Anime
Shugo Chara – 01
Shugo Chara Episode 1 – Shugo Chara is Born!
Screenshots
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I’ve been keeping an eye out for this anime ever since I read the manga, which I loved because of the shoujo elements I’ve been deprived of as of late. The bishies and the waff, especially. This is like the only shoujo anime in the fall lineup, which is obviously catered for fangirls who like cute stuff, nekomimi guys, and mahou shoujo. Beneath the saccharine shoujo bias however, guys and girls alike will find this a show about self-discovery, learning to love ourselves, and… finding love~ Ok, enough cheesiness and on to the show~
Summary
In the first part of the show, we are introduced to Amu Himamori, known as the “spice princess” of Seiyo Academy, a school which she just transferred to. She’s pretty much like an idol in school, the icon of coolness as most people see her. This image (or “chara” as the anime terms it) however, simply came about due to some complexities in her personality. She’s not good at expressing herself, and ends up talking to people in a rough manner. Add that to her cool get-up (like she’s a rebel punk) thanks to her mom who adores cosplaying her daughters (Amu in gothic punk attire, and her little sister Ami in loli dress), and we get a “cool” Amu.
The show hosted by the famous fortune-teller Noboku Saeki (who looks like this famous Japanese singer whose name escapes me at the moment) got her into thinking about “Shugorei” (guardian spirit) which is said to keep watch over each and everyone. Amu actually gets freaked out by the show, but she once again puts on her cool façade as she heads to her room to contemplate about this. Well, who wouldn’t freak out at some show where the host talks to you in person, and tells you that you’re gonna die if you make a fool out of what she says o_O She wants to be just like any normal girl, to become cuter and honest to herself, and wear pink clothes with frills. But really now Amu, I think your get-up is fine as it is. As if this show can get any more pinker o__o.
After praying to the guardian spirit to grant her the courage to show her true self, Amu lays three eggs! Motherly instincts make her bring her eggs to school so she could keep watch over them. That day, she gets a close encounter with the “Seiyo Academy Guardians”, the students’ knights in royal cape, and gets smitten by the prince charming Tadase Hotori-sama. One of her eggs reacts to this feeling, making Hotori and the other Guardians notice that she’s a chara-mochi (chara-possesor). Hotori tries to talk to her regarding this but Amu acts all cold towards him as she shoves off his hand and calls him chibi-chan (midget). It seems that Amu is someone the Guardians have long been waiting for, a chara-mochi who possesses three eggs, someone who is capable of inheriting the legendary humpty lock. The humpty lock resounds, and Ikuto senses its presence.
Back in school, a Guardian Conference is being held, where Amu still contemplates on how she blew her chance of becoming closer to her prince. As the old proverb goes “Be careful what you wish for. You might get it.” That certainly is the case with Amu, who blurts out her apology and a striking love confession, at the worst possible timing. She gets reprimanded by Hotori for interrupting the meeting, and outright gets rejected at that instant as the prince tells her that he already has someone he likes . Amu runs off in shame, wanting to “crawl in a hole” because of her embarrassment (as the idiom goes), which was granted to her in that moment as well, literally. As Amu finds herself trapped in the hole someone else dug, her red egg finally hatches, introduces herself as rabu rabu Ran, and gives her some Card Captor Sakura-like wings to fly.
Amu finally calms down and takes a rest on top of the steel beam of the building structure of all places to “land”. Cute little Ran tells Amu that she’s her Shugo Chara, one of the epitomes of her desired character, which she still finds hard to believe. Now turned nekomimi Ikuto follows the scent of Amu’s eggs after stealing the Humpty lock from the Humpty Egg (which seems to be this show’s rendition of the original Humpty Dumpty nursery rhyme), and gets all touchy as he steals them from Amu. Naïve Amu gets taken aback by Ikuto’s harassment, and wasn’t able to protect her little babies, who are said to be born soon. She finally gains the courage to get her eggs back, which were born out of her wish. In short, she had the balls to get her eggs.
Amu is on the verge of falling because of the heroic act she did for her eggs, when she finally gains the courage to believe in herself after much prodding from Ran as well. The humpty lock responds to her calling and she manages to chara-nari, transforming into one of her Shugo charas, allowing her to make use of its power up to 120% according to Ran. It took a few minutes flight in the sky before Amu realizes that she’s… up in the air, which sadly, cuts short her little sky adventure as well. Luckily, her prince charming comes to the rescue as he creates a custom-made pumpkin cushion landing pad, she and ends up in his embrace.
After an exchange of remarks between the prince charming and the nekomimi villain about the Embryo, they finally head on to a Majestic Battle, and Hotori drives away the catboy with his Royal Crown. Hotori does a smooth move of wiping Amu’s face with his hanky, and worries about her condition. He bids Amu farewell as he has to return to the meeting, turning her into some startruck-hanky-smelling-freak after realizing he called him by her name and embraced her like a princess. She snaps out of her dazed mode and realizes how she was rejected by the prince earlier. Ran however remains all optimistic and ultra genki, cheering Amu like one those girls from Rukawa’s cheerleaders, earning her a glare from Amu who just leaves her behind. What characters will be borne out of the other eggs? Amu thinks…
Thoughts
Finally got past making the summary! I wanted to include much of the details regarding the Shugo and Chara stuff to give people a sort of intro into the entire world of Shugo Chara. So hopefully my summaries will be shorter next time. And yes, I am planning to blog this. I’ve already decided on that ever since I read the manga and saw the PV. How can I resist a shoujo anime with bishies, and especially… nekomimi! What I’m really looking forward to in this show is not simply the character development of Amu and Ikuto (especially), but also the romance that’s going to develop between these two. I’m a sucker for badass guys who are softie inside, especially when they are naughty 
Ok, enough fangirling or I’ll be scaring guys away now… Amu x Ikuto FTW!
Having finished watching and blogging Kaze no Stigma, I can’t help but be reminded of how Amu and Ikuto is like Ayano and Kazuma, the general “feel” of these two. Tsundere girl and a naughty badass guy who likes to tease the girl. These antics are something I’ll be looking forward to as I watch each of the episodes, which is also the reason why I was a bit sad at not seeing more of the somewhat smutty scenes in the manga. Amu supposedly falls on top of Ikuto who was sleeping in the hole, and smells her (as though he’s kissing her hair) like this. And, the egg robbing scene was supposed to have been like this. It seems that the show has indeed been toned down for kids. But don’t get me wrong, because that’s just what my fangirl side is saying. Objectively speaking, I like how they changed much of what happened in the manga. How Ikuto stole the Humpty Lock and ended up in Amu’s hands in the midst of the battle, as opposed to the manga where it was just given to her by the Guardians. I’m just hoping we’ll see the ear-nibbling scene in the manga, unless they really want to strip all the naughty little scenes >_<
They seemed to have made the anime more majestic and grand, which means we’ll see more cheesiness and fairy-tale and/or nursery-rhyme related stuff from here on I can’t help but laugh at all this cheesiness, but I adore the show because of that 
The anime manages to deliver the jokes and overall humor in the show (I found the pun jokes quite funny, though I think other people won’t find them so), and the characters in the manga were indeed brought to life. Amu’s seiyuu might not seem suited for the age she’s supposedly portraying, but I think it fits her personality. I mean, I don’t really see them as elementary students, do you? /me melts at the sight and sound of Ikuto Oh, and Amu’s little sister Ami (how creative of a name), is just adorableee!!! X3
The show is also, full of pink, thanks to Amu’s hair and rabu rabu Ran, who I really find adorable. All these shugo charas are just adorable @__@ The production value of the show is more than average, and the animation is consistently good throughout. Though I still think it can borrow a little glow of light from Suteki Tantei Labyrinth.
Looking forward to more saccharine goodness next week, as Amu’s “spade” Shugo Chara gets hatched! and, Amu will most likely be joining the Guardian Society in the next episode as well :3 There is still much mysteries to be unraveled as the series goes on, like the group where Ikuto belongs, their objectives, and what the heck is the Embryo.
Opening Song
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Ending Song
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I love the opening and ending song. It really fits the tone of this fun mahou shoujo anime, the kind of song that makes you go lively and want to jump and dance (in a light manner). Catchy, sweet, lighthearted… and makes your heart flutter :p Actually, I’ve been humming the opening song ever since yesterday… up until now, it’s still playing in my head. hop step jump~ The lyrics of the song were also “specially catered” for the theme of the show, about turning into our true selves. And with the lyrics “Unlock my heart” which we literally see this being mentioned in the show. Oh and I forgot to mention that I was surprised at the English introduction before the opening… “All kids holds an egg in their soul… the egg of our hearts. Our would be selves.. yet, unseen. LOOL.
The ending song is yet another catchy song, which manages to sound sweet and gentle(?) despite the “kono yaro!” lyrics It generally… makes you want to follow the same “dance steps” as little Ran, with the pompom cheering XDD
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woot, I’m glad someone actually decided to blog this! COOL AND SPICY! I was too embarrassed to talk about it, but Peach Pit tends to make a lot of series that I like.
@Totali: yay! and I’m glad to see that you like this too!
Shows like this need more love~ hehehe. I was a bit hesitant at first if I should go all out in blogging Shugo Chara and spread my fangirlism, but who cares!
Oh Thank God You are blogging this…everyone else was saying this wasnt worth blogging..(in my opinion they dont know how good this show is lol)..ne ways I agree with you this made me think of Kaze no stigma (which was one of my fav. animes)…I cant wait for more specially of Ayu X Ikuto ..THANKS
By the way Ayu’s sister is so KAWAII!(had to post this sorry
@melody: well, I can’t blame people for staying away from a kid’s show like Shugo Chara, hehe. I’m just hoping they’ll add the smutt!!! More Amu x Ikuto!
and yes, how could I forget to put that in my thoughts. Ami is sooo cuteeeee
I really adore her, especially when she was all scared while watching the show with the rest of the family “neechan~ kowaiii~ obakee~” 
OMG! Don’t forget that other scene where Ikuto nibbles on Amu’s ear
Oh, the anime better put that in…unless he’s gonna nibble her someone else *shifty eyes*
GAH! I can’t wait to download this episode!! I still have to watch myself; yourself and I saw the first episode of CLANNAD already (which was awesome btw XD) Also need to watch Kimikiss…omg, I have so many animes to watch!!!
And damn, I seriously want to see the third volume of Shugo Chara DX There was a friggin little moment between Ikuto and Amu!!! I want more…eer SMUT!
well..not smut like that but…you know what I mean x3
Anyways, I love the art from the looks of the screenshots! Can’t wait to start watching this!!
@Tomochii-Chan: yes, I love that ear-nibbling scene!!
I am crossing my fingers and hope that they’ll really put that scene. I mean, kids in Japan already read smut, right? LOL
There’s so many animes to watch indeed. Not to mention I have to catch up on Sainkoku and Emily as well ^^”’ KimiKiss is <333 it’s a must watch for any romance fluff lover
I just read volume 4 of Shugo Chara… more Ikuto x Amu!! A “date” in the amusement park~ hehehe
@usagijen:
OMG ARE YOU SERIOUS!?!?!? Where did you read it!? DAMNIT! I’m only on volume 2 T^T I wanna see some Ikuto x Amu moments! DX
@Tomochii-Chan: I actually got some of them from the Shugo Chara community. I’m resisting the urge to buy the manga, but I’m afraid I won’t be able to hold on much longer =__=
Wait, is there going to be smut? I’ve been kinda disappointed with the series I’ve watched so far, and am giving this one a second look. I thought it would be silly fanservice aimed at guys, but it sounds like it is silly fanservice aimed at girls.
I am intrigued after learning that this is by Peach Pit… considering what a good job they did with people like Jun and Michiru, maybe this tale of finding yourself will be interesting after all…
OMG thanks for recommending this, I really enjoyed the first episode, and I originally thought that this series would suck!
@Kabitzin: hehe, yeah… this is mostly targeted for fangirls
But as far as the “fanservice” smut is concerned, I believe both guys and girls will find that equally, entertaining lol.
This is a fun show, and something that’s worth your time at that (not like Ninomiya, which should be watched simply for guilty pleasure ^^”’ )
…and, I’m glad you enjoyed it!
i have been looking high low upside down for the manga.. brrr
I’m amazed no one has made any notes to the stands from JoJo’s Bizzare Adventure.
Or at least Shaman King’s sprit posession…
…
S-cry-ed’s alters?
wow i wana see the raws for vol 3 and 4!
@Usagijen:
Aww moooe T^T It’s not translated yet isn’t it…TT___TT
And no one so far hasn’t subbed the series DX
I seriously wanna watch thisss! >///
@Anon: I haven’t watched Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure to know of some similarities made in that anime. Although I believe the reason why other people has not noticed these references is because of the disparity between these animes. Same with S-cry-ed, which is obviously shounen and sci-fi in its theme.
The spirit possession in Shaman King might sound similar with the Chara-nari concept of Shugo Chara, but I’d say it’s more similar to the alter concept of S-cry-ed, and perhaps the Elementar Gerad alter concept as well, considering that spirits can materialize in weapons as well.
If I were to compare Shugo Chara with another anime, it would be no other than Card Captor Sakura, where Sakura and Syaoran gets to use the abilities of the Clow Cards.
@beingmeyuki: hmm… I don’t want to be sued for promoting piracy ^^” though, if it’s for sampling purposes, you can just go to the Shugo Chara livejournal community and see what you can get. Be sure to support it and buy the licensed manga!
@Tomochii-Chan: yeah… it hasn’t been scanlated yet. But, the anime has already been subbed! days ago! by Formula Sub
Go get it… now! hehe
@usagijen: i guess it would be hard to get raws since it’s already licensed^^; but i wouldn’t mind if you share some spoilers like overview of what happened in volume 3 and 4. i’m especially curious if amu and ikuto had any more moments together^_^ i was also wondering what grade/age ikuto could be since he’s a lot taller than amu and seems more mature than the others. i’m guessing junior high…
@beingmeyuki: I think I’ll be giving out spoilers along the way… hehe. As for volume 3 and 4, of course there are more amu and ikuto moments X3 one of which is the amusement park date I’ve already mentioned about. And, Amu getting affected by seeing Ikuto and Utau together… but she still hasn’t realized her feelings for him :p
I’m not really sure what grade Ikuto’s in… I don’t think I’ve seen that info yet. I can assume he’s in high school or something.
@usagijen: i guess you could be right about ikuto being in highschool since his younger sis utau is 14, so he’d probably be 15. If he’s 15 and amu’s 11… wow what a huge gap!@_@ but i still think they’re cute together^_^ in some ways i think they’re kinda similar, acting tough but are actually gentle or want to be gentle outside:)
@Usagijen:
I’m so late!! And damn…spoilers are tempting you know DX It’s hard to believe that Amu is only 11. O_o It actually seems like she’s in maybe 1st year high school, well kinda anyways.
I’m about to watch it now
YESSS! MORE IKUTO x AMU MOMENTSSS! 8D HURRY UP AMERICA!! Traaaanslaate the 3rd voluuume. T^T
@beingmeyuki: you’re right about the amu x ikuto similarity… hehe. It’s just interesting that Ikuto is more expressive of his feelings, but passes it as some teasing when in fact he means everything he says and does
@Tomochii-Chan: Hehehe… I’m sure many fans are ailing for the 3rd (and 4th) volumes like you do. More support!! hehe
i think that amu should go with that hot anime guy with the cat ears
Hmm, well I’m not watching any anime so I decided to pick this up. Growing up my first anime were mahou shoujo (despite me being a boy lol) and they’ve always had a special place in my heart. I was entertained by the first ep of Shugo Chara and I hope it progresses and doesn’t just stay at the level it’s at because it has the potential to become a Cardcaptor Sakura or Sailor Moon, if it delves deeper maybe a mild Uta Kata too.
I have to say I loved the part where the little sister was dancing with the fans, that was super duper cute, I just had to go aww and laugh.
@itachilover: yeah, she and Ikuto the catboy should be together! I am hoping that’s the pairing Peach Pit has in mind.
@Chris: aww… watching mahou shoujos is nothing to be ashamed of :3 It’s quite at par with CCS from what I can see… not much dark as of now, but I believe the series will delve in that later. But perhaps not as deep as Uta Kata. Have to see the later manga chapters to really make sure
Ami is super cute indeed! hehehehe X3
KAWAII!!
i’ve been looking for this cute Manga Characters to come into anime!!!
KYAAA!!!!!
RYO!!!!!:-P
Amu’s 11?!!!! o.O OMG! I never thought that Amu is 11! She seems MUCH older than that.
Anyway, I am sure Amu will be with Ikuto. For sure. Definately. Kitto.
*I will kill them if they are not.* ^^
omg
i think Ikuto is soooooooooooo hot!!! and i think that the stupid friggin prince guy gets in the way too much and is distracting Amu from realizing that she loves Ikuto inside >:
If Ikuto were to come to life, real life, then I would be totally drawing him so much my butt would be rubbed off! ^w^
@starry: yeah, i’d probably want to kill amu if she doesnt get together with Ikuto, but i wouldnt kill Ikuto, since he’s so hot… id save him so i can draw him!
eh surprised how this anime doesn’t have a lot of spot light in other anime websites. This anime has one of the best graphics of girl character, Amu, i had ever seen. ^.^
only read the manga!!
Ive read volume 3 and omg i cant stop reading it over and over and over again!
I’m about to go buy volume 4!
THANKS again 4 the ikuto pictures I saved all of them.
I LOVE IKUTO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WHA!!! E_E Amu’s 11!! E_E OMFuking dog!!
that’s cool 
E_E
Oo, nice pictures and screenshots from the anime! I like the opening and ending songs a lot.