I'm curious about this anime because someone said that this story have a strong-based surrealist element. And when I watch it, that opinion was true. Most surrealist stories are usually just one crazy things turn into the other, no connection whatsoever from previous scene to the other, things appear and dissapear suddenly, etc. But Mawaru is different. You'll see that there's continuation in each episodes, the first event that lead to the other are crafted beautifully. What you see from the beginning is present throughout the series and served as some kind of symbol. Just watch and absorb the detail, and you'll find the symbolism so thoroughly thought.

And, for everyone who loves Kenji Miyazawa's Night On The Galactic Railroad, you'll love this story for sure. (show less)

This review is accompanied by a one or two spoilers. You have been warned.

Mawaru Penguindrum looks like an easygoing anime at first glance due to the bright artwork that resembles a picture book. But it is only a cover up for the deep and complex plot. The anime have a likeable cast. They each have their own motives and act a major part in the story. Unlike some other series which have a bazillion characters and become decorations for the following episodes after their roles are over.

Story-4
The plot is pretty much imaginative and revolves around something we call fate. It also present us with a few plot twist which make things interesting. So, overall, I enjoyed it. Some unexplained scenes, sudden flashbacks and pacing problems which have left me unsatisfied caused me to deduct a mark from here.

Dialogue-5
I have no complaints about the dialogue. Almost every characters have their own catchpharse. The voice actors did what they need to. The lines fitted the scenes quite well.

Animation-5
As mentioned the animation is a tool for it to hide the main plot. Himari's transformations are reused dozen times that make it a bit boring to a point. But it is a minor problem that would not effect the marks.

Entertainment-5
With a good plot, catchy BGMs, wonderful artwork, favourable characters...how could I not enjoy this?

P.S.
-I recommend Shinsekai Yori and Bakemonogatari to anyone who like this
series
-I apologize if any typos are made. Please click the 'yes' button if you
think this review is helpful. (show less)

After seeing the end of the first episode you might say that this is one unusual or even creepy anime. The story revolves around three sibling Kanba, Shouma and their sister, Himari, who is diagnose with an incurable disease which eventually took her life. It started out as your normal splice of life drama, however, when their sister miraculously revive that’s when things got weird not because of the penguin hat but because by the end of the first episode you can’t help me but feel that there is more to Kanba’s feeling towards Himari than just brotherly love. What I like about this anime is that each episode offers something new that makes you watch it just so you can figure out what’s really going on. This is a character driven anime and each characters is very well though off and despite the fact that almost each character has his/her own bizarre and weird behavior what makes them relatable are the circumstances that made them that way. There are a lot of things that made this series interesting from the struggle to obtain Momoka’s diary, to the terrorist group led by Sanetoshi, and of course the mysterious Penguin drum. However, despite the richness of the storyline and diversity of the characters there are some areas which were not tackled like the existence of the Boiler Room, the “corrupt” society that the sibling parents are trying to revolt and there is also the issue of Momoka’s ability to alter fate, not to mention the existence and role of the “penguins” on their hunt for the Penguin drum that wasn’t fully explained adding to an already complicated plotline and leaving more questions than answers, characters like Mario wasn’t developed which is odd since he wears a penguin hat like Himari which could have made this series a lot more enjoyable to watch. However, I do found the ending to be quite satisfying although I felt it to be a bit of a rush as they try to piece together everything that has happen. This is an anime about trying to “temp fate”, are we subject to a destiny we could not alter despite our best effort to avoid it, or is destiny something to be shaped as long as you have the power or opportunity to make it so? This is anime may or may not have answered that question but it is well-played through-out the series and it’s definitely one of the best series in 2011 as far as plots and characters are concerned. (show less)

The plot is quite messed up, a lot of flashbacks that sometimes make you confused, but this anime is a deep, beautiful story about siblings love and the punishment they pay for their parent's sins. It's also a bit philosophical, makes you think about your life and your 'truth'.. All characters are deep, caring and as for the main heroses, twins - I fell for them since the very beginning :)
The only think that I found unnecessary was the beginning of 'Survival Strategy' - too long and at some point boring.

If you want to see something unforgetteble, with great animation and music, watch it. If you want something that will entertain you more with every episode, watch it. If you want to cry, be it tears of joy or sorrow, watch it. I really recommend this serie. (show less)

The storyline, very interesting, the concept being able to change your fate, your present, and your future is done pretty well here. A little confusing at times with all the flashbacks. The characters, a wide variety, from the kind ethical naive undying Shouma to the obsessive Masako. Me personally, from the beginning and even now up to episode 19, shouma is still my fave character, he's awesome how he didn't die from getting hit by a car and hitting his temple on a bottle, it's fate that he shouldn't die just yet. I find it kinda weird when they shine the characters bald spots though. In general, I like the concept of fate, i even feel that even if they brought back momoko, she be like it was fate that took my life. By controling fate, the price is your life. So, i hate it and it feels wrong but would it be wrong to kill off shouma unless he can survive his "magic apple", unlike Momoko's diary. (show less)

After watching only one episode, it has become clear that the creators of this anime have done a bit of brainstorming, and figured out the only thing that hasn't yet been made into an anime storyline yet. Necromancer poltergeist butler penguin pals!

As silly as it sounds, it appeals to me and hopefully to anyone else out there who gains enjoyment from utter nonsense. I really wanted to give this the best rating I could, but until I have seen a few more episodes, I really have no clue as to where this story might go. I'm truly fascinated to see where they can take this. But still, as a certain recent movie starring Jim Carrey has taught us, there's only so much you can do with penguins before you want to boil your head. (show less)

Even though this review isn't a collaboration of ideas, it more of an observance I had during the screening of this anime that the Michigan State University Anime Club had earlier this week.
Oh my god...we freaking loved that show. Out of the 4 different shows we saw during the orientation, this show was the most talked about and the one we most remembered. We loved that this show was so random, those moment got the entire auditorium to burst out laughing since it was so ridiculous. We just loved the penguins, they're so epic!
The animation could obviously had some work...epseically with the background and background characters...seriously...its weird. Now everything in this show would have been perfect....if it wasn't for the obvious incest vibe we get. Apparently one of the brothers actually has feelings for his sister and tries to kiss her at the end of the first ep. It was cut off in the end, so we didn't know if he kissed her in his sleep...but we all know that he did in our heads...yuck. Couldn't help but feel weird watching that part. But hopefully they don't put in much more of those scenes and keep the show at it penguin cracktastic humor level. (show less)