MÄR (Märchen Awakens Romance) Volume 1: Gateway to MÄR

Distributed by VIZ Media
92 minutes (4 episodes)

At some point in time in your life, you retreated to a daydream of some fantastic world you’d rather be in. You did; don’t deny it. While there, you were a hero, revered by all, especially by that special someone you always had your eye on. But then, something snaps you back to reality. Damn. Eventually, you came to realize just how amazing reality itself is, and left that fantasy behind to make your mark in the world. Or you succumbed to delusions and ended up in an asylum or something. Whatever. You get my point.

Synopsis
For Ginta, Japanese eighth grader who has had the same vividly real dream of the same fantasy world over a hundred times, that world seems too true to pass off as mere fantasy or delusion.

Of course, being so openly honest about his feelings regarding this alien place opens Ginta to a world of ridicule at school and home. Full of energy and youthful vigor, but somehow out of shape, Ginta has a hard time fighting back for more than a few seconds. His grades suck, he’s not that bright, his eyes are bad, and his youthful mother totally harps on him about his overly vivid imagination, so really the fantasy world is a place he’d love to run away too. But it isn’t all bad for Ginta. His close friend and secret crush Koyuki believes in him, always pressing him for tales of his make-believe adventures.

Make-believe soon becomes reality as Ginta is psychically contacted by a mysterious voice. Soon after, a ghostly messenger shows Ginta an ominous gateway. The messenger offers Ginta the chance to enter the fantasy world, which, as it turns out, is quite real. Leaving his classmates, his mother, and Koyuki behind, Ginta boldly ventures into the world of MÄR. Amazed beyond his wildest dreams, his eyesight suddenly twenty-twenty, and mysteriously endowed with superhuman strength, speed, and stamina to match his unbound energy, Ginta ventures forth, learning about the world, its people, and its ÄRMs, tools and weapons that expand from ordinary-looking rings and bracelets.

Soon, Ginta finds an ÄRM unlike any other: one with a face that can talk and fancies himself a gentleman. The ÄRM’s name is Babbo, and it seems as if he’s sought by many for sinister purposes.

Storytelling/Characters
MÄR’s strengths lie in its characters and story. It’s a fun and carefree little tale filled with people you can’t help but root for. The plot starts simply enough, establishing Ginta’s origins and personality while starting him off on his journey. The tone is definitely lighthearted, seeking to amuse and entertain. A darker undertone lies beneath, though. Just why does Ginta find Babbo so familiar, and how did Ginta’s mother–a fairytale author, curiously enough–seemingly sense his son’s departure from Earth?

The humor is done well. Moments like Ginta “geeking out” over seeing a fairy, fantasizing about chasing it the same way Homer Simpson chased a fluffy-tailed dog, are charmingly funny without leaving the impression that MÄR is trying too hard to get a laugh.

Ginta is a solid and believable character, a nerd with strong morals that just doesn’t fit into normal society but is right at home in and constantly awed by MÄR’s surreal surroundings. As the story progresses, Ginta, slowly but surely, starts to see the merit of the world he left behind, starting some character growth that will hopefully be done justice in future volumes.

Ginta’s companions are just as likeable. Babbo’s slightly annoyed, older brother-ish disposition is both entertaining on its own and an enjoyable contrast to Ginta’s brash youthfulness. Jack, a farmer boy who soon joins Ginta’s quest, brings a combination of ruggedness and stubbornness to the table, both traits meshing well with Ginta and Babbo.

An interesting trait about several characters is that they are named after and based off of actual fairytale personas. Jack hopes to grow an extremely tall beanstalk and climb into the clouds one day. Other fairytale references include Dorothy the witch and Belle the fairy.

One complaint: inconsistency regarding Ginta’s physical traits. In one episode, the super-strong Ginta gets clobbered and sat on by a giant iron golem, but lifts the thing off with little effort. In another episode, a normal man stuns Ginta for a long time with a simple punch to the stomach, but later Ginta returns the favor, sending the thug flying at least a couple of football fields’ distance away, making one wonder how Ginta got stunned in the first place. Also, it’s a little unusual that, while on Earth, Ginta has boundless energy, but gets tired after running for a few seconds. That said, Ginta’s unusual frailty while on Earth may end up being one of MÄR’s mysteries, answered in a later episode. We’ll have to wait and see.

Art/Visuals
The animation quality is average, neither horribly bad nor very good. The character designs and outfits are quite nice, though, from the Dorothy’s elaborate black witch’s dress and accessories to Jack’s functionally simple farmer’s garb. Babbo, the talking kendama weapon, is always fun to watch, whether he’s fighting with Ginta, trying to exert his self-described gentlemanly nature, or simply merrily bouncing along a road.

Voices/Music
MÄR is dubbed well, with character voices matching their personalities. Spike Spencer’s interpretation of Ginta is especially good; he nails the unique mix of geekiness and heroism right on the head. The music is typical background fare, neither intrusive nor special. Some themes, including the intro and ending bits, have a strong electric guitar component that sounds very nice.

Overall
MÄR, so far, is a fun ride, a cool little story that charms and entertains, but that also hints at an element of seriousness and gravity that will hopefully continue developing Ginta’s character. This first volume ends on a cliffhanger, and I eagerly anticipate the second one.