Anime: Momo Kyun Sword (Complete Series)
Released By: Sentai Filmworks
Release Date: January 26, 2016
Retail Price: $59.98
The anime series Momo Kyun Sword (licensed by Sentai Filmworks) tells the story of Momoko, a young swordswoman who was found by an elderly couple one day when they saw the child floating through a river in a giant peach – yes, a giant peach (Japanese translation: momo). Unbeknownst to Momoko, she has been fated to protect the village she was brought to, until eventually learning of her potential after growing up. Momoko is accompanied by her “god like” companions in the form of animals including a dog god Inugami, a pheasant god known as Kijigami, and a monkey god known as Sarugami. Of course to make things more bizarrely intriguing, these animal gods can speak to Momoko (and often do.) The initial group seems to contain a comedic feel with a range of odd moments, enough to spark an interest for a somewhat muddled plot in the beginning.
The more serious aspects of Momo Kyun Sword begin to take shape as we discover a demon army that is run by a devil king manages to invade the paradise village. The devil king successfully steals objects known as Michimi Peach Fragments, precious artifacts that are essential to the protection of their land – which only means Momoko and her three god companions must begin to venture across Japan with the hopes of returning the treasures to her people, before it falls into corrupt hands. The premise of Momo Kyun Sword definitely tries to spread a variety of potential genre hints, but in actuality the anime series tends to cater more toward fanservice as opposed to a grand scale plot – similarly to well known anime series Freezing/Freezing Vibrations. (Though it’s technically marked as a comedy/fantasy anime.)
From some of the first moments in Momo Kyun Sword, you can sense the air of fan service, and a look at the series protagonist Momoko only confirms that sinking suspicion of ulterior motives to please a particular male skewing audience. The character of Momoko is sometimes clumsy, but in an obvious manner that provides a chance to throw in more – mature anime qualities. There are endless shots that provide a look at Momoko in revealing scenes and if that is something that you aren’t fond of (it’s a very specific fan-base for sure) then you might have more complaints about the 12 episode anime. The companions of Momoko are amusing from time to time, until they also become a part of the objectification of female characters in Momo Kyun Sword. Sure, the animals are actually “gods” in animal form, but it removes any chance at having characters who ignore the predictable notions of the series.
The plot that is focused on (loosely) in Momo Kyun Sword sounds as if it will become a serious series at one point, with an adventurous journey aimed to reel in some action – but that never actually is the case throughout the anime. There are battles in-between the randomized storytelling, but it isn’t exactly up to par with what you would hope for to make it a general action/adventure series. Even when it comes to the series final battle(s) you will find fragments of action that could interest some anime fans, but like the usual fan service series, it will always return to an up skirt shot or what I now call the “cleavage cam” angle. The actual last scene of Momo Kyun Sword takes one last opportunity to provide viewers with a revealing look at the lead female character (Momoko) to appease those who stuck with it for that purpose.
A first look at the artwork for Momo Kyun Sword and you will notice some brilliant examples of visually unique art – much like the series cover art. It portrays a plethora of detailed creatures and beings that successfully draw you in, with the actuality of the animation sometimes doesn’t reach the bar it has set for itself. The characters become slightly over the top ridiculous – similar to caricatures, and the female physical attributes are much exaggerated which can sometimes feel uncomfortable to see in an anime. The Japanese dub stays true to a fanservice anime, (anime fans will understand what this means) and I can understand why we wouldn’t need an English dub of Momo Kyun Sword. The anime series is available now by Sentai Filmworks, so fans of a little (or a lot of) cheeky anime fanservice, Momo Kyun Sword could be the anime for you!
Overall Grade: 5.5/10
Aedan’s Final Thoughts:
-The character and creature art on its own looks very appealing from that standpoint.
-More evidence that anime fan service is still very much alive and kicking
-I wish there had been a little more playfulness that made the series a goofy action/adventure to tone down the negative traits of the series
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