Munto 7/10

A rarity these days in the anime world is an original OAV offering. Munto isn't based on anything as far as I know, I miss these.

Munto was released in 2003 and runs a brisk 50 minutes or so. First off, this show has some really nice backgrounds and lighting effects. The animation is really good but the designs are a little simplistic for an OAV even though I liked them. There are also some brutal CG models in here. Watch for the yellow car Yumemi's mom drives near the end. It's pretty bad. The music for this little OAV is fantastic throughout with some nice guitar pieces. If I notice the music 4-5 times over 50 minutes someone is doing something right. The major problem with this show is the voice acting. While I like the VA's, some of them really sound like amateurs. Yumemi's friend Ichiko sounds terrible, I could do a better job.

Yumemi is 13 and unhappy. She can see islands floating in the sky that no one else can and has been given a hard time about it over the years. She's friends with the childish Suzume and the mature and serious Ichiko who believe her and have stuck by her since kindergarten. She's recently been seeing a change in the sky and it's got her unsettled.

In the sky, is the home of Munto, the king of the Magical Kingdom. His kingdom is under attack by the other peoples of the heavens because the Akuto, the energy source of the heavens, is running out and they blame Munto and his people for using it recklessly and wasting it.

Munto travels to Earth as his kingdom is being attacked and starts accosting Yumemi with strange visions and a lot of attitude, demanding that she give him her power of which she knows nothing. Meanwhile her little friend Suzume, who's kinda dim, says she's getting married to her delinquent boyfriend and they end up swimming across a river (while everyone else thinks they're committing suicide).

Their bravery gives Yumemi the courage to help Munto and in a crackle of lightning the world is saved. Whoopee!

I liked this show alright and it's a pretty good effort for a one shot 50 minute OAV. I'll recommend it. Wait! Isn't there a sequel...?