Search - The Super Milk Chan Show, Vol. 3: Cryin' Over Spilled Milk on DVD

Genius, but perhaps not very 'western'.

Klisk | Paterson, NJ; United States | 02/04/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"First off, I want to clear up some misconceptions:

When you buy this DVD, it comes with 2 DVD's... The American(Fosterized) version, AND the original Japanese episodes. One DVD has an american flag on it, the other says 'Original Japanese Episodes'. The Japanese episodes come dubbed, and also with Japanese voice+subtitles. If you rate down this DVD for the poor American version then you're a bit on the dimwitted side. You get both versions.

Now, as for the review:

The American version is, well, moreso translated and changed so that American audiences would find it funny. A lot of people like it, a lot don't. Personally, I can't stand Tetsuko's voice so I didn't bother watching it. This is NOT the version that is shown on Adult Swim. Surprisingly enough, Adult Swim bought the Japanese version and not the American version! Weird? Yeah, it really is. A lot of self-proclaimed American "Otaku" (Ugh...) prefer this version. (Ironic!) Also, this version really DOES seem to be a huge joke on ADV videos behalf. It's almost like they're making fun of poor dubs. (But most people seem to insist they were serious about it. Who know, right?)

Now, the Japanese version. The Japanese version, even when dubbed in english, is really hilarious. The problem is that the humor is rather dry and cynical, so you need to really enjoy a less blatant type of humor. Each episode is self-serving, rather comparable to Aqua Teen Hunger Force, despite this being a genuine anime. The humor is also very centric on references to Japanese culture, something yet again that just simply won't be funny to someone who isn't familiar with the culture. Most of my friends whom watch Super Milk Chan seem to have the "Huh? Well, what's so funny?" attitude towards the series. "It's really not funny.." Asides from that, the actual content of the show is really hilarious, if not brilliantly done. There are some repetitive moments, but that alone is part of the humor and parody of this show.

Let me jump back to the American episodes -- If you've only seen Super Milk Chan on Adult Swim, then you HAVEN'T seen the American episodes. You've only seen the Japanese ones. If you thought that Super Milk Chan could be funny, but the Japanese episodes didn't 'click' with you, then buying these DVD's might actually be worth your time. I was surprised to find out how many people absolutely adore the American version of Super Milk Chan but hate the Japanese(Adult Swim) version.

Asides from getting the "Oh! Super Milk Chan" episodes on these DVD's, you also get classic Milk Chan shorts. These are just as good as "Oh! Super Milk Chan", but they are most obviously even MORE dated than Oh! Super Milk Chan, the artwork alone being a bit on the lower quality. (But not at all bad.) Which leads to another unfortunate thing, "Oh! Super Milk Chan" does sorta date all the way back to 1998. So even if you DO get a lot of jokes, or cameos in the series they may just be too old to still be funny. (But I think everyone could be amused with the President having a PS3.)

So yeah, these DVD's are worth the money, and the series is really a brilliant comedy. But just a comedy; Don't expect a story. You get both the US and Japanese versions of the show with these DVD's, and if you don't like the Japanese version which is being aired on Adult Swim, you might want to give the American versions a try. Chances are you're missing out on something if you've already decided you hate Super Milk Chan. (Dr. Eyepatch. "