The 5 part OAV series is essentially an introduction - the first chapter in the story of how three goddesses came to live with a college student named Keiichi. Here is where Keiichi "accidentally" calls up the Goddess Help Hotline, and meets Belldandy, a goddess who has come to grant just one of his wishes. After impetuously wishing for a girl like her to stay with him forever, Keiichi's fate is sealed - directed towards the extraordinary forever. Subsequent episodes cover the classic entrances of Belldandy's two sisters, Urd and Skuld, causing much hilarity and craziness in that poor boy's life. But just as Keiichi is getting used to them all...[spoiler ^_^].
While one might dismiss the OAVs as a plotless dose of sugar, that would be missing the beauty of the finale (fifth) episode of the OAV, which puts together all of the subtle, symbolic scenes in the previous episodes and gives them new meaning. While the first three OAVs seem to be nothing more than introduction of each goddess and watching Keiichi and Belldandy's relationship develop slowly but sweetly, in fact the developments in the fourth and fourth OAVs link them together and shed new light on the basic foundation of the plot. The last episode is what made the entire series worth watching - which I previously thought had been very slow and not too earthshaking - showing how the creator had a wonderful creative ability to surprise the audience with his symbolism and plot twists.
[ Movie ]
Reviewer : Haneoka
The Aa! Megami-sama Movie, taking place several years after the end of the introductory OAV, opens on the moon, where a mysterious female figure, with the powers of a goddess and the wings of a butterfly, unlocks a sealed prison - and purposely unleashes a force contained in the shape of a tiny, ceremonial mask.
With a sense of foreboding, the scene switches to the familar scene of Keiichi's home, where the lone male in residence is looking for Belldandy, the goddess who came to live with him more than two years ago. He eventually finds her in the thicket singing to help a tree grow, while Skuld listens in awe and Urd lurks around. In meeting with Keiichi, Belldandy explains that her ability is due to a wonderful teacher she in the past. Everything would appear to be peacefully innocent, except for the fact that Belldandy's memory of her teacher, Celestin, is not as complete as she thinks - and her childhood teacher is about to make a reappearance in her life. This is due in no small part to the breaking of the seal by Morgan Le Fay, who enters their life as a prospective member - and rival - in the auto club.
Unlike the OAV, the movie's plot does not revolve solely around the feelings and relationships of the main characters. It is too complex to be justified as a "save the world" plot, but in one view that is the bottom line. However, the presentation of the threat to the world, the rise of the enemy, the way in which the characters lives are and were intertwined, and the defense that the characters take to meet their challenge make the movie marvelous to watch.
A refreshing part of the movie is the character designs - all the characters appear older, and additional characters and designs exist that were previously only seen in the extended manga series. This includes the presence of the goddesses' beautiful "angels," who appear when the goddesses exercise certain powers. While the entire movie had a more serious air - the characters (for the most part) have matured, there are still entertaining parts by most of the characters introduced in the OAV - such as the loud and noisy auto club - who play their own stereotyped role.
Regardless of a few predictable plot twists, the movie is highly enjoyable and original because of the manner in which the characters deal and interact with the situation. The way in which Keiichi and Belldandy struggle in their own relationship, re-evaluating and re-discovering their own feelings against the hurdles given to them is one of the most touching and beautiful aspects of the movie. In particular I loved the indepth characterization you get of Belldandy (and a new look at Urd, as well) - if you felt you knew all there was to know about her, you are in for a surprise. The new revelations of the characters backgrounds cut right to the heart, and the climactic ending and classical music are fittingly dramatic and breathtaking. All in all, it was one of the most beautiful anime movies I've seen, and a perfect addition to the Ah! My Goddess story.
