This is the second short pilot film that JC Staff released this one a lot closerbut still not quite matching the animation style and budget of the TV release. Its a bit longer than Web Daioh and while its not quite as funny it does put forth a more accurate representation of what the series would eventually be. Rather than a traditional intro like Web Daioh had this film opens with a shot of Chiyo riding on her dog Mr. Tadakichi introducing herself and nearly getting thrown off of him. The opening features some of the shows iconic background music which is always nice.
Splitting it into two halves the first half is probably the weaker one. It features a couple of minutes of Yukaris class squeezing several of the running gags and staples of the series into two minutes. This includes Yukari being a dick Chiyo getting good grades the Bonklerswhich Ill always call them because it sounds better than knuckleheads acting out Chiyo trying not to be cute Tomo standing outside Kaorin being in love Sakaki musing over a cat bite and keep in mind thisall takes place in the span of two minutes... Including the opening.
The second half in contrast plays out one joke on its own... Osaka and her pigtail dreams. If youve seen the anime or read the manga you know what Im talking about and this goes on for almost 3 minutes. Unlike the first half this one doesnt stick to the established material instead taking full advantage of the surreal situation to try some new jokes like Chiyo slowly turning her head like an owlcreepy and the entire class thinking shes a lost child that doesnt belong there. Im not going to give away how this part ends you kind of just have to experience it for yourselves. Its weird.
The short ends with a thirty second credits marking the second appearance of Chiyodaddy and if im being honest I dont feel as though this ones as strong as Web Daioh. It suffers in terms of pacing with so many jokes and inshow references thrown at you in such a short time that its hard to process what youre watching. The Osaka dream is at least new and interesting especially the way it breaks away from the script.
Theres actual music in it which I definitely like especially since upon reflection this is the pilot for the shows iconic score too. The dub is phenomenal and the actors are on point... Save for Mandy Clark and Nancy Novotny big surprise there... But Id especially like to give a shout out to Jessica Boone and Kira Vincent Davis as they play the most prominent characters in the short and absolutely slaughter their roles.
All in all not quite as good as Web Daioh in terms of story but a small improvement in the area of production values.
60
/100