Series Reviews
The Taruto series has recieved all different kinds of press from many different sources. If you're new to Taruto or even a long-term fan and want to read up some reviews, here are some links to reviews elsewhere of Taruto as a series and the Taruto DVD releases. Obviously, there are a lot more reviews than just these, but these are the ones I found the most helpful.As a word of warning, I can't guarantee that these reviews are not spoiler free. There may be no, minor or major spoilers in any of these reviews. Please read them with caution if you have not finished the series!
Below the professional reviews, you can also find my own review of the series. My review is spoiler-free and gives a somewhat balanced opinion of Taruto despite my bias.
Off-site Reviews
AnimeOnDVD.com ReviewsTaruto DVD 1 Review / DVD 2 Review / DVD 3 Review / DVD 4 Review
DVD Verdict Review
Taruto DVD 1 Review
DVD Talk Review
Taruto DVD Boxset Review
TV.com Taruto Page
Fan-submitted Taruto reviews & information
Taruto!'s Taruto Review
Magical Nyan Nyan Taruto was one of the series that struck me as "silly" and a waste of time at the beginning. It was cute, fair enough, but story-wise, it seemed weak and pointless. Regardless, I bought the series and watched it.Like in any series, there are many different things that make Magical Nyan Nyan Taruto what it is. What are these things? Well, I've made a vague list and outlined them in this review, covering audio, casting, visuals, story, and many other aspects.
Audio
Both the sub and dub are well cast, even if the voices in the dub grate on your nerves after a while. The sound is clean and good quality, and the sound effects are fitting for the scenes throughout, giving the series a pleasant atmosphere.The Japanese version is superior to the English version. I suppose this is because it's the original; the voices were cast without any major base information to work upon (like manga or a novel), and therefore have much more "edge" than the dub - where they had something to work from, and could easily replicate the Japanese voices and tones.
The original Japanese voices have a good range of bouncy and happy voices (e.g; Hisayo Mochizuki [Taruto]) to 'soft spoken' voices (e.g; Maria Yamamoto [Chitose], Aya Hisakawa [Chiffon]), giving personality to each of the characters and making them a little more 'believable' than the dubs. Each character can easily be recognised when speaking without looking at the screen. The lack of similarity and the variation between each character's voice is well defined for each character and for the audience to enjoy.
That said, I do think the dub has a very good and well matched cast - in particular I like Lisa Enochs (Charlotte)'s performance throughout above all others. I can't think of a scene I didn't enjoy her voice acting in, or where it didn't feel 'right' for the character or situation. Jessica Straus (Taruto) is a good voice actress, but the repetitive 'meow' quickly gets irritating, because it's not as subtle as a 'nya' like in the original Japanese version. 'Meow' is much more of a word, while 'nya' simply attaches to the end of words and rolls from one word to the next, without getting in the way of any sentences. But that's not to say it isn't cute, and if anything, the "annoying" factor only adds to Taruto's character.
Both English and Japanese voices are well matched to the characters. While there are things I'd like to change about American dub, there are an equal amount I'd like to change in the Japanese version.
The composer of the Original Soundtrack, Nanase Hikaru, is also famous for the OSTs of series such as Angel Sanctuary, Chrono Crusade, Pita-Ten and Galaxy Angel, and does a fantastic job on the majority of series soundtracks - Magical Nyan Nyan Taruto is no different. The soundtrack played throughout is very well planned and matches scenes throughout - some represent love, some danger, some happiness, some sadness, and each of them fit the tone of the scenes without being over or underdramatic.
Obviously, like in most OSTs, it could've been better in places but I personally think it's mellow enough to match the series perfectly and to set the scenes throughout, and the instruments match the sequences well. The majority of instruments used are gentle and light (violins, piano, wind chimes, etc), and for darker, more brooding themes, deeper instruments are used (cellos, piano, drums, etc), again, without being over or underdramatic for the scenes.
Both the character voices and OST are well matched to the series and characters.
Visuals
I find the art in Taruto average, but pleasingly cute. If I'm honest, the series would look odd in any other style - the large, happy eyes, big faces, bright colours and basic settings work very well for such a simple story, and are clearly aimed at children. While it's a little hard at first to get used to characters like Geppei having such big happy eyes, once the initial shock dies it's hard to imagine him without them.The designs of each character are simple, which helps keep the shows consistency. For example, Taruto's dress is simply a dress, an apron, a bell and a bow. Her hair is a simple bob. Her braid isn't detailed as a braid - it's simply a row of diamonds with a bow at the end and then a fluff of hair. There are no complex patterns or designs that need to be redrawn over and over. Even designs you'd expect to be more complicated, such as Chitose's kimono, are simple.
That said, each design is still pleasant to look at, and very few of the characters appear "boring" to the eye. Even the simplest designs, such as Nachos' sailor top and shorts, appear pleasant through smaller details; rather than just being a top and some shorts, Nachos wears glasses and has small hairbows to "spice him up" and make him more visually interesting without being too difficult to replicate on-screen.
The quality of the art often differs from one episode to the next and, of course, between the televised version and the DVD version. There are some major differences in expressions, anatomy, quality and movements throughout where scenes have been redrawn for publication. For example, in episode three, where the changes are most evident;
Episode 3, Taruto in the Grass -
TV screenshot
DVD screenshot
Episode 3, Kinako calling Taruto -
TV screenshot
DVD screenshot
Episode 3, Geppei -
TV screenshot
DVD screenshot
Episode 3, Kinako -
TV screenshot
DVD screenshot
The majority of anime in Japan now are remastered before DVD release, and Taruto is clearly no different. When it was released on DVD many "rushed" sequences were given a makeover. The eyes are much more clear and much nicer (unlike the original 'blocky' look); the anatomy is overall better; there is much more attention to detail and shading, and the style is much 'cuter' and fitting to the series.
The difference in quality between TV and DVD shows a clear attention to detail between the original airing date and the final publication date. Because the series was digitally drawn, these changes are easy to do, and provide the buying audience with a cleaner version; something that cel-drawn animation was never able to do. Retouching of scenes is definately one of the biggest things Taruto - and it's audiences - benefit from.
While the art of Taruto is very, very simple, the improvisation of designs and the attention to detail gives a pleasing result. The art and animation quality is average, but for a simple series like Taruto, it suits it very well. Overcomplex art, animation and sequences would have been a huge waste of money in such a simple series with so little action.
Story
The story in Magical Nyan Nyan Taruto is very simple, and runs throughout each episode without being too obtrustive until later episodes.Since the series was based at a younger audience, the story progresses slowly and the series is made up almost entirely of filler. While an older audience may enjoy a series made up entirely of story, children are unlikely to understand without having a grasp and like for the characters involved - which is where Taruto holds strength. While it has little redeeming story from the beginning to near the end of the series, 'filler' episodes build up characters and their stories and give the audience love for each character gradually, without throwing them into a full story.
Taruto, however, does not throw away it's story from episode one until episode twelve. Throughout each episode, the legend of the Kinka grows through Taruto and her adventures. While each episode is simple, the actual story runs through the background and builds up until the final episodes. Points where Taruto converses with her 'inner self' keep morals and children interested, as well as helping the story progress at an understandable pace.
The story itself with the Kinka and Byou is a classic story of 'war' between two different sets of 'people' that captures the audience from the very beginning, like any classic children's fairytale - there's something there to keep people watching, some mystery behind it all, leading up to the 'happily ever after' ending, as well as the 'good guys', 'bad guys' and of course, the typical heroine - Taruto.
The fairytale side of the story is ever-strengthened by Taruto's overactive imagination and her dream sequences between her and Iori now and again, and of course, how everything seems to end well and have a moral at the end of each episode. For example, points where she talks to her 'inner self' are easy for children to understand; much like talking to an imaginary friend; and help to provide morals from the episode.
Keeping in mind the series is aimed at children, the story is simple enough for anyone to enjoy successfully. There is a nice balance between story and filler, building up both the story and characters fluidly. While it may not be to everyone's tastes, I feel Taruto can be enjoyed by people of any age if the interest is there.
Overall
I think that while the Taruto story and characters are simple, it succeeds in being just that - simple. The show doesn't take thought or involvement to watch. Everything an audience needs to know is provided on-screen, and is easy for children, adults and all those inbetween to understand, while remaining visually and audibly pleasant in both Japanese and English.While it may have bad first impressions, the series gains strength in latter episodes and becomes a pleasant, cutesy fairytale - exactly what a series like Taruto should be.
Scores
Character Voices: A (Japanese Ver.), B (English Ver.)Soundtrack: B
Art: B+
Storyline: C+
Overall: B
