Haruru 🫧

Poketaki having fun during recovery ^^

chibi keroro and chibi giroro plushies (cube)

I was going back and forth on whether to address this at all but it’s sticking in my mind too much to ignore, so let’s address the elephant in the room: some members of the general public have now seen the new movie for the first time as part of an early preview screening event, meaning the very earliest reviews are available. I’m not going to do a formal report on the event like I have done for previous movie PR events because most of the news reports are about ano/Jesse/Shinobu Hasegawa messing around at the stage greeting and while they’re swell talents and all, I assume the celebrity guest stars aren’t why my audience of mostly non-Japanese Keroro Gunso fans are interested so it’s not relevant enough to go over. I just want to talk about viewers’ impressions from social media because they were…kind of all over the place. “Divisive” is probably gonna be the number one word people use to describe this movie. I’m sure you guys have time to read this, it’s not like there’s any other heavily polarizing finales to popular franchises that too many strongly opinionated fans saw early that came out today, right?

If you want to go into the movie with zero expectations whatsoever you should probably skip this post, but I won’t spoil anything specific, so don’t worry about that, though I have seen a few spoilers—frankly I’ve just given up in advance on avoiding them, I do too much coverage to spend however many months trying to maneuver around them until we have access to the movie outside Japan. If you like to browse twitter for fanart and such and are still trying to avoid movie spoilers for potentially half a year or more, good luck lol.

Good news first, a few shared points were pretty universally positive even among those who didn’t like the movie as a whole:

The animation is high quality, much better than the older movies (makes sense, it’s been 16 years). Many people praised the fight scenes.

The character designs and art direction are very cute.

The returning characters sound just like they used to with the only exception I’ve heard so far being Jouji Nakata sounds a little aged (not surprised about this either). Every classic character gets a moment to shine and is largely in-character compared to previous installments.

Aruru and Deruru are seemingly the highlights when it comes to the actual story; even some who didn’t like the rest of the script say they’re pretty good characters. Jesse’s performance in both roles is impressive.

And now for the negatives—or, well, it’s really just one big negative that looms over the whole film. Although whether or not it’s even a negative is very subjective. But I will say the people who took the most issue with it were the diehard Keroro fans in the audience, which is why I think it’s worth discussing because…the audience of this blog is presumably diehard Keroro fans. So here’s the big catch:

Supposedly all the big jokes and setpieces involve very ham-fisted parodies. No shit Sherlock, it’s a movie from the series that brought you Trying to Sell Gundam To Children for 350+ Episodes: The Show. Okay but when you think about the parodies in Keroro, outside of the anime’s Gundam advertisements, they tend to be more subtle/not spell the reference out to you. If you get it you get it, if you don’t it’s still funny because the characters are inherently entertaining enough that they can do just about anything and be endearing. And to an extent that last part is still true about this movie based on impressions from both those who enjoyed it and the naysayers, the problem is that the parodies themselves allegedly drive the progression rather than the other way around. And while some of the works parodied are popular enough that much of the general audience with even minimal experience with anime will recognize them, several parodies are there presumably just because Fukuda worked on the source material or personally knows/likes specific actors. And because the scenes are themed around the parodies, some of them might distract from the existing characters/story and arguably overstay their welcome. So if you’re out of the loop, it might be a bit difficult to follow big chunks of the film.

In other words, the main complaint from some (keyword: SOME, but they were very vocal) Keroro fans was that it felt like a Yuichi Fukuda movie first and a Keroro movie second. Not that it didn’t have elements of the other Keroro movies—the ensemble cast still gets to save the world, there’s still power of love and friendship scenes, etc.—and even a few people who were disappointed in the over-reliance on parody felt those elements were present enough. But the ratio of heartfelt to gag seems to be quite a bit more on the gag side compared to movies 1–5. Allegedly there’s some continuity mismatches as well but it’s literally been 16 years it’s reasonable to not expect it to be perfect in that regard especially since the anime contradicted itself and the manga several times over.

You might be saying to yourself “people are just whining because it’s different and they think different = bad” and uh. Well you’re not wrong really that actually is pretty much the entire complaint. Because the people who were new to KG and/or are only casual fans—or came more for the celebrity guests than the series itself—largely had a great time, especially if they got the jokes, and the movie was apparently very newcomer- friendly wrt introducing the Keroro elements. Many in attendance have said that the theater was filled with laughter almost the entire time. But I also sympathize with the “it’s too different” perspective because people who feel strongly about maintaining the spirit of the older material aren’t really getting that here. If this was an annual movie franchise still like Doraemon I don’t think one movie that didn’t meet longtime fans’ expectations would be that big of a deal, but not only is it the first Keroro movie in over a decade, it’s also the last adaptation period featuring the beloved original voice cast, so some feel insulted that a movie by a sorta self-aggrandizing screenwriter is their swan song.

I will say I saw this coming to an extent because ever since Fukuda was announced as the director people were discussing this outcome being a possibility. I think Bandai Namco’s rationale in choosing him is that the series is too old/has been dormant too long for it to do well if it were to only appeal to existing fans, and Fukuda’s live-action adaptations do well financially even when the reception is mixed, especially the Gintama films and the recent Sakamoto Days film. Based on the fact that the non-hardcore fan audience at the preview screening did like the movie, that might not have been a bad call. Of course, the movie isn’t out officially yet, and it’s still slightly too early to start tracking presales (a box office nerd friend told me two weeks before release is when it starts being indicative of anything). But I figure that regardless of how it performs the reactions are going to largely fall into the same two camps when a wider audience sees it, which is why I’m bothering making this post this early.

So here’s the tl;dr based on these early reviews/impressions: If you’re cool with a comedy movie where you may or may not get all the jokes depending on how much of an anime otaku you are and are just happy to see anything new with Keroro and crew doing wacky high-octane things in it, you’ll probably have a fun time. If you are a stickler for the style of movies 1-5 (or more serious parts of the show like the Garuru arc) and want that again except they have iPhones now, or are hoping for a big lore bombshell plot for the anniversary, you should probably recalibrate your expectations. (Disclaimer, I haven’t seen any spoilers about Aruru and Deruru’s supposed connection to the platoon that early marketing teased so there might be some lore/surprise fanservice that I haven’t heard about.) We’ll see what more people have to say after the second preview screening on the 16th and then when it hits theaters on the 26th, but at the end of the day I think this is gonna be a YMMV movie to the max, so don’t take anyone else’s word for it 100%. I just wanted to give a heads-up on what to expect now that the opinions are out there, and I’ll probably revisit this when it does become accessible overseas.

And here’s new song number two! The fifth rendition of the classic first opening theme! Now sung by ano and Soshina with a remastered marching band arrangement.

For the translation, I did play with the words a bit to try to squeeze some rhymes in especially since the song is supposed to be funny. In case you want to check the lyrics in Japanese yourself, you can find them here. Dedicated fans will notice lines from multiple older versions of the song mixed in with the new lyrics! I’ll also leave a couple of translation notes at the end since there’s some lines that require a bit more context.

Three, two, one… Fire!!

Kero! Kero! Kero! Invade the Earth for the first time in a while Ke-kero kero! When I remember to bring my umbrella, it’s sunny for miles

“Hey there!! We’re back in action for a bit!!” The rice is finished cooking, but the curry is burnt

They had no more stock of the clothes I want to buy I can’t pay on my phone ’cuz my balance is dry Keron’s also fun for newlyweds But it would’ve been cheaper just to buy dinner instead

Ano! Ano! Ano! Launch our attack from atop a conveyor belt A-Ano Ano! A drop of ramen splattered on me the day I wore a white shirt

“All troops, attention…right! No, left!!” I want to be hated, but it turns out I’m beloved “Being popular is a pain!”

I don’t really need this, but I can’t throw it away Even if someone else wants it, I don’t wanna say goodbye Oh, Keron, air out all of your complaints Everything’s so manufactured, space and time have gone awry

“Soshina here! Here I go!” Freakin’ hot blood courses through our body parts A fighting spirit’s carved into our hearts Bring home the victory forevermore, we are Planet Keron Freakin’ hot blood courses through our body parts A fighting spirit’s carved into our hearts Bring home the victory forevermore, for our precious planet! We are Planet Keron!

“All troops… Sorry, but don’t stop moving!!!” “Uuugh! What the hell was that?!”

Gero! Gero! Gero! Shout to the heavens! A war cry louder than a yawn Ge-gero gero! I rushed to get the phone, but when I picked it up, it was just a robocall

“From today on, the Reiwa Era shall be the Keroro Era!!” I’m waiting out the rain with a rain-go-away doll

Sparkling stars, spilled food like stardust, five stars I see If you’re making fish broth, use those tiny dried sardines Keron is the best planet in space, maybe Ah, five minutes from the station is actually fifteen!!

Well then, soldier, that’s a job well done!!

Kero kero! Kero! Ke— Ano!! “That wasn’t it…” “You ruined it!”

Kero!!!

As hinted, I'm providing translyrics for both the new movie songs now that they're out in full! the new Kero to March will come soon, but I'd like to start with the brand-new song, "Destiny Lent Out," because it kinda makes me feel more things :V In-universe, I think it's most emblematic of Keroro himself as a character, but ano said she wrote the lyrics to capture the nostalgia of the series coming back after so many years in a new era, yet still feeling much the same as before.

It's been quite a while since I've done song lyrics, and it's difficult to make this song rhyme or flow well in English, but I hope you enjoy! (If you know Japanese and want to evaluate them yourself, the original lyrics are here.)

(Love yourself! Baby good ☆) (Love yourself! Baby good ☆)

Gimme back my comics! (x2) Gimme back my comics! (x2) Gimme back my comics! (x2) Gimme back my comics! (x2)

It’s another brand new day to spend causing a commotion, busy as can be No matter what anybody says, I’ll project a ton of love through telepathy I know about all of my flaws, I know about all of my faults In fact, I know ’em better than anyone But some of my weaknesses have turned into my strengths And you’re the one who changed them

All I do is catch some Z’s, and everyone hates me Could it be society...revolves around me?

I’m not self-centered, no way I’ve just got lots of self-love Ah, I think I realized something: It’s the world that’s all screwed up

What you gave me that day was destiny I’ll tell you this now, as a special treat: I hope our days together filled with laughter keep going on Falling down and crying and puking and getting up There’s not a single moment I forgot So I’ll tell you this now, no matter how much it embarrasses me: When’ll you return those comics I lent you, huh?

Gimme back my comics! (x2) Gimme back my comics! (x2) Gimme back my comics! (x2) Gimme back my comics! (x2)

I keep saying that, but I know it’s bad, bad Failure of a human being, full of self-loathing I hate myself, hate, hate, hate, hate How am I supposed to fix this thing?

Oops, was what I just said kinda weird? Ugh, I can’t, I just want to disappear That’s right, I left a pudding in the fridge Well, forget about eating it now

I’ll just do it tomorrow, whatever it is I’ll just live the way I want And the world better roll with it

Hey, what page are you on now? It didn’t slip your mind, did it? Hey, what are you doing now? Say, what do you think about me? Hey, what volume are you on? You didn’t lose them, did you? Are you always remembering me? Memories alone aren’t enough, though

What you gave me that day was destiny I’ll tell you this now, as a special treat: I hope our days together filled with laughter keep coming back Smiling and hugging and burning with jealousy There’s not a single moment that I forgot So I’ll tell you this now, no matter how much it embarrasses me: When’ll you return those comics I lent you, huh?

Gimme back my comics! (x2) Gimme back my comics! (x2) Gimme back my comics! (x2)

Gimme back my comics! (x2) Gimme back my comics! (x2) Give ’em back! Gimme back my comics!

Promise me that you won’t forget, ’kay?

What you gave me that day was destiny I’ll tell you this now, as a special treat: I hope our days together filled with laughter keep going on Falling down and crying and puking and getting up There’s not a single moment I forgot So I’ll tell you this now, no matter how much it embarrasses me: When’ll you return those comics I lent you, huh?

Both Movie 6 theme songs are now on streaming! They are region-locked, so you will need a VPN to stream them on YouTube and you’ll need a Japan-region account to access them on Apple, Spotify etc. (The upload time is a bit deceptive, they were only just made accessible half an hour ago at time of writing.) UPDATE: The region lock has been removed! Enjoy them on the mainstream streaming platform of your choice.

Apparently these are the official titles in English for the songs. I was almost right with Kashippanashi Destiny, I just got the order backwards xD but the title of “KERORO MARCH RETURNS” frankly kind of baffles me since…that’s the name of the 2007 version/season 4 first opening…an actual correct translation would say “returns again.” Oh well.

… Yeah ‘aight!

plush banks (popy)

In a surprisingly short-notice announcement, it’s been revealed that both “Mata Kaettekita Kero! to March” and “Kashippanashi Destiny,” ano’s theme songs for the new Keroro movie, will be released digitally on streaming platforms on Wednesday, 6/3 at midnight JST! That’s just two days away!

The streaming links are here: https://tf.lnk.to/ano_keroromovie

It will be available on YouTube Music, so I don’t think it will be hard to access outside of Japan even if it gets region locked on Spotify, Apple etc. (I’ve refused to pay for YouTube premium out of stubbornness but I guess this is when I should use that free trial haha.)