The appeal and reviews of "Pia Carrot Welcome!! 2 DX": An evolved gaming experience that fans must see

"Welcome to Pia Carrot!! 2 DX" - A bittersweet story of youth working part-time at a family restaurant

Released as an OVA on December 18, 1999, "Welcome to Pia Carrot!! 2 DX" is a youthful love story set in a family restaurant. The original was an 18+ game released by Cocktail Soft, and the OVA version was sold by Happinet Pictures. It is a short but intense story of six episodes, each 30 minutes long.

■ Story

During his summer vacation as a high school student, the protagonist Maeda Koji, who has too much free time, starts working part-time at the family restaurant "Pia Carrot" at the suggestion of his friend. The restaurant is a garden of beautiful girls dressed in attractive uniforms. However, as soon as he starts working, Koji notices that the girls are extremely unique. His peaceful daily life is blown away and hectic and exciting days begin, ignoring Koji's circumstances. Meanwhile, Koji gradually begins to spin a sweet and sad love with the girls.

■Explanation

"Welcome to Pia Carrot!! 2 DX" is an OVA version of the PC romance adventure game of the same name, released by Cocktail Soft in 1997. Like the game, it is set four years after the previous game, "Welcome to Pia Carrot!!," and the R18-rated "Welcome to Pia Carrot!! 2" was released on October 23, 1998. Many of the staff who worked on the R18-rated OVA are still involved in the production, and Enomoto Tsukasa, who had few scenes in the R18-rated version, is cast in a leading role in this work. This work has also been adapted into many media mixes, not just as an OVA.

■Cast

• Koji Maeda - Kenichi Suzumura
• Azusa Hinomori - Minami Nagasaki
• Tsukasa Enomoto - Mikiko Kurihara
• Mina Hinomori - Hitomi Oikawa
• Ryoko Futaba - Narumi Tsunoda
• Aoi Minase - Miki Narahashi

■ Main staff

• Original author - Ryuichi Inamura
• Produced by: Takaaki Kidani, Kaito Kaneki, Takashi Nakanishi
• Planning - Tenchi Yuuta
• Producers: Masanobu Sumitomo, Masataro, Osamu Etchu
• Original character design: Kanroji, Mitsumi Misato, CHARM
• Character design - Jun Sato
• Chief animation director: Jun Sato
• Art director: Shoichiro Sugiura
• Color setting - Haremi Miyagawa
• Director of photography - Masahide Okino
• Music - Kazuya Matsushita
• Sound Director - Yasunori Honda
• Photography - T. Nishimura
• Sound Production - Arts Pro
• Sound effects - Masahiro Shoji
• Recording: Osamu Ichikawa
• Recording assistant - Mitsuharu Ito
• Recording Studio - Tabak
• Edited by Seyama Editorial Office
• Developing - Tokyo Developing Laboratory
• Caption - 4th Street Factory
• VTR Editing - Studio Plane
• Advertising - RIKI
• Cooperation - Yasunori Sasajima, Broccoli Co., Ltd., Picture Magic, Yellow Tail
• Animation Coordination - Tetsuo Kakutani
• Supervisor - Dr. POCHI
• Director - Morino Yousei
• Production - Yalong Studio
• Production cooperation: Studio Giants
• Production - Pia Carrot Welcome!! 2 DX Production Committee

■ Main Characters

• Koji Maeda The protagonist of this work. He was an ordinary high school student, but since he started working at Pia Carrot, his days have become stormy.
• Hinomori Azusa The main heroine of this work. She had a terrible first encounter with Koji, so she is unkind to him. But in reality, she is honest and kind, and cares deeply for her younger sister Mina.
• Tsukasa Enomoto A girl who came in as a helper from the main store. She loves cosplay and is an eccentric girl who usually wears various costumes. She can speak doggy language.
• Hinomori Mina Hinomori Azusa's younger sister. She has a gentle way of speaking. Like a younger sister, she is quite a spoiled child and quickly became attached to Koji.
• Ryoko Futaba Manager of "Pia Carrot". She is a so-called "capable woman" who takes her work seriously, but she easily gets drunk and has a habit of taking off her clothes.
• Aoi Minase is a friend of Ryoko Futaba's since college. At work, she's a reliable older sister, but in private, she's just like her dad, wearing only a tank top and a beer in his hand.

■Subtitle

• ORDER:1/Fruit Cocktail of Pale Love (1999/12/18)
• ORDER:2/Love Labyrinth Parfait
• ORDER:3 / Love Masquerade Sunday
• ORDER:4/Love Milkshake
• ORDER:5 / Love's Christmas a la mode
• ORDER:6/What's the last order...? (2000/10/25)

■ Theme songs and music

• OP1
  ・Go!Go! Waitress (chorus version)
  Lyrics: Kanasugi Hajime, Yoshida Fumi Music: REICO
  Arrangement: Yoshito Hata Singers: Minami Nagasaki, Mikiko Kurihara, Hitomi Oikawa
• ED1
  ・Take a quiet deep breath ・Lyrics - Kumano Kiyomi ・Music - M Rie
  Arrangement: Hiroshi Uesugi Singer: Minami Nagasaki

■ Appeal and evaluation of the work

"Welcome to Pia Carrot!! 2 DX" is a work that exquisitely blends the bittersweetness of youth with slapstick comedy, set in a familiar place, a family restaurant. The interactions between the protagonist Koji and the unique characters he meets through his part-time job provide viewers with laughter and emotion. In particular, the fact that Tsukasa Enomoto's character was selected for the role was a fresh surprise for fans, and her doggie slang and love of cosplay add color to the story.

Even though it is a short OVA, each episode has a different theme and subtitle, which is a clever way to attract the viewer's interest. For example, "Fruit Cocktail of Pale Love" depicts the premonition of love that begins when Koji and Azusa meet, "Labyrinth Parfait of Love" depicts complex human relationships, and "Masquerade Sunday of Love" is an episode with a cosplay theme. These episodes give the viewer a sense of a consistent story and character growth.

In terms of music, the opening theme "Go! Go! Waitress" and the ending theme "Take a Quiet Deep Breath" are important elements that liven up the atmosphere of the work. In particular, the three singers of the opening theme, Nagasaki Minami, Kurihara Mikiko, and Oikawa Hitomi, draw viewers in with singing voices that bring out the best in the characters. In addition, the ending theme "Take a Quiet Deep Breath" has a gentle melody that symbolizes the bittersweet ending of the story, and will remain deeply in the hearts of viewers.

■Production background and staff's commitment

The production of "Welcome to Pia Carrot!! 2 DX" was palpable with love and dedication to fans of the original game. In particular, the continued participation of staff from the R18 OVA version is an important factor in maintaining the quality of the work. Sato Jun, who was in charge of character design and chief animation director, faithfully reproduced the characters from the original while bringing out new charms that are unique to the OVA. Director Morino Yousei also focused on directing in order to effectively depict the story in a short amount of time, leaving a strong impression on viewers.

Furthermore, with the cooperation of production studios Garyu Studio and Studio Giants, the quality of the visuals is kept high. The technical skills of colorist Miyagawa Haremi and cinematographer Okino Masahide enhance the beauty of the work. Furthermore, with the cooperation of music composer Matsushita Kazuya and sound director Honda Yasunori, a soundtrack that stirs the emotions of the viewer has been completed. The attention to detail of these staff members makes "Welcome to Pia Carrot!! 2 DX" an even more appealing work.

■ Recommendations to viewers

"Welcome to Pia Carrot!! 2 DX" is highly recommended for fans of youth romance and comedies. In particular, the story, which is set in a familiar place, a family restaurant, will resonate with many viewers. In addition, the slapstick comedy of the unique characters will provide laughs and emotions, entertaining viewers. Furthermore, fans of the original game will enjoy the new story and character development that is unique to the OVA.

This work is a short but dense OVA that will leave a strong impression on viewers. Please enjoy this bittersweet story of adolescence working part-time at a family restaurant.