From the moment the OP played, I knew Moyashimon was going to be something special.
In terms of plot and characters, it doesn’t stand out. Student arrives at new school, makes friends, hijinks ensue. It’s a formula that’s been worked to death, and Moyashimon follows a lot of the usual formula found in this genre. There’s the love interest(s), the wise but strange teacher, the eccentric friends, the coping with change, and so on and so forth. Sawaki’s special ability serves little to no plot purpose. If you’re looking for a unique and gripping story then you’re better off elsewhere.
Moyashimon never quite takes itself seriously; and this is why the show exudes fun from all its pores. From the OP animation to the Bacteria Theatre that ends each episode, the fun never lets off. There are so many moments of utter inappropriateness, from Itsuki’s action hero imitation at the first year lunch to the exploding surstromming at Hasegawa’s dinner, that I couldn’t help but laugh at the way the show is presented. It’s a hoot and laughter is always just right around the corner, and I find it incredibly difficult to stop watching it, because I’m just having so damn much fun.
What’s even more impressive is how it managed to mix in so much serious micro-bacteriology in the midst of it all, without ever seeming dull or uninteresting.
In some ways, Moyashimon feels a lot like Genshiken before Kio Shimoku decided that he’s sick and tired of making fun of otakus and started creating serious drama between his characters. It also feels like Honey and Clover when it’s not being dramatic (think the omakes, or the Twister game), except Moyashimon is always like that. Even when Misato and Kawahama are seriously discussing Kawaki’s problem and how Hasegawa and Itsuki may react to it, the show never forgets to have fun.
Moyashimon ranks right up there are one of my favourite shows of 2007, along with Baccano!, Oh! Edo Rocket and Potemayo. The thing that they all share in common? How much fun I have when I’m watching them. When it comes right down to it, isn’t that the most important thing?
5 Comments
Moyashimon was fantastic and I’m really hoping for a second series as it was so obviously set up for one.
Educational, too!
I wish my ACT students had seen this anime. There was about 7 questions out of 40 in the Science Reasoning section they could have gotten correct had they watched this series.
somewhat OT: that tongue-twister title brings back memories… one of the ones I was able to “master” lol.
I haven’t finished watching Moyashimon, but I already found myself a victim of the bacteria’s moe cuteness xD
aside from chucking fun, Moyashimon is chucking moolah! bacteria goodies have been unleashed, and expect more to come!
here’s to hoping a JDrama will come out soon… I wantz to see the bacterias in 3D! 8D
I’ve been thinking about watching Moyashimon, it looks very interesting. But I have only 1 question about it, is it shoujo-ai?
Dop: I’m not sure if there’s enough manga material yet for a second season, but seeing what an immense merchandising success it is in Japan (the gashapon figures are sold out EVERYWHERE) chances are pretty good.
Maglor: start showing it in class and tell your faculty it’s educational.
Usagi: A drama is an interesting prospect, but I wonder how they’ll voice the bacteria? The kind of voices used in the anime would sounds out of place in an live action series.
Catzcradle: No, it’s not shoujo-ai. I guess my screenshots are a bit misleading… I just like that sort of thing. It’s got a little bit of lesbians in it, but only very little.