth and the changes in her relationships, with an exquisite mix of humor and seriousness.

Of particular note is that Nukunuku's character setting has been changed to 19 years old. This allows for a deeper portrayal of her inner growth and human conflict. Her new visual appearance with green hair and golden eyes also enhances her new charm.

Character Introduction

Atsuko Higuchi (Warm)

Nukunuku is a heroine who continues to appear from the old OVA and TV series. In this work, she is set to be 19 years old, has green hair instead of pink, and appears with a new image with golden eyes. Her nice body is further polished, and her costume changes from a sailor uniform to a battle suit, and she shows off sharp action. She also has a strong spirit of service for the viewers, such as changing her everyday clothes for each episode. Nukunuku's performance is an exquisite blend of innocence and seriousness, and you can feel Megumi Hayashibara's wide range of expressiveness as a voice actress. In the second episode, she takes on a variety of roles, such as playing an assassin who targets Nukunuku.

Natsume Ryunosuke

Ryunosuke was an elementary school student in the original series, but now he has grown into a middle school student and appears as a beautiful young boy. His role has changed from one who observes the story from an objective perspective to a subjective character who has feelings for Nukunuku. Whereas Nukunuku's monologues were the focus of the TV series, Ryunosuke's monologues in DASH! play an important role in moving the story forward. His delicate acting realistically portrays the conflicts of a 14-year-old boy in his formative years. His acting is endearing in the fantasy scenes that appear in each episode.

Kyusaku Natsume

Kyusaku's hair has turned gray, giving him a more adult appeal. He is a veteran actor with a sense of stability, and is able to easily handle both humorous and serious roles. He is a good father and husband, and also a researcher who is entrusted with people's lives. He is an important character who subtly embodies the theme of the work, "how to be a human being."

Akiko Natsume

Akiko is at her best in costumes that emphasize her nice body. In the hot spring scene, she shows off the charms of a mature woman. Her acting is deep and expresses her many sides as an intelligent career woman, a kind mother, and a lovely wife. Her powerful desk throwing, which is her specialty, is still going strong.

Momoko Ishiyama

Momoko is well known for her tearful acting, and she plays the role of a mother who lives next door to the Natsume family. In contrast to her daughter Noriko, her kindness and slightly silly character stand out. She looks great in her apron and cleaning with a broom, and she has an indispensable presence in the work.

Noriko Ishiyama

In the TV version, Noriko was an elementary school student, but in this film she appears as a kindergartener. Normally a cute girl, she has a dual personality, becoming cynical and reliable in front of Ryunosuke, and she shows acting that puts adults to shame. She is a talented child actor with a bright future, as her character type has changed completely from the TV version.

Arisa Sono

Arisa is a popular character from the old OVA version. This time, only her name has been changed, and she is participating with a fresh image. She is a cutesy, so-called office lady who is always sitting around, and her lively personality is exquisite.

Kyoko Ariyoshi

Kyoko and Arisa make a great pair and show off their well-coordinated dialogue. Her cool style and big movements are perfect for the role of a Self-Defense Forces-turned-weapons enthusiast, and she exudes a charm that is unlike that of a typical Japanese person.

Dr. Higuchi

Dr. Higuchi only appears as a voice in mode two, but he stands out in mode three. He has some picturesque scenes, such as when he sprints in the flashback scene and when he reunites with Nukunuku.

Episode Guide

• Episode 1: Happiness Comes With the Spring Breeze - The episode where Nukunuku's new life begins. It depicts her daily life at the Natsume household and her new goals.
• Episode 2: Midnight Cats - This episode depicts the fight against the assassin who is after Nukunuku. This is the highlight of Megumi Hayashibara's performance in two roles.
• Episode 3: The Distance Between Two People, So Close Yet So Far - This is the episode in which the relationship between Nukunuku and Ryunosuke deepens. Ryunosuke's feelings of love are depicted.
• Episode 4: Akiko's Depression - Akiko's troubles and growth are depicted. Her charm stands out in the hot spring scene.
• Episode 5: Nukunuku's Date - This is the episode where Nukunuku experiences her first date. It shows her growth as a person.
• Episode 6 Heart & Soul - Depicts Nukunuku's inner conflict and growth. Her inner depth is revealed.
• Episode 7: The Girl, Yuko - A new character, Yuko, appears and her story begins. Her relationship with Nukunuku deepens.
• Episode 8: The thing that connects humans and machines - The meaning of Nukunuku's existence and the relationship with humans are depicted. A deep theme is depicted.
• Episode 9: At the End of the Encounter - An episode where Nukunuku's past and future intersect. Her growth and determination are depicted.
• Episode 10: The sound of bells, a distant sound - Depicts Nukunuku's emotional wounds and healing. Her growth as a person is also depicted.
• Episode 11: Premonition of Doom - This episode depicts the crisis facing Nukunuku and the unity of the Natsume family. It's a tense episode.
• Episode 12 Farewell Nukunuku - Nukunuku's departure and a new beginning are depicted. It's a touching finale.

Production Staff

Many talented staff members are involved in the production of "All-purpose Cultural Cat Girl DASH!". The director is Yoshitaka Fujimoto, the character designer is Seiji Kishimoto, the mechanic designer is Hiroshi Ogawa, the chief animation director is Seiji Kishimoto, the art director is Mitsuharu Miyamae, the color designer is Michiaki Nakano, the sound director is Jun Watanabe, the cinematographer is Kazuhiro Konishi, the editor is Jun Taguma, the music is by B-cats, and the producers are Hiroshi Kato and Atsushi Moriyama. The series is produced by the Manneko DASH Production Committee and Ashi Productions, and is based on the manga serialized in "Monthly Shonen Ace" (Kadokawa Shoten) by Yuzo Takada.

Related Titles

"All-purpose Culture Cat Girl DASH!" is also related to the TV series "All-purpose Culture Cat Girl." The TV series is made up of 12 30-minute episodes, depicting Nukunuku's adventures and growth. By enjoying the OVA version and the TV version together, you can gain a deeper understanding of the world of Nukunuku.

Ratings and Recommendations

"All-purpose Cultural Cat Girl DASH!" is a touching work that depicts Nukunuku's growth and the changes in human relationships. The story of each episode is deep, and the character acting is excellent. In particular, Nukunuku's new visual and setting enhance her charm even more. In addition, the growth and conflicts of the Natsume family members are realistically depicted, deeply moving the viewers.

Through the unique character of the cat girl, this work makes you think about human growth and relationships. It is a work that can be enjoyed by a wide range of people, with an exquisite blend of humor and serious elements. Although it is in the form of an OVA, it is packed with a deep story and charming characters, so please give it a watch. Nukunuku's new adventure will surely warm your heart.