Kampfer 01

Summary:

In the night, Senou Natsuru is chased through the streets by a gun wielding redhead. After failing to make the first jump, he's back in his room. Except he's a she. Stuffed toy Harakiri Tiger reveals itself as a messenger from the Moderators; Natsuru is a Kampfer (Fighter) and his blue bracelet will glow before he transforms. The next morning he chats with his crush Kaede Sakura while waiting for the bus but the reappearance of gun wielding redhead means last night was no dream and he runs off to transform. In the ensuing battle, Natsuru saves both Sakura and Mishima Akane, triggering both their flags (for his girl form and real form respectively).

Natsuru, having given his name earlier, is called out by Akane who has crossed over from the female side of the school and is surprised by how her civilian form is shy and mildmannered. In the library where boys and girls are allowed to mingle, we learn that they are both on the Blue Team (versus the Red Team) and that there are three kinds of Kampfer: gun, Zauber (magic) or Schwert (sword). Their German dictionary-induced romantic misunderstanding pose is interrupted by Student Council President Yamaneko Kanden who triggers a bracelet reaction from Natsuru; he has to shelter in the girls' side of the school while waiting to revert back to male form. On the way home, he is approached by Sakura who desperately wants him to introduce her to his female form. While discussing his problems with Akane in the library (and making her jealous of Sakura), they are attacked by an unseen chain sword user and, thinking she is the perp, Akane opens fire in Sakura's direction.

Reaction:

Mein Gott, what a stupid show! Normally yuri x trap x yuri trap x Mentar's recommendation guarantees that I'll watch and blog a show. But the premise sounded so cheesy that I had serious reservations. And it is unbelievably cheesy. But somehow the first episode was entertaining as hell - it doesn't take itself seriously at all (with all those seiyuu in-jokes and was that headband a KimiNozo reference?), the girls are good looking, Sakura's yuri crush is LOL for all kinds of reasons, the fight scenes were all over the place in a good way (chain sword brought back nice memories of another German speaker, Signum-oneesama) and, of course, macabrely cute big name seiyuu-voiced animal plushie mascots. Against expectations, I am also really enjoying the mix of Kampfer Akane's foul mouthed dialogue and her Clark Kent form's constant Freudian slips of hot and heavy sexual innuendo.

I hope that the animation quality will stay consistent, that we'll get some nice fanbreaking genderbending fanservice (which the ED seems to promise) - who knows, there might even be a doramaz Battle Athletes or even Mai HiME-esque twist once the reason for Kampfering is finally revealed. But given that I've encountered no serious disqualifications thus far, I'm looking forward to another 11 episodes of fun fights and yuri hilarity.

Related posts:

1. Kampfer 03
2. Kampfer 07
3. Kampfer 05