Soft Romance of the Three Kingdoms: Evaluation of Lu Bu-chan's piercing power and charm

Soft Romance of the Three Kingdoms: Stab!! Lu Bu-chan - Review and Recommendation

Overview

"Soft Romance of the Three Kingdoms: Stab!! Ryofuko-chan" is an OVA animation based on the original manga by Suzuki Jiro. All four episodes were released by King Records between December 26, 2007 and March 26, 2008. This is a comedy anime that depicts the daily life of Ryofuko-chan, an elementary school girl who comes to modern Japan from the historical world of the Three Kingdoms. It is directed by Moriyama Yuji, produced by Chaos Project, and co-produced by Ganges.

■ Story

It was a time of chaos without order... There was a fierce general running through the Central Plains. His appearance was like a demon. His strength was like that of a dragon and a tiger... His name was Lu Bu Fengxian. ...But then suddenly, this fierce general came to the present day. And as a girl (an elementary school student)... The location was Jogashima. One day, Lu Bu-chan, who came from the world of the Three Kingdoms, was staying at a guesthouse with her vassal Chen Gong. As an elementary school girl. But that was just her appearance, and inside she was still a fierce general. However fierce a general she was, she was just a childish elementary school student who had to go to school, study, and participate in events. No matter how much she said she was the fierce general Lu Bu Fengxian, people around her would just see her as a girl who liked the Three Kingdoms. Please enjoy this loose, slapstick, and cute anime about these girls!

■Explanation

"Soft Romance of the Three Kingdoms: Stab!! Lu Bu-chan" is an OVA anime adaptation of a manga published by Square Enix, a monthly G-Fantasy magazine. The original work was by Suzuki Jiro. The original manga was "Souta-kun's Akihabara Struggles" that was serialized in the same magazine. The character "Lu Bu-chan" that appeared in that work was serialized as a spin-off manga called "Magical Unrivaled Angel: Stab!! Lu Bu-chan". The anime "Soft Romance of the Three Kingdoms: Stab!! Lu Bu-chan" was born based on both manga. The director of the anime adaptation will be Yuji Moriyama, who is also a very popular character designer. The animation will be produced by Chaos Project. The background music will be composed by Kei Ueoka, who was in charge of the background music for "Pani Poni Dash!" and "Negima!?". This is a love-moe anime in which very laid-back characters from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms suddenly appear in the present day, as girls (elementary school students).

■Cast

• Ryofuko/Yuki Matsuoka
• Chen Gong/Nishimura Chinami
• Takashi/Norio Wakamoto
• Cao Cao/Yoshino Hiroyuki
• Xiahou Dun/Jouji Nakata
• Eri Matsuoka/Yuri Shiratori
• Asumi/Junko Noda
• Rena/Aka Sato
• Nami/Tatsuno Kanako
• Red Hare/Keiichi Sonobe
• Guan Yu/Fumihiko Tachiki
• Principal/Cho
• Fisherman / Kiyoyuki Yanada, Mitsuaki Madono
• Yukie/Nozomi Kobayashi

■ Main staff

• Planning: Koji Taguchi
• Original author: Jiro Suzuki
• Director: Yuji Moriyama
• Series Composition: Hitomi Amemiya
• Character design: Yuji Moriyama
• Art director: Yoichi Nango, Geki Katsumata
• Color setting: Kazuko Nabeshima
• Director of photography: Koji Yamakoshi
• Edited by Toshihiko Kojima
• Music by Kei Haneoka
• Sound Director: Yota Tsuruoka
• Sound production: Rakuonsha
• Sound Production: Yoshimi Sugiyama
• Music Production: Starchild Records
• Producers: Nobuyuki Kurashige, Ken Mochizuki, Tomoko Kawasaki, Go Nakanishi
• Animation producer/Ayumitsu Enomoto
• Planning cooperation, production: Ganges
• Animation Production: Chaos Project
• Produced by: Pierced Squad

■ Main Characters

• Lu Bu-ko has taken the form of a little girl, but she was originally praised as the strongest military commander in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms. She now lives on the second floor of a modest guesthouse and attends a local elementary school. If she transforms into military commander mode, she can unleash her former powers.
• Chen Gong is a military strategist who has served me for many years. He used to be an old man, but now he has become a glasses-wearing elementary school girl in both body and mind. He can be a bit of a nag, but he is a caring and kind guy, and seems to get along well with the girls in his class. Well, sometimes you can see a glimpse of his dark side.
• Like Gaoshun Chen Gong, he is a military commander who has served me for many years. He was originally a brave military commander, but for some reason, when he came here, his soul seems to have resided in a stuffed animal. Now he is just a useless thing hanging from my backpack.
• A man who calls himself Cao Cao's sworn enemy. He was once a general in an army, but now he's a fool with no redeeming features other than his looks. Since coming here, he's been pretending to be a fisherman with his subordinate, Xiahou Dun.
• Xiahou Dun was a subordinate of Cao Cao and was a loyal retainer who supported him... but he doesn't seem to respect his master very much. I know this is not my problem, but I'm sure it must be tough for Cao Cao to have subordinates like that.
• Matsuoka Eri is Washi and Chin Gong's homeroom teacher. She has a nice F-cup body, but she's clumsy and not very reliable. Chin Gong seems to be in love with this teacher, but I prefer a more glamorous woman.
• Asumi is a classmate of mine who speaks in Kansai dialect. She's flat-chested but is a show-off who likes to play with her naughty breasts. For some reason, she always picks a fight with me. She's such a cheeky girl.
• He's a classmate of Renawashi's. He's quiet and absent-minded, but there's something strangely intimidating about him. Apparently Gao Shun was captured by him and thrown into the incinerator many times. Hmm, he's a scary guy.
• Nami is a little timid, but she is honest and kind. She is serious and smart, so she seems to get along well with Chen Gong. By the way, I always ask Nami to copy my homework for me. I'll be counting on you again, Nami ♪
• Red Hare is my beloved horse, who is said to run 1,000 ri in a day. Since coming here, he has been using his speed to deliver fish at the fishing port. Not only does he carry his master on the battlefield, he also earns money and helps his master livelihood, making him a truly admirable horse.

■Subtitle

• Episode 1/Happening 1/Happening 2 (2007/12/26)
• Episode 2: Happening 3/Happening 4 (2008/01/23)
• Episode 3: Happening 5/Happening 6 (2008/02/27)
• Episode 4: Happening 7/Happening 8 (2008/03/26)

■ Theme songs and music

• OP1
  
  • Exciting!
  • Lyrics by Shiina Karen
  • Composer: Sumiyoshi Naka
  • Arrangement: YOPA
  • Song: Tae Urakabe
• OP2
  
  • Exciting!
  • Lyrics by Shiina Karen
  • Composer: Sumiyoshi Naka
  • Arrangement: YOPA
  • Singer: Norio Wakamoto (Takayoshi)
• ED1
  
  • OH MY FRIEND! ~Keep Shining~
  • Lyrics: FLAT5th Rico
  • Composer: Nana Takahashi
  • Arrangement: Nana Takahashi
  • Song: Tae Urakabe
• ED2
  
  • Connecting with you☆
  • Lyrics: FLAT5th Rico
  • Composer: Mizuki Ueki
  • Arrangement: Mizuki Ueki
  • Sung by Papico (Natsuko Aso)
• ED3
  
  • Funiculi Funicula (Demon Pants)
  • Lyricist: Seiji Tanaka
  • Composer: Luigi Denza
  • Arrangement: Kei Ueoka
  • Singer: Cho

■Review

"Soft Romance of the Three Kingdoms: Stab!! Ryofuko-chan" is a comedy anime that depicts the daily life of Ryofuko-chan, an elementary school girl who comes to modern Japan from the historical world of the Three Kingdoms. This work is humorous and makes use of the gap between history and modern times, and the individuality of the characters stands out.

First of all, regarding the story, the setting in which Lu Bu-chan comes to modern-day Japan from the world of the Three Kingdoms is very unique. The slapstick comedy that occurs as she goes to school as an elementary school student and goes about her daily life is entertaining to viewers. In particular, the scene in which Lu Bu-chan transforms into her warrior mode is a visually enjoyable point. Also, the characters such as Chen Gong and Gao Shun's comical attempts to adapt to modern life are sure to make you laugh.

Next, regarding the characters, Lu Bu-chan is originally set as the strongest military commander in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, but the contrast between her appearance as an elementary school student is fascinating. Her strength and cuteness are perfectly matched, drawing viewers in. In addition, the supporting characters such as Chen Gong and Gao Shun are also unique, and the humor and drama of each character enrich the story. In particular, Chen Gong's character setting as a girl with glasses makes her seem familiar to viewers.

We should also mention the quality of the animation. Director Yuji Moriyama is also well-known for his character designs, and his influence is evident in this work. The character designs are cute and the movements are smooth, making this a visually enjoyable animation. Additionally, the music by Kei Haneoka, who was in charge of the background music, is also an important element in enhancing the atmosphere of the work. The opening and ending songs in particular are memorable and will surely linger in the viewers' memories.

Finally, regarding recommendations, this work is recommended not only for fans of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, but also for those who like comedy and moe anime. You can enjoy the gap between how historical characters live in modern Japan. In addition, the characters are rich in personality and humor, so viewers will not get bored. Although it is a short series of four episodes, it is packed with dense content and is a work that can be watched in one go. Please give it a watch at least once.

■Recommendation

"Soft Romance of the Three Kingdoms: Stab!! Lu Bu-chan" is a work that allows you to enjoy the gap between how historical characters from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms live in modern Japan. In particular, the gap between Lu Bu-chan's cuteness and strength has an appeal that attracts viewers. In addition, the supporting characters such as Chen Gong and Gao Shun are also unique, and the humor and drama of each character enriches the story. The animation quality is high, and the character design and background music are also enjoyable points. Although it is a short episode with only four episodes in total, it is packed with dense content and is a work that can be watched in one go. It is recommended not only for fans of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, but also for those who like comedy and moe anime. Please give it a watch at least once.