Maken-Ki! Battling Venus

About Maken-Ki! Battling Venus

If you are hunting for a new action series, Maken-Ki! Battling Venus (マケン姫っ！) deserves a look (2011). The setup goes like this. The premise: Based on the manga series by Hiromitsu Takeda, this romantic comedy is about Takeru Ohyama, a typical perverted teenage boy. His new school doesn't require entrance exams, and it just turned co-ed!

Another thread: Unfortunately, his dreams of a happy high school life are dashed when he comes across out the school is much more than it seems. All of the students wield a special item—a Maken—to unleash their magical abilities in duels! Can Takeru find a Maken that works for him?

As an action title, fight choreography, pacing and sound design carry much of the weight. Voice work is led by Tomoaki Maeno as Takeru Ooyama and Noriko Shitaya as Haruko Amaya. This one is best suited to viewers who like fast, high-impact fights. At 12 episodes in total, it is easy to plan a viewing schedule.

Production & Appeal

Animation is handled by AIC and AIC Spirits, so the studio's house style defines how Maken-Ki! Battling Venus looks and moves on screen. The action focus matters here: fight choreography, pacing and sound design carry much of the weight. With a 5.8/10 score, it is more of a niche pick than a universal crowd-pleaser. Voice casting, including Tomoaki Maeno as Takeru Ooyama, adds to the appeal for fans who follow seiyuu. Released in 2011, it competed with that season's other new series for attention.