Anime: Ou Dorobou Jing

Animation

The animation for this series is clearly not a conventional one; the elements of "exaggeration" and "mystification" appear to be deliberate choices. Characters and objects are extremely exaggerated, for example, sunflowers that appear as tall as a human being. Exaggeration in this series is unique because the exaggeration is part of Jing's world, not what Jing makes of the world as exaggerations often are in other comedy series. Jing's world is filled with a wide variety of colors, and by giving even our everyday objects very strange yet vivid colors, each object, particularly if there is an intended symbolism, is emphasized and mystified at the same time. Whether emotional or physical, climaxes are highlighted by different effects such as blurring and shaking the frames in motion. At the same time, these effects create the sense of mystery and preserve the sense of three-dimensional distance. This is something quite effective in Jing's world where, well, birds talk.

A close viewer might find that there are only quite a few drawn frames, but the special effects and quality of each frame make up for the lost part. The character designs are not quite consistent with the manga, which can either be a plus or a minus, depending on the viewer preference.

The opening and ending sequences successfully restrain themselves from giving out spoilers while including certain key symbols from the series. The opening animation, with a clear focus on Jing, is abound with special effects that, again, make Jing a mysterious, yet likable, figure. Note that the key animation for "Kir Royale", Jing and Kir's primary technique, is repeatedly used throughout the series. Overall, excellent, both as an animation and as part of the whole (9/10).

Sound

The voice actors for main (recurring) characters are both prominent and appropriate. Jing was voiced by Mitsuki Saiga who voiced young and handsome genius boys in many other series (Rossiu from Gurren Lagann, Wolfram von Bielefeld from Kyo Kara Maoh series). Kir was voiced by Ryusei Nakao, and he voiced for many others, including a similar character (supporting animal-type), Kaaya from Gakko no Kaidan, as well. And, along with a few supporting voice actors every episode, the cast does a fine job at creating an appropriate atmosphere.

The opening song, "Shout it loud" by Scudelia Electro, resonates with easygoing yet smart personality of Jing's. The closing song by the same artist appropriately "closes" each episode(s) with calmness. The background music includes themes from opening and closing songs and a few others, arranged for different atmosphere in each episode. The electronic music arrangement that accompanied Jing did a decent job bringing him up as a clever character, but there are some cases of repetitions that remind the viewer of the formulaic nature of some stories (see "Story" below). Overall, very good, being appropriate and effective (8/10).

Story

Probably the "story" is where this series falls short. Each episode or a set of two or three episodes in this series is largely independent from each other. However, they follow a somewhat similar formula each time that the viewer could easily discover in the first few episodes; for example, each story involves Jing and Kir visiting a place. This is probably inevitable for any episodic series, and the way of storytelling is good.

There are clearly different symbolisms intended for different objects and people in each set of episodes (for example, the "Eternal City"Reviva, episodes 6-7), and they create a central theme of each town Jing visits. Sometimes those themes leave the viewer with some entertainment, but they are not as effective as in other episodic series that attempts to attack similar lines of questions, for example, Kino's Journey and Shigofumi. While the themes might have been a source of inspiration for the original author, some of them are rather classic cliches and make the episode(s) largely predictable even without foreshadowing, detracting from the sense of adventure. Note that there is absolutely no "overarching plot" in this series.

Moreover, the story is built on a very weak foundation. Jing and Kir are a bandit duo who travels to different places, of course, but nothing much is explained about the World or the duo's identity/past. This "mystification" is probably what the animators probably intended (see "Animation" above), but it might upset some viewers. Overall, decent, playing an interesting game well, but doing it too safe, on a weak ground (6/10).

Character

The likable characters are probably the most attractive aspect of this series. I will only elaborate much on Jing, the protagonist, one character that probably defines the spirit of the series. He is, as the title reveals, the King of Bandits, with an appearance of a boy too young to convince others that he is one. No one quite knows what he thinks (detached point of view) but he is clearly more mature than anyone deep inside his heart. He is a bandit, but he does not point guns at anyone to get his treasures; or rather, he does not need to. He appears to be stealing treasures not for the sake of one's self but to resolve issues between people. Jing is a person who never shows mistakes, perhaps because he does not make any. Indeed, the series show how Jing is a character who cannot evolve, and it is only because he is as perfect as is. In his story he is smart, adaptable, and adept, both physically and mentally. He meets a perplexed girl and a few antagonists along the way -- enticing apperance, gentle voice, clever hands, quick wit, good senses. Who can't get a liking for such a boy?

Yet his partner Kir is someone completely different. He does not do much except to be talking a lot around Jing's shoulder on the surface, but he likes women, becomes Jing's only weapon, and notices things. Without Kir, Jing's journey would have been feeble and lonely, and the episodes would have lost much of the humor and character interactions. Jing and Kir's relationship as a bandit and his weapon and friend is something of a great potential.

However, it does not develop much. Postino is one mysterious postman who can reach anywhere for his delivery, and well, he is the recurring minor character whose conversation with Jing simply adds to both men's "cool"-ness. How does the series manage thirteen episodes with such characters? It blends into the environment created by the weak foundation (see "Story" above) and the mysterious atmosphere (see "Animation" above).

No matter how weak or confusing each story may be, the viewer can always wait for Jing to give it a touch and resolve things, in his very unique manner, easygoing and lighthearted way. Overall, excellent, interesting, mysterious (9/10).

Value and Enjoyment

These two are more personal ratings. There are not a lot of connections to this series that makes it a "must watch", but if you like this series: this series will probably be something quite valuable because it is so unique (aside from the 3 episode OVA). For series that come close, I recommend other series directed by Hiroshi Watanabe: Detective Loki has the exact same "Kir Royale" moments, Jigoku Shoujo series is quite mysterious and episodic.

The series is completely rewatchable if you wish to do so; because this series is far more heavier on characters rather than the story, the spoilers do not really "spoil" the series per se, even though I tried to abstain from spoilers in this review. Overall, good, average of animation, sound, story, and character, -1 for lack of connections (7/10)

This series can be enjoyed to the fullest when you just want to see something lighthearted and clever that will give you entertainment and movitation at the same time. I personally watched this series after watching a very offensive one, and this animation calmed me down, gave me some good smiles, and pushed me for more of it. When I watched it on a Sunday morning, episode 5 was not so great. Overall, good personal experience (8/10)

Animation: Post 2000 series, so the animation is nice and clean. However, in many parts they simply pan the screen back and forth to skip the flow. They also reuse the Kir Royale transformation :)

Sound: BGM is nice but not overly memorable...I think. I love the OP "Shout it Loud," and it fits the series nicely.

Story: The series is mostly episodic. It's a series of adventures with no central storyline and no resolution to his main goal, if any. That doesn't bother me, however, because I really like how they personify the theme for each story, for example, the "City of Time," "City of Color," "City of Life," etc. Many elements are quite abstract.

And of course, appropriate for the title, thievery is personified, since Jing literally steals anything...tangible or intangible.

Characters: There is no character development largely because Jing is just too cool. And he's a pimp. He is the metaphor of cool. If there is a list of coolest anime characters, he'd near the top if not the top.

I'm not taking away points for the lack of character development simply because the characters are just very interesting to begin with. Jing is a pimp who doesn't act like a pimp, and Kir's a talking bird that tries to act like a pimp. You also get a Jing (Bond) girl of the week, and I especially like Stir in the last story arc.

The villains are mostly just pure evil guys, but what makes them interesting is that some of them are metaphors/personifications just like the rest of the series. For instance, one villain is literally Greed. He is greed, he feeds on greed, and his only purpose in life is greed.

Last but not least...Jing has a postman friend who delivers [almost] anything anywhere. And his name is...Postino. 'nuff said.

Value/Enjoyment: Enjoyment will vary wildly based on each episode. All the stories are just plain, harmless fun, so whichever episodes you like will be good to replay. You probably won't be rewatching to catch something you missed though.


PS: The only realy glimpse of Jing/Kir's past is given in the 2nd episode in the first OVA, so I'm really hoping for a 2nd TV series with more focus on a main plot...and hopefully a revisit to Zaza (the last city) =D

It was alright but is has no story or ending. You could say it is full of filler episode except you never find out what the real story is so what exactly is it filling? All of the episodes are of him stealing priceless things and while doing so helping people but you never find out WHY he is doing.

Animation
I thought the animation was very good no freeze frame or anything like that.

Sound
Ok I know most people wouldn't think playing the same 3 songs over and over again isn't worth a 9 rating but I happened to like those 3 songs so bleh!

Story
There isn't one

Character
Jing has to be the calmest guy. His partner (which I think is actually his teacher) is a talking bird who can get to be annoying but not too much. The girls have to be the hottest I have ever seen in an anime though. Hentai quality even.

Value
Its great if you have nothing better to do and just wanna see an action comedy.

Enjoyment:
I enjoyed it alot until I got to episode 13 and found that nothing was gonna being explained. Then anger set in.....


The Good:
Pretty good animation, cool main character, great potential.

The bad:
Story never being or went anywhere and nothing was done.

The ugly:
Thinking about how a bird can have sex with a girl....

Overall I give it a 6. Ahh just thinking about it pisses me off cause it has great potentail and yet nothing happens. Hmm or maybe there is another 13 episodes somewhere.....