Anime Review: Shadow Star Narutaru

Review Shadow Star Narutaru Written by Warpshadow Rating fair/good

Oh look a story about a girl and the cute little thing she has for a pet. A Pokemon clone? I think not. In fact showing this to little children will probably give them nightmares. Heck it might give anyone nightmares.

Shiina Tamai is a spunky girl who lives with her father who is a pilot. One day when she goes to visit her grandparents she runs into a strange creature when swimming. Even though she is initially freaked out she befriends the star shaped creature and names him Hoshimaru. After returning home Shiina finds out that she is not the only one with a special pet like Hoshimaru and can even form a telepathic link with them. Unfortunately most of the people who can do so rather sick in the head.

The first thing I should tell you is despite some of the character designs and the opening song this is not a cute show. It can be seriously creepy. I was hoping that Narutaru would have been a good show with an interesting concept but it was largely wasted potential. The characters feel hollow and the plot just drags for the first half of the show. There numerous scenes where any form of action grinds to a halt. Although it does get better near the end the opening episodes can seriously try your patience. This show may be more interesting to people who have read the manga (licensed in America under the title shadow star) but I haven't so I wouldn't know.