2013-12-05

Michiko & Hatchin

Michiko & Hatchin is a stylized adventure series set in a fictional Brazil.   This 22 episode series aired in Japan between 2008 and 2009. 

    Michiko Malandro is a brazen criminal who has busted out of the toughest prison in order to find her long lost boyfriend, Hiroshi Morenos, who was supposed to have been dead.  Along the way she picks up Hiroshi's orphaned daughter, Hana "Hatchin" Morenos, thinking the girl can help her with the quest.  As they hastily make their way from one end of the country to the other, searching for members of the gang Hiroshi had run, they attract the attention of police and criminal groups alike.  Michiko, dim witted and unbreakable, goes to any length to gain information about Hiroshi's fate and location.  Hatchin, who was fostered by a preachers family had lived an oppressive existence until her unlikely savior Michiko kidnapped her.  The only thing linking Hatchin to Satoshi is a unique birthmark but it doesn't stop Michiko from considering her Hiroshi's daughter.  Now they have to survive and remain free long enough to find the answers both are searching for.

    This is an incredibly fun series, filled with memorable characters and entertaining, fast paced, action sequences with moments of fantasy.  It reminded me heavily of Cowboy Bebop with a little bit of FLCL thrown in for good measure.  I really don't have any complaints with this series.  It ended well, if the finale was a bit rushed and there wasn't too much in the way of filler plot.  It was just all around an enjoyable show.  A nice beacon in the ever increasing world if anime garbage.  Normally I would be griping about unneeded cleavage shots and overly buxom characters...and Michiko is pretty curvy and wears some pretty skimpy clothing.  Yet, in this case, that is her character, it's her normal mode of operation.  She's a crazed sex kitten who doesn't give a shit what anyone thinks about her.  She likes to dress sexy and doesn't care about anyone's reaction to her looks.  This is completely different from the normal fan service in a lot of titles which show occasional flashes of boob or panties to entice the viewers in what sometimes could be an overly boring story line.

    The series has been licensed and released in North America by FUNimation, is available on DVD/Blu-ray and streaming on Hulu.  Check it out, you will have a good time watching it!


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