| Delightful live-action version of the hugely popular (in Japan) anime TV show "Chibi Maruko-Chan". After Ei Morisako played Maruko in the 2006 mini-series, she was replaced by Ito Ayaka for this second series made only a year later--although surely Morisako was not already too old to continue in the role? Ayaka is of course extremely cute, but not quite as good an actor as Morisako. Also, Maruko’s family are all played by different actors in this second series, except for Moto Fuyuki, who returns as Ojii-Chan (grandfather).
This longer second series of 45 minutes episodes starts off perfectly, with more silly moments and situations from Maruko’s everyday life with her family and school friends. Unfortunately, after the first three or four episodes, more and more screen time is given over to various variety show hijinks involving games and celebrity guests, which might provide some initial interest for their insights into Japanese culture, but are far less involving than the dramatic segments, which comprised the entirety of the 2006 series.
It reaches the point where some later episodes have almost no drama segments at all and are entirely about the live segments, which often descend to the level of infomercials. Some segments, such as those involving science experiments, are genuinely interesting though, and more of those would have been preferable to the interminable episode about preparing fish dishes. Although that might have been made insufferable due to the incredibly annoying and genuinely creepy guest on that episode.
But still, for plenty of warm-hearted wackiness and unbelievable cuteness this is still a super happy smile fun time! |
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