Lucky ☆ Star

Uh-oh. Here I go. Destroying the vibe of this blog with this show.

The girls of Lucky ☆ Star.

I'll give an honest opinion: this is not the best anime ever made. Yes, it is very charming and casts a magical, sugary spell over its viewer, sucking it in until the karaoke ending themes. The animation you will either hate, or hate to love it. The plot you will either despise or not really care about it. The characters will be annoying, fun, or genius. The first few episodes are weak. The episodes after it are glorious. Pick your poison.

Kyoto Animation hit it big again when Lucky ☆ Star aired Spring 2007. Still relishing in the huge hit of Haruhi Suzumiya, they shot at us again with another sure-fire. And, this time, the dance is in the opening theme.

Lucky ☆ Star's premise is like that of Azumanga Daioh. "Having fun in school, doing homework together, cooking and eating, playing videogames, watching anime. All those little things make up the daily life of the anime- and chocolate-loving Izumi Konata and her friends. Sometimes relaxing but more than often simply funny!" (Thank you, MAL.) But, unlike Azumanga, the main character is someone that, frighteningly, we all can relate to...

Izumi Konata

Konata is... an average otaku personality. She would much rather stay awake to the wee hours of the morning playing MMORPGs with her teacher (no joke) than study, or do homework. She works at a cosplay cafe. She is extremely passionate about Haruhi Suzumiya. (Kyoto Animation injected Haruhi into every crevice of this show. See the Mikuru figure on Konata's television?) She would much rather read manga, as too much text and not enough pictures hurt her eyes. A light novel has too much text for her, even! She is voiced by Aya Hirano, who also brought to life Haruhi Suzumiya. Her best friends are Miyuki Takara, Tsukasa Hiiragi, and Kagami Hiiragi.

(From left to right) Tsukasa Hiiragi, Izumi Konata, Kagami Hiiragi, and Miyuko Takara.

The Hiiragi twins remind me of several I actually known in real life. Each different, yet similar looking, with their own ideas and adorable, or annoying quirks. Kagami, however harsh her comment may be, she's quite the tsundere and loves her friends, even Konata, who really irritates and baffles her. Next to Konata, Kagami is the next favourite character of the show to many. Not mine... We'll get to that later.

Tsukasa and Miyuki and cute characters. (I dare not say the "M" word...) Miyuki is a rich individual from the city, with constant problems involving her teeth. Tsukasa is a little like Konata. She can't do her homework, has the same favourite manga as her ("Sgt. Frog!"), and possibly gets along the best with her. When it comes time to, she often forgets to switch into her summer uniform...

Let's move on to what really made this show special for me. It wasn't the "actual" show, but the show within the show. Let me introduce you all to Lucky Channel!

Minoru Shiraishi and Akira Kogami!! <3

Lucky Channel is the best. More entertaining than the actual show itself, more awesome, more unique... And all in three minutes time. This is what made me go on and continue watching Lucky ☆ Star. I don't think I can fully describe how amazing these skits are. With Minoru Shiraishi doing the voice of... Minoru Shiraishi... and Hiromi Konno as Akira Kogami, who, in a flash can turn from a sweet, peppy idol character to a harsh, chain-smoker personality type. Lucky Channel is epic.

Then... the karaoke ending credits begin to roll. For a time, the voice actresses of the four main characters sing themes to popular anime shows (From Sazae-san to Dragon Ball). But, then, it really kicks up as Minoru Shiraishi takes the stage, singing it up with songs like "Dentistman", "The Minoru Legend of Love", and "Hare Hare Yukai". Hiromi Kanno even sings a song her character Akira has in the show, going from really high-pitched to low and growling. Absolutely hilarious in every way.

... I love Minoru Shiraishi. Go watch Lucky ☆ Star now. He'll steal your heart. And, if not him, then Lucky Channel will.