Oh! Edo Rocket

"It's a show about fireworks & aliens!" says the large font on the back of my complete series box set. Not a combination I'd ever put together but I guess it works. Edo (Tokyo's former name) is under strict  rule by a magistrate who has banned practically anything that's fun, that includes fireworks. Which is a problem for Seikichi, firework maker. As he tries to create the best fireworks in the his life is bombarded by the sudden appearance of Sora. She comes to Seikichi to request that he builds a firework that can reach the moon. Why would she request this? Because Sora is actually an alien and wants to return home, almost reminiscent of E.T now that I think about it! Meanwhile Ginjiro is in cooperation with the 'men in black' trying to fight the mysterious 'Sky Beasts' who are killing young women by sucking out all their blood. Hard to see a connection between these to stories but what ever. It is definitely odd, and also quite hard to keep track of but I wouldn't necessarily call the plot bad. Thing is, I can never tell if they are trying to serious or humorous  there are jokes and there are serious bits but they kind of blur together so I end up not taking any of it seriously. But then, I never take aliens seriously.

The character design is excellent. Every one's wearing traditional clothes to fit the Edo-era and there are so many different exciting hair do's and Sora has super cute stars in her eyes and blue eyes to make her stand out as the alien. But the art itself is not that brilliant. Half the characters are drawn pint-sized doodles almost like Studio Ghibli's My Neighbours the Yamadas.... Only bad. And they don't match at all with the rest of the animation. Also, the characters all seem to have blue outlines: like sketch marks they forgot to erase! But there are sometimes when the use the art as part of the joke. You wouldn't really understand it unless you saw it: but it's cool!
 The characters aren't particularly interesting. Seikichi is extremely passionate about fireworks, like really passionate. But that leaves little room for any character because he's just always talking about fireworks. He does have a really cute younger brother though! Shunpei is a maths geek and likes things to work out but he is at a complete loss around Sora. It's so sweet! He also cares about his brother a lot and likes to help out when he can. Definitely my favorite character! Sora is really funny, being an alien and all there are a lot of things that she doesn't understand making every one else a bit awkward at times. But really she's such a sweet girl and tries really hard to keep every one happy. But she's is your conventional eccentric; always lively and bubbly.
So although extremely confusing this show is entertaining. They could do with having a more focused plot line  (and a new animation studio) but it's a fun concept. Also, the more the two parts of the plot intermingle the better the story becomes. Less confusing for a start. There's a lot of slapstick style comedy which is something I like. None of it can be taken seriously but that's not really a problem.

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