released 05 apr 02 / last mod 01 jun 07 / greg goebel / public domain
* If you've ever read Koosuke Fujishima's OH MY GODDESS manga (Japanese comic) series, you are familiar with the premise: somewhat nebbishy Nekomi Tech University student Keiichi Morisato accidentally calls a cosmic hotline while trying to order out for a pizza, setting off a chain of events that ends up with him living in an old temple with the beautiful, transcendentally peaceful junior goddess Belldandy -- along with her slinky blonde manipulative older sister Urd and her cute, technically minded little sister Skuld. (All derived from Norse mythology, by the way.) Keiichi and Belldandy end up being soulmates, but their relationship is too chaste for Urd's taste and too familiar for Skuld's, which leds to conflicts. Cars and other vehicles are heavily involved with the stories; Fujishima is clearly a "gearhead".
Fans also know that the manga is charming, clever, elegantly drawn, funny, very romantic, and a bit erotic. However, if you buy this anime version, you probably won't see much of these things, since somehow it seems to have lost its sparkle in the translation. It's hard to say exactly what's missing, since this anime is not badly produced, but one thing is that it seems to focus more on the bumbling sex farce elements of Fujishima's stories, rather than their central "love conquers all" relationship between decent, honest Keiichi and the angelic Belldandy.
Indeed, in the anime Keiichi seems to come across more as a lecherous nerd, while in the manga he comes across more as carrying a bright torch for Belldandy, and as a sharp and determined young guy -- if necessarily often befuddled by living in a household of female goddesses, and of course too easily pushed around by the leadership of the Nekomi Tech Car Club.
Incidentally, if the manga sounds mushy, Fujishima has a sharp ability to poke fun at his own romantic scenes. Anyone who believes the stereotype that the Japanese don't have a good sense of humor should read some of the OH MY GODDESS manga, which can be a laugh riot at their best.
If you're a fan of the manga, you might find this video disappointing. If you aren't, you might enjoy it, but I'd suggest you buy the manga volumes instead. Some of the earlier volumes are a little rough, but all of them are very charming, entertaining, and deservedly popular.
