Invincible Signboard Girl: A thorough review of the charming characters and depth of the story

The appeal and evaluation of "Muteki Kanban Musume"

Overview

"Muteki Kanban Musume" is a TV anime series based on the original manga by Jun Sadogawa, which aired from July 5 to October 17, 2006. Set in Hanami-cho, it is a gag comedy about high-tension battles between Miki Onimaru, the poster girl of the Chinese restaurant "Onimaru Hanten", and the people and regular customers of the shopping district. The anime airs on UHF stations and Yomiuri TV, and consists of 12 episodes, each 30 minutes long.

■ Story

Invincible and wonderful! A super energetic and powerful high-tension battle comedy. For some reason, Onimaru Miki ends up helping out at her family's Chinese restaurant, Onimaru Hanten. This is a story about her growing in many ways as she interacts with the various people of Hanami Town. However, it is also a story about Miki causing a lot of trouble.

■Explanation

Set in Hanami-cho, this slapstick comedy follows the "unnecessarily heated battles" that unfold between the lively poster girl of a Chinese restaurant (ramen shop) and the protagonist, Onimaru Miki, and the shopkeepers and regulars of the shopping district. The anime was produced by Telecom Animation Film and produced by Onimaru Hanten (Toshiba Entertainment, Geneon Entertainment, Yomiuri Advertising, Yomiuri Television Broadcasting, Telecom Animation Film).

■Cast

• Onimaru Miki - Nabatame Hitomi
• Makiko Onimaru - Sayuri Sadaoka
• Akihiko Ota - Yuichi Nakamura
• Megumi Kannazuki - Ami Koshimizu
• Kankuro Nishiyama - Nobuyuki Hiyama
• Chika Kayahara - Kaori Mine
• Toshiyuki - Rokuro Naya
• Wakana Endo - Saori Nakajima

■ Main staff

• Original author - Jun Sadogawa
• Director: Nobuo Tomizawa
• Assistant Director - Koichi Suenaga
• Series Composition - Touko Machida
• Character design, chief animation director: Keiko Nakaji
• Art director: Hiroshi Nitta
• Color design - Tomoko Yamamoto
• Director of photography - Junko Miyagawa
• Edited by Yoshihiro Kasahara
• Sound Director: Hiromi Kikuta
• Music: Ryuji Takagi
• Producers: Takaya Ihei, Kohei Kawase, Shinichi Ikeda, Tomoyuki Saito, Tetsuro Satomi
• Production producer - Osamu Taniguchi
• Ending original art - Yasuo Otsuka
• Produced by Telecom Animation Films
• Produced by Onimaru Hanten (Toshiba Entertainment, Geneon Entertainment, Yomiuri Advertising, Yomiuri Television Broadcasting, Telecom Animation Film)

■ Main Characters

• Miki Onimaru - The poster girl of the Chinese restaurant "Onimaru Hanten", she is very strong. She loves to skip work and play, and is often scolded by her mother, Makiko.
• Megumi Kannazuki - The poster girl for the bakery across from Onimaru Hanten. Miki's childhood friend and rival. Her specialty is throwing frankfurters, and her hobby is doing nasty things to Miki.
• Makiko Onimaru - Miki's mother. She is loved by the people of Hanami-cho as a kind woman, but she is actually the strongest. She can overpower Miki with her strength.
• Akihiko Ota - He is the straight man at the greengrocer next to Onimaru Restaurant. He is good friends with the Onimaru family and is often played with by Miki. He was the only one with common sense, but...
• Nishiyama Kankuro - A man who was bullied by Miki in the past. He always challenges Miki to get revenge, but he has never won. For some reason, he always adds "nya" to the end of his sentences.
• Wakana Endo - The only daughter of the Endo family, who is a regular customer of the Onimaru family's delivery service. She is always together with Toshiyuki, the strongest dog in Hanami Town, except for school, and is basically unstoppable wherever she goes.
• Toshiyuki Endo - The Endo family's pet dog. He has the same fighting ability as Miki, and the fierce battle that took place when Miki first went out to deliver food is still talked about locally.
• Chika Kayahara - A high school teacher who wants to die but gives plausible lectures to people. She only smiles when she eats the ramen at Onimaru Hanten. She always wears tracksuits.

■Subtitle

• Episode 1 - Invincible poster girl (2006/07/04)
• Episode 2 - Another Poster Girl (2006/07/04)
• Episode 3 - The Challenger: His Name is Nishiyama Kankuro (2006/07/11)
• Episode 4 - There is no end to my battle (2006/07/11)
• Episode 5 - An Unprecedented Strong Enemy (2006/07/18)
• Episode 6 - I want to wipe away that child's tears (2006/07/18)
• Episode 7 - Before the Departure (2006/07/25)
• Episode 8 - Let me guide you (2006/07/25)
• Episode 9 - Let's settle this once and for all (2006/08/01)
• Episode 10 - You are the stepping stone!! (2006/08/01)
• Episode 11 - Showdown! Wanwan vs. Meow Meow (2006/08/08)
• Episode 12 - The Red Thread (2006/08/08)

■ Theme songs and music

• OP1 - WILD SPICE
  • Lyricist: Masami Okui
  • Composer - Monta
  • Arrangement - Monta
  • Sung by: Masami Okui
• ED1 - Invincible Smile
  • Lyricist: Naozumi Takahashi
  • Composer: Naozumi Takahashi
  • Arrangement - NONAKA YUICHI
  • Sung by: Naozumi Takahashi

■ Evaluation and appeal

"Muteki Kanban Musume" left a strong impression on viewers with its unique genre of high-tension battle comedy. In particular, the invincible power and humor of the main character, Onimaru Miki, draws viewers in with laughter, while also providing inspiration through her growth and the deepening of her relationships.

The anime was produced by Telecom Animation Film, with character design and general animation direction by Keiko Nakaji. Her designs bring out the individuality of the characters to the fullest and enhance their visual appeal. Director Nobuo Tomizawa also skillfully controls the tempo and balance of each episode, ensuring that viewers will not tire of the series.

The cast is also impressive, especially Hitomi Nabatame's performance as Miki Onimaru, who perfectly expresses the character's vitality and invincibility. Ami Koshimizu as Megumi Kannazuki and Sayuri Sadaoka as Makiko Onimaru also bring out the charm of their respective characters.

The music also plays an important role, with the opening theme "WILD SPICE" and the ending theme "Muteki na Smile" not only enhancing the atmosphere of the anime, but also leaving a lasting impression on viewers. Masami Okui's powerful singing voice in particular matches the character of Miki perfectly.

■ Recommendation points

"Muteki Kanban Musume" can be recommended for the following reasons:

• Balance of humor and action - Making the most of the high-tension battle comedy genre, the balance of laughter and action is exquisite. In particular, Miki's invincible power and humor are sure to entertain viewers.
• Character appeal - The characters, including Onimaru Miki, are all unique and appealing. In particular, the rivalry between Miki and Megumi, and the relationship between Miki and her mother Makiko capture the hearts of viewers.
• Production Quality - The production quality of Telecom Animation Films is high, and the character designs, animation, music, etc. are all top notch. Nakaji Keiko's character designs, in particular, bring out the individuality of the characters to the fullest.
• The appeal of the theme songs - The opening theme "WILD SPICE" and the ending theme "Muteki na Smile" not only enhance the atmosphere of the anime, but also leave a lasting impression on viewers. In particular, Masami Okui's powerful singing voice matches the character of Miki perfectly.

■ Summary

"Muteki Kanban Musume" is an anime that leaves a strong impression on viewers in the genre of high-tension battle comedy. It provides laughter and emotion through the protagonist Onimaru Miki's invincible power and humor, as well as her growth and deepening relationships. The production quality is high, and the character designs and music are also attractive. In particular, the rivalry between Miki and Megumi and the relationship between Miki and her mother Makiko will capture the hearts of viewers. Please give it a watch.