DNA²

a.k.a. Dokokade Nakushita Aitsuno Aitsu

Genre: Comedy/Romance
Company: Bandai Visual
Format: 12 episodes
Dates: 10/7/1994 to 12/23/1994

A DNA operator and hired gun, Karin travels 100 years into the past in order to stop Junta from transforming into the Mega-Playboy. The Mega-Playboy is a super-pimp who impregnates 100 women, setting off a chain-reaction that eventually causes overpopulation. Unfortunately for Karin, other women keep getting in the way, not to mention her own increasing affection for Junta. Can, and will, she prevent the arrival of the Mega-Playboy?

summary by Kain

 

Reviewed: 05/24/2005 by
Grade: 87% 

Highs: Inventive story; hilarious most of the time; likable characters

Lows: The “Super Saiya-jin” subplot; a love-it-or-hate-it anime

What do you get when you cross Ranma ½ with Video Girl Ai, and throw in a dash of Dragonball Z? A wonderfully funny anime with an outrageous and unpredictable premise… with one of the most unique lead-ins around.

The visuals are nothing to write home about, but coming from the creator of Video Girl Ai, it shouldn’t matter. What makes this anime so special are characters that you actually feel for. Karin, Junta, Ami, Kotomi: they all have their quirky phobias and idiosyncrasies. Keep in mind, however, that much of the humor is physical, a la Charlie Chaplin and The Three Stooges, and centers a lot on flatulence and sight gags. Depending on what tickles your funny bone, you may or may not find this anime funny at all. Japanese rock superstar L’Arc~en~Ciel provides the opening Blurry Eyes, one of those songs that most people find hard to hate.

At times, however, the story takes an odd turn, such as the Super Saiya-jinesque miniplot that wouldn’t have hurt the story any had it been taken out. Masakazu Katsura’s specialty is sweet shounen anime with memorable characters, not action. Well, it isn’t all that bad, and it only lasts a few episodes.

All in all, DNA² is a very funny anime that’s loved by some, not so by others. Having this anime end the way it did left me satisfied and feeling good. If this sounds like your cup o’ tea, then be my guest.

 

DNA² can be downloaded legally in the United States HERE.