The Abyss of Hyperspace

I watched this film on Feb. 22nd, 2014. I was going to just say try reading Elliot’s review, because it’s surprisingly similar to what I have to say, but I figured I can add my 2c. No real spoilers below, but some events described in the post are natural spoilers as it is a surprise to see them. Well, Mouretsu Pirates is not the sort of anime/story that relies on surprises, so whatever.

Thinking about it (I had a lot of time to do so), the easiest way to describe Mouretsu Pirates movie is to compare it with Nadesico the movie. The problem is, the Nadesico movie means very different things to different people, so it’s not really a good way to describe it to the general public. In my mind, however, both movies are really just attempts to pull that ensemble wealth of characters together in a way that charms. The Mouretsu Pirates movie does a pretty okay job at that. Both movies have their plot and narrative dynamics put together similarly, especially both are driven by mysteries of sorts.

What I am most impressed about the Mouretsu Pirates movie is how it actually does develop Marika and her family further. Using the new character Kanata’s story, they were able to portray a relationship that is similar to Marika’s relationship with her dad. Speaking of Kanata, Asapon’s shota voice is…well, better than some, but it took me a bit to get used to. It’s like a “less funny” version of AmiMami, if you get what I mean.

That said, some notes:

• The meal MarikaMom had with Chiaki was LOL fun.
  • MarikaMom in general was LOL. Badass? There needs be a better word to describe it.
• The whole hyperspace thing is alright I guess, as a SF plot device. Star Trek-like.
• Not a huge fan of Marika’s new outfit, but it looks much better in the movie than on that figure everyone eyes at.
• Space yacht club’s final move was pretty amusing, in the same way I feel two ways regarding Wizard Barristers.
• Echoing Elliot’s note on the somewhat lack of Chiaki.
  • If Mouretsu Pirates is about the highschooler, the princess, and the actual pirate, then the movie is about the space kid, the other princess, and…everybody else.
• On the plus side, the yacht club is a huge group of people, and they all more or less got their lines in. I’d say developing all these relatively small bits were probably the most difficult feat the movie has accomplished. And yeah, Grunhilde takes the lead on that.
  • Adding the graduating senpai’s little touch and introducing the new members, I say that is just what the doctor ordered.
• While the Bentenmaru crew get good amount of face time, I feel they’re largely flat in this movie. Take that as you will.
• The school part where the girls gang up on the shota is amusing…at best. Not sure how to feel about it besides it’s got an ounce of grounded reality blended in there.

There are more Akiman designs in the movie. I’m not sure at what capacity he worked on it, but it must be a lot.

So yes, if you enjoyed the TV anime, you’ll have a good time at the movies with Mouretsu Pirates: The Abyss of Hyperspace. Just don’t expect a lot or some special story. I’d watch it again, especially with subs.