The Charge

All things must pass. It was about time this did.

The Case

As I approach thirty, I find the old cliché holds true: the more you know, the more you find that you know very little. One thing that continues to elude me is the appeal of All Purpose Cultural Cat Girl Nuku Nuku TV. After having the opportunity to review the first three volumes, I'm happy to see the Nuku Nuku saga conclude in All Purpose Cultural Cat Girl Nuku Nuku TV—Nine Lives (Vol. 4).

As in the first three volumes, Nuku Nuku is an Androbot with the brain of a cat sent to high school. Her creator, Kyusaka Natusume, charged his son, Ryunosuke, to guide Nuku Nuku and ensure she never reveals her identity as a robot. Nuku Nuku battles the rogue creations of Mishima Industry (AKA the subtly named Black Industry) about once an episode. Nuku Nuku is nothing if not terminally routine.

Nine Lives (Vol. 4) carries its storyline to an explosive conclusion. Prior to the finale, Nuku Nuku finds love and finds herself in an anatomical bind. The episodes in this volume run as follows:

• Episode 1: Nuku Nuku in Love. Who Is Her Valentine?
When the richest girl in school buys up the entire city's chocolate, Nuku Nuku has to find a way to let her secret valentine know she's got eyes for him.

• Episode 2: Diary of Nuku Nuku's Youth! All-Purpose Cultural Musical!
Nuku Nuku's class celebrates their graduation by filming a musical. Later, they decide to kick back at some hot springs. Sadly, Nuku Nuku, being a robot and all, lacks the equipment to sweat. What's a cat girl to do? This episode solicited a few laughs and is the strongest episode yet, but retains its formula to its detriment.

• Special 2: Nuku Nuku Forever! We Won't Forget Your Smile!
A cat-shaped asteroid (a casteroid) is headed straight for earth! Nuku Nuku learns the meaning of what it is to be human as she makes the ultimate sacrifice—or does she? The final special comes to an emotional conclusion, only to undermine its strength with bad humor. The potential to be the show's best outing is horribly squandered.

Mind numbing and dull, this series could have ended on a high note. Instead it opted for cheap laughs and overplayed slapstick. Very little is actually funny in this comedy. The acting is laughable, albeit unintentionally so. Maybe it is age. Maybe it is taste. Whatever the case may be, All Purpose Cultural Cat Girl Nuku Nuku TV—Nine Lives (Vol. 4) is not for me.

As noted in my earlier reviews, the video transfer alternates between fuzzy and sharp. The picture inconsistency only adds to the overall unpleasant experience that is this DVD. Thankfully, everything sounded fine. Special features include the usual clean opening/closing credits and previews. Also included is an interview with Nuku Nuku actress Alison Keith. It's always interesting to see the people that play these characters, but that's about the only thing of interest in this talking-head interview.

All Purpose Cultural Cat Girl Nuku Nuku TV—Nine Lives (Vol. 4) is a cat-astrophe. Avoid.

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