DVD Review: Sgt Frog Season 2 Part 2

Sgt Frog Season 2 Part 2

(Funimation Entertainment, 300 minutes)

http://www.funimation.com/sgtfrog/

Over fifty episodes in and Sgt. Frog continues to surprise. With its consistently clever and completely irreverent style of comedy, the series has yet to show signs of letting up as it churns out another 12 hilarious episodes on DVD. Quite a remarkable feat to be sure when one considers the bizarre nature of the premise and just how far it can be stretched.

Sgt. Frog is the story of Keroro, a frog like alien leading a reconnaissance squad of five other soldiers as their race prepares for a full scale invasion of Earth. Fortunately for the Earth, the squad is less than suited for the task, bumbling through everything he does until he comes into contact with the Hinata family where things go horribly wrong for the crusading amphibian. Through a series of mishaps, more to do with Keroro’s idiocy, the squad finds themselves stranded and at the mercy of the Hinata’s.

By this point, fans should have a basic understanding of what they are getting when they pick up this set. Nearly every episode follows the same formula of Keroro and his group devising an ill-conceived plan, usually to conquer the world, only for it to backfire in spectacular fashion.

While on Earth, Keroro discovers and becomes infatuated with the series Mobile Suit Gundam. During his free time he occupies himself building Gundam model kits pitting them against each other.

This volume continues more of the same, with some stand out episodes interspersed within. Among them is How to Succeed in Conquering without Trying in, which the squad decides to turn over a new leaf and help the Hinata’s rather than trying to conquer them, a concept Keroro struggles with. It’s fun episodes like this that delve deeper into the characters beyond their zany antics, putting them at odds with what they believe is the right path and their assignment, and make the series worth watching after fifty episodes.

Unfortunately, the majority of the show has fallen into the trap of becoming predictable. There is never any groundbreaking change or even advancement in the plot for that matter. There is a set design that dictates no matter what happens, by the end of the episode the status quo will remain the same and Keroro will be back to trying to take over the planet only to have failed miserably. Though this is repetitious to be sure, the series still manages to offer enough charm to maintain its entertainment value.

Funimation’s dub is as always near perfect. Todd Haberkorn continues his standout performance as Keroro, delivering every line with an enthusiasm that is unmatched. As for their handling of the script, liberties have been taken which sometimes prove to be for the better, revising it in some places to better match American’s sense of humor.

Though the show has grown stagnant in certain areas, it maintains a unique brand of humor that continues to stand out among the rest of the pack.

Sgt Frog Season 2 Part 2 - A