Studio - VIZ
Age - ? ? (no age posted)
By Various Creators
VIZ Credits
English Adaptation by Gerard Jones
Translation - Mari Morimoto
Touch-up and Lettering - Andy Ristaino
Editor - Eric Searleman
Before We Begin
Ah, the dysfunctionalism of Di GI Charat in manga format!
VIZ has the rights to Di Gi Charat... and so does Studio Ironcat (the studio formerly known as Studio Ironcat and then IC Entertainment before becoming Studio Ironcat... again... and so does Broccoli International! That is three separate studios with their own version of the manga, and their own series to collect!
Then again even the Anime has dysfunction problems with ADVFilms owning Panyo Panyo Di Gi Charact (which seems to be a "prequel" to Di Gi Charat) while BANDAI has the rights to Di Gi Charat Nyo which is probably set on Earth!
So, remember, when buying into this series you'll have a lot to remember!
Manga wise you'll find books from VIZ, Studio Ironcat and Broccoli International.
Anime wise you'll find DVDs from ADVFilms and BANDAI.
Why they couldn't have consolidated all of these under one banner studio apiece I don't know.
Graphic Novel 1
Basically a series of short stories with very little connecting them except for things here and there.
Included are works from Koge Donbo and other creators you may or may not know.
What kind of stories are there?
- A three part "party" story introducing everyone.
- If you don't blink you won't miss the one page skit that introduces another Koge Donbo series I reviewed before, mainly Pitaten (TOKYOPOP).
- It is better to give than to receive, especially when your giving grief in the form of a large bomb at the grand reopening of your place of business after it was blown up previously as part of your continuing rivalry with one of your co-workers... or something like that.
- Is Digiko ready for the Japanese education system? Is the Japanese education system ready for her? Looks like Digiko's boss wants her to experience a day at school, which may not be as good an idea as it seems.
- Ah! Nothing like a concert to wrap the end of a good Anime series... what Anime series? Demand it from ADVFilms and BANDAI respectively if you can't get it right now.
- Why is Gema living with Rabe En Rose? Who left their Magical Girl transformation tool in Gamers? Why must Limone repeat himself since I heard him the first... oh, wait, that's another review from this week!
All that and more in this book.
Graphic Novel 2
Ah. Another book of seemingly unconnected stories from various creators.
This time it heralds the arrival of rival Puchiko (who seems to have gotten a raw deal in her role in Panyo Panyo Di Gi Charat... but that's just my opinion) and later of her Dark Gema Gema Gang.
Highlights include --
- Ah, apparently Julie Andrews was not available for this crash course on being a princess -- so Gema will have to do... badly.
- Why are things going so wrong in Gamers? Could it possibly be the use of dark magic? Could be.
- Who has stolen Digiko's clothes -- no, no, she's NOT naked, she just doesn't have her trademark clothes... yes, she's dressed otherwise.
- Will Digiko and Puchiko starve to death when there happens to be nothing in their apartment, not even the all important essential of rice? (Or will she turn to a life of failed crime to survive?)
- Must business in Gamers ground to a halt because the cash register has died a technological "death"? Can't anyone add numbers in their head anymore?
That and much much more!
Di Gi Charat Breakdown the 1st & 2nd
What's Hot?
It's got that kind of strange appeal, this title.
It's cute and got a wicked little bite of humor that makes it different and unique.
I liked reading it and all the mini stories from the various creators was really good.
What's Not?
Nothing seems to be very stable with this, not even the format of the books!
This is mini stories written by various creators.
Studio Ironcat's version is akin to the format of Azumanga Daioh (four panel skits) rather than the short stories format of VIZ's books.
And I haven't seen Broccoli International's books so I don't know how that is.
Some uniformity in publishers (so at least I can have an easier time getting them to read) would be nice.
Moments to Remember?
There's lots of memorable things. And this time it's all about the humor and the fun.
The rivalry between Digiko and Rabe En Rose, the interactions, the humor, the skits. I like it all.
Lots to remember here, folks! Lots!
What to Ignore?
Not much. Not even the fact you have lots to choose from in terms of reading material.
The only thing I don't like is Puchiko and the Dark Gema Gema gang thing.
I don't know but I guess I expected better somehow, sorry.
Overall?
I like it. It's a good read. Humor with bite and overall a nice read from all these creators, something well worth looking forward to.
Maybe if I saw the Broccoli International version soon I'd be able to say more of it, but for now I'm going to sit on top of this and wait. Still there's no need to sit on the fence like I'm doing. Go and buy this! Now!
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