Mawaru Penguindrum ~ I never amounted to anything

Penguins, Apples, Turtles ... this show had it all.

I haven’t posted anything about Mawaru Penguin Drum in a while, so some might have wondered if I dropped it. No. I have been eagerly watching each week, but found myself perennially at a loss for words.

Normally, especially for a series that I enjoyed as much as I enjoyed this one, this post would be my “Final Thoughts”. I would be summing up what I thought about it, and telling you why I think you should watch it, or at least who might enjoy it the most. But with Mawaru Penguin Drum, I am by no means ready to express “Final” thoughts. I strongly feel the desire to go back and watch the series over from the beginning. In fact this, I think is key to understanding the experience of watching Mawaru Penguin Drum.

Mawaru PenguinDrum 18 ~ maybe she’ll love me even more for the pitiful child I am

The bird cage rusted shut that day.

Episode 18 of Mawaru Penguin Drum continues the nearly unbroken string of impossibly brilliant artistic experiences this show has presented us. I said, when commenting on the first episode that this show has the potential to challenge my favorite series of all time. Somehow Kunihiko Ikuhara delivers a mind bending experience week after week. Not only is the subtext intense and frankly disturbing, the presentation is often visually stunning, and the whole thing is suffused in symbolism.

This week the focus is on Tabuki, but there is so much more that it is really worth remarking upon. Justin does a great job of collecting links to the various perspectives people have offered through blog posts, so I would urge you to stop by his blog and see where things take you.

Mawaru Penguin Drum 15 ~ ugly children are loved by no one

This episode takes another deranged look into what passes for love.

Mawaru Penguin Drum continues to impress. Episode 15 continues to jerk the audience around, setting up and ripping down expectations about plot and character. In addition we get our first real glimpse of Momoka, and it certainly wasn’t what I was expecting; then again nothing is quite what I expected in the world of the Penguin Drum.

Mawaru Penguin Drum 13 ~ that day our ordinary life was stripped from us

I really love the visual treatment of this scene.

The second course of Mawaru Penguin Drum starts off in a very somber mood. In episode 13, the revelations continue, something is given, and something is taken. The punishment of the Takakura family is unabated.

Mawaru Penguin Drum 12 ~ fate is laughing at us

Wishing you were here! Kenzan Takakura and co-workers (and penguins).

Mawaru Penguin Drum continues to astound. 12 episodes in and we are still getting bizarre revelations that make us question what the exact nature of this show really is. The big shock we were expecting was Shouma’s explanation of why he feels responsible for Momoka’s death. We got that and so much more!

Mawaru Penguin Drum 11 ~ Cry, monkey bitch

Women who paint are hot as hell.

Just some quick comments on the latest stunning episode of Mawaru Penguin Drum.

Mawaru Penguin Drum 10 ~ pigeon’s blood

The good news, for Shouma fans, is that he is still alive. However ...

Episode 10 of Mawaru Penguin Drum returns to the events following the tearing of the diary. Shou is still in danger, but in an unexpected way. Kanba is serenaded and receives some gifts. The dark penguin makes its move. Also, a new agent appears, with his own survival strategy.

Mawaru Penguin Drum 9 ~ this is the story of you

That book doesn't appear to be in our database.

Welcome to the most brilliant and disturbing episode of Mawaru PenguinDrum yet! While surreal, and denying easy resolution to a specific meaning, episode 9 has added weight to theories that tie the story to the 1995 Aum Shinrikyo sarin attacks. We also learn the shocking identities of the two other women shown with Himari in the ED. Truthfully this episode is packed with imagery that seems to demand meaning, without providing it.

Mawaru Penguin Drum 7 ~ date night

Ringo heads out on a date with Tabuki.

Episode 7 of Mawaru Penguin Drum is full of Ringo’s delusions. She is, after all a girl who has grabbed fate by the horns and is actively wrestling it to the ground. Unfortunately for Shouma, he seems to have gotten in the path as Ringo’s crazy train comes barreling through.

Mawaru Penguin Drum 6 ~ enter the black penguin

Oh, accursed fate!

This was a great episode of Mawaru Penguin Drum, both for throwing yet more crazy stuff at us, and for revealing some of what had been hidden. We now have some interesting answers, and, of course, a bunch of new questions.