Tower of Druaga is like that ugly girl with the glasses whom you have never actually met in real life, and when you finally do meet her, you realize that she’s in fact very attractive and doesn’t actually wear glasses. Also, there’s probably a that’s-what-she-said joke somewhere in that title…
Now hold your horses. I know all those regular readers of my blog out there (all three of you) are probably going, “OMG DM is actually blogging about an on-going series (that’s not made by Sunrise)!” Wrong. Uh-uh. Sorry to disappoint you but this post is about the first season of Tower of Druaga which aired last year.
So why blog about it now? Because I just watched it (while fishing in Dalaran). It’s also cool to be non-conformist and blissfully ignorant of current blogging trends. At least that’s how I like to think of it.
So basically Tower of Druaga was an 80s arcade machine that probably no one other than hardcore Namco fanboys cared about until Gonzo randomly decided to make an anime out of it and even after that. Since the game was just an 8-bit maze with probably zero story to speak of, it is difficult to understand why Gonzo decided to license this franchise instead of making a new one. Maybe it was free, or maybe they really, really wanted to do 8-bit gags.
The punchline of the entire series?
The premise of the show is nothing to write home about — A group of adventurers with radically different personalities go on a long and arduous quest to climb a gigantic tower and slay the generic demon king who is terrorizing the land in ambiguous manners — which is why I was reluctant to give this series a try. Fortunately, I did.
The impulsive young boy, the silent mature lady and the likeable heroine
People who read my Gundam 00 ‘reviews’ probably think that I am a joyless cynic whose icy soul has frozen beyond the reach of the simple wonders of mainstream entertainment. That is actually quite true when it comes to anime. I find it difficult to sit through a 20-minute episode of Akikan! without mentally dismantling every line of dialogue down to its tiny core of cliché. This makes Tower of Druaga particularly worthy of compliment, considering that it managed to keep me distracted for the entire length of its 12 episodes and kept things interesting and fresh enough that I had little time to pause and deconstruct its entire existence. Bravo.
“This story is so stereoty… WAIT OMG TENTACLE SECHS”
So I shall do that now instead. Stripped down to its bare fundamentals, Tower of Druaga: The Aegis of Uruk (i.e. the first season) is essentially a cleverly-crafted gateway drug. The first episode is a blatant attempt at chipping away the hardened outer shell of even the most cynical critic with a non-stop barrage of gags and parodies that poke fun at the fantasy adventure genre, and for the most part it works remarkably well.
The core humour at work in the series is smart and, barring the first episode, seldom over the top. The clever use of cultural anachronism provides a focal point for the audience’s wandering attention until the larger plot eventually takes over. It also helps that the animation quality is rather good and does not distract from the story, except for maybe parts of episode 7.
And the opening sequence is just pure genius.
Probably go down in history as the most awesome OP ever
The entire story of the first season can probably be summed up in one sentence, but that’s because it is only the beginning of the real epic. After drawing the audience in with its charming humour, the first season eventually focuses on developing the main characters and to make the audience fall in love with them, so as to set the stage for the larger story.
I’m melting…
And in case I am giving the wrong impression with my bias selection of screen captures, Druaga is definitely not a gag anime per se. There are gags, but the overall feel is a lot closer to Scrapped Princess than Excel Saga, and my personal opinion is that things will only get more serious and emotional in season two.
I know this isn’t helping my case
It is still too early to judge Tower of Druaga as a whole, for a great appetizer is nothing without an equally enjoyable main course, but The Aegis of Uruk is no doubt one of the best appetizers from Gonzo in a long, long time. Let’s hope that the currently-airing Sword of Uruk will not turn out to be a let-down.
On another note, Fatina is so hot. I know that so far every single hint in the show, including the opening sequence (usually a rather accurate indicator of future plot direction), says that Kaaya is the heroine of the show, but I just can’t help but root for the underdog. I mean come on, Fatina and Jil make such a cute and entertaining couple.
She can climb my tower any time if you know what I mean. Well, high-rise public housing, but close enough.
P.S. I keep reminding myself to get down to writing my Comiket reflection piece, but I just—Oooh shiny thing.
Shiny, shiny tower.
That’s what she said.
Honestly, I don’t know why more people watch Druaga. It’s even freaking free, on youtube. Maybe that it’s so fun for jaded people take away its appeal for non-jaded people, for which there are more of in the world.
/wistful sigh. Oh, Fatina… To be a roper for you…
I only realize Fatina was voiced by Horie in Season 2. I phail ;_;
I wish someone would kill Kaaya
Watched the first episode and then dropped it. But maybe after your glowing endorsement I’ll give it a second try.
omo, you speak wisdom as always.
-random lurker speaks-
I liked ToD as it’s really some silly fun to take my mind off things. And the humor is really classic! I think I rewatched the crazy costume change episode (with the 8bit gag) a dozen times, just because its so hilarious.
The opening for ToD definitely rocks, and the same winning formula is used in the Sword of Uruk.=D
-returns to lurking-
Fatina is more suited to be the heroine and a better fit for Jil. Kaaya is way to secretive and manipulative.
They should really just let her die like in Ki’s vision ;D
Let Kaaya and Neeba die. So I can have a JillxFatina end. LOL
I got to agree the OP was awesome. If fool me when i first watch it.
kaaya…….kaaya who?
as far as im concerned she did die..
yes i’m avoiding reality..
hiaz the first ep of the 2nd season looks boring … (gonzo sure have many ideas for their opening)
Fatina is ♥~~~
DM, this is creepy. I dropped Druaga after Ep1 back when it aired and this week i completed it – while fishing in Dalaran… (well not only Dalaran, had to get fishing from 198-450)
Well, i got my giant (and ugly) sewer rat somewhere along Ep10 :D
The whole series was an excuse to show how cute Coopa is. Much like A Certain Magical Index is about how cute Index is.
andreas, lol. I just need Mr. Pinchy and one of the rare weapon fishes for my Salty title now. So close yet so far. D:
Not more gundams reviews :(
Since you post this, i am thinking about watch it.
That’s what she said.
I recently just watch this myself as well. And seriously, the way they manage to build up the characters while adding in humor makes it really interest me. I am now totally hooked up with sword of uruk.
Talking about which, you were right. I didn’t realize that it IS similar to Scrapped Princess. Mind me… >_<”’
But overall, I felt this anime is really nice~
Hi. Just wanted to say I like your article. It sounds like a very entertaining show. I’ll see if I can get a copy of it. Glad to see you have a subscription option, so I can keep up with your content!
I hate you. You made me WATCH this trash!
Okay, I’ll admit i was laughing ~80% of the first ep.
Hey, wait a minute. It gets serious at the end? I would never have guessed.
and you couldn’t make fun of gundam…..
please make fun of gundam(00) again!!!!!!
XD please.
Great review! After reading your acticle and looking at the screenshots of it. I might actually pick up watching this anime. At first I wasn’t really sure about watching it but just the animation only makes it worth watching now.
Hey DM, whats your IGN?
The reason they decided to make the anime is because it was basically a promotion for the Tower of Druaga MMORPG.
Interesting. I was actually thinking about watching this series not too long ago (I watched the first episode of the second season out of impulse and boredom, and liked it, but never got around to watching the first season).
Anyways, thanks for putting this review up. I’m gonna go ahead and watch it now…unless I get distracted…
(I will not beg for more Gundam 00 reviews…I will not beg…I will not beg…)
God dang it. Just finished watching it from the beginning to the end.
Man that was freaking epic.
And I have to agree with you DM, Fatina is pretty much the hottest of the show. Although Ahmey was pretty cool too…
Can’t wait for the second season!
just stumbled this article, I was lookin’ for a new series to get my teeth into, checkin’ this out asap, thanks!
by the way, season 2 episodes 1, 2, and 3 came out
Minion! Continue blogging about Gundam 00.
i loved the ep5!
2nd season still ongoing…
Ha, I just watched this series like a month ago. It is funny, except for this one episode that is devoted to nothing but stupidity. I need to watch season two…
Are you going to blog about the second season by any chance?
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second season ended and nothing came up here :(
Second Season……..
horrible….
:(
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