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Story

Lucky Star follows high school friends Konata Izumi, Miyuki Takara, and twin sisters Kagami and Tsukasa Hiiragi. The friends do what ordinary young girls do. They go to school, try to pass their tests and try to have some fun in between.

My Opinion

I’ve been waiting to see what the English version of Lucky star would be like. I was especially interested in hearing the voices for the characters. I knew that at best it would take a while to get used to them and at worst… Well, I was hoping no one would be stupid enough to do that to Lucky Star.

It will take some getting used to. Like the Japanese version, Konata is played by the same person that played Haruhi Suzumiya. I hope that was done because she was the best person for the job, and not so that the jokes and tie ins to The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya can be imported more easily.

After watching the first DVD I’m not so sure. Konata just doesn’t seem right in English, the jokes fall a bit flat. It’s not just Wendee Lee’s portrayal of Konata. If it were I’d just say she wasn’t right for the part.

There is another English version character that stands out, this time from the Lucky Channel segment. Akira Kogami seems to be too restrained. When she’s White Akira she doesn’t have that over the top cuteness. She seems to be trying, but she’s not quite making it. As Black Akira she doesn’t have enough bitterness. She seems mildly cynical, but that’s about it. The performance stayed in the middle of the road and as a result never quite lived up to the character.

I’ll have to give it a few more episodes, at least 2 more DVDs, before I make up my mind. If the English cast doesn’t grow on me by then I’ll just have to switch over to subtitles. Yay DVDS!

DVD Extras

There are a couple of good extras on this disc. The key scenes galleries offer a little more insight into the show. Pretty cool. My favorite special feature would have to be “The Adventures of Minoru Shiraishi #1“. In the Japanese version Minoru Shiraishi plays himself, or a characterization of himself.

Is it worth it?

Lucky Star DVD Volume 1 is worth the money. Even if the English cast makes your skin crawl, you can always switch over to the Japanese audio and read subtitles.

Buy Lucky Star, I’m going to.

Anime, Reviews, DVD, Lucky Star, Lucky Star Volume 1, Dub, Sub, English, Japanese, Konata Izumi, Miyuki Takara, Kagami Hiiragi, Tsukasa Hiiragi, Akira Kogami, White Akira, Black Akira, Minoru Shiraishi, Wendee Lee