Jubei-chan Legend of the Lovely Eyepatch

A Parent's Guide to Anime
Rated: G

Suitable for Family Viewing

Reviewed by Rosalyn Hunter:

The story is about a girl named Jiyu Nanohanna who moves to a new town with her father. Her attempts to make new friends are complicated when a 300 year old samurai gives her a heart-shaped eye patch that belonged to the legendary swordsman Yagiu Jubei. This "lovely" eyepatch gives her the powers of Yagiu Jubei and makes her an enemy to the Ryujoji Shinkagaryu clan. This show is a parody of samurai anime and manga.

I saw a few episodes of this subtitled, and I saw the entire series dubbed. The dub is very good.

Jubei-chan seems insane when you first watch it. It keeps you asking questions like: Why does everyone get lost in a bamboo forest on their way to and from town? Why do Jubei-chan's teachers always challenge her to a duel after school? and Who is that 300 year old samurai who has sworn Jubei-chan fealty, and why does he keep drying up and blowing away in the wind?

But once you get the hang of this anime it is just hilarious, and it is funnier the more anime that you have seen. As a Kenshin fan, I really enjoyed the way that all of Jiyu's enemies are converted after she cuts them down with her sword. One character wonders what has he been doing with his life and then suddenly says, "I know, I'll become a singer!"

Even if you've never seen another anime, there are still a lot of good jokes in this work.

Except for the warnings listed below, I found it ok for kids.

Parent's Guide Rating:

green (suitable for family viewing)

The possession scenes at the end of this series may prove too scary for small children.

There is frequent swordplay, but defeated enemies get up and walk away.

There is breast humor. All of the male characters in this series fall in love with Jiyu after getting a good look at her chest.

There is a sailor moon type nude transformation scene where a nude outline is shown.