Michiko to Hatchin

Title:Michiko to Hatchin
ミチコとハッチン (Japanese)
Overall:Buy
Keywords: , , , , , , ,
Notables: R1 License - FUNimation
Hatchin is a girl who is brought up by foster parents and yearns to escape and live freely. However, she doubts that it is possible. But one day, a woman named Michiko Marandoro appeared to take her away. Michiko is a sexy and dangerous diva who vows to live freely and broke out of an escape-proof jail. The story is set in a country of radiant sunlight and primary colours, where it is a dangerous lawless zone once you step out to wilderness. Along with Latino music, Michiko lives blithely, and Hatchin lives in the freedom she dreams of... From two women of incompatible personalities, comes an impossible escape full of thriller!

Michiko: Age unknown. No permanent residence. Unemployed. Endless previous police records. She has a fearfully beautiful face and body. She was imprisoned in a jail that was said to be impossible to break out of, but she breaks out once she learns of Hatchin's existence. She is full of self-confidence in a groundless way, and she is always optimistic. She acts with the resolution that she should never rely on anybody. She is an attractive woman who would act with full force and go through any foolish length in order to achieve her goals.

Hatchin: She is the daughter of the man whom Michiko loves, and her real name is Hana. She is a girl who raised by a strict, Spartan foster family for as long as she remembers. There is nothing cold but inwardly strong about her. She thinks of running away from her stern foster parents, but then she would think that after all they have brought her up all along... She hopes to have someone coming one day to take her away. Her wish is granted, but that someone is none other than the outrageous Michiko.

(summary from IWaniHana.)

The trailer highlights the series script supervisor Takashi Ujita (live-action Freesia film), character designer Hiroshi Shimizu (animation director on Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2nd GIG, Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi), music composer Kassin, music producer Shinichiro Watanabe (Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo), and director Sayo Yamamoto (episode director on Samurai Champloo, Ergo Proxy). The trailer also emphasizes that this "next-generation collaboration of Latino beat animation" is the third original anime project from Samurai Champloo and Ergo Proxy's manglobe studio. Michiko to Hatchin premieres in Japan in October.

Animation by Manglobe.
Series first aired in Oct '08.
22 Episodes (~23min each)

1:52min PV Trailer - YouTube Video
OverallArtAnimationCharacter Design MusicSeries StoryEpisode StoryReviewer
Buy 9 9 9 8 9 9 Ggultra2764 [series:1914#1552]
Michiko to Hatchin was a fun romp through the various slums and deserts of fictional Latin American locales as Michiko and Hana press on their journey to find Michiko's ex-lover and Hana's biological father, Hiroshi Morenos. The series proved to be quite realistic in its exploration of the various locales within the series where crime and poverty are rampant with the police not able to do enough in halting both. Town streets are worn-down and derelict as a result of the nonstop crime and poverty faced within such slums and people resort to crimes such as child smuggling and drug trafficking to get by within the world of Michiko to Hatchin. Considering the harsh details I've heard about life within Latin and South America, I was quite impressed with how believably this series explored such issues.

In terms of characters, Michiko to Hatchin does do enough in fleshing out the show's prominent characters (Hana, Michiko, Atsuko and Satoshi) and whatever conflicts they face as they become connected to Hana and Michiko's search for Hiroshi. In particular, Hana and Michiko's bond is the central focus of the series making for both humorous and touching moments as they are frequently at odds with one another due to how different they are in personality and thinking, yet are the best thing both have had in their lives due to their harsh pasts. Adding to the show's comedy are episodes where the duo encounter some over-the-top characters within town slums such as a crackpot doctor, an eccentric Chinese restaurant cook and a cross-dressing opera singer.

The show's plot is mostly linear as Hana and Michiko journey in finding clues pertaining to Hiroshi's whereabouts, as well as some fillers where the two encounter said crazy characters and some focus on Atsuko's past. The show isn't afraid at making things become intense as Michiko and others get into some dangerous territory while confronting thugs, the police, assassins and mobsters leading to some crazy action sequences with car chases and gun fights. These scenes are quite fluid and jaw-dropping to see onscreen as vehicles and characters move smoothly enough during intense moments.

As for the rest of the presentation, the visuals of Michiko to Hatchin are bright and full of detail in depicting the various town slums and deserts that Michiko and Hana travel through. Such detail also went into character designs as they were designed in various ways, from being black to Mexican to fat to ugly to attractive. The soundtrack consisted of Latin and Carribean style musical choices such as salsa and jazz that fit perfectly well with the show's Latin American-like setting.

The show isn't without its imperfections. The show's first episode had the annoying habit of overemphasizing Hana's family abuse problems and the ending felt rather lackluster in addressing Hana's new life with Hiroshi due to the lack of background on his character. There are also some plot holes that the show doesn't bother to address such as who Hana's mother was, how Hana got her stomach tattoo and what ever happened to an assassin that helped Michiko towards the end of a later episode.

Despite these gripes, Michiko to Hatchin made for a fun and touching comedy-drama thanks to the chemistry between Hana and Mitsuko, as well as their encounters with various criminals and crazy characters within various Latin American slums. This was one of the better unlicensed anime titles I've had a chance of seeing as of late.

Last updated Monday, August 22 2011. Created Monday, August 22 2011.
Buy 9 9 9 8 8 9 Dreamer [series:1914#2279]
Just looking at the pictures of this series was enough to catch my attention. I'm glad I got this one.

Art, Animation & Character Designs
The artwork and animation was just excellent! It had a hint of western style to it but kept mostly to "traditional" japanese artwork. In fact, it was far above the norm. The animation was equally as good and at times was flawlessly smooth. Character designs were definately unique and impressive. I love Michiko! Excellent protagonist and with great artistic queues. Backgrounds and overall artwork were down to earth and looked realistic in its portrayal.... and not in the sense of high visual & graphic effects but rather, a simple aged wooden chair looked as if it would really look like that in reality.

Music
The OP was different and away from the norm as well. The music was more a caribbean or more latin feel to it and had elements of salsa, jazz and blues. I liked it. The ED was much more subdued but still impressive latin piece.

Series and Episode Story
This was just pure enjoyable. Not only was the artwork excellent and the music acceptable (by my standards), the series story was great! There's plenty of plot twists and forks in the story that makes it much more interesting and engaging. Michiko and Hatchin were a perfect duo and enjoyable to watch them interact with each other. As well, we the viewer gets a great deal of visual exposure to the poor lifestyle and conditions in these parts of the world.... where this series takes place. With that said, it makes one feel a bit of pity for the cast of characters in this series... even if they are only anime characters.

One thing that did bother me a slight bit was the whole concept of searching for Hatchins biological father. When it nears the end, it left me kinda dissapointed in the resolution. It made the whole effort of risking life and limb in search of him... thus making most the series moot. But then, even without that main plot, there was enough in each episode in themselves to justify the enjoyment and "Buy" rating of the series as a whole.

Great series overall. Not perfect but definitely one of the better ones.

Last updated Wednesday, October 28 2009. Created Wednesday, October 28 2009.
Unevaluated Stretch [series:1914#628]
(One episode watched):

This episode did an excellent job of making me hate certain people. Episode one seemed to be largely a prologue for the main plot, as the poor orphan Hana is driven to the brink of endurance by the cruel family that has adopted her. At the end Hana meets Michiko, a strange, dangerous woman who may or may not be her mother. It's looking like Hana will be the main character, and the story will be told as she sees it, which seems like a good idea to me. We know very little about Michiko, how she became a criminal and wound up in prison. Her escape was well thought out and interestingly animated. I recall little humor from this episode but I'm very curious to learn where things will go now that Michiko and Hana have been reunited. So, too soon to say for sure how good this will be, but so far so good.

Last updated Monday, October 20 2008. Created Monday, October 20 2008.
Rent Jan-Chan [series:1914#967]
If you enjoyed the series El Cazador de la Bruja, then you might want to check this one out... Two girls on the run in a lawless land reminiscent of a northern Mexican territory or post-apocalyptic southwestern state. In any event, the character of Michiko is one bad-a** lady! Much fun.

The first episode is an introduction of the characters - grand thrills, gun fights, action and harshness (especially in the case of Hana's adoptive family.)

There is mention by someone about the 'latino music' chosen for this series. My comment is latino? What latino music?? Apparently they chose to use the eclectic electric jazz music of ↗Soil & 'Pimp' Sessions, which while being different, does add a lot to the series (if you are into horny and brassy jazz - did that come out right?)

(and here is a set from Soil & 'Pimp' Sessions)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhnlCNtRHbU

Last updated Sunday, May 16 2010. Created Friday, October 17 2008.

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Japanese Language Series Web Site http://www.michikotohatchin.com/

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