Otaku no Video

A Parent's Guide to Anime
Rated: PG
Parental Guidance Advised

Review by Michael Gorman:

Otaku No Video - 1982

Otaku No Video 1982 is the "self mockumentary" anime production company Gainax created to parody themselves. It chronicles the life of Kubo, a well-to-do and "in" college student, and Tanaka, the social outcast that was Kubo's friend from high school. This first episode mainly concentrates on Kubo's initiation into the world of the Otaku; the supreme "anime and special effects" fan. After finding out what being an Otaku truly means, both Kubo and Tanaka vow to become Otakings, the supreme leaders of all Otaku.

More Otaku No Video - 1985

The second installment of this series chronicles Kubo and Tanaka's rise to power, their eventual downfall, and their rise BACK to power. A genuinely strange ending that takes place far, far in the future.

Both films are combined onto one tape, available only subtitled. The animation quality is what's to be expected of Gainax (needless to say, excellent). The music in the film (except for the opening and closing themes, which have become "hymns" in certain fan groups) is mostly anime-par.

Review by Julia Pfaffenberger:

Otaku no Video is hilarious, but definitely *not* for kids. It alternates between the animated storyline of the quest for Otakingdom and real life interviews with actual otaku. Keep in mind that the word "otaku" (explained here) doesn't necessarily refer to anime... after watching some of the interviews, I decided not to show this one to my brother, who is in junior high. I'd view this one before showing it to your kids!

Parent's Guide Rating:

yellow (parental guidance advised)

Summary by Michael Gorman:

Violence: Unless one counts Kubo and Tanaka falling into a fountain, there is absolutely none to speak of.

Language: A few d**n's and s**t's scattered throughout the film, but nothing to be otherwise concerned over.

Sex/Nudity: No sex in the film. There is one brief flash of female skin as Kubo and Tanaka's animated creation, Misty Mae, changes from an ordinary girl into her "Magical Girl" form (with no real sexual emphasis).

*Important Note: This film WAS made as a parody on the Japanese Animation industry, and therefore kids (and a lot of parents) will NOT understand the humor (Many references to "Space Pirate Harlock," "Lupin III," and "Space Battle Cruiser Yamato." Most people who watch this film either hate it or love it.