First impressions – Mouretsu Pirates
Space…where no one can hear you Hnnnngggggg
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Bodacious Space Pirates, woo! This anime looks like a real good time, so I’m stopping by to help Fosh and co. out with some first impressions. |
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The time has finally arrived! Bodacious Space Pirates or mini-skirt pirates or whatever you decide to call this series. I was really excited to see this series, unlike a few past shows that I drooled over. So does this first episode live up to my own hype? I guess we should start the review and find out how bodacious it really is.
Plot for this first episode follows a high school girl named Marika Katou. A member of the space yacht club, her life begins to change after two strangers named Misa and Kane arrive to recruit her as their new Captain because she is the ex-captain’s daughter. Before the episode ends Marika is pulled to safety after Kurihara Chiaki saves her life. But who exactly is this angry girl? No one truly knows… |
Marika-“Best…yearbook photo of all time!”
We start this space filled adventure with a short history lesson about space pirates becoming legally licensed after a treaty was signed over one hundred years ago. So, in the future we can legally become pirates damn the future looks great for me. We follow Misa and Kane as they stalk our main character through their fancy computer as Marika practices landing her tiny little ship. After that amazing landing, Marika goes to work at a local maid café where she meets Misa and Kane. It sure sounds like we have a great character so far with Marika, she is a skilled pilot, an awesome maid and she is very cute looking.
Misa-“What-cha watching?” Kane-“Uhh…pretty little magical girls saving the universe?”
Misa why so many holes in your clothes?! And Kane rocking that coat…
After Marika finishes her job she returns home to have a chat with her mom about two mysterious people that knew her name. Kane and Misa drop by to have a chat with Marika’s mother; during this chat session Misa reveals that Ririka was a pirate back in the day! Oh mom…you are awesome and a pirate? That is just amazing! But the biggest secret is suddenly dropped on Marika’s lap after she learns she is the daughter of a famous space pirate who died of food poisoning; Misa and Kane want to eventually recruit her to take his place as captain of the Bentenmaru. Sure why not just give up school and your friends to become a pirate! Sounds like the best job offer ever! And you can do it legally…
Marika-“Ehhhh this is not kool-aid yo!” Misa-“Ehhhh this is not grape drink…”
Rider and Ririka need to seriously meet! I can see a drinking contest.
Marika-“WHAT THE? MY MOM LOVES TO COSPLAY?!”
The following day Marika goes to school thinking about the strange people that she met up with, to make things more interesting Kane walks in and assumes the role of the new bishie teacher! I saw that coming a mile away…even Misa takes on a new role as the school nurse. Wait were missing something here oh right mysterious transfer student! Aka Kurihara chiaki (FREAKING KANA HANAZAWA) she appears to already have a hatred for Marika for some strange reason she glares at Marika…
Turn back while you still have a soul! To late you are already dead…
Marika-“Whoa…is there a Matrix convention around here or something?”
Marika heads to work after school and finds the café paced with lots of strange guys sporting black glasses and slick looking tuxedos. Unknown to her they are looking to recruit her or possibly kill her either way danger is in the air, Chiaki arrives and has some ice cream before she is forced to drag Marika out of the café after a fight with machine guns and lasers breaks out all around them! Damn what about your ice cream Chiaki?! HOW COULD YOU FORGET TO FINISH IT?! The episode ends with Marika getting pulled away by Chiaki down the street.
Chiaki-“Best….ice…cream…ever…hey! Stop staring at me…”
Chiaki used her FUS RO DAH! and scared the hell out of everyone…
Marika-“Where are we going!?” Chiaki-“My house…I want to take photos of you! NOW!”
Extra pirates
Next season of Mouretsu Pirates! Maids in SPACEEEEEEE Cleaning the universe one planet at a time.
In the future we forget how to open doors…
Even evil space bandits need tea.
I will never be able to defeat you!
End thoughts
Space Pirates really does feel throwback. The first episode’s progression of introducing us to Marika and how she’s suddenly the leader of a Pirate ship. It’s pretty funny how casually her mom said, “oh btw, your had a dad, he’s a pirate and now he’s dead. Let’s booze it up!” The first episode is somewhat standard fare as there really isn’t an exciting moment or a huge battle, but it was well written and I’m sure that future episodes are going to up the excitement factor. Mouretsu is slated for 26 episodes, so it might have its ups and downs, but I’m hoping for some good ole fun out of this.
The highlight of the episode for me was Chiaki. The HanaKana character’s attitude somewhat will offset Ririka’s cheerfulness and “ehhhh?”, only when there isn’t a chocolate parfait in the vicinity. After hearing a bit of Hana’s dere-dere voice in Nisemonogatari’s first ep, Hana’s role in Pirates will be much cooler. Her zettai ryouiki is A-grade with her black dress and stockings, but her eyes also demand a lot of attention.
Wow this first episode of Mouretsu pirates was so much fun! I loved the setting for this story we have a great blend of modern looking buildings and plenty of futuristic technology like the fantastic looking space ships and what about that door Marika opened at her house? Whoa…I really want a door like that. Well enough drooling over stuff I probably won’t see ever, so far the animation and character designs for this series are looking great, it is quite interesting to learn this is Matsumono Norikuki’s first time designing characters for anime besides doing a few manga.
So what characters stand out? Easy answer right there I liked Marika’s happy personality! Yes she might not be a hyper-good-at-every-thing character like Madoka from Rinne no Lagrange! But Marika seems to be a very interesting girl to watch. Next up the Kana Hanazawa character! Chiaki and yes I am with you Jrow Chiaki has a great dere-dere voice and straight to the point talk, maybe a grown up version of Kurononeko from Orelmo? Minus the amazing gothic frilly dress of course. I am going to need to stock up on lots of Hanazawa vaccines for this series, and so true Jrow Chiaki does rock that zettai Ryokuiki look quite well.
So what else? Opening and ending were great noting to mind blowing yet I probably need to watch those videos a bit more to get anything from them but overall great production from this episode. One thing is clear most the students from the school eventually join as part of the Bentenmaru crew! At least I sure hope so, almost forgot to mention that maid friend of Marika’s! She sure looks cute…so maybe she will join? So I hope we get more details on Chiaki and why she doesn’t really like Marika all that much, but the ending showed her wearing some jumpsuit I think she could be a mechanic? Or some type of bodyguard? So what did you think of the first episode of Mouretsu Pirates? Hate it? Loved it? Let us know!
Preview
Sailing 2 your heart one Hnnnggg at a time.
Will Marika become the new captain of the Bentenmaru! Find out next week! And look out for more Hanazawa voices…
About Tag Team
We live, laugh, enjoy and strictly believe on "more the merrier". When together, we usually come up with very chatty, conversation-based episodics and interesting posts.
POWUH: Lovely-pyon~ with 338 comments
I was actually not going to watch this, but since dropping Aquarion Evo I had an open slot. So glad I filled it with this!! Granted I haven’t seen the first ep of Another yet. But so far (next to natsume) this first ep was excellent in my opinion!!
I’m with you Shizzel-kun this ep won across the board. The backgrounds the high technology. And Marika is so adorable! She will make a wonderful Pirate. I’m expecting great things from this series, hopefully it doesn’t crash and burn like
Guilty Crown.POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
Yeah I just saw Aquarion Evo last night..I like it but I can see why everyone else rather pass on that..ah well expect a review here soon!
Yeah this was a great first episode they set up the story quite well and explained everything, I loved the technology! Especially that door and Misa’s watch…awesome. Marika is a great looking character and Chiaki? Damn…gotta love that hime hair style <3
YES! PLEASE DO NOT BECOME ANOTHER GUILTY CROWN....I will shoot someone hahahah
POWUH: Occasional (51-75) with 67 comments
haha yea, it was entertaining when the mom was so laid back about the news of her husband.. im SOO looking forward to her becoming the captain XD and Dang kane is a hottie.
Oh and Also, I like how they are recruiting her classmates :3
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
LOL! Yes her mom was like soooo I dated a pirate and you were born…so what? Awesome mom…thanks for telling me about my pirate father! Yeah they got sexy guys for the girls to drool over hot girls for the guys xD
Yep! Why not a school full of future pilots and what not..
POWUH: Meta Team and Megane-chan with 3214 comments
Yep. Watching this for the lols.
Pirates in space? That’s almost as ridiculous as vampire ninjas!
POWUH: Occasional (51-75) with 67 comments
Vampire Ninjas? haha now that is something I would watch just for the lols XD
POWUH: Meta Team and Megane-chan with 3214 comments
Try Kore wa Zombie Desu ka.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Oh yeah, the vampire ninjas. Nice reference, Kara. Space pirates does sound ridiculous but in Naruto Shippuden, we saw ninja skateboarders. I’d take vampire ninjas over that anytime.
POWUH: Meta Team and Megane-chan with 3214 comments
N-ninja skateboarders? I knew there was a reason I started hating filler.
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
LOL!!! I remember that! They had these boards they used on grass to “stake” down hills and stuff…oh my…naruto filler WTF xD
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Well, Fosh, we can officially screw the Naruto Shippuden filler episodes now because they’ve finally gone back to the main story with episode 243. Naruto and Killer Bee have just met in that one.
POWUH: Meta Team and Megane-chan with 3214 comments
Which means I can go back to marathoning this! Excellent!
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
Yeah! I am soooo freaking happy! About damn time Naruto about time! I can’t wait to see the ninja war get animated <3 <3
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
Same!
There are space vampires in a older series called Macross 7! Look it up it is crazy!
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Gahhh!! Fosh, you know you’re just feeding my addiction to vampires. Now I’m having trouble containing myself. LOL. Gotta start looking for it now.
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
Lolololol you are welcome xD
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
The last I heard anything with space pirates, it was in the Tenchi series (Tenchi Muyo, Tenchi Universe, Tenchi in Tokyo). And since when are there legal pirates thanks a contract? The Pirates of the Caribbean certainly didn’t have that kind of privilige.
The technology they have in there is so awesome that I almost nerded out and got jealous. Especially what Marika did with that fashion book. Taking a picture out of the book, spinning it around and then sending it to the TV.
Overall, this looks entertaining. Kana Hanazawa’s voice was so deep playing Chiaki that I almost couldn’t tell it was her. There were no similarities in her voice, not even to match Guity Crown’s Ayase. I’ll continue this for now.
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
Ohhh ya! Tenchi had lots of space pirates! Have you ever seen Outlaw Star? That main red ship in this series looks just like the one from Outlaw all they need are huge red arms.
Same here man…same here they just have some amazing looking technology in this series, from that cool door all the way to Misa’s watch and Marika’s TV…so good.
I like Hanazawa as that type of character versus the I-CAN’T-STOP-SMILING-ALL-THE-TIME types, but hot damn…Chiaki is quite the looker haha glasses, hime hair cut, and dem legs…
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
Dem Legs. Made for ZR. Shame she don’t have the twins tails rockin’.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
I agree about the legs and the glasses somehow makes her more attractive. We’ve got a tsundere sex kitten on our hands.
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
Chiaki with twintails?! OMG That would cause so many moe heart attacks…damn…
POWUH: Beginner (20-35) with 22 comments
Well, in as much as free teenage sex toys can be considered “part of the crew”. These are poor pirates, they cant pay for whores in every port, easier to just take some with you.
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
Mmmmm yeah I can see the appeal there! They can recruit the whole damn school for the new Bentenmaru crew…such a good idea xD
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
The Letters of Marque are nothing new. And a Letter was issued, but not taken, in the second PotC film. Much like the plot device is used here, Nations back in the day, here on Earth, would issue them as a form of warfare on the open seas. In this way, English ships could beat up on Spanish ships, and just be dismissed as “Pirates”; sorry about that Spain, tough luck, eh?
From a modern viewpoint it was also a way that the issuing nation could stem the growth of piracy. Better the devil you have some control over than not at all. Piracy occured in great numbers in those days due to how navies gain crew. Pressganging. Go into a port, grab able bodied folk, and force them to work on deck. Lots of mutiny happened as a result. Also captains gained crew by purchasing those that were punished under laws of “transportation”. Instead of tossing you in the gaol or exile, you were put aboard a ship and work of your debt.
All of none of this could be applicable to the Bodacious Space Pirates. I would not mind being pressganged by some of the potential crew.
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
Ooooh nice! Thanks for the info Skylion! lots of great information! xD
Oh damn that is really cool! So Mouretsu Pirates is using some real pirate lore in this series? Because it seems they are in the process of “recruiting” the best of the best from the school…I am impressed with that!
hahahah yes xDD
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
Pressganged. Give a whole new definition to “shiver me timbers”. (I stole that from Buffy).
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
LOLOL nice xDDD
POWUH: Meta Team and The Mad Scientist with 5525 comments
…I wasn’t even going to watch this, and so far it’s probably right up there as my favourite of the season. Then again, everything I’ve watched this season has been pretty lacklustre. I WISH I LOVED EVERY ANIME EVER! MY LIFE WOULD BE SO GREAT!
I thought they’d really make things dumb and make lame attempts at comedy, but the execution was actually very well thought-out. I enjoyed it a lot, and want to watch more! I really don’t know how to tell my non-otaku friends that I’m watching something called “Bodacious Space Pirates” <_<
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
Hooray!! I am happy to hear that OC! There isn’t much to actually hate on with this series so far aside from a few characters, at least the main girl is not 100% dumb or ditsy…so that is a plus right? or a tsundere main lead…hahaha
True there were parts that left me like…right…so was that a joke? And the Hanakana characters reaction to ice cream was kind of strange but not bad. LOL Yeah the name “Bodacious” is kind of random…it sounds like a bad anime title.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
Bodacious is a combo of the words bold and audacious. Spirited, lustful. Its is also a synonym for voluptuous. Hot, sexy, curvy, damned attractive.
The title is doing exactly what it says on the tin!!!
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
…that last line was clumsy.
This anime is doing exactly what it says on the tin!!!
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
Whoaaaaa that is great! Sounds like some hardcore ecchi series…and not Mouretsu pirates, then again we have a few sexy looking characters.
POWUH: iLurker with 6 comments
you made me like give a try to this serie.. I wasn’t sure about it.. but it looks promising ^^ thanks for “first impression” <3
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
Awesome! Then my work here is complete I hope you enjoy the next few episodes.
POWUH: 400-499 with 489 comments
First time I saw Chiaki I thought “and hear comes the tsudure character” She’s voiced by Hanazawa which is considered a bitch move in my book.
I still have to watch the whole episode but what got me attracted to the show was the OP, once I heard the first 30 seconds I knew who the group that sang it so i’m happy
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
Hahahah no problem of there I will admit when I saw her designs I thought the same thing…but she is really cute looking even if she can kick my ass xD
OP was nice I loved the animation and the pirate uniform! Wooooo very cool 😉
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
Have you seen/heard HanaKana’s role in Aquarion Evol. Sex kitten. Nyaa Nyaa.
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
Yep! Hanakana is playing some great looking characters…the one in Aquarion EVOL not bad, more like a ranka lee clone but taller and what not ;P
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
I’m actually watching it right now, Aquarion Evol. All I had to do was hear the character pout once, and I knew exactly who I was listening too.
Also in that series….Inori and Oh my Shoe get to play with each other again.
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
Yepppp Ohhh maaaa shoeeeee in Aquarion T___T they need to stop hiring him! WE DONT LIKE HIM..
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
Fosh, stop right there. I support that pissy-pants panty waist from the bottom of my heart. Go Go Go Oh Ma Shoe. Take the world by storm.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
R U GAIS gonna do EVOL? It is right up Metanorn’s alley. MY Goodness, they took every damn cliche they could find and burned a trail across the heavens. I didn’t watch the the first Aqurion, but it is really on my horizon now. HOLY CRAP ON A CRACKER. Sex and death. They decided to make the subtext TEXT!
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
Yeah working on EVOL soon <3
POWUH: Metanorn Lover with 207 comments
*whew* I’m glad this series wasn’t too horrible to start with XD
I think the whole idea of space pirates just sounds so cheesy and dumb. Legal Space Pirates???? Space Bounty Hunters or GTFO. Though it didn’t look so bad throughout the episode, though if someone were to ever tell me that, I think I would just be like Marika all over again XD.
Speaking of Marika, I just love her appearance, especially her hair! And the maid outfit just made her look so much moe~ =w=. I also though the Chiaki added a lot of style to this episode too. I can see the both of them being an epic duo. All the other characters were fine, though not too special though XP. Did anyone else think Misa looks like Nia from Gurren Lagann?
I think this episode was okay, I think maybe a few more would just do it for me at least. Because I really HATE the opening theme =_=, the ending was alright though.
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
Thankfully right? Unlike a few winter shows there hasn’t been much that made me go WOW! Yet…besides a few out there.
Marika is awesome I like her so far she does seem a bit slow but I think we will grow to like her eventually..ya legal space pirates seems to be a little strange! But ah well I like it.
Yeah Marika has a great design and wonderful hair! I have to do a drawing of her eventually…and Chiaki too! Glasses and her hime haircut? So deadly…thanks to Hanakana voice work. Yep! Misa has similar hair colors like Nia in Gurren Lagann I saw her and was like NIA!?! Kane was wearing something similar that Simon wore near the end of TTGL a red/blue coat.
OP was meh for me too and ED was great! Because we got to see Marika and Chiaki wearing different clothes xD
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
Legal Pirates folks. In addition to anime otaku cred I am a classic lit/history/legislative/history of science nerd.
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
Whoaaaaaa thanks for sharing! Skylion <3 We need to get on skype or msn one day and chat up some pirate history! Seriously hahaha
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
That would be cool. I don’t do skype or msn, but I will hit up google talk.
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
Oooh!? Who are you on G+? same name I assume xD
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
the.skylion. Open invitation.
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
Hmmm can’t find a profile named that…my G+ is Fosh anime
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
I just added you to my circles.
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
awesome
POWUH: Meta Resident with 1557 comments
I’m with you Fosh, the first episode blew me away (I was expecting average C grade and got something like B+/A-). Definitely was pumped after the first episode and can’t wait for the next one! Though the OP and ED were bland.
Kinda opposite of Rinne no Lagrange. I was expecting something good, and well… it has high production values, a really good OP, and the story seems interesting, but for some reason none of it comes together. Sort of like Guilty Crown, except redjuice and supercell can override the horrible plot and terrible main character.
The idea of Yakuza as fans made me laugh ^^
Oh, and Hanazawa Kana ^^ She’s one of my favorite VAs.
Schnitzer (in crew pics and ED) looks so out of place. Kind of like a token —– character to make the crew seem more multi-species.
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
Hooray first episode! I was happy they explained things and set us up for a fun show! But 12-13 episodes feels weak for this depending on how “fast” things get as in when Marika finally decides to become the captain.
Great production values here and fantastic character designs well with Chiaki and Marika! Both “lead” girls look nice <3 Yeah a lot of us on Metanorn either love Hanakana or hate her, but I am in the middle depending on they type of girl she plays.
LOL Yeah! Maybe they are going more into Star Wars or Star Trek? Just to make things different? I remember Horizon did this with soooo many races and species! like a blob, half dragon half mecha character.
POWUH: Meta Resident with 1557 comments
Hahaha, I really enjoyed Horizon. That blob was pretty amusing to watch (and get stepped on).
POWUH: Novice (36-50) with 50 comments
I didn’t want to try this but after reading this review I went and watched the first episode.
It was a lot better then i thought it would be. To be honest with all those girls I imagined panty shots and other types of fan service to be present. So glad there isn’t.
The mother made me laugh with her reaction to both not informing her daughter she is related to a space pirate but also to being told he died. “Whoops I forgot” and “He died? Let’s drink!”
Chiaki’s design reminded me of that chick from Star Driver. The green-haired one that liked that blue-haired guy with the king powers (I’m horrible at names I know XD).
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
Hooray! I am glad you gave it a shot xD
Yeah I would have thought the same thing with a cast of 90% Female characters you would think they would flash panty shots all over but they decided not to, but! They might try that later on I am waiting for the required shower scene, changing scenes or swim suit theme…
LOL!!! Yes Marika’s mom is so good, sure she forgot to mention her father…but forget that LETS GET HAMMERED lol drinking wine from a beer mug was so funny.
Yeah the final maiden? Right you are right! Chiaki just needs a ponytail and she is good to go, but damn she looks good <3
POWUH: 500-599 with 543 comments
Well, now I might as well try this one out when I get some time. It didn’t seem appealing, but perhaps something will be funny? Or maybe not. I don’t care.
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
Comedy is lacking but animation, story, characters and music are making up for a lot of the series! I have high hopes for this series <3 but again 13 episodes seems weak..
POWUH: and Yaoi Fangirl~ with 2320 comments
I do like the animation, but so far that’s it. I don’t see anything special with the plot so far, except the whole legal space pirate thingy. I can understand though, since this is just the first episode. So I guess I’ll give the second episode a try?
BUT I NEED MORE HANAKANA
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
Ohhh don’t worry to much I am sure episode two will have more HANAKANA! <3
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
I honestly don’t think this show will leave you feeling put out for trying it. Looks like it’s going to content for best of in some list or other. I think you will notice it is getting a ton of comments compared to the other shows Metanorn is blogging.
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
True! I noticed a few blogs following this series, seems to be under the radar for most people? Or do you think they see all girls in the cast and think fan-service and yuri? Yeah lots of comments on this series it makes me happy xD
POWUH: Novice (36-50) with 38 comments
Under the radar? My FACE is under the radar because this is the MOST BLOGGED SHOW THIS SEASON based on my scientific research
POWUH: iLurker with 4 comments
To be completely honest, I had absolutely zero idea what to expect when I began to watch this. Based on the title alone and after watching 2 episodes of Nisemonogatari, I was slightly worried as to what I was getting into.
It started out with me being completely confused, but all became well the minute there was a rather large number of strange men in suits all collectively gathered in a cafe, sipping tea… and every single one of them had the whole eye sparkle thing going on.
Never before have I been so amused by an anime involving space pirates, schoolgirls and ice cream induced orgasms. Nor did I believe such a think could exist, but oh am I ever grateful it does =3