UlasanAnime.com – The first episode of Mawaru Penguindrum evokes a similar feeling to my initial encounter with FLCL: a blend of deep entertainment and intense intrigue. The series presents a distinct Ikuhara-style sexuality, both visually and thematically, interwoven with threads of confusion. This “sexy confusion” is quite captivating, much like a potent drug.
For this effect to land, the anime must excel technically, and Penguindrum certainly delivers. It’s a visually rich production, arguably one of the best-looking anime released this year so far. The exploration of sexuality mirrors that found in Utena, as does the fairy tale motif, though it’s too early to determine if that will be the central focus this time. Despite its early stage, the episode already offers a wealth of material for contemplation.
I’m also keen to discover what other critics and fans are saying about the premiere. The following is a compilation of links to various blogs that have shared their thoughts on the first episode. If any notable discussions were missed, it’s due to limitations in the aggregation process, as many are likely discussing Penguindrum.
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Here are the collected links, presented in no particular order:
- Bateszi – It’s good time to be a fan.
- Bokutachi – Elements to impress.
- Caraniel – Signature Ikuhara, colors.
- dere-moe – Pathos with ISO standards.
- Metanorn – they love everything. I think. Including incest.
- THAT – fear the Q-penguins? [See later comments about SHAFT-ism]
- Anime-Diet – LaMoe-san weights in Penguin facts?and Imouto fictions.
- Listless Ink – After reality tea time, Ali[ce] is the Queen, red pills.
- Clanrain – Blown mind, blown expectations.
- Daydream Sanctuary – Night on the Galactic railroads, again. Characterization check, theme threading, too fab.
- Chocolate Syrupy Waffles – PENGUINS moe moe moe moe utena.
- Hanner’s – Shafted, but will not judge by cover (unless it’s adorned by penguins)
- Nyan Nyan – Character development => Blu-ray wut
- GAR GAR – All on the Railroad stuff.
- Hatchimitsu – Points out the obvious, tries to judge by cover and fails.
- Kurogane – embeds the obvious, but takes a cautious approach.
- Seikjitsu – leave the aged sex pot out of this, fab.
- Cart Driver – more SHAFT, more Utena, more fab.
- Randomc – Hype MATCH!
- Emory Anime Club – Fab, questions, it’s all over the place.
- Shameful Otaku Secret – Recalibrating what to expect, brilliant promise, big gamble.
- JPHinano – Hinano thinks it is the most epic title, but maybe most epic show too? Better than wwww Yumekui Merry.
Regarding SHAFT’s involvement, it’s commendable that viewers are recognizing their directorial signatures. Many of the visual techniques employed are indeed prevalent in recent SHAFT productions, and their presence has been noted. My previous arguments concerning “SHAFT-isms” and their timing are relevant here. Penguindrum might have felt even more impactful if it had aired around 2009, when these stylistic choices were less ubiquitous. Among the 22 posts reviewed, only one delved deeply into the typography and communication design aspects. I found these elements to be significant components of the visual presentation, a characteristic also extensively utilized by Shinbo and SHAFT. While these choices serve a purpose, for avid viewers, particularly newer ones, they might represent a familiar aesthetic. The recurring motif of trains, for instance, was interesting; perhaps a blog post from a train enthusiast will offer further insights.
On a related note, the homage to “Night on the Galactic Railroad” is a well-executed detail, and it’s good to see it already being discussed in detail.
