The Chaika OVA or OAD or whatever it is has finally gotten subtitles. I’d been looking forward to this for quite a while as Chaika is one of my favorite anime of last year (it ranks number two with Unlimited Blade Works at the top spot), as well as one of my favorite of all time (my top twenty). It hearkens back to The Slayers and other silly fantasy anime of the nineties while having a unique humor, weak though cute and fun characters, and a plot that isn’t deep by any means, but allows for all the goodness to ooze out like cheese ina quesadilla.

This OVA is two mini episodes combined, both taking place during season one. In the first segment the Gillette Squad chases Chaika and company into a theater where they all become a part of a play (unwillingly of course). Some mildly amusing comedy comes out of this but it’s nothing more than an excuse for Tohru to be dressed in drag and Vivi to wear a bunny costume.

The second segment finds the gang being chased down not only by Gillette, but also Red Chaika. The three factions fight their way through a ruin as they search out a piece of Gaz’s corpse.

I liked this half of the episode more; it had a little relevance while also getting all my favorite characters together. It includes plentiful action for those who have a mud fetish and Chaika’s underwear because why not? While the ending is funny but disappointing, the entire ten or so minutes is a lot of fun, even if it is useless and just an excuse for fan service.

If you’re a fan of Chaika you’ll relish a reunion with some of the more memorable fantasy characters of recent years. If you were only mildly amused with the series or watch this to get a feel for the overall product, you’ll be disappointed.