Located in Osaka, Japan, the magical shopping center Abenobashi is a popular destination for anime fans and shoppers alike. The center is well-known for its unique and innovative stores, charming atmosphere, and wide range of merchandise. One of the key attractions of Abenobashi is its selection of anime and manga stores. Anime fans can find a wide range of merchandise and collectibles from their favorite series, including action figures, clothing, accessories, and art prints. The stores cater to a variety of tastes, with sections dedicated to popular shows like Naruto, One Piece, and Attack on Titan. In addition to the anime stores, Abenobashi is also home to a wide range of fashion boutiques.
Vital Stats:
Released by: Geneon /Pioneer
Dubbed by: Bang Zoom!
Director: Wendee Lee
He didn t just flip the bird at a gangster once, he did it for as long as he could still get his fingers to work between the beatings the gangster gave him. Mayes handles both sides of Kagome equally well the competent leader, and the young woman with a comically hopeless crush on her boss, Mao s grandfather.
In addition to the anime stores, Abenobashi is also home to a wide range of fashion boutiques. Shoppers can find trendy and stylish clothing, accessories, and shoes from both local and international brands. The center is known for its innovative and unique fashion offerings, making it a favorite among fashion-forward shoppers.
A Library Girl's Familiar Diversions
According to MyAnimeList, what Crunchyroll has lumped under a single title, Catman, is actually Catman, Catman Series II, and Catman Specials. I caught the title change from Catman to Catman Series II, but when the specials started I got confused, because they used the title Catman.
Episodes, in general, run 3-5 minutes long. Crunchyroll has 22 episodes total.
There is no spoken dialogue (unless you count the reporter in the "shoot at the sun" episode), just subtitles and music from the Planet Smashers.
If you want to watch this series on Crunchyroll (I'm not sure where else it's available), you'd better watch it soon, because it's going to be removed by the end of this month.
There's not much of a plot, although there are a few recurring characters. All characters in this series are anthropomorphized cats - they drink, smoke, talk, gamble, etc. like human beings and don't seem to have any feline-specific behaviors, although that didn't keep me from becoming nervous on behalf of the bird and mouse that showed up in a couple episodes.
Catman tends to live in the moment, which, unfortunately for him, often results in him doing things that leave him hurt, lonely, and/or penniless. He tends to be dissatisfied with his life and wants to run away to someplace different and, hopefully, better. Episodes in the first part of this series show moments in Catman's life. He also captures the interest of a female cat-person.
Wanting to be free, Catman leaves the lady cat-person behind and spends much of the rest of the series engaged in self-destructive behaviors (drinking, angering gangsters, gambling away all his money). Will Catman ever stop running away from all his problems?
This series is not for everyone. At the very least, you really, really have to be okay with slice-of-life stories. When I said there wasn't much of a plot, I meant it. In the first episode, Catman does nothing but jump from one place to the next. In another episode, Catman is so hot he tries to shoot down the sun. Even the more action-oriented episodes are brief and simple. For example, one episode is almost entirely about Catman running from a guy after stealing one of his apples.
I didn't really like this show overall. There were certain moments and episodes I liked – the gangster episodes were usually fun, I laughed when Catman shot at the sun, and I found that one lady cat, the aged former beauty (prostitute?) who talked to Catman about love, to be both chilling and sad. However, it felt like the show didn't have any kind of plan, or at least not a consistent one, and I thought it suffered a bit from that. Also, there were times I really disliked Catman.
In the first part of the series, I could tell that things were probably moving towards a romance between Catman and the lady cat-person who dressed in green. When he left her at the start of Catman Series II, I figured that his self-destructive behavior would culminate in a realization that he preferred life with the lady cat-person to the “freedom” he had on his own. This was not really the direction in which the series went, and, although I was somewhat relieved for the lady cat-person (she was barely a character, but, even so, I couldn't help but feel that she could do better than Catman, if only she'd just move on), I was also disappointed.
When the gangster episodes started, I felt the tone of the series shifted. Catman's self-destructive behavior no longer seemed to be presented in as negative a light. Instead, the stupid things he did became gutsy and cool. He didn't just gamble away his own money, he almost gambled away a stranger's money. And then he gambled away his own money a second time. He didn't just flip the bird at a gangster once, he did it for as long as he could still get his fingers to work between the beatings the gangster gave him. It was stupid of him, but it was presented as cool and, I think, intended to show that he was finally developing the spine and pride necessary not to run away at the first sign of trouble. All of this seemed, to me, to contradict earlier hints that the show was moving towards Catman's realization that his idea of “freedom” was actually just a bunch of self-destructive behaviors that weren't going to get him anything other than an early grave.
The inconsistent feel of the series bothered me, and I never quite got over the dislike I felt the moment Catman turned away from the lady cat-person. Still, like I said, there were moments and episodes that were enjoyable. I'm glad I watched this show before it was removed from Crunchyroll, but it's not something I could see myself recommending to very many people.
- Maus (graphic novel) by Art Spiegelman - Okay, so I still haven't read this, but it immediately came to my mind as a work that might potentially appeal to those who liked Catman. As in Catman, the characters are all animal-people (cats, mice, pigs). Spiegelman interviewed his father, a Holocaust survivor, about his experiences and turned that story into Maus.
- Cowboy Bebop (anime TV series) - Those who'd like something else starring a "cool guy" main character and featuring action and a good soundtrack might want to try this. The series focuses on a group of bounty hunters doing their best to earn enough money to feed themselves.
- Tekkonkinkreet (anime movie) - Like Catman, this is set in a fairly gritty urban environment, and the main characters are amazingly athletic as they run and jump around town. I've written about this movie.
- Dark Side Cat (anime) - If you'd like another short show featuring Flash animation, you might want to try this, although Dark Side Cat's tone is different and its pace is faster. I've written about this series.
Food lovers will also find plenty to enjoy at Abenobashi. The center features a wide range of dining options, including traditional Japanese cuisine, international flavors, and trendy cafes. Whether visitors are in the mood for sushi, ramen, or a delicious dessert, they are sure to find something to satisfy their taste buds. Furthermore, Abenobashi offers a variety of entertainment options to keep visitors entertained. The center features a game arcade, a movie theater, and even a karaoke bar. Guests can enjoy hours of fun and entertainment, making it a great place to spend the day with friends or family. In conclusion, the magical shopping center Abenobashi on Crunchyroll is a must-visit destination for anime fans and shopaholics. With its unique stores, trendy fashion boutiques, delicious food options, and entertainment offerings, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Whether visitors are looking to indulge in their favorite anime merchandise, update their wardrobe, or simply have a fun day out, Abenobashi is the perfect place to do it all..
Reviews for "The Enchanting World of Abenobashi on Crunchyroll"
- Sarah - 2/5 stars - I didn't enjoy "Magical shopping center abenobashi" on Crunchyroll. While I appreciate the unique concept of exploring different worlds within a shopping center, I found the execution to be quite chaotic. The story was all over the place, making it hard for me to connect with the characters or understand their motivations. Additionally, the animation felt dated and lacked the crispness I expect from modern anime. Overall, I was left feeling confused and unsatisfied after watching this series.
- Alex - 1/5 stars - Unfortunately, "Magical shopping center abenobashi" on Crunchyroll was a major disappointment for me. The humor was juvenile and didn't appeal to my taste. The characters were whiny and unlikable, making it hard for me to root for them. Moreover, the plot was convoluted and lacked coherence. I found myself becoming increasingly frustrated as the series progressed, hoping for some resolution that never truly arrived. It's a shame because I had high hopes for this anime, but it just didn't deliver on any level.
- Emily - 2/5 stars - "Magical shopping center abenobashi" on Crunchyroll didn't quite live up to my expectations. I found the constant jumping between parallel worlds to be confusing and hard to follow. The humor often felt forced, and the characters didn't have enough depth for me to become invested in their journey. Additionally, the animation style didn't appeal to me personally, and I found it to be a distracting aspect of the series. Overall, while there were some interesting ideas at play, the execution fell flat for me and left me feeling unsatisfied.
- Thomas - 2/5 stars - I wasn't a fan of "Magical shopping center abenobashi" on Crunchyroll. The story felt disjointed and lacked a cohesive narrative thread. The humor, while attempting to be quirky and eccentric, often fell flat for me, and I didn't find myself laughing as much as I had hoped. The characters, too, were not developed to their full potential, making it hard for me to care about their journey or relate to them in any way. I didn't find the series particularly memorable or engaging, and it left me wanting more substance and coherence.