I have to warn you, the main character in Excel Saga dies in the first six minutes of the first episode - three times. That single fact sums up the attitude of this parody of parodies. Quack Experimental Anime Excel Saga is a new release by ADV that parodies popular Japanese media, from anime to dramas to video games.

The set-up is similar in each episode although the form changes. At the beginning, the creator gives permission to turn Excel Saga into the parody of something (he also disclaims any responsibility). The anime then proceeds with the parody. The plot framework is that Excel, a girl just out of high school, has joined the secret ideological organization of ACROSS led by Ilpalazzo (every time I see his name I think Lollapalooza). Their goal? Take over the city (the world is right out, because it's just too much work).

Excel is insane.

Excel, the show's beautiful, insane heroine who has the distinction of dying three times in the first six minutes.	Eventually, Excel is joined by Hyatt, a generally more competent operative who might have made a difference...if she weren't always on the verge of dying from some unknown debilitating disease.

By episode three, Excel is joined by Hyatt, a much more capable (and attractive) operative, but, unfortunately, she seems to constantly be on her death bed, hacking up blood and passing out. There are several other minor characters, but revealing them might spoil some of the fun.

The first disc contains five episodes, which is quite the bargain considering the DVD can be found for as low as $17.99. This collection of episodes spoof socially relevant dramas, space invasion shows, B-action films, and even dating sims.

Excel Saga is very funny, sometimes from the sheer comedy, sometimes from the outrageousness (check out the kids getting it on in the bushes on graduation day, episode 1), but oftentimes from the satire and parody. The satire pokes fun of the culture and its foibles, while the parody mocks the industry. The downside to this is that, as a foreigner to Japan, your enjoyment becomes directly related to your anime exposure and general knowledge of Japanese culture.

In other words, the greater the fan of Japan, the greater the enjoyment. However, ADV does a good job of ameliorating the conundrum of drawing in new viewers by using one of the subtitle tracks to do pop-up video type cultural notes during the show. Being a purist, the snobbish part of me thinks that those sorts of things detract from the show, but -- geez, they're fun. I have to admit looking forward to seeing the next pop-up and quizzing myself as to whether I already knew the info. Kudos to ADV for implementing this feature so well.

I did notice several instances where the parody represented shows licensed by other US distributors where the pop-up was conspicuously absent (a Saint Tail reference for one). Still, overall, the on-screen cultural notes are a major plus for the release.

The video image was very clear with no distortions or breakups that I could discern. The colors are quite vibrant, as should be expected since this is a relatively new show. The audio is quite good as well; explosions, gunshots, and Excel's incessant yammering are all perfectly clear. The opening song is actually quite catchy, while the closing is ... well, you have to see that for yourself.

The extras are pretty good. ADV considers the Vid-note cultural information to be an extra rather than a feature, so that is the major one on this disc. Otherwise, there are the usual assortment of production sketches, openings, closings, as well as a humorous ACROSS ID card.

The first disc in Excel Saga is truly a lot of fun. The manic pace may leave you a bit breathless (I had to take a break in viewing the episodes - no marathons here), but the ride is a trip. If you are a major otaku, do yourself a favor and pick this up; you'll be in giggle fits the whole time. If you don't know what an otaku is, you might want to wait until you're a little more up to speed.

Distributor: ADV
Creator: Victor Entertainment
Released: 1999

Video Quality: A
Audio Quality: A
Presentation: A
Content: B+
Overall: A-