DRAGON HALF
Apparently, it is a plot-half as well.
Review by: Craig “Pig Half” Norris
Length: 2 episode OAV
Genre: Comedy, fantasy
Watched: All, subbed
Never did I think that I would ever find a title that rivals the comedic intensity of Excel Saga, especially one in the form of a measly two-episode OAV. However, that’s exactly what Dragon Half has to offer. It turns loose the jokes like a fire hose on rioters right from the get-go, and doesn’t shut off until the final credits roll. Unfortunately, underneath all the laughs there is little else to be found.
Plot synopsis: Mink, the daughter of a dragon slayer and a red dragon, is a half-dragon half-human girl who has an unhealthy obsession with pop idol Dick Saucer, as do many other teenage girls in her village. However, after being told that Dick Saucer would never have anything to do with a girl who has horns and a tail, she sets out to find the legendary people potion, which can turn her 100 percent human. Along the way she’ll have to brave the schemes of the henchmen of the king, who has designs about using Mink as bait to lure in her red dragon mother.
Artwork: The art in this OAV is two-sided, in that about half the time it is normal, and the other half is SD. Predictably, most of the SD animation occurs in the zany action sequences. The SD animation, which usually involves odd gesticulation of characters, is highly entertaining and works well with the comedy. The normal animation is nothing that special, with character designs being typical of the neo-medieval world the story takes place in. While energetically animated, the artwork doesn’t transcend the genre, and for the most part lets the comedic content do all the talking.
Music: There isn’t much music in this short OAV, and what music is present isn’t really impressive. The one notable track is the closing song, a bizarre number where Mink sings about eggs, or something. Its appeal, like the series itself, stems from its randomness. However, overall the soundtrack itself is not something worth going out of your way to find.
Characters: One thing that can be noted about the characters right from the start is that they all have one thing in common: they are all supreme idiots. Even the heroine, Mink, is particularly dense even for a celebrity-obsessed teenager. She seems to live only for being a Dick Saucer fan, and is such oblivious to all happenings not involving him. Her friends, Lufa and Pia, who accompany her on her journey to find the people potion, aren’t much better. The King, who schemes against Mink due to his infatuation with her mother, is as inept a villain as they come. His plans, in both concept and execution, are constantly doomed to failure before they even begin. Part of the reason for that is his co-conspirators, which include his dramatic advisor Rosario, his needlessly vindictive daughter Vina, and the egotistical assassin Damaramu. The man whom all this craziness revolves around, Dick Saucer, is a self-important pop idol who moonlights as a dragon slayer. Hence, you can see why Mink and Dick Saucer are fairly incompatible. The characters always seemingly one-up one another in the stupidity department, which is where the OAV draws most of its humor from. Of course, none of these characters are meant to be taken seriously at all.
Plot: It’s awfully nice to see a fantasy anime where the main plot doesn’t include a band of RPG-esque characters trying to save the world from an evil wizard. While watching this OAV I was reminded of Excel Saga, which championed the idea of not taking its plot seriously at all. However, Excel Saga does have an advantage over this anime for one simple reason: Excel Saga finished. This OAV cuts off before it really gets started (at least in terms of plot progression). So, for those of you who will be able to stop laughing long enough to care whether or not Mink finds the people potion will be disappointed. Really, though, the plot is just there as netting to hold together all the jokes and gags, so don’t expect it to be engrossing.
CHICKS!: Once again, the human-animal hybrid chick is the star attraction. Or at least she would be if she wasn’t dumb as a rock and SD half the time. Physically Mink is very cute, although I did have a slight quibble with the size of her eyes. (Disproportionately large eyes? In an anime? Who would have guessed?!) As far as girls with leathery wings go, I’d have to choose Morrigan way before I chose Mink. The other girls all have about the same dimensions, and by and large don’t give me much of a reason to lust after them. They make me laugh, but a sense of humor isn’t the first thing I look for in a chick, no matter how many crappy personal ads say otherwise.
Overall: There aren’t many more entertaining things you can do in an hour than watch this OAV. It keeps attacking with wave after wave of gags until you finally crack a smile, and doesn’t let up until your laughter doesn’t stop between each joke. Sadly, it stops too abruptly to be considered complete. However, this might be a good thing, as a longer series would probably wind up getting repetitive and boring. If all you want is a good laugh or two (or two hundred), this is quite possibly the most perfect title available.
In a Nutshell
+ Ridiculously funny
- Production values are substandard
- Nothing under the comedy
Rating: 7/10
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