Are you looking for an anime that's funny and that you can watch with your little brother? Well, your search is over. Jubei-Chan is one of the best series I have seen and it's great stuff. There are 13 episodes to work through, and some silly extras on the DVDs.

The story follows a young girl in 8th grade named Jiyu Nanohana (AKA: Jubei). She has recently moved into a new house and is just starting school there. She meets Shiro Ryujoji after getting lost and he takes her to school. He in the next grade above her and is part of the kendo club. Before she meets him, she passes three people on the road: Bantaro Sanbonmatsu, Oozaru, and Kozaru. They are a kind of gang known as "The Unrefined." They are led my Bantaro.

Both Bantaro and Shiro fall in love with Jubei. Anyway, she gets lost on the way home and meets up with Koinosuke Odago, a samurai that wants to give her a lovely eye patch. She accepts it to make him happy and the eye patch ends up changing her life.

The rest of the series is about what happens to her after she puts on the eye patch. When she puts it on, the spirit of Yagyu Jubei enters her and changes her into Yagyu Jubei the 2nd. He is a master swordsman that we met in the 1st episode's beginning. He beat a Ryujoji and left his eye patch in care of Koinosuke upon his death. Jubei told Koinosuke to find a worthy successor and Koinosuke has been searching for that special someone for 300 years.

Now the Ryujoji's want to challenge the new Jubei to a duel to prove who has the best sword technique. So Jiyu Nanohana keeps having to do battle with assassins or die. 

The show is quite a trip. There are tons of funny visual gags, silly music, and a complicated storyline. Jiyu is very naive and doesn't seem to notice that she has at least two admirers following her about. One of the best parts of the show is the "The Unrefined." They are great! You need to see them to get the full effect. 

Jiyu's friends, Shoko Maruyama (AKA: Maro) and Sachi Toyama (AKA: Satch) are cool too. However, they have very minor roles in the show. However, you will here them sing a song in the 12th episode as the "New Student Lovelies." 

Also keep an eye open to catch little appearances of the original Jubei in sketch form. There are also a bunch of goofy poorly drawn characters that appear and disappear in the series. 

Jiyu's father, Sai, is also quite a character. He is a writer of period plays and has an important role in the show. 

There's one other group that must be watched out for and that is three girls that seem are led by an ugly blond girl (who's supposed to be pretty). They are looking for Shiro. They are also very funny and very strange.

The Good Stuff:

The Bad Stuff:

Dumb Stuff: 

I really liked this show. It's zany and fun to watch and it can also be serious without being corny. I highly recommend this great anime to any Japanese fan!!!