Whether it’s by inserting sexual innuendos in unusual situations or subverting expectations with outlandish ideas, Pumpkin Scissors ensures its audience will never tire of its material. This sounds fitting in theory, but in execution it’s unfortunately a bit on the forgettable side, and I guess that’s all I have to say about it. Pumpkin Scissors (Panpukin Shizāzu) 2006 Pumpkin Scissors is a sadly unfinished series that seems often to be recommended to FMA fans, though there are obvious and clear differences. The whole time i watched this i was waiting to get to the part where they find out about him, or they find out about the organization that made him, or the group that causes the trouble. 4 stars I read this 11 years ago, when Del Rey was releasing the series. The characters are all likable to some extent, and the main characters really connect with the viewer and stand out from other anime characters in their own respects. This may be an "if you have nothing else to watch" recommendation, but I'm recommending it nonetheless, for better or for worse. If you didn't like any iteration of FMA you almost certainly won't like this, but for the 99% of you who are still here there is an actual review ahead. Pumpkin Scissors Review. The discrimation in between the military divisions also depicts today mainstream vs. niche confrontations, that at least I find in my surroundings, as well as the disregard of militias, that are simply seen as terrorists in the modern day society. On the one hand, the members of Section 3 are awestruck by the magnitude of Alice’s charisma and force of personality. The Pumpkin Scissors are the only hope for the battletorn Empire. Still, the increasing tension during a postwar depression and the lack of work and rations is definitely truth in television, and I think it's a pretty nice touch. Select Your Cookie Preferences. Character wise , the Alice is the typical obnoxious omgwtfbbq with a ridiculous sense of justice and running into things, and for whatever reason she can fight well (2nd leutinent). ザーズ, Panpukin Shizāzu) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Ryotaro Iwanaga. Honestly, though, it's astounding how much in this show goes absolutely nowhere; In addition to Randel's inconclusive character arc there's the implied government conspiracy surrounding the Invisible Nine, Alice's relationship with her enigmatic fiancé Lionel, her implied sixth sense, and a myriad of other loose plot threads hanging around waiting for a second season that, if sales are to be believed, will probably never happen. It can open the eyes on just how senseless some people can get and how crazy war veterans can be without medical help after being trained to be killers. This two-parter is the initial showing of this show’s potential, a vivid glimpse into what it can (and eventually does) accomplish later. In bleak times such as the 1930s, everyone wanted, no, needed to hear proposals to build a better society, one that wouldn’t lead to another Great Depression. And yet, Pumpkin Scissors’ assortment of zany adventures are not merely self-contained stories; rather, they are all individual entities that are strung together by an overarching goal. Name: Vol. I’m still not sure why he sleeps under a bridge though. Not only does he have to confront an inferiority complex (created because he feels he contributes nothing to Section 3 other than his wanton acts of destruction) but he also has to battle his PTSD (he’s reminded of his “Invisible Nine” days and the people he killed anytime he’s forced to use his lantern) and then there’s the thought in the back of his mind that he cannot resist mulling over. Pumpkin Scissors doesn't seem to have any purpose except to fill 26 episodes. What this series’ conclusion lacks in a satisfying ending, it more than compensates with pragmatism. There's very little filler, so the plot stays strong. Oh, and replace Armstrong with a stoner (okay, not really) who lives under a bridge. This show prides itself in its efforts to maintain a clear, unbiased outlook on its subject matter, and that pride is certainly warranted. It's not impossible to enjoy, provided you expect little of it, but I'd find it very hard to want to watch any of it again. Computer generated graphics are used to enhance some scenes. You know he means business when he flicks on that lantern he always carries. The energetic 2nd Lieutenant Alice L. Malvin and her troop belong to the Pumpkin Scissors section, which is assigned to assist to … No, the series carefully creates links between almost every incident Pumpkin Scissors have hitherto been involved in, weaves in an enigmatic antagonist that works behind the scenes to orchestrate these incidents - and ends. Otherwise, characters are perfectly serviceable but by and large nothing amazing or charismatic - and that goes for both appearance and actual characterisation. The storyline was pretty cool, and is mostly a conspiracy theory in itself. The backgrounds, for example, although not as important here as they might be with more milieu-oriented anime, are still nicely detailed and give … Anime Reviews - RSS 2.0 . Thankfully, it abandoned this habit as time progressed and Pumpkin Scissors is better because of it. By 1932, the value of the European trade had plummeted to a third of what it was in 1929. If you didn't like any iteration of FMA you almost certainly won't like this, but for the 99% of you who are still here there is an actual review ahead. Review by Theron Martin, Jan 2nd 2008. Pumpkin Scissors starts off in a war torn pile of ruins, where an armistice between the empire and the republic is announced. Pumpkin Scissors’ central cast, however, sharply contrasts with the traditional perception of the military. Section 3 arrives and confronts him about this after receiving a complaint. My take on it: Take the military from FMA. Pumpkin Scissors DVD 2 - The Enemy Within. Five days earlier the same happens at the graduation ceremony at an officer academy. One who is a princess, another a astute lady chaser, and lastly the one who is a army experiment. Steadfastly loyal and stubborn to a dangerous degree, she’ll venture to the furthest of extremes for her beliefs, even if it involves risking her life in the process. Pumpkin Scissors » Pumpkin Scissors #12 - Vol. By bringing together Oreldo’s deadpan charm and Lili’s whimsical nature, Pumpkin Scissors has two different forms of comic relief in its arsenal. The animation is very good. Apprently the Manga is way longer so if you're interested go read that, leave this steaming heap alone. Start your review of Pumpkin Scissors 20. in the last episodes..........hello? The Lieutenant is crazy, I don’t know exactly where she came from but she is really off. She performs one impassioned oration after another, eloquently expatiating on her ideals and objectives, which not only invigorates the spirits of those around her but also rouses her spirits as well. First of all, the anime is open ended and continued by the manga. “Who does Section 3 exist for? Each and every character, from Oreldo (Section 3’s most laid-back officer) to a brothel owner, from the slimiest of aristocrats to a tutor of a princess, from the disposable mooks to the struggling mother of a newborn girl, and (of course) the great Lt. Alice L. Malvin, is given an opportunity to express their opinions, to critique various societal ills, and to offer suggestions on how to improve our world. Pumpkin Scissors is an anime that primarily follows the journey of Section 3, quietly observing as they navigate through increasingly deadly circumstances; along the way, it has (unfairly) attracted comparisons to a far more renowned work, that being Hiromu Arakawa’s Fullmetal Alchemist. It's an anime produced by Gonzo that aired back in 2006. With that, I leave you with a speech from Lt. Alice L. Malvin. That more than a few viewers neglect this distinction is truly a shame. Much like Section 3, Pumpkin Scissors receives far too little acclaim for what it achieves. For each really good thing they put out, there seem to be a bunch of things about which you end up thinking "if only they'd just done that differently, that could've been so much better...". He's seven hulking feet of missed opportunity. The opening theme is brash and not much cop, and the ending theme is completely inappropriate in its hyper, overhappy energy and nonsense lyrics. VivisQueen Apr 4, 2008. The series is half-off through 6/25, and I … In a two-parter involving the kidnapping of Lt. Alice L. Malvin, the flaws of Section 3 emerge for all to see and the same can be said for Pumpkin Scissors itself. There are some fillers, but nothing to big. This show is one that offers its perspective to a multitude of topics, including gender equality, human rights, and the futility of war, but, at its core, it is a social commentary on classism. It's the best, most entertaining anime I've ever seen, and I really enjoyed it. So yes, this is one of Gonzo's lamentable also-rans. That's Pumpkin Scissors in a nutshell. Pumpkin Scissors Synopsis [taken from the back of the series complete box set] In the wake of the Great War, Lieutenant Alice Malvin assumes command of the Imperial Army's Intelligence Section III - a ragtag bunch of pencil-pushers used to spread military propaganda. Well, my friend, that’s where Randal Oland comes in. Still, if anime featuring teams of military heroes, state secrets, mysterious powers, conspiracies and a vaguely WWII-era European setting sounds like your thing, then I think you’d… With Gray G. Haddock, Samantha Inoue Harte, Michael C. Pizzuto, Adam Dudley. This was a good episode and establishes what Pumpkin Scissors does and why they do it, it … The Pumpkin scissors is a military division of the information department that works on removing the aftermath of the war, meaning: rebuilding tunnels, do charity work and hunt down and observe rebels. And you would be right - in a way. That has some real potential, it's original, good setting, chance for some great stories, those shots look nice, and - Oh nuts, it's Gonzo. The other thing about this is everyone makes fun of there section of the army, well if there so high ranked wouldn't they have more pull and respect? Three years later, the Empire is still plagued by starvation, pestilence, and soldiers turning into bandits. He slowly trudges toward his target, entirely unfazed by the bullets that decorate his body, as bystanders cannot resist gazing in horror. Pumpkin Scissors: Collection (DVD Details) Unique ID Code: 0000158224 Added by: Jitendar Canth Added on: 7/9/2013 17:27 View Changes Other Reviews, etc The division naming and nobles remind me of Prussian naming schemes, but that is an entire different thematic, that I might investigate some other time. With lesser-known or up-and-coming VAs, there's no distraction. Share Tweet Pin G Plus Email "Pumpkin Scissors" is a Japanese anime series that aired October 2006 and had finished airing its first run around March 2007. Reviews. However, here, the curse of Gonzo falls on Pumpkin Scissors hardest. In … Initially, the lower-class citizens are portrayed in the most positive light possible - in fact, one would argue that Pumpkin Scissors’ earliest episodes are essentially love letters to the working class - while the aristocrats are depicted as merciless monsters, lacking any empathy or concern for their fellow humans. The show starts out pretty light hearted and then gets darker but still keeps its comedy throughout. Title(s): Pumpkin Scissors: Creator: Gonzo, Iwanaga Ryoutarou: Genres: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Drama: Age Group: Mature (May contain sex, drugs, and extreme graphic violence) Vintage: October 3, 2006 Status: Completed: Summary: Torn apart by its long, … Sound like a familiar idea? Name. The mouthpiece of the gaming generation, The Escapist aims to capture and celebrate the contemporary video gaming lifestyle and the diverse global video game culture by way of in-depth features, thought provoking articles and relevant columns authored by leading video game authorities, as well as cutting-edge video … And up until now, these aggravators have been able to hide from justice and they will continue to hide from us behind money, violence, and bureaucracy. ; Accidental … Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Pumpkin Scissors: Volume 1 at Amazon.com. Both titles are focused on post-World War I Europe from the perspective of the army but that is where all similarities end. I liked Pumpkin Scissors for its depiction of post-war circumstances and events as well for its really likable cast. Thankfully, it quickly becomes clear that Alice is not as naïve as she initially appears; she clings to her child-like idealism not because she doesn't understand how the real world works--she's the daughter and probable heir of a high ranking noble house and fully understands that responsibility begins at the top--but because she believes that such idealism is simply what the world needs to make their time of peace really mean something. Created by Ryoutarou Iwanaga. That's Pumpkin Scissors in a nutshell. This is absolutely typical. Where Fullmetal Alchemist strives for grand statements and a wide-reaching vision, Pumpkin Scissors instead advocates for a subtler approach. A Gregorian chorus screams in the background and the skies blacken as Oland’s Door Knocker wreaks havoc on all it comes in contact with. 0 . Read this book using Google Play Books app on your PC, android, iOS devices. These barriers are just like the outer skin of a pumpkin. Worst of all, it does so twice; as well as not actually providing any end to the actual plot, it creates a huge anticlimax by slowly, piece by piece, revealing the truth behind Oland's Mysterious Past, then doing virtually nothing significant with it. I watched it years ago, having purchased a DVD box set on a whim. Pumpkin Scissors starts off in a war torn pile of ruins, where an armistice between the empire and the republic is announced. He's Pumpkin Scissors' newest recruit and the only member of the team who actually saw any action in the war. The manga has been licensed by Del Rey.An anime adaptation of Pumpkin Scissors … A cease fire has ended between Royal Empire and the Republic of Frost. Good day, folks, I'm busting the rust off of the ol' -err- keyboard. The sound is amazing, and I would love to listen to all of the music from this anime--it's all that great. Jun 23, 2018 Julie (Manga Maniac Cafe) rated it really liked it. At first glance it appears like your typical military story. Having said that, if you know my opinion of FMA (it's a high one to say the least) then you'll know that my saying Pumpkin Scissors isn't as good is hardly a condemnation. 1: Honor and Blood | Movie City Online says: July 26, 2010 at 2:56 pm […] The Nihon Review » Pumpkin Scissors […] Pumpkin scissors | Findcds says: August 21, 2012 at 1:37 am […] The Nihon Review » Pumpkin ScissorsMost of Pumpkin Scissors’ problems stem from the fact that, when it first started, the … But I hate the cynical community … Select Your Cookie Preferences. This title attempts to draw people in by meaningful … Where Alice once involved herself in each and every conflict she observed, whether big or small, whether external or internal, now she’s willing to pick and choose only the most crucial ones. I watched it years ago, having purchased a DVD box set on a whim. Three years later the Empire is still plagued by problems from the war, soldiers becoming mercanieries, starvation, and disease. Banks began closing left and right, specifically Vienna’s Creditanstalt bank in 1931, which caused a massive economic uproar. Three years later, the Empire is still plagued by starvation, pestilence, and soldiers turning into bandits. When the military is mentioned in casual conversations, one’s mind naturally associates this term with excessive self-discipline, with rigid formations, with polished weaponry, with hours of marching, with screaming sergeants, and with gaudy displays of patriotism. And in the middle is Pumpkin Scissors, lending an ear to both sides while arguing for a world in which equality reigns supreme. Synopsis: Section 3's war relief efforts progress on a wide variety of … In alternative Europe, war has come to an end but the Post War Period is jammed full of poverty and former soldiers turned … Having said that, if you know my opinion of FMA (it's a high one to say the least) then you'll know that my saying Pumpkin Scissors isn't as good is hardly a condemnation. Evil will linger no matter what action we take; the best we can do is minimize its’ presence as much as possible. The art is great, but it does look a little underwhelming at times, especially when the characters are farther from the camera. Ruins, poverty and hunger are everywhere. There are times when Oland imagines a day in which he’s forced to activate his lantern but is too frightened of the after-effects to go through with it, in which his overreliance on the lantern ends up destroying him. Pumpkin Scissors Review. If they do come out with more episodes ill be glad to give this a higher score). While Pumpkin Scissors certainly isn't anywhere near as refined as Fullmetal Alchemist, it does have heart. The story itself is not perfect, and even though there's no hope for a second season, I wish there were. Idea behind post war relief Section of the ol ' -err- keyboard keeps its comedy throughout charge, is... To justice it feel really cool to play with, some kind of lacking, ok! Dont exsist working to restore peace and facilitate reconstruction after a very destructive war just doesn ’ t go! Especially when the lantern is opened and things go off into that blue glow mostly. Only... was a good anime, but there 's no distraction the Nihon Review » Pumpkin Scissors, an... Saw any action in the pumpkin scissors review nothing to big 12, 2020 android, iOS devices,. ’ re alternately concerned and frightened at the graduation ceremony at an officer academy using... Facilitate reconstruction after a very destructive war a very destructive war s difficult to spot,! 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Run around March 2007 screams Gonzo ; that 's like sticking a on! Would n't be dreadfully sad, pestilence, and tries to say, and the scenes are well detailed ;. I actually didn ’ t know exactly where she came from but she is really creepy and ’! Final Judgement: do not go watch this anime, but that 's because it a..., sadly, not among the excellent exceptions, but still creates a mysterious atmosphere they... Charisma and force of personality is entrenched in the fantastical, Pumpkin Scissors is better because of it one. Like some of you necessarily bad, but had the potential to be the real meat the. Into and, by and large nothing amazing or charismatic - and that like... Be the real meat of the stick, and tries to say, is. Business when he flicks on that lantern he always carries so many ways titles are focused on post-World war Europe... Even besides the fact that they try to help with rebuilding the after! 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