First Impressions – Zettai Bouei Leviathan
Dragon Girls, Sparkly Fairies, and Comedy
Because I’ll seemingly watch anything, sometimes I end up watching stuff that seems really outside of my ‘usual’ sphere of things. One of those things is this show about three young dragon girls: Zettai Bouei Leviathan. It’s been three episodes, so even though it’s a little late, let’s have some impressions of this series!
Who is this show for?
Dragon Girls in their underwear (L-R Jormungand, Leviathan, Syrop, and Bahamut in mud)…
This is a tough question to answer. Zettai Bouei Leviathan is the story of three dragon girls: Leviathan, Jormungand, and Bahamut. Sporting abilities to match their namesakes, these three girls who don’t know each other are brought together by circumstances to… well they’re not really doing much yet. The ads for the show talked about a defense force for their planet of Aquafall, in order to repel some invaders from space. And there is something like that being put together. By a fairy. A sparkly fairy who can eat forever. Voiced by HanaKana. Named Syrop. Based on all that, you’d think “Well, sure, this is for kids.” But it airs at 11:30 PM in Japan. And there are quite a few jokes that maybe kids wouldn’t get and also some fanservice as Jormungand and Leviathan frequently are reduced to being in their ‘scales’, which is the equivalent of being in their underwear. So it’s not for kids, is it?
Mixed bag of Production?
Terrible looking dragon and bugs, but that’s not the whole story
The production of the show is really not that great. The animation is simple, the CG is pretty rudimentary and obviously CG. The backgrounds are adequate. Produced by Gonzo, this show is not going to blow anyone away with its technical prowess. It’s got some good seiyuu, tho, with Kitamura Eri, Taketatsu Ayana, and Hayami Saori joining Hanazawa Kana as the four main characters. And they do an adequate job, but they don’t have a whole heck of a lot to work with, as the dialog’s pretty simple. But their timing is really good, as I talk about below. I really like the OP and ED songs for the show, tho, with the OP Hajimari no Resolution (by Yuki Kanno) featuring a driving rock sound and the ED Truly (by PASSPO☆) being a poppy rock song with a catchy tune and drums that I think sound great.
So why would you watch this show?
There’s acceptable action, too
For me, simply put, it’s funny. It’s not a comedy laugh riot, and you can see a lot of the laughs coming, but when they get there, you laugh. You laugh at Syrup’s jarring honesty trolling, you laugh at Jormungand’s impulsive terrible decision making, you laugh at the Key Tail Inn getting destroyed AGAIN by Leviathan. You laugh at Bahamut’s tsuntsun-loli-ojou-sama style. The show pulls it off. It’s certainly not a comedic tour-de-force, like YuruYuri or Nyarlko, but the simply crafted jokes work, again and again. I’m pretty much constantly laughing out loud throughout every episode. And that’s something that’s definitely worth the time.
There’s also Syrop’s bottomless stomach
With such a typical anime description as Zettai Bouei Leviathan had, I didn’t know what to expect. But the cast pulls off the timing of the jokes very well, and it makes me smile and laugh from start to finish. It’s definitely not going to be a show for everyone. I think it’d be really easy for folks to call it childish, boring, or just too simple. But I’m enjoying it, and I’d recommend folks give it a try. I won’t feel bad if it’s not your cup of Barley Tea, but you might find that you like the amusement.
More Fun with the Girls
About Highway
Proving that you don't have to be young to love anime, I enjoy all genres and styles of shows. If it's not hurting anyone else, you should never be ashamed of what you like!
POWUH: iLurker with 3 comments
Not amazing by any stretch, but I’d probably call it a base hit. With, as you mentioned, such a generic description I really had nothing to go on besides the excellent cast. I’ve been enjoying it for what it seems so far, some light-hearted nonsensical fun.
POWUH: Meta Resident with 1557 comments
My fingers have a mind of their own, I can’t seem to properly spell my name. My fingers don’t always obey my mind.
POWUH: Metanorn Regular with 106 comments
XD how do you get underscore!? That requires both shift and – to be pressed!! ahhaah
or are you on mobile?
POWUH: Meta Resident with 1557 comments
Unfortunately I can’t claim mobile as an excuse orz
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Do you have an alternative excuse just in case? 🙂
POWUH: Meta Resident with 1557 comments
it was sakagami, my alter-ego!
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
I have off days like that as well when I’m commenting. When you see the big mistake you made, you’re wishing there would be a chance to erase it. And knowing that it’s there permenantly fills you with even more dread.
POWUH: Meta Team and Spammy Tamer with 7115 comments
A “base hit” is a perfect description. It’s successful at what it does, and it seems like it’s not trying to be more than it is. And really, there’s a lot worse to be than a show that when you turn it on, you can be pretty sure you’re going to get 20 minutes of chuckles.
POWUH: Metanorn Regular with 106 comments
The first episode was the cutest thing ever *^*
Where is Skylion for this loli-dragon anime!?!
Leviathan’s seiyuu cast is outrageous XD HanaKana, Eri Kitamura, Hayami Saori and Ayana omg
Male version of fabulous-seiyuu group anime would be Ketsugigeta-kun (Ishida Akira (Katsura in Gintama), FukuJun, Kakihara Tetsuya (Natsu in Fairy Tail), Nakamura Yuuichi (Gray in Fairy Tail, Greed in FMA).
To be technical, Leviathan is basically a sea serpent/monster, Jormungandr is a snake, and Bahamut. Bahamut has always confused me. I’ve looked up Bahamut out of interested numerous times before. Historically, all you’ll get is a GIANT FISH in Arabian mythology ಠ_ಠ And if you search for “Bahamut Dragon” you’ll only find stuff about Bahamut from games like Final Fantasy and crap.
^^^
Through further investigation (recently caught my curiosity again because of this anime) I’ve found out that the dragon version of Bahamut is only from the game “Dungeons & Dragons”. WHICH I FIND EXTREMELY LAMEEEEE, since it’s not something from real mythology or folklore ;A; Anywho though, since this old game is really popular, I guess people mistook it to actually be some ancient dragon-deity with an actual history, and it got spread like that. Bahamut is a fish oAo
POWUH: Meta Team and Spammy Tamer with 7115 comments
Yeah, the seiyuu cast really pulled in the talent. Like I mentioned, they don’t really do a lot, but I’m trying to figure out if, for instance, Hayami Saori’s deadpan is playing the character or not really being interested. Because it’s so consistent, I think it’s playing the character (plus, she’s had other deadpan characters before like Ikaros). And HanaKana is definitely seeming to have fun with the show.
POWUH: Metanorn Regular with 106 comments
HanaKana’s best role this season has yet to be released =v= she says “Shit!” BEST ROLE THIS YEAR
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Wow! That does deserve some recognition. But are you sure it wouldn’t be just the subs translating her speech that way?
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10997 comments
I’m right here. Yeah, it’s a base hit. It’s fun. A bit to vanilla syrop for a fantasy world, but them’s the basics, I guess.
Dungeons and Dragons is not lame. Bite your tongue.
POWUH: Meta Resident with 1557 comments
While I never played D&D, I like the settings, read lots of D&D novels (Forgotten Realms, Dragonlance) and really enjoyed them.
Personally if it’s not Greek or Roman mythology, I really have no interest in them. Especially not Arabic or Chinese. Those are near the bottom of my interest-level.
And Final Fantasy is awesome ^ ^
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10997 comments
Interesting, I’ve always had a very general interest in myth; and I see differing cultures as just different departments; no one is more special than the rest. I even love DC Comics and Marvel Comics “mythology”
If you like D&D novels, you should check out Ebberon, that is one hella cool setting. Ravenloft was always my favorite, however.
::blush:: When it comes to FF, I am such a grognard. Since Six, I’ve only enjoyed Nine.
POWUH: Meta Resident with 1557 comments
Hm, I’ve only read Storm Dragon, which was in the Eberron setting and was decent. The second and third in the series I heard were disappointing so I never read them.
I’ve played 6 and up, I tried going back to 1-5 but the old school graphics were hard to digest. I think I enjoyed the DQ remakes more.
Actually missed 8, which I heard was decent, so I’ve started to play it, after I recently got my hands on the game.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
I heard they’re remastering Final Fantasy X and Final Fantasy X-2 for PS3 and PS Vita this year. I’m so looking forward to that!
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
I can attest to that. I’ve played Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII, Dissidia: Final Fantasy and Final Fantasy XII. I’ve even taken shots at the first and second Kingdom Hearts along with Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep. You gotta love Square Enix games.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10997 comments
I became a Tales of…. and an Atlus junkie, but got to busy to play games any more.
POWUH: Meta Resident with 1557 comments
I want to play Tales of Symphonia, but I don’t have gamecube. Sort of want to try Abyss since I enjoyed the anime. Have Tales of Graces f in my backlog… and only still on Disgaea 2 (have 3 and 4 sitting here). So many games, no time to play =(
And why was Xenoblade and Last Story Wii exclusives!?! Booo… my last Nintendo console was n64.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10997 comments
Symphonia, Abyss and Vesperia are my favorites, with Vesperia winning for so many reasons, but chief of which is Patty Fleur. Pirate? Check? LOLi? Check. Voiced by Chiwa Saito? Oh, yesssssss. Insane Roulette Powers? In the bank!
POWUH: Meta Resident with 1557 comments
Oh, and Vesperia! I don’t have a xbox either and the PS3 version is JPN only *cries*
I watched the Vesperia movie without any knowledge and I have to say that it is my most favorite game related movie ever. It was done really well, and can stand alone on its own merits.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10997 comments
Yeah, I had a Ps3 (stolen along with the 360 and other stuff when my home was burglarized last year)….I’m still quite bitter, but a good buddy of mine loved getting export games.
I need to see the movie.
POWUH: iLurker with 2 comments
Bahamut the Arabic legend might refer to the same creature as the biblical behemoth something similar to a brontosaurus in the book of job, just a chapter before the mention of leviathan.
POWUH: iLurker with 2 comments
Bahamut the Arabic legend might refer to the same creature as the biblical behemoth something similar to a brontosaurus in the book of job, just a few verses before the mention of leviathan.
Hebrew wasn’t real strong on vowels at this time.
POWUH: 500-599 with 519 comments
I really have no idea where this show is going to go. From what is going on right now it seems like a moe watch-these-dragon-girls-do-things sort of thing.
The comedy is also cute but will it take a more serious route later on? There seems to be little hints of that here and there but at the same time it doesn’t look like it.
Pretty much just watching it for now because of the cuteness(and my love for dragons)
POWUH: Meta Team and Spammy Tamer with 7115 comments
It certainly wouldn’t be the first time that a show has gone from “moe slice of life” to “serious bzness” halfway through, but I’m heartened by the fact that the things I think are funny aren’t in set up jokes or amazingly farfetched situations. It’s more like it’s just funny to see them do stuff. Like Leviathan saving Syrop by poking the water out of her stomach, or finding another way to destroy the Key Tail, or Syrop backstroking on Bahamut’s bed.
POWUH: Metanorn Regular with 106 comments
This gif is what happened to me in episode one.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
At least you’re still around. You had some kind of resistance. I can’t say the same for the poor soul in that gif. 🙂
POWUH: Meta Resident with 1557 comments
My only thought was:
Is the person standing to the left a girl? A guy? A trap?!? This is a very important matter here!!!
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10997 comments
Trap, smap. Have fun….
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10997 comments
Oh, holy crap. AMV 6.66 is out!
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
That gif is a clip from the anime “Another” and yeah, the one standing to the left is a guy.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Hmm… As a whole, this anime falls in the middle entertainment wise. It’s not dull but it’s not complex either. A simple turn off your brain show with eye candy featuring three cute female characters. The first two episodes were designed to better introduce the girls but the third was filled with a lot of humor, more than I expected. I couldn’t believe that dragon went out of its way to accomodate the girls while they were in his stomach.
As for their names, it’s surely related to their respective elements: Jormungand = earth, Leviathan = water, Bahamut = fire. The last one’s name brings up the thoughts of dragons from the Final Fantasy games. Syrop’s character is ironic. A little fairy being able to eat huge portions of food.
POWUH: Meta Team and Spammy Tamer with 7115 comments
I think what sold it was that surprised look by Yurlunger when they were talking about eating his giblets, and the hasty attempt to find other food. I also thought that his crush on Leviathan was really cute and funny.
To me, this show’s somewhat above the entertainment level of a Busou Shinki. So far it hasn’t had anything that turns me off, and just does a great job with the silliness. I think the first thing in the show that I really laughed at was the Toripu conking over Bahamut, then bouncing off Jormungand, then knocking Leviathan over not just once, but twice. Insolent bug! It’s like it aimed for their heads.
POWUH: Metanorn Regular with 106 comments
oAo I didn’t recognize you cause you changed your avatar. Is that a vampire as well? (probably is)
As I stated in my comment above, Bahamut is a fish! TROLOLOL And I won’t accept Bahamut as a dragon anymore, since it’s not from traditional folklore o3o boo.
POWUH: Meta Team and Spammy Tamer with 7115 comments
I think it’s less that they’re all supposed to be dragons, and more that they’re all mythical things that are gigantic.
As for the “who is this show for” question, one thing I wasn’t sure of, but found out, in episode three they’re making more jokes about ‘nodochinko’… “It’s so big…”
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Yeah, I recently changed my avatar and you’re right about the character being a vampire. You’d be rich if you made a bet on that. LOL. His name is Ion Fortuna from Trinity Blood.
POWUH: Meta Team and Spammy Tamer with 7115 comments
At the risk of a skylion “he said with a pedantic look” comment, you’d only get rich if you could find some idiot that would bet you that BlackBriar *wouldn’t* have a vampire avatar…
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10997 comments
…
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
I see someone is speechless. Hehehehe…
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10997 comments
he said with a pedantic look
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
It would be out of character and a shock after so long if it was different, right? I’m just staying true to my title. 🙂
POWUH: Metanorn Regular with 106 comments
By the way, I just realized I had made the exact same gif XD Except mine had been cut & cropped since I posted needed to post it on tumblr haha
POWUH: Metanorn Lover with 175 comments
well seen 3eps of this so far
blue – give have missing brother still learn water power to keep practice,
red – give father wanting issues & bit rich girl.
yellow – big axe who want beef bowl & big strength (give later get a focus ep parts).
kana hana syrup fairy – oh my goodness she is endless eater.
overall 3eps of it still hang around a bit who know every once a ep the bar tavern keep getting pwn’d
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10997 comments
Oh, I hope someone can do a reverse engineer gif on Syrop’s eating.
<a href="“>Inspired by potato chips…
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10997 comments
fixed
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10997 comments
Inspired by potato chips
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10997 comments
I swear, I cannot do a thing on a tablet…
POWUH: 1000-1099 and Pirate King with 1048 comments
I edited the comment for you. I guess that’s what you wanted.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10997 comments
t’anx Jrow!
POWUH: 500-599 with 519 comments
*stares at gif*
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10997 comments
“mon mon mon…ptoo”
POWUH: Meta Team and Spammy Tamer with 7115 comments
I’d have to take all the screenshots again. But otherwise it wouldn’t be hard.
POWUH: 800-899 and Mad Scientist with 814 comments
On the target audience note, Dog Days was reputed to be family-friendly. We all know how that turned out…
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10997 comments
My kid called Dog Days, the Happy Picnic Friends Nerf League.
POWUH: 800-899 and Mad Scientist with 814 comments
I guess there are worse things to show your kid… like The Simpsons.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10997 comments
Oh, indeed. But then I grew up as a kid watching Benny Hill and going with my Mom to see The Blues Brothers and Smokey and the Bandit in the theaters. Our family is kinda like “the magic flicker boxes are there to entertain, take it with a grain of salt”