Ground Defense Force Mao-chan - A thorough evaluation of the charming characters and depth of the story

Ground Defense Force Mao-chan - Review and Recommendation

overview

"Ground Defense Force Mao-chan" is a TV anime series based on the original manga by Akamatsu Ken, and was broadcast on TV Tokyo from July 3 to December 26, 2002. It was a short format of 26 episodes, each 15 minutes long, and aired every Wednesday late at night. This anime is the story of elementary school students who struggle to protect Japan from "cute aliens" that invade from space. It is a comedy-style work featuring the members of the Ground, Air, and Sea Defense Forces, including the main character Mao-chan.

story

I will protect Japan!!

"Cute aliens" are attacking from space. Mao, a second-grader whose grandfather is the Chief of Staff of the Ground Defense Force, has become an elementary school student member of the Ground Defense Force, which defends Japan from the cute aliens. Today, Mao and her friends are deployed to defend Japan together with Misora ​​of the Air Defense Force and Silvie of the Sea Defense Force...!

character

Onigawara Mao

8 years old. A member of the Land Defense Force. Private, 2nd Class. A second-grader at an all-girls school. She's clumsy but really hardworking. She cries easily, but never gives up. She calls herself "myself."

Misora ​​Tsukishima

8 years old. A member of the Air Defense Force. Lieutenant 3rd Class. In the same elementary school as Mao, in the same class. She has a quiet personality and is better than Mao in all aspects, including academic ability and physical strength, but she thinks she can't do anything without Mao. She uses the personal pronoun "I".

Sylvia Maruyama

8 years old. Member of the Maritime Defense Force. First class seaman. Quarter German. Originally from Osaka, he attended a different elementary school there than Mao and the others. He follows Mao around because he finds Mao's tsukkomi to be very fitting. Although he is a member of the Maritime Defense Force, he cannot actually swim. He refers to himself as "officer."

Kagome Mishima

27 years old. A member of the Land Defense Force. First Lieutenant Colonel. A genius officer with an IQ of 250. He also serves as the homeroom teacher for Mao and her friends at elementary school. He acts as the nursery teacher for the three, but usually has a lack of motivation. In front of his idol, Onigawara Rikushirou, he acts motivated like a different person to attract his attention.

Yuriko Sora

The student council president of the high school that Mao and her friends attend. She seems to be keeping an eye on Mao and her friends...

Uchinami

She is the student council secretary of the high school division of the school Mao and her friends attend. She seems to be keeping an eye on Mao and her friends...

Onigawara Rikushiro

Chief of Staff of the Land Defense Force. Mao's grandfather. Kagome's idol.

Tsukishima Sorajiro

Chief of staff of the Air Defense Force. Misora's grandfather. Rival with Rikushiro.

Adalbert von Maruyama

Chief of Staff of the Maritime Defense Force. Silvie's grandfather.

Main Robot Items

Mi-kun

Mao Onigawara's support mecha in the form of a tank.

Hayate

Misora ​​Tsukishima's support mecha in the form of a fighter jet.

Na-chan

Maruyama Silvia's support mecha in the form of a submarine.

subtitle

• Episode 1: I will protect Japan!
• Episode 2: Mao's first deployment!
• Episode 3 / Air Defense Force / Misora-chan
• Episode 4: The sky and the land are one
• Episode 5/Marine Defense Force/Sylvia
• Episode 6: Let's eat something
• Episode 7: Even water striders are on the defensive
• Episode 8: Project Defense Barrier
• Episode 9/Formation of the Sogo Defense Force
• Episode 10: Japan Collection Operation
• Episode 11: Anyway, the Sports Day
• Episode 12: Defense Whether Awake or Asleep
• Episode 13: Mother Has Come
• Episode 14: Defense Force Headquarters in Danger
• Episode 15: Kikuchimonji No. 3 appears
• Episode 16: Mi-kun runs away from home
• Episode 17: The path of art is tough
• Episode 18: Have a great time at the Snow Festival
• Episode 19: Apples, oranges, and melons
• Episode 20: Let's go to a hot spring to get into Tokyo University
• Episode 21: American Defense Girl
• Episode 22: Defend Happiness
• Episode 23: I'm sorry, Mi-kun
• Episode 24: The Purple Lily
• Episode 25: Yesterday's Battlefield
• Episode 26: Another relaxed defense today

Theme songs and music

OP1

・ALL MY LOVE
Lyrics: Chinatsu Ito Composition: Chinatsu Ito Arrangement: Takao Konishi Vocals: Yui Horie

ED1

・It's my style
Lyrics: Yuki Matsuura Composition: Yuki Matsuura Arrangement: Yuki Matsuura Singer: Yui Horie

Production Staff

• Original work by Ken Akamatsu
• Director: Yoshiaki Iwasaki
• Series Composition: Kuroda Yosuke
• Character design: Masahide Yanagisawa
• Prop design: Takeshi Takakura
• Art director: Chitose Asakura
• Color setting: Mitsuko Sekimoto
• Director of photography: Haruhiko Tsumura
• Edited by Hiroaki Itabe
• Music by Takayuki Hattori
• Sound Director: Hiromi Kikuta
• Producers: Atsushi Moriyama, Kyosuke Hiramatsu
• Animation production: XEBEC
• Produced by Riku Mao Headquarters

cast

• Mao Onigawara/Kimiko Koyama
• Misora ​​Tsukishima/Yuya Yoshikawa
• Sylvia Maruyama/Yui Horie
• Kagome Mishima/Miki Nagasawa
• Yuriko Sora/Yukiko Mitsunaka
• Uchinami/Ai Iura
• Onigawara Rikushiro/Nojima Akio
• Kuujiro Tsukishima/Kiyonobu Suzuki
• Adabert von Maruyama/Setsu Taniguchi

review

"Ground Defense Force Mao-chan" is a work filled with Akamatsu Ken's unique humor and charming characters. The story is heartwarming and heartwarming to watch as elementary school students, including Mao-chan, struggle to protect Japan from "cute aliens" that invade from space. In particular, Mao-chan's clumsy yet hardworking personality, Misora-chan's honor student attitude, and Sylvie-chan's Osaka dialect - these unique characters add excitement to the story.

Each episode of the anime depicts a different battle with aliens and the daily life of the defense force, and even the short 15-minute format makes it enjoyable. In particular, the way the defense force members work together to solve problems and the occasional touching scenes leave a strong impression on viewers. The subtitles of each episode are also full of humor, making you laugh even before you start watching.

The character designs were created by Masahide Yanagisawa, and are distinctively cute and unique. In particular, the designs are meticulously detailed, such as Mao's rich expressions and Silvie's gestures that express her Osaka dialect. The main robots, Mi-kun, Hayate, and Na-chan, are also fun to look at, with designs that match their respective characters.

The music was also composed by Takayuki Hattori, and the opening theme "ALL MY LOVE" and the ending theme "It's my style" are sung by Yui Horie, which adds to the atmosphere of the story. In particular, the refreshing melody of the opening theme and the pop feel of the ending theme are perfect for the worldview of the anime.

The production staff, including director Yoshiaki Iwasaki and series composer Yosuke Kuroda, are well-experienced, and the result is a high-quality work. In particular, XEBEC's animation production is superb, with meticulous attention to detail in the drawings and movements, providing plenty of visual enjoyment.

Recommendation

"Ground Defense Force Mao-chan" is recommended as a comedy anime that the whole family can enjoy. It is especially enjoyable for a wide range of ages, from elementary school students to adults. Mao-chan and her friends' struggles and the humorous story are sure to heal you. It is also recommended for fans of Akamatsu Ken and those who like cute characters.

Furthermore, this anime teaches the importance of teamwork and the value of friendship through the members of the defense force working together to solve problems. It will be a good opportunity to convey such messages to children. Also, each episode depicts the battle with aliens and the daily life of the defense force, so you will never get bored of watching it, and there will be something new to discover every time.

You can purchase it on DVD or Blu-ray, but you can also watch it on streaming services. In particular, all episodes are available on the Bandai Channel, so you can enjoy it easily. There is also a lively fan art and fan community, so we recommend sharing information on social media and enjoying the show.

Finally, "Ground Defense Force Mao-chan" is a wonderful anime filled with humor and emotion. Please give it a watch. I'm sure it will warm your heart.