Back to JVskunkape's Profile JVskunkape's Profile

Right, looking at the previous reviews of this I decided someone needed to finally make this review. I hope I will be able to communicate why I believe this more positive review of this series needed to made.

Not only is every other review super preliminary (most having only seen the first handful of eps) after reading some it's quite clear many of these reviewers don't understand what this series is at all.

Dragon Ball Heroes is a long standing Japanese exclusive arcade game, and this series is essentially an animated PV series for that game. Not only do they mention this and show the arcade machines ... and cards before and after every episode, but every character and plot line we follow often matches up entirely with the games latest cards, updates and expansions.

I think some confusion around this series arose as it came off the back of the immensely popular (yet also divisive) revitalisation of DB; Dragon Ball Super. With Super also in the name of this series, I'm certain peoples views and experiences of DBS certainly shaped how a lot of people viewed this series. Super Dragon Ball Heroes and Dragon Ball Super are entirely different beasts, and cannot be judged to the same standard.

Dragon Ball Heroes is a great game for all hardcore DB fans, that's how it's lasted all these years, they know exactly what the fans want and consistently give them official works of long desired things. SSJ3 Trunks, SSJ4 Vegito, Great Ape Broly these are things we would NEVER see in a official capacity without Heroes. It is and always has been a fanservice heavy DB fanfictors wet dream. And this anime SDBH is just that too.

What you are watching is essentially an advert, SDBH is great for what it is, but ofc what it is, is nothing special. Promotional material for a game for the most hardcore of DB fans, if you have no interest in Dragon Ball Heroes (the game) or diving heavy into the DB fandom this is ofc not for you.

If you understand what you're getting into there's a lot to like here. The original VAs, getting excited for the games new content & seeing heroes specific content animated that has previously been only in trading cards and (sometimes region locked) video games.

The excitement of wondering what will they include/show next? This is Heroes, anything could happen. SSJ3 Veku? Janembuu? Ultra Ego Trunks? (none of these likely ofc, just spit-balling, the whole point you have no idea what's coming, but it's gonna be some cool DB shit that you likely wanna see!). If not then why are you watching? That's who this series is for, the people who this does excite and who wanna see this stuff. This is my entire point in this review.

I believe if there was a clearer understanding of what this series is and who it is for, there would be less of a negative reception. This does not and never will have the mass appeal of a show like Dragon Ball Super. But if you are bordering on DB superfan you will look forward to these episodes as and when they are available.

The best part of cat soup was when he crapped in the ocean, some fish ate it and then those fish were caught by a pig and proceed into their own little animation segment.

This anime also confirms then denies the flat earth theory.

Although I left this OVA as a general positive experience I would also say I was slightly let down and underwhelmed, maybe because I had heard it's praises sung so high. You can look at other reviews and opinions of it to see what I mean. It's definitely not however at the other end of the spectrum, I wouldn't call cat soup a ... masterpiece but it's definitely worth a watch. Approaching Halloween it's possibly even one of the best topical anime you could stick on right now.

There are some depictions which can be considered sensitive such as violence towards animals & unprovoked violence. I get that they can easily be written off however as they take place within this world and anime which are so absurd that they needn't explain themselves or indeed anything that is depicted. I just thought this was worth noting as someone almost entirely desensitised to violence when humanity is involved, I still find seeing violence towards animals upsetting. If however you can get past the initial discomfort it may cause, it's not exactly a core theme of the OVA. Although there are occasional graphic, maybe even "spooky" elements it's primarily just absurdity with a dash of shock value.

Cat Soup's main strengths are definitely in it's art, animation & sound which all compliment each other nicely too.

I'm settling on a 7/10, not gonna change your life, but definitely worth a watch & certainly for a spooky season anime this Halloween!

I went into this anime expecting a lot less than I walked away with. Don't let it's current low MAL score fool you as it initially fooled me, this anime may well be worth your time (the 50 minutes it would take to watch the entire series).
Now I admit I am probably this show's exact target demographic, while I no longer play Onigiri, there was a time when I was quite active and really into the game. I really like the characters, art style & general tone of the show. The style of comedy they went for fits the game and it's characters so ... well.
I do have to dock some points for sound unfortunately as although I really liked the OP, I couldn't get over how they play these battle sound effects over it essentially drowning out their own quality OP and ruining the experience, it really used to grind my gears every watch. But that is my main and possibly only criticism of the series. I think past reviews have been far too harsh on this show and not simply judged it for what it is.
There's no semblance of a cohesive story, but there doesn't need or try to be. What it sets out to do (provide fan service for existing fans, potentially attract more fans and generate interest in the game & entertain for a whopping 4 minutes at a time) it does very well. I had a very good time with the series and found myself having at least one good laugh per 4 minute episode, usually more. My favourite episodes were 8 & 9 so try to make it to at least there before making your mind up on the series, I've seen many people give up on this show early and I can easily see the OP sound blunder putting people off from the get go.
I give this series a solid 8/10, a must watch for fans of the game, and worth a shot for everyone! With it's extremely low time investment, you can easily squeeze in eps wherever you have a spare 5 minutes.
(let me know if you enjoyed my review, the first one I've ever written :P)