The appeal and reviews of Sarugetchu: On Air: A thorough explanation of the recommended points

The appeal and reviews of Sarugetchu: On Air

"Sarugetchu on Air", which aired in 2006, is a TV anime series based on a game by Sony Computer Entertainment Japan. This work was broadcast every Saturday from 8:30 on the TV Tokyo network, and although it was short, it had a dense story of 26 episodes. The anime, which was almost entirely drawn in 3DCG, offered viewers a fresh visual experience.

Story and setting

The story is set in Karino City, a little closer to the present day. One day, a mysterious helmeted monkey named Pipozaru suddenly appears, causing chaos in the peaceful town. Fearing that the world could be in big trouble if left unchecked, the protagonist Kakeru sets out to capture Pipozaru. Kakeru and his friends' adventures revolve around the amusing monkey Pipozaru, and depict their struggle to save the Earth from crisis.

Kakeru is a lively and curious fourth grade boy who is the main character who challenges himself to catch Pipo-saru. He struggles to catch Pipo-saru by making the most of his athletic ability. Hakase is a genius inventor who developed the Pipo-Helmet, and has a friendship with Kakeru that transcends their age. Natsumi is Hakase's granddaughter and works as an operator to support Kakeru. Hiroki is Kakeru's best friend and rival, and has a slight admiration for Natsumi. Kuta is a small white monkey kept by Natsumi, who has a tendency to wander and is currently missing. Specter is a white monkey who has awakened to his psychic powers and evil heart by wearing the Hipo-Helmet, and plans to take over the world with the Pipo-Saru. The Pipo-Saru are monkeys who have become a little smarter by wearing the Pipo-Helmet, and they repeatedly play silly pranks under Specter's orders.

Production and staff

Sarugetchu on Air was animated by Shogakukan Music & Digital Entertainment and XEBEC, and produced by Shogakukan Shueisha Productions. It was directed by Habara Nobuyoshi, with series composition by Arakawa Toshihisa, animation design by Asaga Kazuyuki, 3DCG director Hasegawa Ayumu, art direction by Watanabe Yoshito, color supervision by Sekimoto Mitsuko, director of photography Hirose Katsutoshi, editor Ito Junichi, music by Sakai Yoichi, sound director Yamada Tomoaki, producer Hattori Keidai, and animation producer Shimoji Shionao.

cast

The voice actors for the main characters are Shizuka Ishikawa as Kakeru, Hideyuki Umezu as Hakase, Tomoko Kawakami as Natsumi, Chinatsu Sakamoto as Specter, and Takami Umeda, Shinichi Namiki, and Fushigi Yamada as Pipozaru. These voice actors bring depth to the work with their performances that make the most of the individuality of each character.

Episodes and subtitles

Each episode has a unique subtitle to keep the viewers interested. Below are the subtitles for each episode:

• Episode 1: Appearance! Monkey Heaven (2006/04/08)
• Episode 2: A Good Trip, Monkey Feeling (2006/04/15)
• Episode 3: The Original! Naviya (2006/04/22)
• Episode 4: Monkeys are having fun! Smile Monkey Resort (2006/04/29)
• Episode 5: World Cooking Monkeys (2006/05/06)
• Episode 6: In Search of Sal Roman (2006/05/13)
• Episode 7: The Monkey General? A Big Rampage (2006/05/20)
• Episode 8: Special Trip for Two (2006/05/27)
• Episode 9: Even a Monkey Can Be Picasso (2006/06/03)
• Episode 10: Monkey Roadshow (2006/06/10)
• Episode 11: What if your body suddenly changes?! (2006/06/17)
• Episode 12: Memories! The main character of Getchu (2006/06/24)
• Episode 13: Snowboard Spirit (2006/07/01)
• Episode 14: Overdoing it Specter (2006/07/08)
• Episode 15: Exclusive Live Broadcast: Monkey Fireworks Festival (2006/07/15)
• Episode 16: Kakeru's Straight to Victory (2006/07/22)
• Episode 17: Portrait of Kuta (2006/07/29)
• Episode 18: Pipo Style Opening Bell (2006/08/05)
• Episode 19: The Great Monkey Investigation Network (2006/08/12)
• Episode 20: Suddenly Living in Space? (2006/08/19)
• Episode 21: Monkey Duck! Memories (2006/08/26)
• Episode 22: What even the professor of Specter won't tell you (2006/09/02)
• Episode 23: Winning Monkey Maze (2006/09/09)
• Episode 24: Race! Shame, Shame, Shame (2006/09/16)
• Episode 25: Transformation Coliseum! (2006/09/23)
• Episode 26: The World is a Thing! (2006/09/30)

Related Titles

Related works to "Sarugetchu On Air" include "Let's Get Sarugetchu" and "Sarugetchu On Air 2nd." These works also depict the adventures of Pipozaru and his friends, making them a must-watch series for fans.

Ratings and Recommendations

"Sarugetchu on Air" was praised for its unique worldview and full 3D CG expression. In particular, the humorous antics of the Pipo-Saru and the story depicting the friendship and growth of Kakeru and his friends were well received by a wide range of people, from children to adults. Each episode also has a clear theme, making it enjoyable for viewers to watch without getting bored.

This work was also a success as an anime based on a game, providing viewers with a new entertainment experience. In particular, the visual expression that made full use of 3DCG technology was advanced for its time and made a visual impact. In addition, the characters' personalities were well-drawn, and it was also praised for the ease with which viewers could empathize with the characters.

The first reason to recommend this show is its humor and entertainment value. The silly pranks of Pipo-Saru and the others, and the struggles of Kakeru and his friends will make viewers laugh and be moved. Also, don't miss the beautiful 3DCG visuals. There are plenty of visually enjoyable elements, such as the near-future Karino City and the movements of Pipo-Saru. Furthermore, it depicts universal themes such as friendship and growth, making it enjoyable for both children and adults.

"Sarugetchu on Air" is an excellent work as an anime based on a game, as a 3DCG anime, and as an entertainment piece. Please watch it once and experience its charm.