Équipières de choc

This was a wonderful and very fun series with some pretty cool characters in particular the main characters Natsumi and Miyuki.

Natsumi Tsujimoto: Physically tough and loud tomboy.

Miyuki Kobayakawa: Smart, thoughtful, polite and more quiet then her partner.

Natsumi and Miyuki do compliment one another so well it adds to the fun of the series not to mention other characters like their colleagues Yoriko Nikaido, Aoi Futaba, Ken Nakajima and their boss Kachou among others.

The animation is great and I loved the chemistry between characters both the dubbed and subbed versions are nothing short of excellent!

Where has this show been for all these years? I would have loved this cartoon growing up. As a kid, I was really into all things police. Granted this would have needed some FUNimation style censorship to air on Toonami back in the 90's, but not much.

The show primarily follows 2 police officers, Miyuki and Natsume, at the Bokoto Police Station. The main characters are traffic police, so they don't go solving murder cases or narcotics, mainly car related stuff. But that isn't the real focus of the show, the show is really about the characters and the fun they have on the force.

Mikuki is the more serious one of the group, she is somewhat soft spoken and has a real love for being a mechanic. Natsume is more of the hothead, and like 1 out of every 9 anime protagonists, she has super strength.

The show balances humor, action and drama very well and is a delightful time. It is mainly episodic but does have recurring story beats that rewards long time viewers.

I'm not sure if I'm in the minority on this, but I don't like the character Toukairin. He comes into the series on episode 34 and just feels like Poochie. Everyone thinks he's cool, and he does no wrong. The problem is that he has no personality beyond being good at stuff and being a love interest.

Other than that guy, I'm totally on board with the rest of the cast. Stike-Man, Shopping Lady, Kenny, and Yuriko are some of my favorites. Now time for an obscure reference, for a series that is already a specific niche...

Miyuki and "Natsumi: Serious Fun."

This is a very significant and cool anime series, about two female cops. The characters are also cool, The chief, Aoi, Nakajima, Tokairin, Yoriko, the kids, Saori, and the motorcycle granny and that supposed super hero the Striker, who admits he's been in Detroit too long, and we never learn his identity. And Nakajima's father Daimaru is also very hilarious, and so is his 18 year old mother. And there is a second season I don't think is licensed yet, but I like to tell you it's great! Saori becomes a police just like her idols, the main characters, Miyuki and Natsumi, and there is also a live short lived series I don't think anyone in the States or anywhere in Europe probably knows about yet, but I prefer the animated series better, and there is one where they are in L.A. Recommended for all anime fans, and non-anime fans.

There are a number of animé shows where cars take centre stage - Speed Racer comes to mind - but this is different. The cars in Taiho Shichau Zo (You're Under Arrest) are highly detailed, having been taken from real production models - the main characters drive a Honda Today (smaller than the Honda Civic), in pursuit of a Mini Minor in one episode. Such a display of rubber-burning adds interest to an otherwise OK anime.

TSZ/YUA is only 4 episodes long, so if you're looking for a longer series, I would recommend the manga, or even the old classic Speed Racer.

I liked this series, Miyuki and Natsumi were very appealing characters, but I didn't like Nakajima though. He was too much of a stereotypical bumbling fool when it came to him and Miyuki. (Not that she handled it any better). But other than that, it's a good series.

And I want to add that in addition to the 4 episode OVA, the 48 episode first season and the movie and specials, there is also a 26 episode second season. That season has not been licensed by any foregin company yet, so the only way to see it is by getting Japanese DVDs or if not that, the "other" way.

I recommend this, it also has good rewatch value. (for me anyway)