To be honest, I’m kind of surprised I didn’t follow this franchise as frequently as I should have. A seemingly perfect balance between comedy, action, fan service, and science fiction, Project A-Ko has managed to stand the test of time remarkably well in the nearly 40 years it’s been around. Sure, the OVAs afterwards aren’t as good as the original movie, but they still manage to be funny and entertaining, and that’s what today’s review is. Funny & entertaining. So, keep your annoying but adorable friend close, keep an eye on your rival, and get ready for my review of Project A-Ko: Cinderella Rhapsody. Let’s begin!
Story/Setup
Taken from the Back of the DVD case:
“Spring is in the air, and that means love is sure to follow. Or at least, overpowered redhead A-Ko really hopes it does! While out shopping for the perfect dress, A-Ko gets into an argument with normally carefree C-Ko, who's more interested in having fun than having a boyfriend. When C-Ko runs away, she's nearly hit by handsome hunk and motorcyclist Kei, who in turn is hit by a panicking A-Ko rushing after her friend. Left with only a glass slipper earring to remember "her" by, when A-Ko and Kei meet again at A-Ko's part-time job, the passion of youth is sure to bloom! Or will it? Throw in conniving B-Ko's plans to ruin anything good for A-Ko, a petulent C-Ko, and a whole mess of mecha, and you've got yourself a Cinderella Rhapsody!”
Compared to the previous 2 movies, Cinderella Rhapsody is more simplistic when it comes to it’s story. Make no mistake: there’s still plenty of the franchise’s signature humor & personality. It still knows when to be ridiculous, and it still knows when to be action packed. The main core story, however, is definitely easier to get into and follow. Maybe a little too easy in certain places, but it’s definitely simple in a good way.
Animation
Read my 2nd review for details (Link Below)
Voice Acting
Read my 2nd review for details (Link Below)
Characters
Characters for the most part haven’t changed all that much since the 2nd OVA. A-Ko is A-Ko, B-Ko is B-Ko, C-Ko is C-Ko, and all of the other secondary characters are their usual selves. That being said, there are some changes. Given that a part of the story’s crux revolves around A-Ko & C-Ko’s relationship, there are times where the two characters are unusually dense. Not necessarily idiotic or insensitive mind you, but both girls aren’t completely obvious to what the other is feeling either. Perhaps the character that grounds the 3 girls is Kei, who acts as kind of the Straight Man of this OVA’s story. He doesn’t talk at all throughout the whole run time, instead making small noises once in a while. That being said, he is very handsome, and he gets the girls unintentionally around his finger. Well, most of the girls anyway, as there’s a really good twist by the end that did catch me off guard. I won’t spoil it, but I will say it’ll definitely surprise you!
Availability & Pricing
Cinderella Rhapsody is something of an oddball right now. On Amazon, there’s practically no normal DVD copies available, save for 1 used copy. Blu-Ray copies, on the other hand, are readily available for purchase. With the starting price of $23.49, this is your best & only option at the moment until normal DVD versions come back in stock.
Other
If you’re curious about at least watching Cinderella Rhapsody, click on the link below. It is the VHS edition, so expect a little bit of audio issues (Animation also seems faded a little):
Project A-ko 3: Cinderella Rhapsody (English Dubbed) [VHS]
Overall Impression & Rating
Cinderella Rhapsody is just a goofy time. While it’s still as oddball as the feature films before, the slightly more simplistic story does ground things a little, but the hilarity isn’t impacted in any way. I really don’t have that much to say to be honest, as the OVA does downplay the absurdity of the original OVA & Plot of the Daitokuji Financial Group slightly, and goes for something strangely more realistic in a way. If you go the time, give Cinderella Rhapsody a watch, and tell me what you think!
Cinderella Rhapsody gets a 8 out of 10.
And that was my review for Cinderella Rhapsody. A funny little film, it continues to show the worth that the Project A-Ko world brings to the anime table. However, there’s one more entry that I will take a look at.....but that will be for another time. So, join me in July for part 2 of the Summer of Nu, when we’ll look at the band that helped bring it to the forefront.....but maybe I have 1 last surprise for June. See you soon!
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If you’d like to see what I thought in the last review I did of this series, click on the link below:
Anime Review: Project A-Ko 2 (Plot of the Daitokuji Financial Group)
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