Yatterman Night

[usamimi]

So I was surprised I hadn't seen anyone here talking about this new series: to celebrate Time Bokan's anniversary, Tatsunoko's made "Yatterman Night", a new anime that's about the direct descendants of the Doronbo Gang. Funimation surprisingly picked up the streaming rights, which shocked me because I thought Sentai had an exclusive deal with Tatsunoko, but I guess that's only for DVD/blu-ray releases?

Anyway, the series is supposed to take place some generations after Time Bokan and Yatterman, with a 9-year-old descendant of Doronjo leading a new Doronbo Gang. The first ep is already up for free on Hulu right now: http://www.hulu.com/yatterman-night

Not gonna lie, I was VERY hesitant to try this after the mess that was Gatchaman Crowds. Not to mention that, uh...the 9-year-old descendant of Doronjo wears a Doronjo-inspired costume, and it definitely makes me feel a little uneasy seeing such a young kid dressing like Doronjo. >__>

Here's a promo image, in case you're curious: http://i.gtimg.cn/qqlive/img/jpgcache/f ... 6l7ruw.jpg

I did watch the first episode though, and was pleasantly surprised that it was pretty good so far? I always liked the Doronbo Gang, even as a kid (I liked them WAY more than the heroes most of the time, lol.) so it's kinda cool to see them as the heroes of the story. Really, so far my biggest gripe is just THAT COSTUME on a little girl, but...other than that, it seems to have potential, so I'm cautiously moving forward to watching more as it gets released.

Has anyone else watched it yet? Any thoughts?

[Sentionaut]

I will go as far as to say that this is my pick for the season. Three episodes in, and I have more of an emotional investment in the setting and characters outside of any other show airing now. I'm only passingly familiar with the Time Bokan franchise, Yatterman only barely more so, and this still feels like a nostalgia trip for me. I was of the same mind regarding the first episode of Gatchaman Crowds, but that quickly passed with each episode. I don't recall getting farther than the halfway point with Gatchaman Crowds.

Yatterman Night on the other hand, it seems to be hitting all the right notes. The outline is pretty straight-forward, since I hesitate to call it simplistic, as that would be a disservice to the writing. Yet, the show wears homage on its sleeve, without feeling like outright pandering. I guess the best example would be that as a viewer, I can tell what is going to happen, or the plot points each episode will hit, but I'm left on the edge of my seat wanting each scene to go where signs point.

Not to mention that, uh...the 9-year-old descendant of Doronjo wears a Doronjo-inspired costume, and it definitely makes me feel a little uneasy seeing such a young kid dressing like Doronjo. >__>

This is understandable, but so far, the show is dealing with it decently, and playing more into the ridiculousness aspects of Boyaky and Tonzura, particularly at the end of Episode 2 and maybe a little too long in Episode 3.

[greg]

Oh wow! I've never heard of this show before. I'll have to tell my daughter! She's watched every episode of the original and the remake of Yatterman.

I believe that Yatterman was always about the Dorombo gang, and how they are constantly foiled by Yatterman 1 and 2. In fact, in the Yatterman shmup video games, you play as the Dorombo gang, and the end bosses are Yatterman and other heroes from the Time Bokan series.

[usamimi]

I will go as far as to say that this is my pick for the season. Three episodes in, and I have more of an emotional investment in the setting and characters outside of any other show airing now. I'm only passingly familiar with the Time Bokan franchise, Yatterman only barely more so, and this still feels like a nostalgia trip for me. I was of the same mind regarding the first episode of Gatchaman Crowds, but that quickly passed with each episode. I don't recall getting farther than the halfway point with Gatchaman Crowds.

Yatterman Night on the other hand, it seems to be hitting all the right notes. The outline is pretty straight-forward, since I hesitate to call it simplistic, as that would be a disservice to the writing. Yet, the show wears homage on its sleeve, without feeling like outright pandering. I guess the best example would be that as a viewer, I can tell what is going to happen, or the plot points each episode will hit, but I'm left on the edge of my seat wanting each scene to go where signs point.

Not to mention that, uh...the 9-year-old descendant of Doronjo wears a Doronjo-inspired costume, and it definitely makes me feel a little uneasy seeing such a young kid dressing like Doronjo. >__>

This is understandable, but so far, the show is dealing with it decently, and playing more into the ridiculousness aspects of Boyaky and Tonzura, particularly at the end of Episode 2 and maybe a little too long in Episode 3.

Yeah, I'm actually more familiar with Time Bokan than Yatterman myself (since I got into "Time Fighters" as a kid XD), but since they're in both, it still works! I'm glad to hear that the next 2 eps are just as good. My biggest concern was seeing Leopard portrayed badly while wearing that outfit (with anime...sometimes you just never know >__>) so I'm glad they don't play that up. WHEW.

I agree with the other stuff (at least from what I've seen on he first ep...I wish Funimation would hurry up and give Hulu more!) This seems like a much more interesting, loving homage than Gatchaman Crowds. I know plenty of people would probably argue me on that, but I just could not get into that one, no matter how hard I tried. (I already ranted enough on that one in the old thread we have for it, so I promise I won't go into that again XD)

Oh wow! I've never heard of this show before. I'll have to tell my daughter! She's watched every episode of the original and the remake of Yatterman.

I believe that Yatterman was always about the Dorombo gang, and how they are constantly foiled by Yatterman 1 and 2. In fact, in the Yatterman shmup video games, you play as the Dorombo gang, and the end bosses are Yatterman and other heroes from the Time Bokan series.

I was wondering if you'd heard about it, specifically because I remember your daughter liking Yatterman! I wonder if she'll like the idea of a 9-year-old Doronjo, lol. I think that might've appealed to me as a kid, since I always liked the Dorombo Gang. You'll have to let us know if you watch it with her and how you guys like it. XD

[Sentionaut]

Yeah, I'm actually more familiar with Time Bokan than Yatterman myself (since I got into "Time Fighters" as a kid XD), but since they're in both, it still works! I'm glad to hear that the next 2 eps are just as good. My biggest concern was seeing Leopard portrayed badly while wearing that outfit (with anime...sometimes you just never know >__>) so I'm glad they don't play that up. WHEW.

I agree with the other stuff (at least from what I've seen on he first ep...I wish Funimation would hurry up and give Hulu more!) This seems like a much more interesting, loving homage than Gatchaman Crowds. I know plenty of people would probably argue me on that, but I just could not get into that one, no matter how hard I tried. (I already ranted enough on that one in the old thread we have for it, so I promise I won't go into that again XD)

Episode three positions the Doronbo gang at a sort of starting point. There's plenty going on as far as characterization is concerned, but it's better to discuss those bits once we're all on the same page episode wise. Hopefully Hulu's available broadcasts speed up.

One thing that I don't think affects prior viewing, is that the show is maintaining a tight balance between heavier subject matter, i.e. the dark tone of the first episode, and the humorous moments of the Doronbo gang. That aspect has continued on successfully so far, and I hope that it carries on through the rest of the series.

[greg]

Kickass! I just checked the Japanese Wikipedia article and it's on BS Japan at midnight tonight! You know, I never really had much use for a DVR until I moved to Japan. They've been showing the second series of Keroro Gunsou (Sgt. Frog) on Animax and she's been watching that on a regular basis. I record that for my girl every day. Between that and an hour of Sailor Moon R every Wednesday evening, the backlog of unwatched shows is growing... I told my daughter Ulan about a new Yatterman show, but she's been going through a phase of feigning ignorance for some reason. She sleeps with her Yatterwan blanket every night even. She's a goofball. I'll record it for her tonight and show her tomorrow morning when she eats her cereal.

[greg]

Okay, so we watched episode 3 this morning during breakfast time. It took me off guard seeing the two guys with their clothes off, but apparently their clothing was soaked and there's not a single blanket in that house? Hmm... Anyway, I wasn't quite getting it until I brought up the Wikipedia article saying that it's in the distant future where Yatterman has become a totalitarian police state. Interesting premise.

[usamimi]

Okay, so we watched episode 3 this morning during breakfast time. It took me off guard seeing the two guys with their clothes off, but apparently their clothing was soaked and there's not a single blanket in that house? Hmm... Anyway, I wasn't quite getting it until I brought up the Wikipedia article saying that it's in the distant future where Yatterman has become a totalitarian police state. Interesting premise.

Yeah, this series seems pretty story-heavy, so if there's a way you can find & watch the first 2 eps, that'd prolly be a good idea XD

[greg]

I think it may be available on Nico Douga. I can try looking for it there. It certainly has taken a darker turn than the typically whimsical Yatterman shows. To think Gan-chan and Ai-chan were responsible for creating some merciless police state! It's pretty wild.

[Sentionaut]

I second that the first two episodes, and certainly the first one, are vital to understanding more of the back story. In particular, the Doronbo gang, as episode three skips over that part when Boyaky is asked about the team's motivations for going against Yatterman. As for blankets, I think the only good one was being used by Leopard at the time. The trio were surprised in the cabin, not expecting anyone to suddenly come home while their clothes were drying above the fire. But, I can certainly see how that scene might have dragged on a bit too long in certain respects.