Chō Kuse ni Narisō
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Chō Kuse ni Narisō | |
(Chō Kuse ni Narisō) | |
---|---|
Genre | Romantic comedy |
Manga | |
Written by | An Yoshimura |
Illustrated by | Yayoi Nakano |
Published by | Kodansha |
Magazine | Nakayoshi |
Demographic | Shōjo |
Original run | July 1993 – January 1995 |
Volumes | 4 |
Anime television series | |
Directed by | Tetsuya Endo |
Produced by | Yoshikazu Tochihira |
Written by | Meteor Shower |
Music by | Hiroshi Sakamoto |
Studio | Studio Kikan |
Original network | NHK |
Original run | 5 April 1994 – 3 January 1995 |
Episodes | 39 |
Chō Kuse ni Narisō (
Synopsis[edit]
Shiratori Nagisa is the heir to a judo training hall that has fallen on such hard times that their only pupils are animals from a nearby wildlife park. In a desperate bit to save her heritage, she reveals that she is going to go out into the world as an idol singer and find "strong people" to join her school. The first part of her plan succeeds beyond her wildest dreams: she is elevated to the status of Japan's top idol. Yet this dooms the second part of her plan, because her fame and schedule prevent her from finding the disciples she seeks.
So Nagisa horrifies her manager by chopping off her trademark pigtails and enrolling at one of the worst schools in Tokyo as a boy, under her given name of Ootori Nagisa. (Shiratori is a stage name). There, she runs into the toughest gang at the school, and after she soundly beats them, they (believing her to be a man) recruit her to help them confront a gang from a rival school. Unfortunately, when she sees the leader of the rival gang, a handsome boy named Nosaka-kun, she instantly falls madly in love with him. Before the fight can begin, Nagisa is whisked away to a record signing, where she encounters Nosaka again, who is so utterly smitten with Nagisa that he proposes marriage on the spot.
The next day, the disguised Nagisa fights an inconclusive duel with Nosaka that ends in a stalemate, and with Nosaka declaring her a worthy foe who he looks forward to fighting again. He later reveals to the female Nagisa that he too in on a quest to recruit disciples for a failing dojo, and is meeting with a similar lack of success. The next day, in their final confrontation, Nosaka discovers Nagisa's secret due to an ill-placed grab maneuver. Declaring he would rather love Nagisa than fight her, he agrees to keep her secret and they run off, with the school toughs and both their disapproving fathers in hot pursuit.
After that, Nagisa continues her double life, showing up at school some of the time when her manager cannot force her to attend to her idol responsibilities. Meanwhile, the world she lives in gets weirder and weirder, as more and more bizarre things happen in her proximity.
Characters[edit]
- Ootori/Shiratori Nagisa
- Voiced by: Chinami Nishimura
- Nagisa is the young, pink-pigtailed protagonist of the story. While she loves to sing and dance (and is very good as well) she says that she loves to "toss people around" more. Her strength and fighting ability are overwhelmingly large, and she uses them on both people and the wildlife she trains in her dojo. She is very ambitious and isn't afraid to go after what she wants.
- Nosaka Akira
- Voiced by: Nobutoshi Hayashi
- Nagisa's love interest, confidante and secret fiancé. He is quite devoted but he is impulsive and protective to a fault, despite the fact that Nagisa is in less need of protection than anyone he has ever known.
- Momoko Prisilla
- Voiced by: Chieko Honda
- A wealthy dilettante who is determined to become the greatest actress in the world and supplant Nagisa as the most popular idol in Japan (one of her more "rational" goals is to be more famous than Audrey Hepburn.) As part of this process, she is "building a repertoire" of roles she can assume. At least twice an episode, Momoko can be counted upon to show up at a random time, do something incredibly bizarre, and then leave, usually being driven off in her stretch limousine by the young man who adoringly follows her everywhere to the praises of a quartet of identical cheerleaders who might be robots. There are strong hints that she may have the power to literally manipulate and warp reality at will through her method acting.
Kamioka Ryuu
- Voiced by: Akira Ishida
- As Momoko's stooge, he participates in Momoko's little shows, often finding himself in harm's way as a result. Despite this, he is incredibly loyal to Momoko and does his best to learn from her and her acting.
- Kumakichi
- A large blue bear who is one of Nagisa's best friends from her dojo, who now lives with her in Tokyo and occasionally takes part in her act. Contrary to anime-fan expectations, Kumakichi actually is a bear and is usually incapable of speech.
- Makoto Nakatake
- Voiced by: Kouji Tsujitani
- Nagisa's long-suffering manager who fears that her irresponsibility is going to cost him his job. He poses as a teenage boy to enroll with Nagisa at the school so he can keep her under observation, a task that usually proves futile. Even though he continues to remain in the idol agency's employ, he continues to worry about it to extreme lengths, even developing a song of his own called "The Worry Blues" as a running gag.
- Tsunoda
- The leader of the hoodlums at Nagisa's school, an ardent fan of Nagisa the idol singer, and a combination friend and antagonist for Nagisa the martial artist. He is bald, with a head shaped like a volcano that erupts on occasion, as a result of a childhood accident. Despite his rough appearance and speech, he is from a rich family and is surprisingly intelligent and resourceful. He is completely unable to decipher Nagisa's secret despite the fact that she does a poor job of impersonating a male. As a result of this, he completely misinterprets her relationship with his bitter rival Nosaka. Like Nosaka, he is very protective of Shiratori Nagisa and will attempt to charge to the rescue if he believes she is in danger.
- Red Beetle
- An international agency/conspiracy that keeps an iron grip on the market for idols on every nation on Earth except Japan. They frequently send rivals forth to break Nagisa's grip on the hearts of the Japanese public, who always fail despite Nagisa's lack of interest in defending her position on top.
Episodes[edit]
No. | Original title | Original Title (Romaji) | Subtitled title(s) | Aired |
---|---|---|---|---|
01 | Tanjou! Tatakau Idol?! | Tomodachi Fansubs:
Born! Fighting Idol?! |
05/04/1994 | |
02 | Kettou! Koi no Kaminari Otoshi | Tomodachi Fansubs:
Duel! Thunder of Love |
12/04/1994 | |
03 | なぎさのデート! | Nagisa no Date! | Tomodachi Fansubs:
Nagisa's Date! |
19/04/1994 |
04 | まいりますわよ |
Mairimasuwayo Kataki Uchi! | Tomodachi Fansubs:
You might as well give up! The revenge! |
26/04/1994 |
05 | その |
Sono Hito wa Chuugaku Kyoushi | Tomodachi Fansubs:
He is a teacher |
03/05/1994[1] |
06 | Bishojo Gundan wa Gure Hana | Tomodachi Fansubs:
Pretty girl flower group |
10/05/1994[1] | |
07 | おねがい |
Onegai Koi no Cupid! | Tomodachi Fansubs:
Please, Cupid of Love! |
17/05/1994[1] |
08 | Ookina Sakura no Ki no Shita de | Tomodachi Fansubs:
Under the giant cherry tree |
24/05/1994[1] | |
09 | Bishojo Gundan Midare Zaki | Tomodachi Fansubs:
The beautiful girl team is here |
31/05/1994[1] | |
10 | Gekishiya! Kore ga Nagisa da! | Tomodachi Fansubs:
Photo! This is Nagisa! |
07/06/1994 | |
11 | アイドル・オブ・じゃぱん | Idol・Of・Japan | Tomodachi Fansubs:
Idol of Japan |
14/06/1994 |
12 | アイ・ラブ・ワニサン | I・Love・Wanisan | Tomodachi Fansubs:
I love alligators |
28/06/1994 |
13 | Aa, Sugi Sarishi Seishiyun no Hibi | Tomodachi Fansubs:
Ah, my former youth |
05/07/1994 | |
14 | ユカイ、ゆーかい、 |
Yukai, Yuukai, Honkon Gang! | Tomodachi Fansubs:
Fun kidnap Hong Kong gang |
12/07/1994 |
15 | Irotsupoi no wa Osuki? | Tomodachi Fansubs:
Do you like sexy girls? |
19/07/1994 | |
16 | めざせ! |
Mezase! Eikou no Goal | Tomodachi Fansubs:
Go for your goal |
26/07/1994 |
17 | ぼくのなぎさ、わたしのなぎさ | Boku no Nagisa, Watashi no Nagisa | Anonymous Russian Soldiers:
My Nagisa, No, MY Nagisa |
02/08/1994[2] |
18 | Shukukaikou! Sento Juliana Gakuen | Anonymous Russian Soldiers:
Grand Opening! St. Juliana Academy |
09/08/1994[2] | |
19 | ついに |
Tsuini Deta! Watashi wa Momoko | Anonymous Russian Soldiers:
Better Late Than Never! I am Momoko! |
16/08/1994[2] |
20 | GOGO!ゴールド | Gogo! Gold | Anonymous Russian Soldiers:
Go! Go! Gold! |
23/08/1994[2] |
21 | Deta! Kagemusha, Watashi wa Nagisa? | SierraComix:
The Arrival! Doppelganger, am I Nagisa? |
30/08/1994[2] | |
22 | Arashi no Kagaijyu Gyou | SierraComix:
Lesson of The Storm |
06/09/1994 | |
23 | Naite Kudasai Momoko Densetsu | SierraComix:
Don't Cry Momoko Legend |
13/09/1994 | |
24 | スター |
Star Tanjou! Ore wa Tsunoda da! | -- | 20/09/1994 |
25 | Fushiki no Kuni no Nagisa | SierraComix:
Nagisa in Wonderland |
27/09/1994 | |
26 | Hana no Oedo no Shinderera | -- | 04/10/1994 | |
27 | THEムービー・アイドルは もう |
The Movie・Idol wa Mou Shindeiru! | SierraComix:
The Movie: The Idol is Already Dead! |
11/10/1994 |
28 | THEタコヤキ! | The Takoyaki! | -- | 18/10/1994 |
29 | コアラマスク・リターンズ | Koala Mask・Returns | -- | 25/10/1994 |
30 | Futari no Nagisa?! | -- | 01/11/1994 | |
31 | Ai wa Niji no Kanata ni | -- | 08/11/1994 | |
32 | Ansatsushirei o Anata ni | -- | 15/11/1994 | |
33 | Kaze to Tomo ni Tsubureta (Zenpen) | -- | 22/11/1994 | |
34 | Kaze to Tomo ni Tsubureta (Kouhen) | -- | 29/11/1994 | |
35 | ピーターパンシンドローム | Peter Pan Syndrome | -- | 06/12/1994 |
36 | Chousekai Idol Densetsu Part-time 1 | -- | 13/12/1994 | |
37 | Chousekai Idol Densetsu Part-time 2 | -- | 20/12/1994 | |
38 | Chousekai Idol Densetsu Part-time 3 | -- | 27/12/1994 | |
39 | ラストオブアイドル | Last of Idol | -- | 03/01/1995 |
Music[edit]
Opening[edit]
- Third Love
- Sang by Junko Inoue
- Lyrics by Ayuko Ishikawa
- Composed by Hiroshi Sakamoto
Ending[edit]
- Ushinaenaino (I can't lose you)
- Sang by Junko Inoue
- Lyrics by Ayuko Ishikawa
- Composed by Hiroshi Sakamoto
Song Inserts[edit]
- Chō kuse ni narisō (I'll make a habit)
- Sang by Chinami Nakamura
- Lyrics by Tetsuya Endo
- Composed by Hiroshi Sakamoto
- Suki ni nattara saikyō (If You Love Me The Strongest)
- Sang by Chinami Nakamura
- Lyrics by Tetsuya Endo
- Composed by Hiroshi Sakamoto
- Nagisa no serenāde
- Sang by Chinami Nakamura
- Lyrics by Tetsuya Endo
- Composed by Hiroshi Sakamoto
- Yume no fūsen (Dream Balloons)
- Sang by Chinami Nakamura
- Lyrics by Tetsuya Endo
- Composed by Hiroshi Sakamoto
Albums
All albums were released by King Records.
Chō Kuse Ni Narisō Shiratori Nagisa ON STAGE Released on December 21, 1994, KICA-223 BUY
Chō Kuse Ni Narisō Secret story Released on February 22, 1995, KICA-231 BUY
Translations[edit]
As of writing, the anime has 5 notable translations out of Japanese. The outgoing languages being Catalan, Cantonese, Korean, and English.
These translations go by "L'ídol Nagisa: Com m'agrada, tot això!", 「
The dubbed translations are currently lost media, however all of their opening videos, and in the case of the Catalan dub many of its songs, have been archived by fans.
Physical Releases[edit]
Anime releases[edit]
The anime was released to rent across 10 VHS volumes in groups of 2, starting July 22, 1994,[4] with Volumes 1 and 2. Claims of a Japanese Laserdisc release and a Catalan DVD release by Selecta Visión have been made, however there is no precedent for this. The earlier Korean dub 「하빗」 "Habit" has an exceedingly rare VHS release as well.
At an unknown time, Japanese tapes were also released for purchase, brandishing cases more suited to the series' artwork prints. These releases are exceedingly rare today - It's suspected they may have been mail-order only.
The Japanese VHS release was handled by Taki Corporation, later known as Odessa Entertainment.
No. | Featured Content | Release date | Listed runtime | Release ID | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Episodes 1-4 | 1994/07/22[5] | 95 min. | THC-1609 | |
2 | Episodes 5-8 | 1994/07/22[6] | 95 min. | THC-1610 | |
3 | VHS Rental Commercial
Episodes 9-12 |
1994/09/22[7] | 95 min. | THC-1612 | The back artwork contains a misprint.
In the middle sample, a photo from episode 13 can be seen. This image appears to have swapped with volume 4.[8] |
4 | VHS Rental Commercial
Episodes 13-16 |
1994/09/22[9] | 95 min. | THC-1613 | As with volume 3, there is a misprint.
The middle sample is from episode 9.[10] |
5 | Episodes 17-20 | 1994/11/25[11] | 95 min. | THC-1618 | |
6 | Episodes 21-24 | 1994/11/25[12] | 95 min. | THC-1619 | |
7 | Episodes 25-28 | 1995/02/03[13] | 95 min. | THC-1628 | |
8 | Episodes 29-32 | 1995/02/03[14] | 95 min. | THC-1629 | |
9 | Episodes 33-36 | 1995/04/07 | 95 min. | THC-16331 | |
10 | Pilot Episode
Episodes 37-39 |
1995/04/07 | 82 min. | THC-16341 |
Manga releases[edit]
The manga was released exclusively in Japanese by Kodansha. Artwork by Nakano Yayoi, story by Yoshimura An. It remains mostly untranslated.
Release year | Magazine | Series title | Chapter | Standlone Release |
---|---|---|---|---|
1992 | Nakayoshi Deluxe | かのこ |
-- | くせになりそう |
1992 | Nakayoshi Deluxe | お |
-- | くせになりそう |
1992 | Nakayoshi Deluxe | アレルギーがとまらない! | -- | |
1993 | Nakayoshi | くせになりそう | 1 | くせになりそう |
1993 | Nakayoshi | くせになりそう | 2 | くせになりそう |
1993 | Nakayoshi | くせになりそう | 3 | くせになりそう |
1993 | Nakayoshi | 1 | ||
1993 | Nakayoshi | 2 | ||
1993 | Nakayoshi | 3 | ||
1993 | Nakayoshi | 4 | ||
1993 | Nakayoshi | 5 | ||
1993 | Nakayoshi | 6 | ||
1994 | Nakayoshi | 7 | ||
1994 | Nakayoshi | 8 | ||
1994 | Nakayoshi | 9 | ||
1994 | Nakayoshi | 10 | ||
1994 | Nakayoshi | 11 | ||
1994 | Nakayoshi | 12 | ||
1994 | Nakayoshi | 13 | ||
1994 | RunRun | |||
1994 | Nakayoshi | 14 | ||
1994 | Nakayoshi | 15 | ||
1994 | Nakayoshi | 16 | ||
1994 | Nakayoshi | 17 | ||
1994 | Nakayoshi | 18 | ||
1995 | Nakayoshi | 19 |
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e アニメージュ [Animage] (Magazine) (in Japanese). August 1994. p. 121.
- ^ a b c d e アニメージュ [Animage] (Magazine) (in Japanese). November 1994. p. 121.
- ^ "Cho Kuseninariso (TV) - Anime News Network". Anime News Network. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
- ^ Video Commercial - Archived on VHS volumes 3 and 4.
- ^ "Amazon Japan retail page, Volume 1". Amazon.co.jp. 22 July 1994. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
- ^ "Amazon Japan retail page, Volume 2". Amazon.co.jp. 22 July 1994. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
- ^ "Amazon Japan retail page, Volume 3". Amazon.co.jp. 22 September 1994. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
- ^ "VHS Volume 3 scans". Archive.org. November 15, 2023. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
- ^ "Amazon Japan retail page, Volume 4". Amazon.co.jp. 22 September 1994. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
- ^ "VHS Volume 4 scans". Archive.org. November 19, 2023. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
- ^ "Amazon Japan retail page, Volume 5". Amazon.co.jp. 25 November 1994. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
- ^ "Amazon Japan retail page, Volume 6". Amazon.co.jp. 25 November 1994. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
- ^ "Amazon Japan retail page, Volume 7". Amazon.co.jp. 3 February 1995. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
- ^ "Amazon Japan retail page, Volume 8". Amazon.co.jp. 3 February 1995. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
- ^ Data sourced from なかの
弥生 アーカイブ
External links[edit]
- (in Japanese) All Cinema entry on Chou Kuse ni Narisou
- Chō Kuse ni Narisō (anime) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia