Anime: Choujigen Game Neptune The Animation

Neptune is a light-hearted fantasy world, seemingly absent of all traces of men, where factions of women somehow choose Goddesses (aka CPUs) as leaders. Though not quite a female version of Lord of the Flies, the world's history is littered with battles between CPUs competing for a shiny, mysterious energy source known as "share energy". However, rather than setting us up for a massive battle, the story begins with a TRUCE between all four factions and the ensuing nichijou that follows. Neptune is a barely-comedic action show with a lot of barely-clad, transforming female beings acting like preteen girls. If that turns you on, please see a psychiatrist immediately.

I convinced myself to venture into this expecting something like a mix of Strike Witches and Kampfer. Actually, what really sold me was the well-designed website (http://www.nep-anime.tv) and the mind-boggling list of veteran VAs. However, I felt like the show spent all their funding and time on the site and the VAs as the actual plot is abysmal at points and the characters are thin and shallow. Whoever voted for the seinin tag is obviously just looking at the fan service portion of the show as content-wise there wasn't much else that I could find to justify the category. In summary, this is probably a show for fans of the game, who actually have more background information on the setting and characters. For me, it was a very predictable filler show with some occasionally nice visuals. Recommended for fans only.

Animation:
There's not much to complain about in this category. Neptune has a fairly saturated color palette with average levels of character and background details. The entire show has a unique, computer-based theme with CPU's eyes drawn like PC start button icons and many characters named in computer-like lingo. There are quite a few characters in this show, almost overwhelmingly in the beginning, that are introduced in rapid succession. What makes it even more confusing is that the CPUs have two forms (normal and HDD mode) where their appearance is different (more so than your typical mahou shoujo transformation). For example, the protagonist, Neptune, looks like a carefree preteen in her normal form but transforms into a tall buxom in CPU form. Most of the CPUs also have similar-looking sisters, which further complicates the character-matching in the early episodes. The antagonists, on the other hand, are easily distinguishable and rather conspicuously drawn; they might as well have been drawn with a giant arrow saying "I'm an antagonist, please beat me up" above their heads.

Despite the supposed truce at the beginning of the show, there is a bunch of fighting where you'll find lots of special effects and, occasionally, ugly CGI. This really does feel like it's meant for younger audiences as apparently all the CPUs have Strike-Freedom like shields that protect them from most battle damage. Fodder opponents also disappear into thin air when defeated. Each CPU has a special weapon such as beam-powered swords, axes, and rifles. Expect average choreography and mild levels of battle intensity. As for the fan-service aspect, there's a lot of boing and a lot of girl-girl fondling if you're into that. The CPUs' HDD form leaves them scantily clad, perhaps so they can "punish" villains accordingly?

Sound:
The show starts with a energy-packed pop/rock song with a fair melody and painful lyrics (if you have any knowledge of computer science). The show's primary ED is playful but not particularly catchy. Much more interesting is the ED in episodes three and four, which features a nice, down tempo melody while also showcasing all the girls in the nude. There are also a few fair insert songs sung by Nao. The BGM is fair, supportive when necessary though overall pretty forgettable.

The VA cast, as mentioned above, is incredible. I can't remember the last time I've seen this many huge names working together as primary characters. The four CPUs all have much deeper voices in their HDD form (which the younger sisters don't have). I haven't heard Rie Tanaka in a while, but she still proves very capable as Neptune. Kana Hanazawa is as recognizable as ever as Pururut, but also in a sadistic way in her HDD form. The list goes on, a great performance from all given how shallow the underlying characters are.

Story:
Share energy, a mysterious energy source gathered by citizens' happiness and directly channeled somehow to the CPUs, is forbidden from being obtained through force in the truce that starts this show. Thus, for the first time ever, the CPUs now work together to address global concerns including various antagonists who want a coup. The story moves around quite a bit as it focuses on various characters through the progression. There are multiple arcs with their own rising action, climax, and conclusion. The majority of these are resolved through very cliched battles with extremely agonizing lines like "I won't let you have your way!"

Though there are plot "twists", the overall tonality of the series feels very light, and you never feel convinced that anyone is ever in any danger- I mean come on, what do you expect when your antagonist looks like a tentacle-monster straight from a hentai. I use quote fingers around twists to point out the fact that real plot twists exist for a reason other than resetting the plot on a completely new tangential path. Furthermore, the entire setting is never explained in any depth; the viewer just assumes that share energy allows CPUs to fly and shoot energy beams at each other. It's also questionable how Neptune runs her nation when she's only shown goofing off and eating pudding. Did I mention the antagonists? Their goals are so shallow and laughable that anyone with sense would immediately know that they are destined to fail.

In summary, the story in Neptune is a chaotic mess that is patched together to give some semblance of progression. While there is some artificial tension in the final episodes, I would wager that a lot of viewers would not even make it that far. Even if you happen to make it that far, you may find yourself asking "Really? They're going to try that?". I can't help but feel that this story is targeted for very, very young audiences.

Character:
Despite having incredible talent behind them, the characters of this show are very shallow. Though they have semblances of personality, there's just not enough time spent on development and growth. Expect static development and lackluster relationships throughout the show. The only thing more disappointing are the antagonists, which are portrayed as such cliched villains that it becomes painful to watch. Given that the CPUs EACH rule a quarter of the world, I find it appalling that they can barely hold off attacks by idiots while working together. It doesn't help that the majority of the characters act so immature. Just way too much concentrated estrogen for me.

Value:
If you've played and liked the games, this might be a good watch for you. If otherwise, I implore you to avoid this show. Despite the impossibly good VA cast and spiffy website, the actual show is not worth your time. The work is marred by a very weak and predictable plot line, enough plot holes to render a bucket useless, and a group of cliched, uninteresting antagonists. Given the strength of the season in which this was released, there is no real good reason to watch this.