MIDORI NO HIBI
Some people are just inseparable
Review by: Craig "Ten Fingers" Norris
Length: 13 episodes
Genre: Romance, comedy
Watched: 1-13, subbed
"You have *got* to be kidding me!"
Those were the first words out of my mouth when I first heard about this series. The mere concept was so ridiculous! However, at the same time, I saw it rife with possibilities. It doesn't take a comedic genius to see the potential for humor from a girl stuck on a guy's right hand. In fact, there are several jokes and gags during the episodes that are very predictable. Even though we know what's coming, though, it doesn't make it any less funny when we see it put to animation.
Plot synopsis: "Mad Dog" Seiji Sawamura is a feared delinquent who makes short work of all his opponents with his "Devil's Right Hand." However, he'd give all that up for the chance to get a date. While sulking over being rejected for the 20th consecutive time, he hears a girl's voice in the room with him. He finally discovers that he is in the presence of a girl; a cute green-haired girl named Midori... who is stuck on his right wrist where his hand used to be! Once they both calm down, Midori reveals that she has had a crush on Seiji since junior high, and is actually happy to be this close to him. But how can Midori be Seiji's right hand when her real body is in a coma? And, more importantly, how can Seiji and Midori keep their secret from everyone?
Artwork: The animation is about average for a romance anime, in terms of character designs and backgrounds. There is an extra dimension thrown in, as Seiji gets involved in his fair share of fights. The fight scenes are very well done, with no shaking still frames or swooshing-line backgrounds to be seen. Exaggerated facial expressions are used frequently, often with hilarious results. As far as straight production value, though, the artwork is nothing to get too impressed about.
Music: Again, it's about average for a romance anime. The best tracks are, predictably, the opening and closing songs, which are syrupy j-pop. The rest just fades into the background, and doesn't make its presence felt as anything more than background noise. Overall the soundtrack is repetitive and has absolutely no edge to it, and while I wasn't expecting a soundtrack that really grabbed me, I was disappointed with what I had to settle for.
Characters: The main driving forces of this series are the diverse and dynamic characters; again, very typical of the romance genre. Seiji begins the series as an angry high school student who lives only for pornography and beating the snot out of those who challenge him. Underneath, he does have a very strong sense of honor, refusing to pick on those weaker than him. Being forced to live with Midori causes him to mature and get more happiness out of life. Midori, normally a very shy girl, seems to lose many of her inhibitions when she becomes Seiji's right hand. She wants to be helpful to him, but is afraid 
that Seiji only sees her as a bother. Even though she is confused as to why she became his right hand, she is very happy to be with him nonetheless. Ayase is the class president, and sits next to Seiji in class. She is at first very curt when speaking of him or to him, but after Seiji saved her from a group of delinquents, she fell in love with him and conceives of plan after plan to win his heart. Unfortunately, she lacks the courage to confess to him outright. Shiori is a ten year-old girl who lives in Seiji's neighborhood. She has a huge crush on Seiji, and gets very jealous of anyone who tries to make advances towards him. Luckily for her, that doesn't happen too often. Rin is Seiji's sadistic sister who derives great pleasure from teasing and beating up her little brother. But, when all is said and done, she looks after him diligently, and is very supportive of him and Midori when she discovers their situation. Takamizawa is a schoolmate of Seiji who also discovers his and Midori's secret. Being a rabid fan of dolls, he becomes totally captivated by Midori, worshipping her as his ideal girl. Understandably, Seiji is very uncomfortable with his attitude. The characters are very enjoyable, but some of their appearances are very erratic, almost to the point where we don't know who they are when we should, or don't see them when we expect to. It is unfortunate that the show loses track of some, and suddenly steps up the importance of others with no warning.
Plot: Aside from a girl stuck on a guy's arm, the plot is actually kind of unoriginal, falling into many romance anime clichés and conventions. There's the misunderstood male lead the shy girl has a crush on, and the stern but tender girl who develops feelings for him tries to win him over before the shy girl can confess, with the misunderstood male lead getting advice and guidance from the violent but caring sibling. It has been done before. In fact, the only thing saving the plot from being outright dull and uninteresting was the fact that Seiji's hand is a small girl, with the appropriate jokes and awkward situations explored extensively. Take away that element, and it's just another run-of-the-mill romance anime. On the plus side, there is a good balance between slapstick and sentimentality, and when the show does decide to be funny, it left me laughing out loud. However, I'd rather watch a show that is consistently clever instead of one that shows flashes of brilliance, only to fade back into mediocrity.
CHICKS!: When Midori is in her normal body, she is about as cute and sweet as you can get. Unfortunately, during most of the series she is the size of a Barbie doll and grafted to some guy's wrist. And that, in the words of my ancestors, is "just frickin' weird" (my ancestors were from Jersey). It's not Midori's size that makes her unattractive; I thought 12-inch tall Cyberdoll May was cute as a button. But she had legs. And left no question as to how she would go about going to the bathroom. To avoid filling your head with more questionable imagery, I'll move on. Ayase is kind of uptight, and it becomes evident in her efforts to win Seiji over that she can be very conniving, in a harmless, playful sort of way. She only makes emotional outbursts when she's certain nobody is watching. She's got a very nice figure and blushes rather frequently, and even treats us to one scene where she's wearing glasses. Rin is a very forceful woman who cannot be tamed by normal means. She still hangs out with the gang she formed in high school, and drinks herself into a stupor most nights. She should be avoided unless you're willing to put up with more headlocks and suplexes than hugs and kisses. Normally, a romance anime offers up a cacophony of highly desirable chicks, but this series fell short by several steps.
Overall: The whole concept is amusing, I must admit. And there were some moments of complete hilarity and enjoyable sentimentality. However, by and large, this series is nothing that special. I even say that most of the gags could have been thought up by anyone with even a slight sense of humor. Every romance anime has memorable moments; it is what's in between those moments that makes or breaks it. And this anime is in need of some repairs.
IN A NUTSHELL:
+ Good mix of humor and romance
+ Unique concept
+ Characters grow and mature
- Some characters get lost
- Can't break away from formula
- Predictable at times
Rating: 6.5/10
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