Hubbry Logo
Excel SagaExcel SagaMain
Open search
Excel Saga
Community hub
Excel Saga
logo
7 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Excel Saga
Excel Saga
Excel Saga
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Excel Saga
Cover of the first manga volume featuring Excel (center) and Lord Il Palazzo (left)
エクセル♥サーガ
(Ekuseru Sāga)
Genre
Manga
Written byKōshi Rikudō
Published byShōnen Gahosha
English publisher
ImprintYoung King Comics
MagazineYoung King OURs
Original run1996 – 2011
Volumes27 (List of volumes)
Anime television series
Directed byShinichi Watanabe
Produced by
  • Shigeru Kitayama
  • Michihisa Abe
  • Yuji Matsukura
Written byJigoku Gumi[a]
Music byToshio Masuda
StudioJ.C.Staff
Licensed by
Original networkTV Tokyo
English network
Original run October 7, 1999 – March 30, 2000
Episodes26 (List of episodes)
icon Anime and manga portal

Excel Saga (Japanese: エクセル♥サーガ, Hepburn: Ekuseru Sāga) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Kōshi Rikudō. It was serialized in Shōnen Gahōsha's seinen manga magazine Young King OURs from 1996 to 2011, and its individual chapters were collected and published in 27 tankōbon volumes . The series follows the attempts of Across, a "secret ideological organization", to conquer the city of Fukuoka as a first step towards world domination. The title character of the series, Excel, is a key member of the group who is working towards completing this goal, while the city is being defended by a shadowy government agency led by Dr. Kabapu.

The manga was adapted into an anime television series by Victor Entertainment, which was taglined Quack Experimental Animation (へっぽこ実験アニメーション, Heppoko Jikken Animēshon). Directed by Shinichi Watanabe and featuring animation from J.C.Staff, the series premiered on TV Tokyo in 1999. TV Tokyo only aired twenty-five of the series' twenty-six episodes, with the finale having been intentionally made too violent, obscene and long for broadcast on Japanese TV. As such, it was only included in the DVD release of the series, although it has since been broadcast in other markets.

The series has enjoyed some critical success coupled with respectable sales.

Plot

[edit]
Main article: List of Excel Saga characters

Believing the World to be corrupt, the secret organization Across plans to conquer the world. The first step in the plan for world domination is to begin by focusing on one city in order to minimize setbacks. Across consists of the leader of the organization, Il Palazzo, and his young adult officers: the enthusiastic and energetically devoted Excel and the soft-spoken Hyatt, who is prone to fainting and losing lots of blood at a time. Excel and Hyatt live in an apartment building in the city, along with their pet dog Menchi, who they have deemed their emergency food supply. Excel and Hyatt are later joined by a snobbish but equally clueless rival officer of Across named Elgala.

Living in the neighboring apartment are three guys: Iwata, Sumiyoshi and Watanabe, who along with apartment neighbor and co-worker Matsuya, work for the Department of City Security. The Department's leader, Dr. Kabapu, also has a grandiose plan on stopping Across; he has the City Security workers dress in Super Sentai-like uniforms and sends them on different missions. Supporting Kabapu is an inventor Gojo Shiouji who likes little girls, and his gynoid Ropponmatsu, who later is deployed as two models.

The series follows the daily interactions among the two groups. Il Palazzo would send the girls on their missions but the results are usually a failure with some explosive or catastrophic damage to the city. Kabapu would send the City Security workers on some equally ridiculous assignment which would also go wrong. Eventually Il Palazzo and Kabapu become aware of each other's manipulations and escalate their plans. Excel finds herself being replaced by an impersonator who heads the ILL Corporation. Massive amounts of money is spent on elections and politics. Eventually the members of Across begin making appeals directly to the City's citizens before Il Palazzo publicly declares the existence of Across and its intentions to the public. Hyatt is captured and Excel and Elgala are later held in an immigrant detention center before being rescued by Il Palazzo, who begins the new phase of his plans.

The anime adaptation introduces some original characters: immigrant worker turned wandering spirit Pedro; alien mascot-like creatures called Puchuu; and The Great Will of the Macrocosm, the last of whom occasionally resets the storyline. The anime director Shinichi Watanabe cameos as an afro-wearing guy named Nabeshin, and a caricature of the manga artist also makes appearances.

Production

[edit]

The series was created by Kōshi Rikudō and based on a doujinshi he had previously created while in high school named Municipal Force Daitenzin (市立戦隊ダイテンジン, Shiritsu Sentai Daitenjin). Excel Saga was created as an evolution of Daitenzin in order to develop the character of Excel, as well as to laugh off the vision of a depressed and pessimistic view of the world.[4][5] Excel Saga is set in Fukuoka City and the names of characters and organisations are derived from local locations and buildings.[6]

Victor Entertainment contacted Shōnen Gahōsha about adapting Excel Saga into an anime, and the two companies approached Rikdo. Shinichi Watanabe was chosen as director. Watanabe added his own alter ego, Nabeshin, and expanded several elements. He says that the Great Will in the manga was "conveyed just as words", and he himself developed its appearance, eventually settling on the "swirling, talking cosmos". He also increased Pedro's role in the story from a single frame in the manga. Watanabe says he was pleased with that aspect of his work, noting that "Pedro's situation was considered unsuitable for broadcast in Japan".[7] The anime production staff was given the freedom to do anything they wanted as long as they kept the theme of the series intact, and Rikdo requested they created a separate timeline; this departure from the original work was acknowledged in-story, with each episode opening with a caricature of Rikdo giving "Nabeshin" permission to diverge from the source material, hence the anime's "Quack Experimental" tagline. Rikdo would later become influenced by the anime series due to its quick broadcast in comparison to the monthly schedule of the manga.[4] The anime makes frequent use of parody and in-jokes as comedic devices, with each episode having a genre-based theme. This extends to the animation, with several characters designed in the style of other works, such as those by Leiji Matsumoto.[8] Kotono Mitsuishi was chosen to play the role of Excel, and Watanabe was impressed with Mitsuishi's rapid delivery of her lines, saying that "she really pushed herself to the limit and beyond". He also says, "at times she was too fast, and there was plenty of time left to match the lip-synch". In such cases, either he would add new material or Mitsuishi would ad-lib.[7] At first Rikdo felt stunned and uncomfortable at hearing Excel speak, but he called the casting "amazing" and was pleased to hear his favourite voice actors read lines from his work.[4]

Media

[edit]

Manga

[edit]
See also: List of Excel Saga chapters

The series began serialization in 1996 in Shōnen Gahōsha's seinen manga magazine Young King OURs and finished in August 2011.[9] The 183 individual chapters were collected in 27 tankōbon volumes by Shōnen Gahōsha from April 23, 1997, to October 29, 2011.[10][11] A 60-page one-shot was published in Young King OURs on December 28, 2021, to celebrate the series' 25th anniversary.[12]

Viz Media licensed Excel Saga for an English release in North America and the first volume was released on August 13, 2003.[13] Initially the series was published on an approximately bimonthly schedule, however the series had caught up with the Japanese release and the publishing schedule for volume 12 onwards was changed as a result.[14] Volume 27 was released on January 14, 2014.[15] The Viz edition includes a section called Oubliette, which consists of a sound effects guide and production and cultural notes.[6] The series is also licensed for regional language releases in France by Kabuto and in Italy by Dynit.[16][17]

Anime

[edit]
See also: List of Excel Saga episodes
Shinichi Watanabe dressed in the style of his 'Nabeshin' character

An anime adaption was produced by J.C.Staff and directed by Shinichi Watanabe. Twenty five episodes were broadcast on TV Tokyo between October 7, 1999, and March 30, 2000.[18] At the publisher's request, the anime series follows a different storyline from the manga, however Rikdo was pleased with the adaptation.[19] Victor Entertainment produced the music of the series, which was composed and arranged by Toshio Masuda and directed by Keiichi Nozaki. Director Shinichi Watanabe wrote the lyrics for the opening and closing themes,. The opening theme which were performed by Yumiko Kobayashi and Mikako Takahashi who were credited as The Excel♥Girls . The lyrics for the opening theme Love (Loyalty) (｢愛(忠誠心)｣, Ai (Chūseishin)) were written "on the train, five minutes before the deadline".[7] The closing theme was Menchi's Bolero of Sorrow (｢メンチの哀愁のボレロ｣, Menchi no Aishū no Borero) The two themes were released together as a CD single on November 3, 1999.[20]

A twenty-sixth episode, Going Too Far, was deliberately created to be too violent and obscene for broadcast in Japan and was instead included as a DVD bonus. Watanabe commented that it "felt good to go past the limits of a TV series", although he thinks it "is not something that you should do too often".[19] In Japan the series was released on 12 DVDs between March 1, 2000, and January 24, 2001.[21][22]

The series was licensed for an English language release in North America and the United Kingdom by ADV Films and in Australia and New Zealand by Madman Entertainment. The English adaptation initially starred Jessica Calvello, with Larissa Wolcott taking over the role after episode thirteen after Calvello had damaged her voice during production.[23] In North America, ADV released the series on six DVDs between June 11, 2002, and April 8, 2003.[24][25] A complete collection of the series was released on July 6, 2004, as Excel Saga - The Imperfect collection and re-released in different packaging on August 1, 2006, as Excel Saga - Complete Collection.[26][27] In the UK, the series was first released between May 19, 2003, and March 15, 2004.[28][29] A complete box set was later released as Excel Saga - Complete Box Set on July 2, 2007.[30] The UK license for the series expired in January 2008.[31] The series was broadcast on UK TV channel Rapture TV from January 2, 2007.[32]

On October 30, 2010, Excel Saga was re-licensed in North America by Funimation, who re-released the complete series to DVD on May 17, 2011.[33]

Soundtracks

[edit]

Several albums were released featuring music from the anime. (Excel Saga - Original Soundtrack Experiment 1 (エクセル・サーガ ― 大いなるサウンドトラック実験1)) was released on January 1, 2000.[34] The album was later released in North America on August 9, 2005.[35] This was followed in Japan by (Excel Saga - Original Soundtrack Experiment 2 (エクセル・サーガ ― 大いなるサウンドトラック実験2 おまけ 寸止め海峡)) on March 23, 2000.[36] A North American release followed on November 1, 2005.[35]

Reception

[edit]

Since its August 2003 release in North America, the manga has been among the 50 top-selling graphic novels on three occasions.[37][38][39]

The English-language reviews of the Excel Saga anime were broadly positive and enthusiastic. Mike Crandol of Anime News Network puts it in the same class as Airplane!, National Lampoon, Tex Avery, and Monty Python, adding that the "combination of character-based humor, outrageous slapstick farce, and a plot that is engaging if only for how weird it is make for a thoroughly enjoyable comedic experience".[8] A contrary opinion is expressed by Joel Pearce from DVD Verdict, who says the series is "occasionally clever and funny," but that "much of it is gratingly obnoxious".[40] Many reviewers express displeasure with middle and later episodes, saying they were "more of the same," that they had stale humor, that they were tiresome, or even painfully unfunny.[40][41][42] Episodes fourteen through sixteen, starring the Ropponmatsus, bear the brunt of this criticism, but several reviewers consider episode seventeen, Animation USA, to be one of the best.[40][42][43][44]

Reviewers also agree that the series suffers from too much filler in its later episodes, with Crandol describing the show as spinning its wheels.[45] Yegulalp reserves his harshest words for the unaired Going Too Far, calling it "pure, idiotic, wretched excess." He goes on to say that the episode has "the feeling of trying to deliberately enrage the audience by resorting to the only tactics left: genuinely offensive subject matter." Joel Cunningham at Digitally Obsessed disagrees, saying that the episode succeeds just in time, "with one of the series' funnier sight gags".[46]

The series generally receives high marks for technical aspects. Cunningham feels the animation is flat-out gorgeous, but Crandol considers it merely above average. In the latter's opinion, its quality wanes as the series progresses and increasingly relies on super-deforming the characters for comedic effect.[42][47] ADV's release earned praise for the quality of the video transfer and the DVD extras (particularly the Vid-Notes).[8][46] Reviewers especially appreciated the English voice acting: Crandol calls it brilliant, and several note that Calvello and Wolcott were each able to capture Mitsuishi's Excel.[8][42][44] Pearce, in contrast, found the English cast to be pretty bad and its Excel to be "dental drill shrill".[40]

Akadot's reviewer of the manga writes that "some of the strange events go on a little too long and do not have the impact that they do animated," but that Rikdo's Excel Saga is "graced with fantastic visuals and a hilarious story," and that the English edition is "a masterpiece of the translator's skill."[48] Barb Lien-Cooper from Comic World News concurs that the manga cannot keep pace with the anime, but she finds Excel herself to be wittier in the manga and that the manga's plots make more sense than the anime's.[49] A reviewer of the French edition also praises Rikdo's work, noting that it is an "...easy read without problems of clarity".[50]

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Excel Saga

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Excel Saga is a Japanese series written and illustrated by Kōshi Rikudō, serialized in Shōnen Gahōsha's magazine from September 1996 to August 2011, with its chapters collected into 27 volumes. The story centers on the secret organization ACROSS, led by the megalomaniacal Il Palazzo, which seeks to conquer the city of Fukuoka as the first step toward global domination; its primary agents, the hyperactive Excel and the perpetually ailing , engage in absurd schemes while clashing with the Department of City Safety, a government bureau dedicated to thwarting such threats. The series is renowned for its satirical take on tropes, pop culture, politics, and everyday life in , often escalating into over-the-top parodies that blend , action, and . An anime adaptation, titled Heppoko Jikken Animation Excel Saga, was produced by and directed by , airing on from October 1999 to March 2000 for a total of 26 episodes. The anime largely follows the manga's early arcs but introduces original elements, such as the alien Puchuu creatures and the ghostly Pedro, while amplifying the parody through stylistic shifts across genres like , horror, and romance in individual episodes. It features by talents including as Excel and Ōmi Minami as , with theme songs like the opening "Ai (Chūseishin)" by the Excel Girls. Excel Saga gained a for its boundary-pushing humor and meta-commentary, influencing later works in the parody genre, and has been licensed internationally, including English releases by starting in 2003. The manga's conclusion in 2011 wrapped up long-running plotlines involving ACROSS's escalating ambitions and the personal backstories of its characters, cementing its status as a landmark in seinen comedy .

Premise and style

Plot summary

Excel Saga centers on the secret organization ACROSS, led by the enigmatic Il Palazzo, which seeks to conquer the city of Fukuoka as the initial step in a grand plan for world domination. This ambition is opposed by the Department of City Security, a municipal agency headed by the authoritative Dr. Kabapu, whose agents work to maintain order and thwart ACROSS's schemes. The core narrative follows the recruitment of agents Excel and , two enthusiastic young women who undertake a series of comically inept missions to infiltrate and subvert Fukuoka society. These efforts involve elaborate disguises, confrontations with mecha and androids, and increasingly absurd plots that frequently backfire due to the agents' inexperience and external interference. As the story progresses, the conflict escalates from covert operations to overt attempts at public takeover, incorporating political maneuvering and alliances with unexpected factions. Major arcs highlight the evolving chaos: early chapters emphasize comedic infiltration tactics amid everyday city life, while mid-series developments introduce rival groups whose plans complicate ACROSS's schemes. The storyline builds to a climax featuring Il Palazzo's bold city-wide declaration of conquest, blending high-stakes action with satirical exaggeration. The anime adaptation largely follows the 's outline but incorporates original elements, such as the recurring role of , a hapless immigrant worker who becomes Excel's devoted pet after a tragic , adding layers of absurd domestic humor to the agents' exploits.

Themes and parody elements

Excel Saga extensively parodies genres, with a particular focus on series through exaggerated depictions of robot battles and sci-fi tropes, such as spoofs of and . It also satirizes shows by lampooning team-based hero dynamics and over-the-top action sequences between rival organizations. Office comedies are targeted via the bureaucratic inefficiencies and workplace rivalries in the story's dual factions, highlighting absurd administrative hurdles in urban settings. The series incorporates meta elements, including frequent fourth-wall breaks and that mocks production processes, such as episodes imitating TV or abrupt shifts. These techniques emphasize the artificiality of narrative conventions, with the manga's author granting explicit permission for deviations in each installment, underscoring the experimental nature of the adaptation. Central themes revolve around the absurdity of and power, exemplified by the grandiose yet comically incompetent objectives of the antagonistic group ACROSS, which underscores the futility of megalomaniacal ambitions. The work critiques urban , drawing from real-life administrative issues in Fukuoka—referred to as "F City"—where characters and locations are named after local hotels and landmarks to satirize city planning and . is explored through repeated comedic failures, portraying unwavering devotion amid chaos and incompetence. Over its run, the manga's style evolves from straightforward parodies in early chapters to more experimental formats in later volumes, incorporating one-shot stories and direct format parodies that push boundaries of narrative structure.

Characters

Main characters

Excel is the energetic and titular protagonist of Excel Saga, serving as a dedicated agent of the secretive organization ACROSS, whose goal is to conquer Fukuoka City as a stepping stone to . She balances her covert missions with menial minimum-wage jobs, displaying dog-like loyalty to her leader Il Palazzo through enthusiastic, often bilingual rants and relentless determination, despite frequently sustaining comedic injuries during her chaotic endeavors. Hyatt serves as Excel's calm and composed partner in ACROSS, providing a stark contrast to Excel's hyperactivity as a sickly yet resilient operative with regenerative abilities stemming from experimental enhancements. Her subtle romantic tension with Excel underscores their dynamic, while her anemic condition—manifesting in frequent bouts of weakness—adds layers to her role in the organization's faltering schemes. Il Palazzo is the enigmatic and obsessive leader of ACROSS, harboring grand visions of global domination to "save" humanity from itself, yet operating from a dilapidated with limited resources. Portrayed as dignified and dreamy, he often ignores the impractical realities of his plans. Dr. Kabapu leads the opposing Department of , embodying patriotic fervor as a bureaucratic defender of Fukuoka who deploys administrative tactics, summons, and extreme measures to thwart ACROSS's incursions. His inscrutable authority and mustache-adorned presence symbolize institutional resistance against the invaders' absurdity. Kōshi Rikudō's character designs emphasize exaggerated, chibi-influenced proportions and highly expressive faces to heighten comedic effect, with attire and details drawing inspiration from Fukuoka's for a grounded yet satirical feel.

Supporting characters

Nabeshin is an anime-original character serving as the avatar of director , functioning as a meta figure who intervenes in storylines in a director-like capacity to satirize the production process itself. Portrayed as a mysterious super secret agent with an hairstyle, he delivers cryptic dialogue and randomly engages in fights, parodying over-the-top action-hero tropes to heighten the series' chaotic humor. Pedro, another anime-exclusive addition not present in the manga, acts as Excel's adopted child and pet-like companion, injecting domestic into the otherwise absurd plots. As a hardworking immigrant laborer from , he endures comedic misfortunes in his efforts to support his family back home, providing relatable, universal humor amid the series' escalating absurdity. The Puchuu represent a group of cute alien invaders who emerge as rivals to the Across organization, cleverly ing mascot characters from series like Pokémon through their deceptive adorability. These diaper-clad creatures initially lure humans with their innocent appearance to facilitate infiltration and , but their true violent, grotesque nature is exposed during extermination efforts, subverting expectations of whimsical alien tropes in an arc that underscores the show's genre-bending . Supporting agents from organizations like Across and the Department of City Security, including figures such as Matsuya—an attractive, pragmatic recruit to City Security who exhibits fierce independence—contribute to romantic subplots, betrayals, and infiltrations that propel episodic conflicts. These ensemble roles enable the series' variety, allowing for guest appearances that parody diverse archetypes and expand the world-building through peripheral humor and rivalries.

Production

Manga creation

The manga Excel Saga originated from creator Kōshi Rikudō's doujinshi activities in the 1990s, evolving from a parody work titled Municipal Force Daitenzin, which depicted civil servants moonlighting as a mecha superhero team in a style reminiscent of Power Rangers-like sentai series. This self-published foundation allowed Rikudō to experiment with absurd humor and genre satire before transitioning to professional serialization. The series debuted as his first major commercial project, reflecting influences from urban daily life, mecha tropes, and Rikudō's prior parody doujinshi that poked fun at popular manga and anime conventions. Serialized in Shōnen Gahōsha's magazine from October 1996 to August 2011, Excel Saga spanned 27 volumes comprising over 180 chapters, marking a 15-year run that showcased Rikudō's growth as a mangaka. The narrative is firmly rooted in Fukuoka, Rikudō's hometown, incorporating authentic local landmarks—such as the ACROSS organization named after a city complex—and in character dialogue to blend real-world urban with over-the-top conquest plots. This setting choice amplified the parody of city governance and everyday absurdities, drawing from Rikudō's observations of Fukuoka's street life and administrative quirks. Rikudō's artistic style features exaggerated chibi designs for characters, emphasizing comedic expressions and dynamic action, contrasted with meticulously detailed backgrounds that capture Fukuoka's and environments for immersive . Early chapters leaned heavily on episodic gags, but the series gradually incorporated longer, interconnected arcs exploring character backstories and escalating conflicts, demonstrating narrative maturation over its extended serialization. The concluded abruptly in 2011 with volume 27, leaving several plot threads unresolved, though a 60-page one-shot was published in on December 28, 2021, to mark the series' 25th anniversary and provide a brief extension. For international audiences, Viz Media licensed Excel Saga for English release in , beginning with volume 1 on August 13, 2003, and completing the 27-volume run with the final installment on January 14, 2014. Each Viz edition included translator notes on cultural references, enhancing accessibility to the Fukuoka-specific humor and parodies.

Anime adaptation

The adaptation of Excel Saga was produced by the studio J.C.Staff and directed by , who is also known by his nickname Nabeshin. The series composition was overseen by the group Jigoku Gumi, with scripts contributed by Watanabe himself alongside writers such as Hideyuki Kurata for 1-25 and others, allowing the team to amplify the manga's parody elements through exaggerated stylistic shifts and genre homages in each . This creative freedom stemmed from the ongoing nature of the source manga, which had not yet concluded at the time of production, leading to a condensed timeline that restructured arcs and incorporated anime-original additions to fit the 26- format. Notable deviations from the included the introduction of original characters and concepts, such as Nabeshin as Watanabe's self-insert avatar, the hapless immigrant worker whose backstory involved sensitive themes deemed unsuitable for broadcast, and alien mascot creatures called Puchuus that served as plot devices in several arcs. The finale in episode 26 further emphasized this meta approach, presenting a behind-the-scenes of production itself, complete with overt references to the adaptation process. The voice cast was selected to match the characters' eccentric personalities, featuring as the hyperactive Excel, Omi Minami as the fragile , and voicing his own Nabeshin persona. Production challenges included navigating TV standards, which required edits to violent and obscene content for broadcast on , while budget limitations encouraged the experimental episode structures that varied animation styles to mimic different genres. The series was planned for 26 episodes, but episode 26 was intentionally crafted by Watanabe to exceed broadcast time limits by one minute and include excessive violence, nudity, and , resulting in its ban from TV airing and release only on .

Media releases

Manga publications

Excel Saga was serialized in Shōnen Gahōsha's magazine from October 1996 to October 2011, with the individual chapters collected into 27 volumes published between April 1997 and October 2011. Following the conclusion of the main series, digital editions of the became available through platforms such as and U-NEXT in . Viz Media licensed the manga for English-language release in North America, publishing all 27 volumes from August 2003 to January 2014. The series has also been translated and released in other regions, including French by Kabuto and Italian by Dynit. In December 2021, a 60-page one-shot chapter appeared in Young King Ours to mark the manga's 25th anniversary, responding to fan interest after the decade-long hiatus since the original run ended. This special story provided a brief continuation that connected to the unresolved elements of the main series' conclusion. Today, many physical volumes, particularly the English editions, are and command high prices on secondary markets, though digital access remains available in . Special editions include the 2022 Excel Saga EX book, which compiles the anniversary one-shot alongside a Comic Market 100 commemorative , appealing to collectors with exclusive content.

Anime series

The Excel Saga series, produced by , originally aired on from October 7, 1999, to March 30, 2000, spanning 26 episodes of approximately 24 minutes each. Only the first 25 episodes were broadcast on television, as the finale was deemed too violent, obscene, and lengthy for airing, resulting in its exclusive release on DVD. The episodes feature distinctive parodic title cards that vary in style to reflect each installment's thematic spoof, often mimicking other anime genres or media formats. The series structure divides into thematic arcs—such as urban espionage, animation industry , and post-apocalyptic scenarios—that loosely adapt the manga's narrative while incorporating original content and filler episodes to amplify its of tropes and production processes. In one brief instance, these adaptations introduce unique elements, like expanded meta-commentary on anime creation, to heighten the . Licensing for international distribution began with ADV Films, which released the English-dubbed version in starting in 2001 and handled dubs in other languages including Italian and Spanish. Entertainment acquired the rights in 2010 following ADV's closure, continuing distribution and dubbing efforts. Home video releases in commenced with Visual's DVD volumes in early 2000, culminating in complete sets by 2005. Internationally, ADV issued six individual DVD volumes from May 2002 to April 2003, followed by a complete collection in July 2004; reissued the full series in a four-disc Classics set in May 2011. As of 2025, the series is available for streaming on platforms including . The production includes no official original video animations (OVAs) or specials beyond the main run, though the unaired 26th episode functions as a meta-special, breaking the to critique broadcasting standards.

Soundtracks and merchandise

The Excel Saga series features two albums released in by Victor Entertainment in 2000. The first, Excel Saga Oinal Soundtrack Experiment 1, was issued on and contains 30 tracks of instrumental and vocal music composed primarily by Toshio Masuda, including the opening theme "Ai (Chuuseishin)" (also known as "Love (Loyalty)") performed by Excel Girls (voiced by and ). The second album, Excel Saga - Great Soundtrack Experiment 2, followed later that year with another 30 tracks, continuing Masuda's compositions and featuring additional vocal elements tied to the series' style. English-language versions of these soundtracks were released by Geneon Entertainment in the United States, with Excel Saga Great Soundtrack Experiment 1 on August 9, 2005, and Excel Saga Great Soundtrack Experiment 2 on November 1, 2005, each mirroring the Japanese tracklists at a retail price of $14.98. Character song compilations include the 2000 release Excel Saga - Excel Girls Golden Best 20 -hatachi-, a vocal album highlighting tracks performed by the Excel Girls duo in a parody-infused format. A drama CD, Excel Saga DRAMA ALBUM "Osyaberi Tankoubon", was also produced by Victor on February 23, 2000, featuring voice actors reprising roles in scripted scenarios that extend the series' comedic tone. Merchandise from the early 2000s includes scale figures such as Yamato's SIF EX series, with examples like the 1/8 PVC Ropponmatsu Nishiki figure released in March 2009 and full sets of six story image figures depicting key characters. Art books by creator Kōshi Rikudō, released during the manga's serialization, compile promotional illustrations, production notes, and parody artwork, often with mature content. Apparel and accessories, such as T-shirts and plush toys like Menchi, were distributed through anime retailers in the 2000s. In the 2020s, soundtracks have become available for digital streaming on platforms like , facilitating renewed access alongside the anime series, though no major physical re-releases have occurred as of 2025.

Reception and legacy

Critical response

In Japan, the manga Excel Saga enjoyed sustained popularity, serializing for 15 years in Young King Ours from 1996 to 2011, praised by fans for its absurd humor and parody of anime tropes, as evidenced by its cult following and 25th-anniversary release. The anime adaptation, airing on TV Tokyo in 1999-2000, was noted for its experimental style and received positive user ratings on Japanese sites like Anikore (average 65/100 from 69 reviews). The manga series Excel Saga received acclaim for its sharp humor and distinctive artwork, with critics highlighting its satirical take on tropes and Japanese pop culture. IGN's review of Volume 17 lauded it as a "" on conventions, awarding it a 9.3 out of 10 for its engaging character dynamics and excellent that captured linguistic humor. Later volumes drew some for pacing issues, as the sprawling narrative occasionally led to meandering storylines amid the escalating gags. The adaptation earned high marks for its early episodes' inventive of conventions, often described as a "gag-a-second" blend of and epic storytelling. Anime News Network's review of the first DVD volume called it potentially "the funniest ever," commending the stellar English dub and eclectic that enhanced the chaos. echoed this enthusiasm in broader coverage, noting the series' instant appeal through smart humor and odd premises. However, as the show progressed, reviewers pointed to criticisms of filler content and excessive absurdity, particularly in 26's uncensored , which some found directionless; the series holds a mixed 7.5 out of 10 on from over 1,500 users. received particular praise, with Kotono Mitsuishi's portrayal of Excel noted for its wacky yet sincere energy that amplified the character's hyper devotion. Excel Saga garnered no major award nominations in seinen manga categories, though its influence on parody anime was acknowledged in retrospective analyses. In 2021, creator Kōshi Rikudō released a 25th-anniversary one-shot chapter, which critics and outlets like welcomed for providing narrative closure to unresolved arcs after the manga's 2011 conclusion, renewing appreciation for the series' enduring satirical edge.

Cultural impact and popularity

Excel Saga has garnered a dedicated since its release, often cited as a in comedy for its relentless of genre conventions and . The series' exaggerated bilingual rants by the character Excel have inspired enduring memes within communities, contributing to its lasting appeal among fans who appreciate its chaotic energy. of characters like Excel and remains popular at conventions, reflecting the show's vibrant visual style and memorable designs. The manga's commercial success in during the early helped solidify its popularity, with Viz Media's English releases frequently ranking among top-selling graphic novels. While exact figures vary, the anime's DVD releases by ADV Films achieved respectable sales, exceeding expectations for a niche series and supporting multiple volumes in the mid-. Globally, the series has seen renewed interest through streaming platforms like (now part of ), with the added to in 2022 and contributing to viewership surges in the 2020s. Excel Saga pioneered meta-parody in , influencing later works that deconstruct tropes, such as , through its genre-shifting structure and satirical take on storytelling. The recurring character Nabeshin, a of director , established a trope for cameos in , appearing in subsequent series like The Wallflower and , which popularized self-insert humor among creators. Marking its legacy, the anime celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2019 with discussions highlighting its unmatched absurdity and innovation in comedy. A 60-page one-shot manga chapter was released in Young King OURs on December 28, 2021, to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the original serialization, reigniting fan interest without plans for full sequels. The story's setting in Fukuoka City, incorporating local landmarks into its narrative, has fostered enduring cultural ties to the region, though no direct tourism campaigns have emerged. Its style continues to draw comparisons to modern parodies like Pop Team Epic, underscoring its foundational role in absurd, reference-heavy anime.

References

  1. https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/manga.php?id=33
  2. https://www.mangaupdates.com/series/m7e50q4/excel-saga
  3. https://www.viz.com/excel-saga
  4. https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=398
  5. https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/excel-saga/dvd-1
  6. https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/excel-saga/dvd-5
  7. https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/excel-saga/dvd-4
  8. https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/dub-track/2002-09-21
  9. https://reasonstoanime.com/2019/04/03/5-reasons-to-watch-excel-saga/
  10. https://www.cbr.com/excel-saga-volume-17/
  11. http://suitablefortreatment.blogspot.com/2010/03/excel-saga-volume-3.html
  12. https://tropedia.fandom.com/wiki/Excel_Saga_%28manga%29
  13. https://anigamers.com/2010/01/review-excel-saga-vol-1-20-manga.html/
  14. https://www.animeboston.com/guest/guest_details/181
  15. https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/the-list/2015-01-17/.83325
  16. http://www.animetion.co.uk/Excel%20Saga/koshi.htm
  17. https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2011-07-03/excel-saga-manga-approaches-its-finale-after-15-years
  18. https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Fukuoka
  19. https://www.reddit.com/r/manga/comments/p7qfz8/art_first_and_last_volume_art_evolution_excel_saga/
  20. https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2021-12-06/excel-saga-manga-gets-25th-anniversary-1-shot-chapter/.180311
  21. https://whatculture.com/tv/10-banned-anime-from-around-the-world-and-why?page=8
  22. https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B074CFRYW8
  23. https://excelsagaforum.com/index.php?topic=1410.0
  24. https://www.kinokuniya.co.jp/f/dsg-08-EK-1312126
  25. https://www.cbr.com/iconic-anime-series-surprising-banned-episodes/
  26. https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-11-03/funimation-adds-excel-saga-noir-bubblegum-crisis
  27. https://www.yesasia.com/global/excel-saga-road-to-excel-saga-vol-1-normal-edition-japan-version/1002807751-0-0-0-en/info.html
  28. https://english-voice-over.fandom.com/wiki/Excel_Saga_%282002%29
  29. https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/releases.php?id=2831
  30. https://www.blu-ray.com/dvd/Excel-Saga-Complete-Series-DVD/78711/
  31. https://www.crunchyroll.com/series/G6MGX3DG6/excel-saga
  32. https://vgmdb.net/album/32113
  33. https://www.discogs.com/release/5635458-Toshio-Masuda-Excel-Saga-Great-Soundtrack-Experiment-2
  34. https://vgmdb.net/album/38623
  35. https://www.discogs.com/release/20834251-Toshio-Masuda-Excel-Saga-Excel-Girls-Golden-Best-20-hatachi-
  36. https://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/VICL-60513
  37. https://www.amiami.com/eng/detail/?gcode=HOB-FIG-3318
  38. https://mantan-web.jp/article/20110729dog00m200066000c.html
  39. https://www.anikore.jp/anime/277/
  40. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0240493/
  41. https://otakurevolution.com/content/voice-actor-comparison-excel-saga-excel/
  42. https://www.cbr.com/excel-saga-25th-anniversary-manga/
  43. https://www.cbr.com/excel-saga-anime-turns-20/
  44. https://seanmiller.us/blog/parody-anime/
  45. https://otakuandotherthings.wordpress.com/2019/01/15/pop-team-epic-is-important/
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.