Weathergirl Michiko Kawaii, star of the nine o'clock news, needs to take a night off to go to a friend's wedding. But, the thing is, who should she get to replace her? She doesn't want to get a pretty young usurper who's going to steal the spotlight from her, does she? So Michiko looks through the company roster and finds the most unattractive, poorly-dressed employee she can. And that's how Keiko got the job for a night.
Well, more than just a night. You see, Keiko intentionally disguised her buxom body so that just such a thing would happen. And now that she's got the chance, she decides to show her claws. So when Keiko flashes her panties during the broadcast, the show's ratings jump and the network chairman insists that Keiko be given the spot permanently. Poor Michiko is put on the "Weather at Dawn" spot -- at 6 am!
However, it isn't entirely a free ride for Keiko. Her newfound celebrity has alerted an old classmate, a failure of a man, who believes that the only woman he can ever have is Keiko, all because of a little embarassing incident that happened between him and a very drunk Keiko before high school graduation.
So we've got a stalker now, right? Well, that's not all. Kawaii isn't going to stand for being ousted by Keiko, so she's decided to exact some sort of revenge. But when her creative use of laxatives backfires, Michiko finds herself in a situation far worse than being fired!
What can I say? This is a very interesting, unique piece of work. While some would dismiss this as just another piece of hentai trash, I beg to differ. The writing is good, the action is great, and the characters are deliciously well designed! Keiko is evil, and you know it! Kawaii is tragic, and you actually can sympathize with her. The story is developed smoothly, and there are surprises in store for the viewer. Even the sexual events have purpose in advancing the storyline -- this sets it apart from the usual
tentacle-fests where the scenes have little to do with plot and more with sales. While the film does have a few too many references to Japanese pop culture that are hard to follow for most US viewers, Critical Mass has been kind enough to include an insert explaining them with the tape. If you're old enough to appreciate this one, it's a hoot! My only complaint is the lower animation quality, but then you can't have everything. Very recommended!
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Part Two: Warm Fronts
in Collision
Keiko believes she's got it made now. Everyone at the studio cow-tows to her, and she's in full control. Her former adversary Michiko has become her personal slave and even her most petty demands are met. However, a new sheriff has come to town. Returning from a stint in Paris, anchorwoman Kaori Shimamori has returned to ATV. With a winning smile and Japanese humility she presents a dire threat to Keiko's dominance. And the war begins again.
First Kaori pre-empts Keiko's weathercast her first night back, and then the phones ring off the hook with praise for Kaori. Keiko seemingly accepts defeat until the thousands of letters protesting Keiko's absence from the newscast arrive, and the president of the network himself disciplines Kaori on her decision to pre-empt the weather spot. As a result, both egos flare and a battle erupts...and Michiko is caught in the middle between her cruel mistress and the new arrival!
Our favorite cat-fighting dominatrix returns in a second part that is just as good as the first. Maybe better, in fact. There are some scenes in part two that just make you howl with laughter and smile with that impish glee that makes this series so much fun. There are a lot of Japanese cultural references again, and again Critical Mass has included an insert that explains some of them, but the true otaku will probably catch on pretty quickly. Given that Kaori is a more capable minx than Michiko was, the fighting is more devious and involved than before, and
I won't spoil too much but I have to tell you that there are some seriously $&%#ed up things happening at the end. In fact, if there had been a third volume (alas, there isn't) it would have been very interesting indeed.
Animation quality is pretty much the same, and the music hasn't changed much either, but the writing and the sheer...er, hentai-ness of it has been moved up a notch, leaving you wondering if Michiko really minds her current position (um, positions). After watching these two tapes, I find myself wishing that the manga they're based on will find its way to the US in a translated form. Ah hell, who am I kidding...do I really need to read the words? As before, recommended.
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