2014-09-24

Sabagebu!

Sabagebu! (さばげぶっ!) is a 12 episode comedy based on the manga of the same name by Matsumoto Hidekichi.  The anime adaptation aired in Japan over the summer of 2014.

    Sonokawa Momoka encounters a deranged air soft toting weirdo on her way to her new school, only to find out it’s an upperclassman that is beloved by the student body.  The student, Ootori Miou, heiress to a powerful family is the president of the Survival Game Club (Sabagebu) and sets her eye on recruiting the reluctant Sonokawa.  Forced into the club through coercion, Momokawa shows an aptitude for target shooting and begins to warm up to the clubs odd ball members.  Together they act out outrageous war game scenarios, enjoying the spring time of youth!

    This is an offbeat comedy that is half fan service and half satire.  The majority of the fan service is directed at people obsessed with guns and war games, which I have little issue with.  The antics in the show get a bit out of hand at times, but all in all its good and simple fun.  The episodes are split into smaller vignettes that are usually unrelated.  In many ways the flow, humor and delivery of the anime reminded me of Keroro Gunsou, which isn't a bad thing.  Unlike Keroro, Sabagebu ended a little too soon.  A full 26 or so episode season would not have been unwelcome, but beyond that would have been pushing it.  There really is no overall plot for the series.  The characters go through a number of ridiculous adventures and the final episode ties everything together in fantastically cheesy fashion.

    Not the best out there, but above average and enjoyable.  If you like stupid comedies with an undertone of intelligence this one should fit nicely in your collection.

    The series simulcast on Crunchyroll but beyond that there is no word on any sort of disc release in North America.  The manga as well is not currently commercially available in North America.



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