Colorful
Encyclopedia
is a manga
by Torajirō Kishi which was adapted into a 16-episode anime
series. The episodes are composed of vignettes
typically involving men and teenage boys attempting to catch a glimpse of women's panties
and/or look down their blouse
s. The episodes are fast-paced, experimental in animation and sound and music, manic and very short, about seven minutes each, and filled with comedy. The show is rather ambiguous as to whether it supports the fetishes it deals with or not. The perpetrators within the show usually fail at their attempt to catch a glimpse, get caught in the act, or suffer Karmic retribution
.
Anime fanatics tend to either love or hate the series as it is considered either wildly funny, or tasteless and depraved. Colorful shares similarities with Golden Boy
in several ways: most notably the inclusion of one of the characters acting the bizarre toilet
fetish
of Kintaro Oe in one of the episodes.
The opening theme is by Yūko Miyamura
.
The English (U.S.) DVD was released on March 18, 2003 and was distributed by A.D. Vision
. Some puns were left out of this dub, but were included in A.D.V. subtitles. One such pun involves Steve referring to his panties shots as "Japan's exotic upside-down Fuji
".
Hirokawa and Itani are two freshmen at the University of Tokyo
. They are perverts in their own way. Hirokawa and Itani are seen enjoying the wind blowing girls' skirts up and seeing their attractive English teacher showing them how to pronounce their L's and R's. Hirokawa shares an apartment with three people.
Hirokawa voiced by: Nobutoshi Hayashi (Japanese), David Matranga
(English)
Itani voiced by: Yasuhiko Kawazu
(Japanese), Tommy Drake
(English)
Aki Yamamoto is the cute athletic
star who is the coach's main focus for his fantasies. The show features clips of Yamamoto's face in between vignettes, either winking or with her name being printed all over the screen with "Yamamoto!" being said by multiple people in different ways.
Steve is an American
exchange student majoring in photography
and cinematography at the University of Tokyo. He uses his cameras for voyeuristic
panty shots.
Kariya is a man with circular sun-glasses who usually steals things from unsuspecting people.
Shimoi Chino is the reporter for the TV show Psychic Spot (Channel 2 Night Beat in the dubbed version) whose main goal is to sit beside Barbara Walters
on The View.
Manga
Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
by Torajirō Kishi which was adapted into a 16-episode anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
series. The episodes are composed of vignettes
Vignette (literature)
In theatrical script writing, sketch stories, and poetry, a vignette is a short impressionistic scene that focuses on one moment or gives a trenchant impression about a character, an idea, or a setting and sometimes an object...
typically involving men and teenage boys attempting to catch a glimpse of women's panties
Panchira
is an expression used by Japanese women to warn each other that their underwear is visible; the term carries risqué connotations similar to the phrase "your slip is showing" in English usage. The word is a portmanteau of and chira, the Japanese sound symbolism representing a glance or glimpse...
and/or look down their blouse
Blouse
A blouse is a loose-fitting upper garment that was formerly worn by workmen, peasants, artists, women and children. It is typically gathered at the waist so that it hangs loosely over the wearer's body. Today, the word most commonly refers to a woman's shirt but can also refer to a man's shirt if...
s. The episodes are fast-paced, experimental in animation and sound and music, manic and very short, about seven minutes each, and filled with comedy. The show is rather ambiguous as to whether it supports the fetishes it deals with or not. The perpetrators within the show usually fail at their attempt to catch a glimpse, get caught in the act, or suffer Karmic retribution
Karma
Karma in Indian religions is the concept of "action" or "deed", understood as that which causes the entire cycle of cause and effect originating in ancient India and treated in Hindu, Jain, Buddhist and Sikh philosophies....
.
Anime fanatics tend to either love or hate the series as it is considered either wildly funny, or tasteless and depraved. Colorful shares similarities with Golden Boy
Golden Boy (manga)
is a Japanese manga series by Tatsuya Egawa about a 25-year-old freeter, pervert, and "travelling student" named Kintaro Oe . The manga was originally serialized in Shueisha's Super Jump starting in 1992, with the first collected volume released the following year...
in several ways: most notably the inclusion of one of the characters acting the bizarre toilet
Toilet
A toilet is a sanitation fixture used primarily for the disposal of human excrement, often found in a small room referred to as a toilet/bathroom/lavatory...
fetish
Sexual fetishism
Sexual fetishism, or erotic fetishism, is the sexual arousal a person receives from a physical object, or from a specific situation. The object or situation of interest is called the fetish, the person a fetishist who has a fetish for that object/situation. Sexual fetishism may be regarded, e.g...
of Kintaro Oe in one of the episodes.
The opening theme is by Yūko Miyamura
Yuko Miyamura
' is a Japanese voice actress, actress, J-pop singer and director of audiography. Her married name is ', although she still works under her maiden name. Miyamura was born in Kobe, and graduated from the theater division of the Tōhō Gakuen College of Drama and Music. Her pet name is '...
.
The English (U.S.) DVD was released on March 18, 2003 and was distributed by A.D. Vision
A.D. Vision
A.D. Vision was an American international multimedia entertainment company headquartered in Houston, Texas, prior to its collapse and distress sale to four other Houston-based companies in 2009...
. Some puns were left out of this dub, but were included in A.D.V. subtitles. One such pun involves Steve referring to his panties shots as "Japan's exotic upside-down Fuji
Mount Fuji
is the highest mountain in Japan at . An active stratovolcano that last erupted in 1707–08, Mount Fuji lies about south-west of Tokyo, and can be seen from there on a clear day. Mount Fuji's exceptionally symmetrical cone is a well-known symbol of Japan and it is frequently depicted in art and...
".
Cast and characters
ColorfulHirokawa and Itani are two freshmen at the University of Tokyo
University of Tokyo
, abbreviated as , is a major research university located in Tokyo, Japan. The University has 10 faculties with a total of around 30,000 students, 2,100 of whom are foreign. Its five campuses are in Hongō, Komaba, Kashiwa, Shirokane and Nakano. It is considered to be the most prestigious university...
. They are perverts in their own way. Hirokawa and Itani are seen enjoying the wind blowing girls' skirts up and seeing their attractive English teacher showing them how to pronounce their L's and R's. Hirokawa shares an apartment with three people.
Hirokawa voiced by: Nobutoshi Hayashi (Japanese), David Matranga
David Matranga
David Matranga is an American voice actor who works for ADV Films and Seraphim Digital.-Voice roles:*5 Centimeters Per Second - Takaki Tono*Angel Beats! - Hideki Hinata*Appleseed - Briareos...
(English)
Itani voiced by: Yasuhiko Kawazu
Yasuhiko Kawazu
is a Japanese voice actor.- Television :* Kinnikuman: Kinnikusei Oui Soudatsu-hen , Golemman, Iwao, Leopardon, Mixer Taitei, Motorman, Rikishiman* Sailor Moon , Worker * Yuusha Tokkyuu Might Gaine , Jarmanee...
(Japanese), Tommy Drake
Tommy Drake
Cory R. Carey is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, Tommy Drake. He is best known for his appearances with Pro Wrestling Noah in Japan and various independent promotions in the United States...
(English)
Aki Yamamoto is the cute athletic
Athletics (track and field)
Athletics is an exclusive collection of sporting events that involve competitive running, jumping, throwing, and walking. The most common types of athletics competitions are track and field, road running, cross country running, and race walking...
star who is the coach's main focus for his fantasies. The show features clips of Yamamoto's face in between vignettes, either winking or with her name being printed all over the screen with "Yamamoto!" being said by multiple people in different ways.
Steve is an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
exchange student majoring in photography
Photography
Photography is the art, science and practice of creating durable images by recording light or other electromagnetic radiation, either electronically by means of an image sensor or chemically by means of a light-sensitive material such as photographic film...
and cinematography at the University of Tokyo. He uses his cameras for voyeuristic
Voyeurism
In clinical psychology, voyeurism is the sexual interest in or practice of spying on people engaged in intimate behaviors, such as undressing, sexual activity, or other activity usually considered to be of a private nature....
panty shots.
Kariya is a man with circular sun-glasses who usually steals things from unsuspecting people.
Shimoi Chino is the reporter for the TV show Psychic Spot (Channel 2 Night Beat in the dubbed version) whose main goal is to sit beside Barbara Walters
Barbara Walters
Barbara Jill Walters is an American broadcast journalist, author, and television personality. She has hosted morning television shows , the television newsmagazine , former co-anchor of the ABC Evening News, and current contributor to ABC News.Walters was first known as a popular TV morning news...
on The View.
Other characters
- Fumihiko TachikiFumihiko Tachikiis a Japanese voice actor and narrator.-Career:Formerly a blues singer and known for his low voice, Tachiki is best known as the narrator for the pre-fight movies for Pride Fighting Championships and currently for Dream...
as Yamamoto's Coach (Rob MungleRob MungleRobert Louis Mungle is a voice actor for Funimation Entertainment, ADV Films, Seraphim Digital, and OkraTron 5000...
in the English dub) - Miho YamadaMiho Yamadais a seiyū and narrator who was formerly part of Arts Vision.-Anime:*Banner of the Stars as Atosryac Ssynec Atosr Lymh Faibdacr Loïc*Blue Drop: Tenshitachi no Gikyoku as Yuko Sugawara*Gakuen Alice as Serina Yamada*Godannar as Ecaterina...
as Mademoiselle and Space Alien - Urara TakanoUrara Takanois a Japanese voice actress from Togane, Chiba. Takano runs the talent agency Remax, although she was originally affiliated with Ken Production. She is the mother of actress Anna Kirie. Her real name, as well as her former stage name, is , in addition, she and Jennifer Tilly both does Celia...
as Pamela - Jamie, a friend of Steve seen only in episode thirteen.