List of Excel Saga media

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Below is the list of Excel Saga media, consisting of sixteen manga volumes released in Japan, fifteen manga released in North America, twenty-six episodes of the anime, and six volumes of the English-language DVD release.^[1] Beginning as a manga by Rikdo Koshi and published by Shonen Gahosha, Excel Saga (エクセル・サーガ, Ekuseru Saaga^?) was adapted into a twenty-six episode anime directed by Shinichi Watanabe and animated by J.C. Staff. It aired on TV Tokyo, although the twenty-six episode, "Going Too Far" (やりすぎ, Yarisugi^?) was never aired due to explicit content.^[2] Additionally, two thirty-track soundtracks were released by Geneon: the first in September 2005, and the second the following December.

The six DVDs were released individually and collectively as the Imperfect Collection by ADV in North America and the United Kingdom, and by Madman in Australia. In addition to the extras listed below, each disc features AD Vid-Notes, production sketches, and previews for other series released by ADV. Madman's release contains the same features as ADV's, with the boxart only modestly differing from ADV's (pictured below).^[3] ADV will in August 2006 re-release the DVDs in North America in a thinpack Complete Collection.^[4] Each volume of the English-language manga released by VIZ Media features "Oubliette," containing a sound effects guide and notes by the translator and editor.

Contents 1 DVDs 2 Episodes 3 Manga 4 References

[edit] DVDs

DVD	Number of Episodes	Release date			Cover
		Australia	North America	United Kingdom
Volume 1 The Weirdness Has Begun	5	2002-12-03	2002-06-11	2003-05-13
Clean opening and closing sequences in Japanese and English, original Japanese trailers and video-piracy warnings.
Volume 2 Missions Impossible	4	2002-12-03	2002-07-27	2003-07-21
Original Menchi advertisements, Japanese TV spots for the anime, the CD sing, and the CD soundtrack
Volume 3 When Excels Strike (Out)	4	2003-02-11	2002-11-05	2003-09-22
The "Find the mint" game, Menchi recipes, and an interview with the director, Shinichi Watanabe.
Volume 4 Doing Whatever It Takes	4	2003-03-11	2003-01-14	2003-11-17
Opening credits timing sequence and first cut, Puni Puni Poemy OVA preview, and an interview with Yumiko Kobayashi about her playing the title role in Puni Puni Poemy.
Volume 5 Secrets and Lies	4	2003-04-09	2003-02-25	2004-01-19
Interviews about Puni Puni Poemy with Shinichi Watanabe the production staff, a commercial for episode eighteen featuring the Daitenzin, and an interview with Rikudou Koushi.
Volume 6 Going Way Too Far	5	2003-05-14	2003-04-08	2004-04-15
Clean closing of episode twenty-five, clean opening and closing of episode twenty-six, and Puni Puni Poemy latest information.
Vols. 1-6 The Imperfect Collection	26	2004-10-20	2004-07-06	--
Identical DVD contents, but the collection lacks merchandise included with the individually packaged volumes, ranging "from an official ACROSS membership card, to a fold-out board game, to Excel and Hyatt paper dolls."[5]
Excel Saga: The Complete Collection	26	--	2006-08-01	--

[edit] Episodes

Episode	Title	Original air date
01	"The Koshi Rikdo Assassination Plot" "Rikudō Kōshi Satsugai Keigaku" (六道神士殺害計画)	1999-10-07
Ilpalazzo desires to exterminate the world's manga artists, ordering Excel to start with Rikdo Koshi, but she is thwarted by the intervention of the Great Will of the Macrocosm and her own conscience. After chatting with Pedro the immigrant worker and chasing down dinner, Excel makes a second attempt on Rikdo's life.
02	"The Woman from Mars" "Kasei kara Kita Onna" (火星から来た女)	1999-10-14
Reinforcements from ACROSS Headquarters turn out to be an invasion by the incredibly cute Puchuus, and Excel stages a brave, if somewhat misguided, raid on their mothership. Meanwhile, Nabeshin is also aboard in order to help an old friend escape the clutches of the Puchuus. At the end, the alien invasion force is destroyed, Excel is being held as a prisoner of war, and Ilpalazzo admits Hyatt to ACROSS' ranks.
03	"The Sacrificial Lamb of the Venomous Great Escape of Hell" "Jigoku no Dokudoku Daidassō no Ikenie" (地獄の毒々大脱走のいけにえ)	1999-10-21
In the fashion of a B-movie, Excel is trapped in the jungle. Hyatt is dispatched to find her, meeting her neighbor Watanabe on the way. Excel's captors are some very manly and gruesome troops (with a soft-spot for dogs), but Nabeshin has some unfinished business with them and with Excel's fellow prisoner.
04	"Love Puny" "Rabu Hena" (ラブへな)	1999-10-28
A spoof of the romantic comedy genre of anime, Watanabe sets his sights on Hyatt, his thoughts paralleling the choices offered in a dating simulation game. But fate and Ilpalazzo are playing games with him. Meanwhile, Excel is searching for Hyatt, but both are caught up in more explosive trouble due to Nabeshin. The title of this episode is a pun: in Japanese, "puny" is "henachoko," which is shortened to "hena," making the title "Love Hena" -- a parody of Love Hina, a popular romantic anime and manga.
05	"The Interesting Giant Tower" "Omoshiroi Tokō" (おもしろい巨塔)	1999-11-04
Excel and Hyatt infiltrate City Hall to gather dirt on the corrupt politicians. In the course of their investigations, they encounter Dr. Kapabu, who controls F City's leaders and has no qualms about removing obstacles with violence. Kabapu creates the Department of City Security with embezzeled funds, and hires Watanabe, who pins his romantic hopes on a government job, as well as Iwata and Sumiyoshi. ACROSS scores a victory of sorts, with the help of zombies and bathroom scribbles.
06	"The Cold is Winter! Snowed under Episode" "Samu ga Fuyuize! ~Sōnahen~" (寒が冬いぜ!!～遭難編～)	1999-11-11
ACROSS plans to set up a laser in the mountains in order to terrify F City into submission. Meanwhile, Watanabe, Iwata and Sumiyoshi are sent on a training exercise in the same mountains, and meet their new co-worker, the sexy but fierce Misaki Matsuya, who becomes Iwata's new fetish.
07	"Melody of the Underground Passage" "Chikadō no Merodi" (地下道のメロディ)	1999-11-18
The Puchus have penetrated F City's sewers, and Kabapu's new Department of City Security is closing in on ACROSS' base! Excel and Hyatt try to deal with the sitation at arms length, but hands-on action is required.
08	"Increase Ratings Week" "Shichōritsu Kyōka Shūkan" (視聴率強化週間)	1999-11-25
In a bout of pure fanservice, the girls chill out at the pool. Everyone is in their best poolside attire—except Excel, who gets stuck with a decidedly un-stylish high school swimsuit. Things get even worse for Excel when she gorges herself into a bloated, immobile state on free food provided by their new friend, Cosette—who is not quite as innocent as she appears. No men are fully shown in this episode, except Rikdo, briefly and to approve the experiment, and Pedro at the end.
09	"Bowling Girls" "Bōringu Musume" (ボウリング娘)	1999-12-02
Excel and Hyatt infiltrate a bowling alley in order to understand Japan's youth through (what Excel mistakenly thinks is) their most popular sport. Things become exciting when a bowling-fanatic terrorist organization hijacks the alley and the late-night, low-rated TV show Bowling Girls. This is the only episode with a substantial role for the Excel Girls, an animated rendition of the two female artists who sing the opening theme.
10	"Elegy to the Dogs (Menchi's Great Adventure)" "Menchi no Daibōken" (メンチの大冒険)	1999-12-09
Menchi has escaped, having had enough of her role as ACROSS' rations. She soon joins a pack of helpful strays, who undertake the quest to return Menchi to her former owner. Little does she know the storm of betrayal and vengeance approaching her and her new friends.
11	"Butt Out, Youth!" "Hikkome! Seishun!" (ひっこめ! 青春)	1999-12-16
In order to learn about the education system, Excel and Hyatt infiltrate Excel's alma mater, Inunabe High School. The ACROSS duo quickly whip their class of thugs and degenerates into shape. They next have to save the school baseball team, and to do so Excel tries to recruit the team's legendary dropout, Bean Boy.
12	"Big City Part II" "Daishigai Part II" (大市街Part II)	1999-12-23
It's Christmas, and Kabapu orders the Department of City Security to shadow a cute, but possessed detective, named Purin (プリン, Purin? , lit. "Pudding"), who's out for revenge on her father's killers. At the same time, Hyatt is taken hostage by some extremely incompetent bank-robbers.
13	"The New Year's-End Party Hidden Talent Contest" "Shinshun Toshiwasure Kakushigeidaikai" (新春年忘れかくし芸大会)	2000-01-06
A recap of the series to present, in the form of a Japanese New Year's television special, in which Hyatt and Excel compete to determine the New Years Winner. The contest is judged by Excel Saga celebrities, and Ilpalazzo endeavors to provide some entertainment, but is frustrated by the world's corruption.
14	"Prop" "Tekoire" (テコイレ)	2000-01-13
In a desperate effort to raise ratings, the animators give the Department of City Security a new member: Ropponmatsu, a beautiful, robotic bomb-shell of a bomb-disposal expert, who becomes Iwata's new fetish. The timing is auspicious, since the agents ACROSS are planning to deliver a bomb to City Hall. While they fail in their task, City Security loses Ropponmatsu in the encounter.
15	"More! Prop Memorial" "Motto! Tekoire Memoriaru" (もっと! てこいれメモリアル)	2000-01-20
Ropponmatsu returns, but Iwata is furious to discover that the new Ropponmatsu is in the shape of a young, annoying cat-girl. Following in her predecessor's footsteps, Ropponmatsu Unit 2 engages Ilpalazzo's newest bomb-delivery system, a robot Excel disguised as a large panda bear to avoid attention. Things look bad for little Ropponmatsu, but fortunately Ropponmatsu Unit 1 returns in the nick of time.
16	"Take Back Love!" "AI wo Torimodose" (AIをとりもどせ!)	2000-01-27
Due to a programming error, the two Ropponmatsus fall in love with the ACROSS girls, leading to a robotic crime spree, a para-military showdown, and an indecent assault by Unit 2 on Excel. Note that the title's "AI" can be interpreted either as being short for "artificial intelligence" or as a reading of the character 愛,meaning love.
17	"Animation USA" "Animeshon USA" (アニメーションUSA)	2000-02-03
Excel and Hyatt are sent by Ilpalazzzo to reconnoiter in the United States, but Excel's poor English starts them on the wrong foot with the locals. Fortunately, they are rescued by none other than Pedro's son, Sandora, who has run away from home. Later, Excel must marshal the combined powers of American and Japanese animation to confront the New York Mafia. Trivia: Excel's voice actress, Kotono Mitsuishi also played Usagi Tsukino, the title character of Sailor Moon, which is parodied in the fight scene.
18	"Municipal Force Daitenzin" "Shiritsu Sentai Daitenzin" (市立戦隊ダイテンジン)	2000-02-10
The Department of City Security is outfitted with sentai suits to stop crime even more effectively. They now are able to blow up anything, and promptly do so. This episode references Rikdo's earlier manga, which bore the same title.
19	"Menchi's Great Adventure 2: Around the World in 80 Hours" "Menchi no Daibōken Ni ~Hachijūjikan Sekaiishū~" (メンチの大冒険2～80時間世界一周～)	2000-02-17
Menchi makes a trip around the world with a young industry heiress, who, when she isn't plugging Alps Electric, is being hunted by an evil assassin, who has a score to settle with Menchi, too. Meanwhile, Hyatt and her senior are sent by Ilpalazzo on a world-spanning mission to find special objects.
20	"The Best of Mr. Pedro" "Yorinugi Pedoro-san" (よりぬきペドロさん)	2000-02-24
This episode recaps all that has happened to Pedro since episode one: his death, supernatural affair with the Great Will, discovery of his family's betrayal with Gomez, and his drowning by That Man. It also advances his subplot by showing just how sinister and powerful That Man is. Nabeshin and Sandora arrive to help, to dubious but comedic effect.
21	"Visually Appealing Type" "Bijuaru K" (美濡歩K)	2000-03-02
ACROSS Headquarters dispatches instructions to Ilpalazzo, carried by Key, a stereotype of J-Rock and Visual kei stars. He insists on delivering his message via song, even though his heart won't let him perform. Key stays with the girls, sending Excel's libido into a frenzy. A phallic guitar, Excel's visions of yaoi action, and Key's delivery of the instructions all conspire to snap Ilpalazzo into action.
22	"Invasion, Mother" "Shinryaku, Ofukurosama" (侵略、おふくろ様)	2000-03-09
The Puchuus are back (again), in force, and lead by their overlord. In a parody of Gundam and the works of Leiji Matsumoto (complete with Puchuu versions of Captain Harlock and Char Aznable), Excel leads rebel Puchuu forces in a desperate defense of Earth.
23	"Legend of the End of the Century Conqueror" "Seikimatsu Seifukusha Densetsu" (世紀末征服者伝説)	2000-03-16
F City hasn't been the same since the battle against the Puchuus. Citizens live in scattered villages, and gangs roam the deserted wastelands, pillaging and conquering all before them. There is one person standing for justice, Excel. After dispatching with the gang leader (with a powerful, anthropomorphic attack), Excel continues her search for Ilpalazzo, but tragedy ensues.
24	"For You, I Could Die" "Kimi no Tame nara Shineru" (きみのためなら死ねる)	2000-03-23
The Department of City Security has survived the wasting of F City, and Excel is recovering under their care, but she can't remember anything at all. She watches the Daitenzin head to their confrontation with ACROSS, and sets out on her own mission: to regain her memories and take revenge. This is the only "serious" episode in the series, following Rikdo's order to remove all the gags.
25	"We Will Not Be Held Responsible" "Yarinige" (やりにげ)	2000-03-30
Featuring Kabapu's tax-funded, politically incorrect robot, this episode leads to several confrontations: Pedro and Nabeshin battle That Man for the fates of the Great Will, Pedro's wife, and the whole Universe. Back in the ruins of F City, the Daitenzin storm Ilpalazzo's "mobile fortress," while Excel wanders through it, searching to make herself whole. Watanabe gets the courage to confess his love to Hyatt, who has a different confession to make. The Daitenzin snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, and Excel and Ilpalazzo have their climactic reunion.
26	'"Going Too Far" "Yarisugi" (やりすぎ)	Unaired
This episode was never shown during Excel Sagas original run on TV Tokyo, and in fact the producers never intended it to be aired on TV, having crammed into nearly every scene material objectionable to the censors (including blood and gore, sexual innuendoes, nudity, violence and toilet humor). It also goes "too far" by running a minute longer than normal.[2] In addition to these gags, the show ties up some loose ends: the ACROSS Five, That Man's former colleagues, are all slain by Nabeshin; Watanabe finally asks Hyatt out on a date; Ilpalazzo at last starts his own Visual Kei band; and Pedro is shown fully restored to life, visiting Japan with his wife and son. At the end, Hyatt (and soon everyone else) is overcome and swept away with the happiness she sees around her.

[edit] Manga

Volume	Japanese[6]		English[7]
	Release	ISBN	Release	ISBN
01	April 1997	ISBN 4-7859-1565-X	2003-08-13	ISBN 1-56931-988-X
02	December 1997	ISBN 4-7859-1811-X	2003-09-03	ISBN 1-56931-989-8
03	July 1997	ISBN 4-7859-1854-3	2003-11-12	ISBN 1-56931-990-1
04	December 1998	ISBN 4-7859-1884-5	2003-12-31	ISBN 1-59116-110-X
05	September 1999	ISBN 4-7859-1941-8	2004-03-03	ISBN 1-59116-136-3
06	May 2000	ISBN 4-7859-1993-0	2004-05-05	ISBN 1-59116-231-9
07	February 2001	ISBN 4-7859-2065-3	2004-07-14	ISBN 1-59116-232-7
08	September 2001	ISBN 4-7859-2126-9	2004-08-31	ISBN 1-59116-233-5
Ilpalazzo introduces ACROSS' third hire, Elgala, to Excel and Hyatt. Elgala's presence and her rebellious nature lead to more tension for Excel and also cause conflict between Excel and Hyatt. Due to these personnel changes, Ilpalazzo disburses a large amount of funds for his hirelings' use, leading to an encounter between them and bank security staff. Meanwhile, City Hall is in shock over the sudden death and robotic resurrection of Iwata, who died of colon cancer, and who is now housed in Ropponmatsu I's body until a permanent replacement can be prepared. A sudden fire engulfs the apartment building, and both ACROSS and the Environmental Security Administration must find new accommodations.
09	June 2002	ISBN 4-7859-2205-2	2004-11-16	ISBN 1-59116-234-3
Excel, Hyatt, Elgala, and Menchi move into their new hideout, an apartment building owned by Kabapu. Ilpalazzo performs medical investigations on Hyatt and is mildly displeased at the results, while Watanabe, Matsuya and Sumiyoshi speculate about Iwata's return. Ilpalazzo orders his agents to proclaim ACROSS' intentions to the masses, but Excel and Hyatt are intercepted in this task by Kabapu's new weapon. This weapon quickly goes on a rampage downtown, meanwhile Kabapu activates "The Plan" and reveals more of the true nature of the organization to his subordinates.
10	December 2002	ISBN 4-7859-2268-0	2005-01-18	ISBN 1-59116-644-6
Excel and company attempt to reach out to the ignorant masses at a shopping mall but are again thwarted by Kabapu's forces. Excel begins to feel her position in ACROSS undermined and takes a period of leave. Sumiyoshi's family is introduced, much to his colleagues' surprise. During her absence, Elgala and Hyatt attempt to propagandize at a soccer match, but are forced to retreat under pressure from Iwata. Excel returns to slavage the situation, and the girls celebrate with sake given to Hyatt by Watanabe. They awake hung-over and discover that their bank account has myteriously emptied overnight.
11	October 2003	ISBN 4-7859-2367-9	2005-03-15	ISBN 1-59116-722-1
Elgala is forced to recount how she spent the agents' ¥10 million: on a sleep-walking night on the town. The agents are forced to take part time jobs to recoup the loss. Watanabe endeavors to assist Hyatt, but must turn to help from Kabapu—at "very reasonable rates of usury." An office ski trip turns almost deadly for Matsuya and Iwata, but is certainly deadly for the former's pride. The ACROSS agents contemplate new uniforms and aspects of the organization secret even from them. Kabapu and Shioji clash over the use and design of the Ropponmatsu units, and ACROSS inaugurates a bombing campaign to spur the city into action.
12	June 2004	ISBN 4-7859-2427-6	2005-05-17	ISBN 1-59116-775-2
Dr. Kabapu reflects on the recent terrorist bombing campaign and how it has actually improved the city, but also on how much he needs to find Shioji's father Tenmangu, which will require an unpleasant meeting with Shioji's mother. The agents of ACROSS meanwhile summer at the coast, working at beach-shack owned by "The Manager." Iwata, Matsuya, Ropponmatsu, Sumiyoshi, and Watanabe also visit the beach, leading to Watanabe's being lost at sea with Hyatt. A collection of "side stories" at the start of the VIZ edition star Shioji and his cousin, Umi Rengaya. In these, Shioji's past, character, and relationship with his family are explored.
13	December 2004	ISBN 4-7859-2496-9	2005-08-02	ISBN 1-4215-0143-0
Shioji's mother, Dr. Miwa Rengaya, surprises him by returning from Illinois and resuming residence at the family institute. The agents of ACROSS attempt to spread the word to a passing television crew but are preemted by Ilpalazzo's public proclamation of ACROSS' ownership of the city. Kabapu is spurred by this to reveal his origins and true mission to his subordinates. Excel and company stage a daring but failed raid on City Hall to capture Ropponmatsu Unit 1 for Ilpalazzo. Dr. Rengaya and Kabpu consult over tea, while Shioji rifles through his mother's files for clues to his father's research and location. He later forms a secret alliance with Matsuya.
14	June 2005	ISBN 4-7859-2546-9	2006-04-11	ISBN 1-4215-0481-2
The girls' cover (and apartment) are explosively blown, leading to a bath-house confrontation with Kabapu's forces. In order to draw their attention and let Hyatt escape, Excel and Elgala flee, taking Iwata and Ropponmatsu Unit 2 in pursuit. Nevertheless, Hyatt is captured and, in an amnesiac state, placed under Watanabe's care, with potentially dire effects on the latter's career. Her coworkers escape to to the coast, where they are pressed into the service of "Mr. Owner" and "The Manager" on their floating resort, eventually ending up in an immigration detention center. Kabapu takes a vacation at a hot-spring, but is rudely interrupted by a murder mystery and local police.
15	December 2005	ISBN 4-7859-2598-1	2006-12-12[8]	ISBN 1-4215-0846-X
16	August 2006	ISBN 4-7859-2663-5

[edit] References

1. ^ Excel Saga - Episode titles. Anime News Network. Retrieved on 2006-05-31.
2. ^ ^{a b} "Going Too Far." Shinichi Watanabe (Director). Excel Saga.
3. ^ See Madman's website: Excel Saga. Madman Entertainment. Retrieved on 2006-06-06.
4. ^ Releases - Upcoming titles - Excel Saga: Complete Collection (Thinpak). Anime News Network. Retrieved on 2006-06-22.
5. ^ DVD review of Excel Saga IMPerfect Collection. DVD Town.com. Retrieved on 2006-06-21.
6. ^ The total pagination is presented only for the first seven volumes at (Japanese) Amazon.co.jp.
7. ^ "Excel Saga". VIZ Media. Retrieved on 2006-06-13.
8. ^ Releases - Upcoming titles - Excel Saga. Anime News Network. Retrieved on 2006-06-01.

Excel Saga
Major Characters: Excel | Hyatt | Ilpalazzo | Kabapu | Nabeshin | Shiouji | That Man
Information: Characters | Media
Related: Municipal Force Daitenzin | Puni Puni Poemy | Rikdo Koshi