Rikujou Bouei-tai Mao-chan

Ground Defense Force! Mao-chan / 陸上防衛隊まおちゃん

Genres: Comedy, Kids, Military, Sci-Fi
Themes: Military
Demographics: Kids
Studios: Xebec
Licensors: Geneon Entertainment USA
Rating: 6.34 / 10
Rank: #8195
Popularity: #8356
Users Listed: 6,320
Users Scored: 1,893
NSFW: No
Last Updated: 11/23/2021
Aired: July 4, 2002 – December 26, 2002 (Summer)
Type: tv
Source: original
Age Rating: G
Episodes: 26
Broadcast: Thursday at 02:35 (JST)

Synopsis:

Mao Onigawara, an energetic eight-year-old, finds herself unexpectedly thrust into a role of national defense. The granddaughter of a high-ranking military official, Mao possesses a peculiar badge granting her the ability to transform, though without inherent power. Alongside her friends, also granddaughters of key defense figures, she navigates a world suddenly beset by an unusual threat: invaders who, despite their aggressive intentions, appear undeniably adorable.

The series blends lighthearted character dynamics with a surprisingly earnest narrative exploring themes of responsibility and courage in the face of the absurd. Set against a backdrop of modern Japan, it presents a unique conflict where conventional military might is rendered ineffective against opponents defined by their charming appearance. The story emphasizes the power of friendship and ingenuity as Mao and her companions strive to protect their homeland from this bewildering invasion.

Characters:

Maruyama, Silvia (Main) - Voice Actors: Horie, Yui, Maddalena, Julie
Mishima, Kagome (Main) - Voice Actors: Nagasawa, Miki, Elias-Fahn, Dorothy
Onigawara, Mao (Main) - Voice Actors: Koyama, Kimiko, Fox, Sandy, Lin, Angel
Tsukishima, Misora (Main) - Voice Actors: Wahlgren, Kari, Yoshikawa, Yuuya
Aikawa, Ikumi (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Toda, Maiko
Akasaka, Shouko (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Taylor, Julie Ann, Toyoshima, Machiko
Akasaka, Mayumi (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Taylor, Julie Ann, Toyoshima, Machiko
Akasaka (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Taylor, Julie Ann, Toyoshima, Machiko
Cameron, Carol (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Ruff, Michelle, Kurata, Masayo
Ginga-daiou (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Stone, Doug, Sonobe, Keiichi
Kiku-ichimonji San-gou (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Shiratori, Yuri
Ko-daiou (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Mamiya, Kurumi
Maruyama, Adalbert von (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Thornton, Kirk, Taniguchi, Takashi
Mita, Maiko (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Tomisaka, Akira
Naniwa, Mio (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Takahashi, Chiaki
Noki, Chinami (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Wahlgren, Kari, Iura, Ai
Onigawara, Rikushirou (Supporting) - Voice Actors: McConnohie, Michael, Nojima, Akio
Onigawara, Rikukichi (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Haramaki, Kouji
Onigawara, Kuniko (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Yukino, Satsuki
Oozora, Yuriko (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Lee, Wendee, Mannaka, Yukiko
Prime Minister (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Stone, Doug, Sugawara, Junichi
Suteki, Ichirou (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Nojima, Hirofumi, Prince, Derek Stephen
Tokugawa, Tokusaburou (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Bando, Naoki
Tsukishima, Sorajirou (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Suzuki, Kiyonobu, Pope, Tony
Tsukishima, Sorako (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Hanba, Tomoe
Uehara, Eri (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Toyoshima, Machiko

Staff:

Hiramatsu, Kiyonori (Producer)
Moriyama, Atsushi (Producer)
Iwasaki, Yoshiaki (Director, Episode Director, Storyboard)
Kikuta, Hiromi (Sound Director)
Hiroshima, Hideki (Episode Director)
Itoga, Shintarou (Episode Director)
Uezu, Makoto (Script)
Hiraoka, Masayuki (Storyboard, Animation Director)
Kuzuya, Naoyuki (Storyboard)
Mutou, Yuuji (Storyboard)
Nakatsu, Tamaki (Storyboard)
Ooba, Hideaki (Storyboard)
Aice⁵ (Theme Song Performance)
Horie, Yui (Theme Song Performance)
Konishi, Takao (Theme Song Arrangement)
Akamatsu, Ken (Original Creator)
Ishikawa, Taketomo (Animation Director)
Itabe, Hiroaki (Editing)
Kajiura, Shinichirou (Animation Director)
Kuroda, Yousuke (Screenplay, Series Composition)
Nagasawa, Junko (Background Art)
Sekimoto, Mitsuko (Color Design)
Suzuki, Yoshio (Animation Director)
Tanaka, Masaki (Animation Director)
Uchino, Akio (Animation Director)
Walsh, David (Recording Engineer, Dialogue Editing)
Yanagisawa, Masahide (Character Design, Animation Director)

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Related Anime/Manga:

Rikujou Bouei-tai Mao-chan (manga - Adaptation)