Anime and gaming seem to be two hobbies that are enjoyed hand in hand. The situation is only logical, since games tend to be made into anime series and vice versa if there is enough of a following. However, there has never really been an anime series made about the gaming community, or gamers in general. Enter Arcade Gamer Fubuki: a four-episode OVA series that parodies everything from gamers to the games they love to play.

Fubuki isn't like most average gamers. Instead of relying on special techniques, Fubuki holds a secret, special weapon in her arsenal. Whenever her special "passion panties" are revealed, the whole world's gaming spirit descends upon Fubuki, which causes Fubuki to become the unbeatable arcade gamer. However, evil forces are conspiring as the Best of Arcade Gamers (BAG) tournament approaches. Will Fubuki be able to win the tournament AND keep the world safe for all video game fans?

While the plot is not the most unique in the world, it is still very entertaining. Plenty of in-jokes and gaming references litter the series' four episodes, from the Punch-Out inspired Joe Dallas, to scenes that mimic the style of 16-bit titles. Sadly, much the humor is very gamer-centric, and is all but lost on those who cannot catch the references. However, for those who are "out of the loop," so to speak, plenty of visual humor is still prevalant through the series, which keeps the experience from being a total write-off.

Arcade Gamer Fubuki features several throwbacks to 16-bit games.	Dance Dance Revolution and fanservice... who could have guessed.

On the aesthetic end, Arcade Gamer Fubuki does not fail to please. The staff has succeeded in making both a likeable and varied cast that also manages to cram just about every gaming stereotype in as well. Fubuki succeeds in capturing the stereotypical "gamer" role with her reclusive nature, and overall clumsiness outside of gaming. The enigmatic Mr. Mystery manages to take to the opposite end of the spectrum, with a totally off the wall look that resembles a cross between a pro-wrestler, and a reject bodybuilder, with a zoning permit-requiring package thrown in for good measure. The background cast manages to keep the feel that the main characters have built, while also contributing to the overall atmosphere in its peculiar way. A large percentage of the characters in the background are humorous parodies of famed gaming characters in the past. It is not uncommon to notice pimps, yoga masters, and "manimals" (human/animal hybrids) sharing filler space. While somewhat absurd, the use of overly wacky characters outside of the major cast seems to contribute to the overall feel of the series, rather than serving as a detriment.

Being an OVA, Arcade Gamer Fubuki has gained the benefit of a higher design budget and overall higher-quality animation than the standard animated series. The series itself features smooth, clean animation with no visible "hiccups" in its overall presentation. The show manages to retain its overall quality even when the scene transitions into the "16-bit" sections. However, the most pleasing visual treat seems to be an excellently choreographed Dance Dance Revolution homage in the second episode. The piece, which runs for around one minute and thirty seconds, is a rarity in itself: a pleasing dance piece that is almost completely uninterrupted. CG effects are creatively used to integrate actual game footage from classic Sega titles into the series at several points. Every fan favorite arcade title from Fantasy Zone to Virtua Fighter 4 makes an appearance over the course of the show's four episodes, which is sure to please nostalgia buffs.

Musically, Fubuki manages to be both creative and fitting at the same time. The bouncy opening song "Thunder of P.P," manages to capture the lighthearted feel of the series quite well, even if it seems to go overboard on the sweetness. Throughout most of the show, the background music is comprised of different versions of the main theme. However, there are several creative uses of MIDI-styled tunes that are peppered through the show that solidify the "gaming" atmosphere.

On the acting side, Fubuki's cast seems be split in terms of quality. The Japanese actors play their parts to their fullest, the most notable being Fubuki (Sakura Nogawa) and Mr. Mystery who share an oddly satisfying chemistry between each other. The English cast is, for the most part, quite entertaining on the whole. However, the voice of Hanako is too far off-pitch, and can be quite grating.

For the DVD release, Central Park Media tried to give Fubuki the best possible treatment possible, but had to make certain aspects suffer to do so. The disc is loaded to the gills with extras that range from the standard textless opening and art galleries to original interviews with Sakura Nogawa and extras ripped straight from the original release.Unfortunately, in doing so, the video quality suffered a bit, leading to extreme cases of cross-coloration in several scenes.

Arcade Gamer Fubuki is a strange beast, indeed. For the gaming community, it will prove to be a satisfying experience that is great for a few quick laughs. However, for those less inclined to gaming, the series may be better suited to a rental.

Distributor: Central Park Media
Creator: Emotion
Released: 2002-2003

Plot: A-
Character Design: A
Animation Quality: A-
Music: B
Overall: A-