Minimum Tempo

There are slight, but negligible spoilers in this review.

This is a rewritten version of this article. If you really wish to view the former version, please contact me.

With the exception of FLCL and the Evangelion movies, I had never watched any of Production I.G.’s previous works, so I did not know what to expect from Tokyo Marble Chocolate. The title puzzled me and wasn’t particularly interested in viewing it. However, usagjien of The Scrumptious Anime Blog eagerly recommended the OVA, so I took my chances and watched it. Much to my pleasure, I was pleasantly surprised and thought it was refreshing to see something different from most aired anime today. My experience with the romance genre is rather lacking, so this, being one of the most enjoyable shows I’ve watched, was a welcome addition to my “completed” list.

Tokyo Marble Chocolate is a two-part OVA that presents the tale of two young protagonists in love but face relationship problems ahead. Both of their past relationships have failed because of their errors, and guy and girl are shown having a different goal in mind. The two parts, however, not subsequent; they tell the same story but from the perspectives of the characters, Yuudai and Chizuru. Early in their own parts we see the causes of their relationship failures. Yuudai is cowardly and weak, unfortunately allowing his insecurities and fears to control him. Chizuru cannot find a guy that can accept her clumsiness and flaws. Both are dating each other, but at the start of their respective episodes we see what he or she has planned: Yuudai to finally say “I love you,” and Chizuru to break up precisely because Yuudai has been unable to say the three words. The two parts resolve most of their protagonist’s problems, although it leaves without Yuudai confessing his love, but for good reason.

Other than the simply hideous yet adorable mini-donkey, the unique aspect of Tokyo Marble Chocolate is the presentation of the narrative. As stated earlier, the two parts, “Zenryouku Shounen” and “Mata Aimashou,” unfolds the story through the point of view of Yuudai and Chizuru, respectively. Perhaps another anime or show has perfected this format or simply performs better, but I thought it was especially well done here. Most shows show multiple characters’ viewpoints but rarely do they remind us that our opinions are not everything and to consider the reasons for others’ actions. Perhaps the OVA’s effectiveness of that message, whether intended or unintended, is what draws me to this anime.

Their relationship problems are realistic, and the show excellently channels the feelings of realism and believability. Despite Tokyo Marble Chocolate’s hour-long duration, it is unexpectedly able to capture the emotions and sentiments of the characters quite well and manifest the purity and innocence of their love through an external character that is essential and deserving of some of the limited screentime. There is no pointless scene; each effectively reveals something important about the characters, and each adds to our understanding and views on the characters. There is only one forced event that feels too planned or artificial, and that is the introduction of the mini-donkey, which clearly crucial for bringing the two characters back together.

The art style initially irritated me to the point when I was ready to stop watching. After braving through fifteen minutes, I started to admire the art direction because it matches the anime so well. Tokyo Marble Chocolate would not be the same experience if it had looked similar to any other series airing; it would break some of its magic. This isn’t to say that other anime have bad animation or artwork, but the visuals of Tokyo Marble Chocolate add some charm and wonder that enhances the experience. It’s not only beautiful, but it matches perfectly with the story because neither is really extravagant. We’re not watching an epic mecha series about saving Earth or some flashy magical girl anime; this is an ordinary tale of a couple with relationships issues that many of us may have or have experienced. And that may be the reason it is so powerful and refreshing: the problems in the plot are something we can easily relate to without having to dig too deep into its meaning.

Perhaps it’s the lack of fan service that will most heavily affect my rating for Tokyo Marble Chocolate, but it is very rejuvenating when compared to other series in the past year or two. It offers a cute, humorous romance without resorting to aspects of anime that only otaku may appreciate. Unlike most anime that seem to be aimed at a specific niche (in my opinion), Tokyo Marble Chocolate is something that everyone can watch and enjoy, much alike Spirited Away or Grave of the Fireflies. This will spearhead my efforts to convert some of my non-animewatching friends (because I’m the only otaku among my friends).

If you do watch Tokyo Marble Chocolate like some others may recommend, I recommend watching “Zenryouku Shounen” first. I believe the order does matter, and Yuudai’s part will seem much more significant after watching “Mata Aimashou.”

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Verdict: I adore Tokyo Marble Chocolate. It’s a wonderful, almost magical tale of two young adults in love that does fabulous work in both execution and presentation. If this is representative of Production I.G.’s other releases, I (and you) must watch those other anime immediately.

This post is tagged Anime & Manga, OVA, Production I.G., Review, Romance, Tokyo Marble Chocolate

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