Lucky Star is an anime that was based on a four-panel comic strip manga by Kagami Yoshimizu. Kyoto Animation, best known for its previous work before this show, The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, produced the anime. Like any other four-panel comic strips, it has no ongoing plot and typically focuses on the daily lives of the characters.
The anime is about the daily lives of four schoolgirls starting in their second year in high school. The girls are, Konata Izumi, the athletic, short one and prefers watching anime and reading manga than studying, Kagami Hiiragi, also known as Kagamin she is Tsukasa’s older fraternal sister and the one who is responsible in the core cast, Tsukasa Hiiragi, the airheaded younger fraternal sister of Kagami. In addition, Miyuki Takara, the one who wears glasses, smart, well-mannerd and comes from a rich family. As the series progressed, we are introduced to the freshemen students of the school and Kagami’s two other classmates.
Along with this main storyline, there is a short segment called, Lucky Channel that stars Akira Kogami, a girl who wears clothing not fit for her size and has been in show business since she was a kid. She is also known for abusing Minoru Shirashi. Minoru is her assistant and a newcomer in the industry and he is almost 30 years of age.
On to the review, if I would describe this show, Lucky Star as the Azumanga Daioh for otakus. I mean, with a dozen of manga, anime and tokusatsu references, newer anime fans might get lost in this show and will find it pointless. The humor of this show depends on your amount of anime programming and some tokusatsu programming you have watched especially the older titles, *Cough* Cat’s Eye and Kamen Rider Super-1 *Cough*.
However, for those who are new to anime and you decided to watch this, you will not be left out in terms of humor. You will really love Konata’s jokes about Miyuki’s character and the Lucky Channel segment!
The Lucky Channel segment is the saving grace to newer anime fans. It’s independent from the main anime and comments on new characters, see Akira harassing Minoru, talk about internet sub-culture, name it! Aside from that, Lucky Star later developed its own storyline. I will not spoil it to you but you will really, really love it.
One of the best features of this show is the ending segment. Too bad, the live-action ending segments were removed when I watched it on free TV here in the Philippines. Seriously, Shikaider’s Song by Minoru Shirashi is epic along with Shirashi singing, Hare Hare Yukai and Mikuru Transforms! And Fights! both songs from The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya.
Overall, this is a must recommend for older anime fans who wants something refreshing. If you are just starting in anime, skip it first, and once you think you are ready to get crazy with Lucky Star, go!