Are the addicts having their normal amount of hate for the state of anime? Will this season finally offer relief!? We go over the new anime season in our normal round-robin fashion and cover what’s coming out and what we’re watching.
Reviews: Chocolate Underground, Chobits
Alternate Titles: None
Original Japanese Release Date: 2002
Episode Length/Run-time: 26 ( 26 mins ea. )
Summary:
In the future, computers have evolved into “Persocons”, which are mobile computers that look like human beings. The story begins with Hideki Motosuwa, a prep school student, wanting to buy a Persocon but not being able to afford one. One day, he happens to stumble upon a Persocon that was dumped on the side of the road in the trash, so he decides to take it! After turning her on, he discovers that all she can say is “Chi”, and hence she is named as such. As the story progresses, it becomes apparent that perhaps Chi is actually a “Chobit”, a more advanced, independently thinking Persocon.
Review:
I remember buying the first DVD of this series for Mitsugi as a joke for Christmas (the cover looked like something he would hate). After watching it on Christmas day, we both loved it! We immediately went out and bought the entire DVD series and started watching. This show is very cute. The development of the adorable Chi throughout the show is accompanied by the “warm fuzzies” as she learns about new things (seeing as how she appears to be broken right off the bat).
The story begins when Hideki stumbles upon a beautiful long haired Persocon that had been dumped in the trash. He takes her home, awkwardly figures out how she is turned on, and discovers all she can say is “Chi”. Hideki’s friends look her over and determine that she has no programs installed, however she must have some kind of learning program based on her behavior. A large part of the plot is Hideki teaching Chi different things and behaviors since she is basically child- like at this point. As the story progresses, Chi develops feelings for Hideki, which Persocons are not supposed to be capable of, and he struggles with his feelings for her. Later on, Chi begins to explore her mysterious past as she encounters multiple picture books. Together with Hideki and the knowledge gained from the books, Chi is able to unlock her true identity and why she is so special.
This series was excellent, cute, and surprisingly addicting.
[starrater]