The appeal and reviews of Keroro Gunso the Super Movie - Gekishin Dragon Warriors desu!

Keroro Gunso the Super Movie: Gekishin Dragon Warriors de Arimasu! - Review and Recommendation

■Overview of the work

Keroro Gunso the Super Movie: Gekishin Dragon Warriors de Arimasu! is an anime film based on the popular manga Keroro Gunso by Yoshizaki Mine, which was released on March 7, 2009. The film tells the epic tale of the Keroro Platoon evolving into giant dragons and engaging in Earth-sized (Pekopon) battle action. It was distributed by Kadokawa Pictures, and animation was produced by Sunrise and Bridge. The general director was Sato Junichi, and the director was Yamaguchi Susumu. Each episode is 78 minutes long and complete in itself.

■ Story

The Keroro Platoon came from the planet Keron, far away in space, with the aim of invading Earth (Pekopon). However, in the three previous movies, rather than invading, they inadvertently saved the Earth from crisis, as is the familiar story. Meanwhile, mysterious giant objects called "Dragon Tails" suddenly appear all over the world, and the Keroro Platoon begins their activities in New York, Paris, Sydney, Tanzania, and Okutokyo City to find out what they are. Tamama goes missing in Paris, and Keroro and his friends follow her whereabouts and arrive at Mont Saint-Michel, a World Heritage Site in France. There, with the power of the "Book of Dragons" held by the mysterious girl Shion, the Keroro Platoon transform into ferocious dragons one after another, and gain great power. Will Keroro, who has become a dragon, use his power to invade or choose another path? The story heads towards its climax.

■Explanation

"Super Movie Keroro Gunso: Gekishin Dragon Warriors de Arimasu!" is the largest movie in the series and is depicted with overwhelming realism. Released in the memorable year of the original comic's 10th anniversary and the TV anime's 5th anniversary, this movie brings out new charms of Keroro Gunso. Fans were surprised and impressed by the sight of the usual clumsy alien Keroro Gunso, who goes on a spectacular adventure without reading the atmosphere. In the spring of 2009, Keroro will evolve and embark on a new adventure with the audience.

■Cast

The cast of this film includes Kumiko Watanabe as Sergeant Keroro, Tomoko Kawakami as Fuyuki Hinata, Etsuko Kozakura as Private Tamama, Joji Nakata as Corporal Giroro, Takehito Koyasu as Sergeant Major Kurul, Takeshi Kusao as Corporal Dororo, Chiwa Saito as Natsumi Hinata, Akiko Hiramatsu as Aki Hinata, Akira Ishida as Saburo, Haruna Ikezawa as Momoka Nishizawa, Mamiko Noto as Angol Mois, Ryo Hirohashi as Koyuki Azumaya, and Rinko Nakata as Shion. The cast is filled with impressive voice actors, including Nana Mizuki as Pierre, Daisuke Gori as Pierre, Ikue Otani as Terara, Asuka Tanii as Yayoi Shimotsuki, Chie Matsuura as Satsuki Shiwasu, Nobuyuki Hiyama as 556, Tomoko Kaneda as Rabi, Megumi Toyoguchi as Melody Honey, Atsushi Hashimoto as the Uncle, Akira Harasawa as the Poacher, Natsuki Kato as the TV Reporter, and Keiji Fujiwara as the Narrator and Paul.

■ Main staff

The main staff of this work are professionals from various fields, including the original author Yoshizaki Mine, the scriptwriter Yamaguchi Hiroshi, the storyboard artists and director Yamaguchi Susumu and Urakami Takayuki, the character designer and animation director Ozaki Fumitoshi, the mechanic designer Suzuki Tsutomu, the prop designer Imaishi Susumu, the mechanical animation director Naka Morifumi, and the music director Suzuki Saeko. In addition, many staff members worked together in the production process, editing, sound, CG, and other areas to complete the work.

■ Main Characters

Sergeant Keroro is the incompetent captain of the Keroro Platoon, but in this work he evolves into the strongest Keroro Dragon. Private Tamama has a split personality, cute in appearance but scary when she gets angry. Corporal Giroro is the only one in the platoon who has a soldier-like personality, and Sergeant Kururu is a sneaky but inventive genius. Corporal Dororo is a former assassin who loves the nature of the Earth. Félicitation de Dracoun (nicknamed Shion) is the head of the wealthy French Dracoun family and a beautiful girl who is Momoka's childhood friend. The "Book of Dragons" she possesses is the key to the story. Hinata Natsumi is the older sister of the lively and strong-willed Fuyuki, who is a bright and honest middle school student who loves the occult.

■ Related works

The Keroro Gunso series includes a TV series, other movies, and many spin-offs such as Chibi Kero and Musha Kero. Fans can't miss the release of new works one after another, including Keroro Gunso the Super Movie, Keroro Gunso the Super Movie 2: Princess of the Deep Sea!, Keroro Gunso the Super Movie 3: Keroro vs. Keroro: Great Battle in the Sky!, Keroro Gunso the Super Movie: Birth! Ultimate Keroro: Miracle Space-Time Island!, and Keroro Gunso the Super Projection: Reclaim the Starry Sky! The Great Solar System Chase!.

■ Theme songs and music

The three theme songs used in this work are TM1 "Minna Anata wo Aishiteru" (Lyrics and composition: Kinjo Ayano, Arrangement: Ishizuka Tomoo, Sung by Kiroro), OP1 "Keroro Japon!" (Lyrics: Nishi Naoki, Composition and Arrangement: Suzuki Saeko, Kakegawa Yosuke, Motosawa Naoyuki, Sung by Naito Daisuke & Kato Natsuki), IN1 "Hoshi no Sasayaku Monogatari" (Lyrics: Yamaguchi Hiroshi, Composition and Arrangement: Suzuki Saeko, Kakegawa Yosuke, Motosawa Naoyuki, Sung by Shion (Mizuki Nana)). These songs play an important role in exciting the development of the story.

■Review

"Keroro Gunso the Super Movie: Gekishin Dragon Warriors de Arimasu!" is a must-see for fans of the Keroro Gunso series. This film, which is the largest in the series and is depicted with overwhelming realism, depicts the new adventures and evolution of the Keroro Platoon. In particular, the scene where Keroro evolves into a dragon is visually very impactful, and adds excitement to the climax of the story. In addition, the presence of the mysterious girl Shion and the "Book of Dragons" adds depth and mystery to the story, drawing the audience in.

The appeal of this work lies in the growth and change of each character in the Keroro Platoon. The charm of each character is brought out to the fullest, such as Keroro's clumsiness and bravery, Tamama's dual personality, Giroro's soldier-like personality, Kururu's inventive talent, and Dororo's love of nature. The relationships between new and old characters such as Shion, Hinata Natsumi, and Hinata Fuyuki also enrich the story.

Music is also an important element that enhances the appeal of this work. Kiroro's "Everyone Loves You" captures the hearts of the audience with its heartwarming melody and lyrics, while Daisuke Naito and Natsuki Kato's "Keroro Japon!" livens up the tempo of the story with its light-hearted rhythm and lyrics. And Nana Mizuki's "The Whispering Stars" is a beautiful piece that symbolizes Shion's character and the theme of the story. These pieces effectively express the development of the story and the feelings of the characters.

The production staff of this work should not be overlooked. General Director Sato Junichi and Director Yamaguchi Susumu have a deep understanding of the worldview of the Keroro Gunso series and have brought out new charms. Professionals in each field, such as character designer and animation director Ozaki Fumitoshi, mechanic design by Suzuki Tsutomu, props by Imaishi Susumu, and mecha animation director Naka Morifumi, worked together to complete the work. Music by Suzuki Saeko and screenwriter Yamaguchi Hiroshi also worked hard to bring out the charm of the story to the fullest.

"Super Movie Keroro Gunso: Gekishin Dragon Warriors de Arimasu!" is a film that can be recommended not only to fans of the Keroro Gunso series, but to everyone who loves anime movies. With the largest scale in the series and overwhelming realism, the new adventures and evolution of the Keroro Platoon, the growth and change of each character, beautiful music, a stellar cast, and the power of a professional production staff, this film is sure to give audiences new surprises and emotions. I hope you will experience the evolution of Keroro in the spring of 2009 with us.

■Recommendation

"Super Movie Keroro Gunso: Gekishin Dragon Warriors de Arimasu!" is a film that can be recommended not only to fans of the Keroro Gunso series, but to everyone who loves anime movies. With the largest scale in the series and overwhelming realism, the new adventures and evolution of the Keroro Platoon, the growth and change of each character, beautiful music, a stellar cast, and the power of a professional production staff, this film is sure to give audiences new surprises and emotions. I hope you will experience the evolution of Keroro in the spring of 2009 with us.