The appeal and reviews of "Medaka Box": Focus on the unique characters and plot development

Medaka Box - Medaka Box -

■ Public Media

TV anime series

■ Original Media

comics

■ Broadcast period

April 5, 2012 - June 21, 2012

■Broadcasting station

TV Tokyo, TV Osaka, TV Aichi, Kumamoto Broadcasting, AT-X, Niconico Video, Niconico Video Mobile, AniTeleshia Ata, GyaO!, GyaO! Store, DMM.com, au Hikari TV Service, MOVIE SPLASH VOD, J:COM On Demand, Rakuten Showtime, Bandai Channel, PlayStation®Store, Video Market, DMM.com Video Full, ShowMobile, Best Hit Video, Best Hit Anime Video, AnimeMobi

■Frequencies

half an hour

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 12

■Original Story

Nishio Isin, Akira Akatsuki

■ Director

Akishi Saeki

■ Production

・Animation Production: GAINAX
・Produced by: Hakoniwa Academy Student Council

■Cast

・Medaka Kurokami/Aki Toyosaki ・Zenkichi Hitoyoshi/Yuki Ono ・Hanzode Shiranui/Emiri Kato ・Takaki Akune/Daisuke Namikawa ・Mogana Kikaijima/Ai Kayano

■ Main staff

・Original work: Nishio Isin, Akira Akatsuki (serialized in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump)
Director: Akishi Saeki, Character design: Ikuro Kuwana, Chief animation director: Sumie Kinoshita, Storyboard chief: Hiroki Shinagawa, Color design: Harumi Takaboshi, Art director: Yukie Abe, Director of photography: Yasuhiro Akamatsu, Editor: Daisuke Hiraki, Sound director: Jun Watanabe, Music: Tatsuya Kato, Music production: Lantis, Animation production: GAINAX
・Produced by: Hakoniwa Academy Student Council

■ Main Characters

・Kurokami Medaka, Class 13, Student Council President. Special skills: True Skills "1" to "4", avoiding animals. Blood type: AB. Voiced by Toyosaki Aki. A first-year student at Hakoniwa Academy, she is the Student Council President. During the Student Council President election, she garnered 98% of the votes and was inaugurated as Student Council President. She is a perfect superhuman with outstanding abilities in all academics and sports, which is hard to believe she is human. She set up a "Suggestion Box" as part of her campaign promises during the Student Council President election, and is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to receive advice and requests from students at Hakoniwa Academy.
・Affiliated with Hitoyoshi Zenkichi, Class 1, General Affairs for the Student Council. Dominant hand: left. Blood type: AB. Star sign: Leo. Special skills: Medaka love, Sabbat. Voiced by Ono Yuki. Has been friends with Kurokami Medaka since they were two years old. Although he is a normal student in Class 1, he has always believed in Medaka's righteousness and has a great deal of affection and trust for her. Although he often has a surly attitude, in reality he is always working hard to be on par with Medaka.
・Shiranui Hansode, Class 1, Year 1. Blood type: AB. Eyesight: 1.5 in both eyes. Special skills: Only making friends when it's convenient, big eater. Voiced by Kato Emiri. She has a sharp tongue and a dark side that comes off of her young appearance, and is known for her innocent behavior that makes fun of people. She has a very small build like a moe character, but she is always eating something.
Akune Takaki is in the Judo Club, Class 11, Year 2. His blood type is AB. His special skills are fighting ability, 2nd dan in Judo, and beautiful handwriting. Voiced by Namikawa Daisuke. After a judo match with Zenkichi, he became the secretary of the student council. Zenkichi has been his rival over Medaka since middle school. Among the members of the executive committee, he is an all-around talented genius. With his good looks, he is known to all second-year students at the school as the "Prince of Judo."
・Kikaijima Mogana, Class 11, Ace of the Swimming Club. Blood type: AB. Special skills: Athletic ability, First-class bookkeeping. Voiced by: Kayano Ai. A girl with glasses and a ponytail. She has a strong belief that "money is everything in life" and "money is more important than life", and she strongly opposes Medaka, whose motto is "life over money". At the inter-club underwater athletics meet, after a fierce battle with the student council executive committee, Kurokami Medaka fell in love with her and scouted her to be the student council treasurer while also working in the swimming club. She always wears a swimsuit under her uniform.
Moji is a third-year student in class 2 and the leader of the delinquent group in the Kendo club. His blood type is AB. Voiced by Katsuyuki Konishi. He was one of the students who was tried by the student council and reformed by Medaka. After being beaten up by Hinata, he regained the passion he had as a kendo boy.
Hinata is in class 1, Kendo club. Blood type AB. Voiced by Kazuyuki Okitsu. A serious-looking young man with narrow eyes. He is quite sneaky, such as when he ambushes the delinquent Kendo club members who are occupying the club room. However, Zenkichi and Medaka are the ones who run the student council.
・Ariake, second year, class 9, track and field club member. Blood type AB. Voiced by Ogame Asuka. A twin-tailed girl from the track and field club. As a second year, she won the track and field club representative contest, but her cleats were ruined by someone and she asked the student council to find the culprit.
・Isahaya third-year student, third-year class 9, track and field club member. Blood type AB. Dominant hand left. Voiced by Masumi Asano. A third-year student in the track and field club. He is the real culprit who ruined Ariake Kouhai's athletic spikes, but he reformed after seeing Medaka's righteousness.
・A second-year student in Kanoya, he is one of the candidates for student council president. Voiced by Toru Nara. He is a villain who tries to threaten girls and steal their votes. He consults Zenkichi about a plan to overthrow the ruling class by attacking Medaka Kurokami, but is completely beaten down.
・Nabeshima Nekomi, third year class 11, captain of the judo club. Blood type AB. Voiced by Kotobuki Minako. Captain of the judo club, nicknamed the "King of Judo's Foul Plays" and known for his foul play techniques, he has impressed the high school judo world. His motto is to "win dirty against a clean opponent."
・Yatsushiro, third year, class 3-3. Blood type AB. Voiced by Eri Nakao. The client of Akune's memorable first job, a letter to the suggestion box. Because her handwriting is messy, she asked the student council to write a love letter for her, but Akune makes her practice her handwriting.
・A member of Aso Tanzaku, Class 3-3, acting head of the broadcasting club. Blood type AB. Animal fortune telling giraffe. Voiced by Kadowaki Mai. As acting head of the broadcasting club, she is in charge of live commentary for the inter-club underwater athletic meet. Her excellent commentary in combination with Shiranui Honsode further livened up the competition.
・Yakushima is a third-year student in class 11 and the captain of the swimming club. Voiced by Makoto Yasumura. One of the three members of the swimming club known as the "Flying Fish Trio." He is characterized by his beard. He is always calm and collected, and like Tanegashima, he cares for Mogana and eliminates all those who harm her.
・Tanegashima is a second-year student in class 11 and vice-captain of the swimming club. Voiced by Yoshino Hiroyuki. He is one of the three members of the swimming club known as the "Flying Fish Trio." He has dark skin. His teeth are jagged like a shark's, and he has a mean face and a mean mouth, but he cares for Mogana just like Yakushima.
・Yuhara is a first-year student in class 12 of the Art Club. He calls himself an artist. Voiced by Shimowada Hiroki. He is an Art Club member who came to the Student Council to ask for help finding a model for a painting competition. His strong opinions as a self-proclaimed "artist" even confuse the stubborn Student Council Executive Committee.
・Onise Harine belongs to Class 3, Year 1, and is the captain of the Disciplinary Committee's Third Unit. Also known as "Handcuffed American Onise." Voiced by Ohashi Ayumi. A member of the "Unzen Merrymaking Association." In the name of the Disciplinary Committee, she takes pride in her duties and believes in iron fist punishment. She is proud of being a Disciplinary Committee member, but often behaves in a way that puts the cart before the horse.
・Yobuko second-year student, Class 20, Vice-chair of the Disciplinary Committee. Voiced by Koshimizu Ami. Vice-chair of the Disciplinary Committee and a member of the "Unzen Miracle Appreciation Society." Uses a chain to hang students. Her motives are driven by her personal affection and loyalty to Miracle, rather than the position of the school's Disciplinary Committee.
・Unzen Mei-ri, Class 13, 2nd year, Disciplinary Committee Chair. Blood type: AB. Age: 10 (skipped a grade). Voiced by: Paku Romi. Nicknamed "Monster Child." Although 10 years old, she is in her second year due to skipping a grade, and is Kurokami Medaka's senior. She holds beliefs that are the polar opposite of Kurokami Medaka's, such as "if it's not too much, it's not justice" and "considering people to be evil," and is at odds with the student council executive committee. To make up for the difference in physical strength and build due to her age, she fights using the many weapons she received from the board of directors in return for the Flask Project.

■Subtitle

・Box 1: "Execute the Student Council!"
・Box 2: "Are you the culprit? / Of course it's me!"
・The 3rd Box / "That's unnecessary!! / As Medaka-san wishes!!"
・Box 4: "Which one is it?!/If you have a wish"
・Box 5: "Win and win!"
Box 6: "I don't expect you to understand"
Box 7: "Do you do this to everyone? / As long as it's not selfish!!"
・Box 8: "I will crush Medaka Kurokami!!"
Box 9: "If it's not excessive, it's not justice!"
・Box 10: "I will never forgive you!!"
・Box 11: "This settles it!!"
・Box 12: "Even without Kurokami Medaka!"

■ Related works

・Medaka Box Abnormal

■ Theme songs and music

・OP1
・"HAPPY CRAZY BOX"
・Song: Minami Kuribayashi ・ED1
"Take me to the flower field"
・Singer: Medaka Kurokami (voiced by Aki Toyosaki)

Medaka Box - Medaka Box - Reviews and Recommendations

"Medaka Box" is an anime based on the popular manga serialized in Shueisha's "Weekly Shonen Jump" magazine, written by Nisio Isin and Akira Akatsuki. A total of 12 episodes were broadcast from April 5 to June 21, 2012, and the story is set in a miniature school where various problems are solved through the activities of the student council. The work has attracted many fans with its unique characters and unique storytelling. Below, we will explain in detail the appeal and highlights of "Medaka Box", as well as the recommended points.

Story and Themes

The story of "Medaka Box" revolves around the student council of Hakoniwa Academy. The protagonist, Medaka Kurokami, is the overwhelmingly capable student council president who sets up a "suggestion box" to resolve problems and requests from students. Through this suggestion box, the story depicts her confronting various problems that arise within the school.

The theme of the work is the relationship between "justice" and "power." Medaka is a character with absolute power, and tries to realize justice with that power. However, as the story progresses, it depicts problems that cannot be solved by power alone, and conflicts regarding how to use power. These themes provide viewers with deep emotions and thought-provoking elements.

Character Appeal

The biggest appeal of "Medaka Box" is its unique characters. In particular, the main character, Medaka Kurokami, is portrayed as a perfect superhuman, but also shows a human side that draws sympathy from viewers. Her childhood friend, Zenkichi Hitoyoshi, believes in Medaka's righteousness, but is realistically portrayed as struggling with his own lack of ability.

In addition, each character, such as Shiranui Hansode, Akune Takaki, and Kikaijima Mogana, has their own beliefs and backgrounds, which enrich the story. In particular, the development of a 10-year-old grade-skipping student named Unzen Meiri who comes into conflict with the student council provides a fresh surprise to viewers.

Animation and performance

GAINAX, the animation production company, vividly expresses the unique worldview of "Medaka Box". Character design is by Ikuo Kuwana, who faithfully reproduces the image of the original work while adding the unique charm of anime. In particular, the battle scenes and the depiction inside the school are beautifully drawn thanks to the power of the color design and art direction.

Director Akiyoshi Saeki has also incorporated unique aspects of anime production while maintaining the tempo of the original work. For example, the subtitles for each episode are expressed in the unique format of a "box," and the camerawork used to portray the characters' emotions is very impressive.

Music and theme song

The music is by Tatsuya Kato and produced by Lantis. The opening theme "HAPPY CRAZY BOX" features Minami Kuribayashi's powerful singing voice that sets the mood of the work. The ending theme "Take Me to the Flower Field" is sung by Aki Toyosaki, who plays Medaka Kurokami, and helps us understand her character more deeply.

Recommended points

"Medaka Box" is especially recommended for the following viewers:

• For fans of unique characters : Each character in "Medaka Box" has a strong personality, so viewers will never tire of it. In particular, Medaka Kurokami's charm as a perfect superhuman and her relationships with the other characters are worth watching.
• For those who like school stories : This series depicts school life and student council activities in a miniature school, and is packed with elements that school fans will enjoy. The way the student council solves various problems is sure to resonate with viewers.
• People who enjoy deep themes : "Medaka Box" depicts the relationship between power and justice, and the conflict over how to use power, providing viewers with deep emotions and elements that make them think. I recommend it to people who enjoy these themes.
• Fans of the original work : For fans of the original work, watching the animated version of "Medaka Box" allows them to gain a deeper understanding of the worldview of the original work. In particular, it is appealing that the anime adds its own unique touches while maintaining the tempo of the original work.

Related works and sequels

"Medaka Box" has a sequel called "Medaka Box Abnormal". This sequel has a deeper story and new characters, further enhancing the appeal of the original. For fans of the original and anime, this is a must-see.

Conclusion

"Medaka Box" is a work that combines unique characters, deep themes, and beautiful animation and music. It provides viewers with moving and thought-provoking elements, and is especially recommended for those who enjoy school stories and deep themes. Please watch this work and enjoy the activities of the student council of Hakoniwa Academy and the growth of the characters.