Admin's Anime Review: Kämpfer

Title: Kämpfer
Studio: Nomad
Genre: Comedy, Romance, Action, Ecchi, Gender-Bender
Original Run: October 2- December 17, 2009
Episodes: 12
Director: Yasuhiro Kuroda
Original Character Design: Toshihiko Tsukiji and Senmu
Number One Theme Song: Opening Theme "Unreal Paradise" by Minami Kuribayashi

Admin's Score:
Story: 85
Character Development: 89
Artwork: 89
Songs: 85
Animation/ Battle Depiction: 87



Kämpfer all stars (left to right, front to back): Mishima Akane, Seno Natsuru, Sakura Kaede, Masumi Nishino, Kondo Mikoto and Shizuku Sango.



Kämpfer is originally a series of light novel written by Toshihiko Tsukiji and illustrated by Senmu. As of December 25, 2009, 14 volumes have been published by Media Factory under their MF Bunko J imprint. A manga adaptation by Yu Tachibana started serialization in the seinen manga magazine Monthly Comic Alive on February 27, 2008.

Synopsis
One morning, Seno Natsuru woke up and found himself being a girl. A stuffed-animal-formed messenger named Harakiri Tiger come alive and explained to him that he was now a Kämpfer, female fighters that were set to face each other and fight according to their bracelet's color. At first, he can't control his transformation, making him transformed into a girl and a boy in mostly unwanted time. After that, he made friends with another Kämpfer and even transfered to his school's female side. The purpose of battling was blur, however he must overcome the enemies that attacked him from time to time. Who is the one behind all of this ? Who is plotting the Kämpfer battle and the messengers ? The shocking truth has yet to come...

Strength:
Nice artwork and character design, supported by the almost-flawless anime artwork. Nice plot twist and idea of gender-bender during certain situations. Detailed character development, especially Shizuku. Some jokes and fan-services will kill some boredom while watching.

Weakness:
The ending in the last episode is very confusing, making the story all this time go to waste. It's somehow unfinished and just too bizarre. The big weakness in the story are the lack of battles, too many slice of life and very bad ending ( I was hoping the story would continue with more battle...)

Screenshot:



Seno Natsuru woke up in his first morning as a female Kämpfer. He's just too flat for a boy. Should've done some perverted acts with his "new body", as gender-bender always highlight those kind of reaction. You're so lame, Natsuru!



Mishima Akane, Natsuru's first ally as a Kämpfer. She was using a gun as her weapon. This is the battle scene at the library, fighting against Shizuku for the first time.



Shizuku Sango, empowered mode. During the battle with the white Kämpfer, Natsuru, Akane, Shizuku and Kondo are given power enhancement by the entrail animals messenger. Somehow, their clothes were ripped off and turned to a different attire...