Falling in love with Anime all over again with new show Kaleido Star

[mysterioustrainer]

One of the main reasons I got into Pokemon is because I love the Japanese Animation cartoons where there really is no overly violence or other "bad" things. Along with Pokemon Japanese Originated cartoons (including pure anime) I have like included Sailor Moon, Hamtaro, and SD Gundam. Of course this does not mean I haven't like some more traditional Animes like the regular Gundam series, Dragonball series, and many other tresures (one of my favorites lately has had to be Last Exile). But I have been slipping into more of the Anime culture lately and came across a wonderful pilot episode in May's Newtype magazine called Kaleido Star, and it has made me fall in love Pokemon and all Japanese Animated shows all over again.

Let me tell you this is a wonderful story about a girl with a dream. She wants to be the star of a circus performance called Kaleido Stage. This show is a magnifacant display of aerobats with amazing special effects. The girl, Sora Naegino, is determined to fulfill her place in Kaleido by traveling to the US from Japan and attending the tryouts. However she will have to face several difficult challenges and many amazing stunts in order to prove herself. I don't want to say anymore because its just to good to spoil.

But let me say this, if you like a good wholesome story with little language and no violence then this anime is for you. It is directed by the same person who directed the hit tv series Sailor Moon. I don't think it is for everyone but it is a wonderful illustration for the common dream of every Pokemon trainer, "Giving everything we have and become a master."

My recommendation is just get the may newtype USA and see the first episode for yourself and then start collecting the series. I am sure going too. Tell me what you think of the show if you have seen it.

[mysterioustrainer]

I found a website link to the show:

http://www.advfilms.com/titles/kaleidostar/

[Kasanova]

Sounds cool. I honestly like everything from Pokemon to Sailor Moon to DBZ, any Gundam series, Wolf's Rain and Inu-Yasha. I'm a non-violent person but I don't mind a lil' bloodshed. I'd list all my favorite series but I'd be here till 11:37pm tomorrow. Heh.

[Regis_Neo]

Sounds interesting, but I am more of a Gundam series/Cowboy Bebop fan.

[Kasanova]

Sounds interesting, but I am more of a Gundam series/Cowboy Bebop fan.


Got that right Mobile Suit Gundam and Cowboy Bebop are some of the best series out there. Especially since Cowboy Bebop's director is Sinichiro Watanbe. He's cool.

Wasn't Sailor Moon directed by Junichi Sato? I might be wrong.

[Regis_Neo]

I think it was.

[Cooltrainer Aaron]

I'm an Evangelion fan myself. Pokemon is a good wholesome anime, but it isn't very deep. Evangelion is like the exact opposite. Though it is violent, if you get the edited version, that eliminates some of the inappropriate references, but not all of them. The plotline is very thick and delves deep into the analysis of the human mind.

Thanks for the heads up on this new anime, I'll keep my eye out for it.

[mysterioustrainer]

I would like to say the first volume (episodes 1 through 5) is out for DVD now. I have already gotten it and let me tell you I like the show even more. You can really get a good laugh from each episode and learn important things about life. What I am about to write below is a sort of spoiling peek to each episode I have seen.

Episode One - My Kaleido Stage Debut...Well Sort Of
Sora Naegino arrives in the United States and searches for the Kaleido Stage to audition. After a conflict with a strange man checking her out, stolen luggage, and a trip to the police station. She finally arrives to the Kaleido Stage only to be late for the auditions and be coldly turned down by one of her idols, Layla Hamilton, the main star of Kaleido. However due to an accident backstage and fate with the strange man, who happened to be the owner of Kaleido Stage (Kalos), Sora gets her chance to be on stage. Will she perform and pass this difficult test?

Episode Two - My Amazing Distant Challenge
After being accepted to Kaleido Stage, Sora soon encouters the Spirit of the Stage, Fool, a mysterious talking "doll" claiming that Sora was destined for the Stage. Sora also encounters, Sarah, the dorm manager and another star of Kaleido (who also is obsessed with anything that has to do with Japan). In this episode, Sora begins to have a rough start in Kaleido and accidently ends up challenging, Layla, that she can do the star's famous swing technique, the Golden Pheonix. However if Sora fails, it would cost her place at Kaleido and be forced to return to Japan. She earns new friends, Mia Gullem and Anna Heart, by pushing herself to do this. However can she master one of the hardest techniques in Kaleido with only a week's time to practice?

Episode Three - My Amazing Distant Stage
After saving her place in Kaleido, Sora learns of the stage's next series of shows based on the story of Cinderella, supposively all the newcomers will be getting a part however, Sora doesn't get one. She instead has to give out toys to the children during the shows. How does she learn from this not-so-obvious but very important job?

Episode Four - Mia's Triple Illusion
Mia struggles with her role as the Fairy Godmother for Cinderella and requests to Kalos that Anna and Sora help her in the role by executing a new spetacular move for the story. Kalos accepts and gives the trio three days to make their move grand. Can they design the Triple Illusion in time to save Mia's role?

Episode Five- My Amazing Distant Family
Sora, Mia, and Anna get ready for the first show of Cinderella where they would be showing their Triple Illusion. Little does Sora know, her step father arrives in the US to check on her. After their disappoint failure of their stunt, Sora meets with her dad and discusses how her step mother misses her. It is soon after a second failure of the stunt, her Dad asks her to return to Japan and quit Kaleido stage. It is soon the third show they attempt the stunt when Sora learns that her step father is striken by a heartattack and drops off her spot in that show. Will she quit Kaleido for the sake of her adoptive parents?

[Kasanova]

I'm an Evangelion fan myself. Pokemon is a good wholesome anime, but it isn't very deep. Evangelion is like the exact opposite. Though it is violent, if you get the edited version, that eliminates some of the inappropriate references, but not all of them. The plotline is very thick and delves deep into the analysis of the human mind.

Thanks for the heads up on this new anime, I'll keep my eye out for it.


I know where you're coming from. I watch my VHS volume and then I sit there like I'd just seen a miracle, gapping for five minutes untill I realize what happened. It is a masterpiece.

[Cooltrainer Aaron]

No kidding and a half. After seeing just one episode, I was stunned. Animations, actions, plots, and emotions all rolled into a perfect balance. If there was a cartoon hall of fame, Evangelion should most certainly be a centerpiece.

Judging by how much praise MysTrainer is giving to Kaleido Star, it shouldn't be too far away from the hall of fame either.

[Chrisbo]

OK folks, this topic is supposed to be about "Kaleido Star", not Evangelion, Cowboy Bebop, Gundam, Sailor Moon, etc. If you're making comparisons between Kaleido Star and them that's fine, but please don't hijack the subject on a tangent. Stay focused, people.

Thanks for understanding,
- CHRISBO, Administrator

[Kasanova]

Sorry CHRISBO.

Anyway, Kaleido Star (or however you spell it) sounds good. I'm just waiting to get it...drools...
It makes me think of how hard everyone in anime like that works, I always feel some sentimental connection towards them *becomes teary eyed*

[mysterioustrainer]

Well here is some new information about Kaleido Star. I heard that Stage 2 is coming out this July so look out for that but also look out for the adorable Johnathan as a plush toy. Johnathan is an adorable juggling seal that will makes its appearence in episode 6 from what I have seen it is something worth looking into if you like Kaleido as much as I do. I have also learned that there are going to be 51 episodes. So there should be about ten volumes ("stages") as the months pass by. Yes I am quite still thrilled over this series I even custom designed my decklist from Gym Challenge to reflect my fanship for Kaleido.