Secret of Cerulean Sand

[purplemo]

Secret of Cerulean Sand
(a.k.a. Patapata Hikousen no Bouken)

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Probably better known (assuming it is known at all) around here as Secret of Cerulean Sand

So I'm slowly restarting this. I completely forgot what a good soundtrack this show has. A very solid show for the older child inside too. Think Nadia, but without the "why can't everyone in the show throttle that PETA fanatic to death" factor. Actually Jane and Balzac reminds me a lot of Sara Crewe and Carrisford from A Little Princess (this show is actually VERY loosely based off of a couple of Jules Verne works). A great show for right now when I could use something light and entertaining.

I'll comment more when I get done. Almost there, I think. I think I should be able to finish this reasonably soon given I've had such a head start from 6 or so years ago. ;p

[Funkgun]

But does it have a cute lion like Nadia? or a Captain that looks like Bruno J Global from Macross? I think not. ;)

Just kidding,
it looks like a fun and nicely animated nineteen century period show. The flying ship looks very retro. At first the character designs almost remind me of Gainax's Nadia, but upon viewing it is TMS World Master Piece Theater seems to shine through
Thanks for posting this up.
I will be most interested in what your reflection is after your through.

[purplemo]

Taken from Secret of Cerulean Sand

Originally Posted by purplemo

Story 8/10
This is where one has to step back and look at what this show really is. No one should go into this show expecting an epic. This is a children's show. It's going to be predictable. It's going to have its fair share of stock "surprises" that you can see a mile away. You know Jane is going to have her way and be one of the greatest leaders of all mankind, able to motivate grown men to do anything and convince them of everything. So that is just something everyone will have to get out of their system.

Now, once all that is through, what you get is a very enjoyable ride. It is hard to describe other than it is fun. It is a fun ride that will bring back nostalgic memories of anyone's favorite childhood adventure shows (especially those who know the World Masterpiece Theater series). Throughout Patapata Hikousen no Bouken you feel like you want to know where they are going next, who and what will they run into. In fact, the one major downside to Patapata Hikousen no Bouken is that because of this, the show feels too short. They could have easily spread this series out to 52 episodes and loaded it with "filler" episodes to increase the fun. It feels like Jane reaches her destination much too quickly.

On a final note, while the ending is very predictable, it is handled with care. It will leave you on an emotional high note, which is quite a feat given you were aware of it some 5 episodes prior.

Animation 8/10
One look and you immediately think of the World Masterpiece Theater lineup. It has that classic and distinctive World Masterpiece Theater look that few true fans of anime would ever fail to recognize, which makes for a very solid looking show. Even the airship design looks vintage World Masterpiece Theater, that imaginative steampunk-meets-Miyazaki look. Animation is fluid and dynamic for the most part, though background characters do sometimes remain static when they should be moving.

The one downside to the animation is that Jane is easily the smallest 15 year old girl around. She looks maybe 10 years old, and is the height of a 7 year old, with a head/body proportion of a 1 year old. Which fits the younger characters like Sabri, but not Jane.

Sound 9/10
~Naked story, yeah yeah yeah yeah~

So when the first thing about a show you notice is this, what does that make you think? Something for marmar right? Not this show, that's for sure. Usually I can make out what they try to say with engrish, but this? I don't know. Those six words right there outdo Narutaru in the "inappropriate OP" category. Luckily the rest of the OP, despite being full of engrish, is actually quite good.

So now that I've burnt a full paragraph on six words, onto the rest of the show's audio. First the voices. Each character is well voiced and cast. Rarely does a VA over or underact their role. Marusney and Sabri are especially well-cast, and overall the the VAs augment the show's liveliness quite well.

Now for the music. For a children's show, the soundtrack us superb. A soundtrack like this is usually reserved for a much more "grown-up" show, yet it never feels out of place. It does especially well accentuating the nostalgic and melancholic portions of the show. The piano pieces are especially nice.

Characters 8.5/10
No real complaints here. Each character is done well and fit their archetype. Usually I would complain about the lack of depth of some characters or how they stick to their stereotypical roles to the T, but given that this is a children's show I chose to let it slide. Plus it would be a lot less enjoyable a show if they tried to overcomplicate the characters by giving them too much depth. The most important factor here is that Jane does not suffer from the "Nadia PETA Nazi" effect. While she does espouse some nonsense, she is not overbearing like Nadia is. She remains an enjoyable character throughout and you always wish for her success.

Overall 8.5/10
To truly enjoy this show one must be willing to accept certain things as fact. There are many things in here that would make one question how it is possible. The key to remember is that this is a (older, like 8-10 years old) children's story and you are meant to come along for the ride, not question it. With that mindset, Patapata Hikousen no Bouken is an enjoyable "blast from the past" experience. A truly fun ride for those looking for a light adventure and to get back in touch with the child inside.

[Funkgun]

Originally Posted by purplemo

Taken from http://www.anime-planet.com/forum/an...no-bouken.html

Aces. Nice review. I enjoyed the first episode myself. You are correct in saying, get your mind set first. Do not expect adult fare, but I also would be mistaken to say it does not appeal to older ages as well.

In fact, it is so far, just a fun walk down memory lane.

[purplemo]

Try Moomins or any of the World Masterpiece Theater works. Those are all good trips down memory lane, and I can't recall any one of them where I would say it was bad. Too bad most people don't watch any of the classics, though Patapata Hikousen no Bouken isn't really one either . . .

How do you like the first line of the OP?

[Funkgun]

Originally Posted by purplemo

Try Moomins or any of the World Masterpiece Theater works. Those are all good trips down memory lane, and I can't recall any one of them where I would say it was bad. Too bad most people don't watch any of the classics, though Patapata Hikousen no Bouken isn't really one either . . .

yeah, big fan of old style. You know I actually just watched and did a synopsis for the first dozen episodes of Rascal Raccoon, I imagine Sothis did not like the sad quality of the pictures (They were quite old) or my weak synopsis, seeing that I only really watched the first half. But I still dig most WMPT ;)

How do you like the first line of the OP?

LOL I never really paid a lot of attention, I was busy watching the air vessel. "Naked Story, Yeah (which seems to actually be in English)But I want to fly

Got to love lyricists from Japan.Reminds me of some of the lines of Maris the Super Gal, the end song. It was all about money.

[purplemo]

If I were to consider the World Masterpiece Theater anime all under a production studio, they hands down have the highest percentage of great anime. The only ones to come close is Ghibli.

Maris . . . that brings back memories. Not any that I can recall though, since it's been so so so long . . . ;p

[Funkgun]

Originally Posted by purplemo

Maris . . . that brings back memories. Not any that I can recall though, since it's been so so so long . . . ;p

Not to worry, there is a reason why that Rumiko Takahashi work has never been brought to DVD. It is a bit forgettable ;)

however, what would be nice, is a collection of Rumic Theater titles crammed on a disc. Like Fire Tripper, Maris, and Laughing Target. Oh well.

Anyhow back to the point in hand
I saw another episode. I love how acurate they are in depicting what was expected of young women back in the turn of the century. Jane making trousers is a bad no-no.

she seems to be getting the same razing as her brother George. And I knew William was corrupt!

anyhow, amazing that this show holds my interest, and we have not even left town yet lol.

[purplemo]

Originally Posted by Funkgun

she seems to be getting the same razing as her brother George. And I knew William was corrupt!

William redeems himself for the most part.

I can't help but to compare this show to Nadia, and how MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH better Jane is.

[Funkgun]

Originally Posted by purplemo

William redeems himself for the most part.

I can't help but to compare this show to Nadia, and how MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH better Jane is.

lol, agreed. Nadia, while a decent story was over-hyped back in the day.
In fact Jane seems to have Nadia's adventuresome quality, without her attitude, and the brain and intellect of Jean.
She is all the best rolled into one.
I do hope she gets a worthy partner (someone her age to go along with in this adventure). and from the intro it looks like there might be one up coming.

(on a side note)
I wanted to see if it was a similar character designer. Because Jane looks so much like she stepped out of a Gainax salon. But instead I am reading the chara-design was by a guy who's previous work was not people design at all.
Closest thing would be Tide Line Blue, as an animation director.