Underrated Anime, Part 1: Dragon Half

Angelcake · Post by **Angelcake** » Fri May 20, 2005 9:04 -0700

Well, it seems the well that is my vast manga library as run a little dry, so it may be a while before another underrated manga post comes out, so instead, here is a new series of posts.

And what better place to start than my favorite anime of all time, Dragon Half?

You know, there are rarely any anime that is not only funny to the Japanese, but to westerners as well. Dragon Half is without a doubt the funniest of them all.

Seriously, you will roll around on the ground SOBBING IN LAUGHTER while watching this.

One of the reasons this anime is so unique is the way it switches between art styles, smoothly and on a whim, from regular full body to SD styles, all in order to fit the exteme situations.

Some of the notable characters are: Mink, the halfbreed offspring of her father, a dragonslayer, and her mother, a red dragon.

D. Saucer, a singing dragonslayer with one of the funneist themesongs ever.

Dhamurhamu, a moronic mercenary who almost killls himself in teh first episode.

Dug Fin, who has one of the funniest lines in teh whole series.

Some notablee quotes:

"Kill Saucer!....Death to Saucer!"
-Mink's dad

"Gaurds!......get me a rope with a noose!"
-The bald king

"I'm sorry, but my love has completely overriden my common sense!"
-The bald king's wife

"The great Dhamurhamu will ever regret this! He has used up all of his ammo showing off!"

"Shut up you! A demon doesn't care about story continuity! I'LL KILL YOU ANYWAY!!!!"
-Dug Fin

That's just a smiggen of the utter hilarity this series has.

Sadly, only two episodes were made. Both can be purchased in asingle DVD from ADV.

Also, it has the most insane ending theme.....EVER!

Sincerely,
Angelcake

Ma-Ku · Post by **Ma-Ku** » Sat May 21, 2005 5:52 -0700

I agree, its underrated but very good. A great shame there are only 2 episodes.

I prefer watching anime in its original japanese (some dubing can butcher anime) but i prefer the english version in dragon half as its funnier.

I love this series as it is filled with many good jokes. A worth while buy.

Bald king: Ah Dhamurhamu, a giant amongst men in physcial and mental ablilities.
*Dhamurhamu flies back on his bird-thingy*
Dhamurhamu: Dhamurhamu regrets to ask that he forgot to ask what this girl looks like and where I can find her
Bald king: Or not...

XD

Angelcake · Post by **Angelcake** » Sat May 21, 2005 21:34 -0700

Yeah, that's pretty funny.

I really liked how the bald king's daughter....Viven, was it?....would always come up with new slurs to call Mink.

Some good examples: Snake-tailed Trollop, snake slut, winged wench, etc.

I heard a rumor once that the reason only two episodes were made was because the the studio emplyees were arrested for possesion (and not the demon kind).

Truth be told, if they had done the complete series, there would have only been three total, sicne the manga it was based on only went for three completely graphic novels before Mink finally finds the people potion and D. Saucer and her get married.

Another great scene, in a nutshell:

(D. Saucer is in the martial arts tournament, after accidentally drinking Ex Lax when....)

D. Saucer: Wha....what is this.....thunder in my stomach....and THIS EARTH SHAKING GROWLING SOUND!!!!......I know, i'll concentrate by singing....

(sings in an off key tone)

D. Saucer: Okay......the brown devil has run away...

(Sadly, he loses the fight and spends the rest of the episode one the "throne".)

Sincerely,
Angelcake

Ma-Ku · Post by **Ma-Ku** » Sun May 22, 2005 17:56 -0700

Where could i find the manga?

I assume its rare to get, im not sure, my local comic shop mostly has new stuff or american comics.

And the odd copy of the wonderful series of Usagi

Angelcake · Post by **Angelcake** » Sun May 22, 2005 20:45 -0700

You won't find it here in America. It's never been translated form its original Japanese. Plus, its creator is a notrious h-manga author.