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Penguindrum

Original title: Mawaru-Penguindrum
  • TV Series
  • 2011
  • TV-14
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
1K
YOUR RATING
Penguindrum (2011)
Penguin Drum (Us)
Play trailer1:43
1 Video
15 Photos
Adult AnimationAnimePsychological DramaTragedyAnimationComedyDramaFantasyMysteryThriller

A terminally ill girl is revived by a magical penguin spirit. In return, her brothers are sent on a quest for the mysterious 'Penguindrum'.A terminally ill girl is revived by a magical penguin spirit. In return, her brothers are sent on a quest for the mysterious 'Penguindrum'.A terminally ill girl is revived by a magical penguin spirit. In return, her brothers are sent on a quest for the mysterious 'Penguindrum'.

  • Creator
    • Kunihiko Ikuhara
  • Stars
    • Monica Rial
    • Brittney Karbowski
    • Adam Gibbs
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.4/10
    1K
    YOUR RATING
    • Creator
      • Kunihiko Ikuhara
    • Stars
      • Monica Rial
      • Brittney Karbowski
      • Adam Gibbs
    • 4User reviews
    • 9Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination total

    Episodes24

    Browse episodes
    TopTop-ratedSeason2011

    Videos1

    Penguin Drum (Us)
    Trailer 1:43
    Penguin Drum (Us)

    Photos14

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    Top cast27

    Edit
    Monica Rial
    Monica Rial
    • Himari Takakura
    • 2011
    Brittney Karbowski
    Brittney Karbowski
    • Chiemi Takakura…
    • 2011
    Adam Gibbs
    • Felzel…
    • 2011
    Emily Neves
    Emily Neves
    • Ringo Oginome
    • 2011
    Hilary Haag
    Hilary Haag
    • Hikari Utada…
    • 2011
    Andrew Love
    • Dr. Washizuka…
    • 2011
    Rob Mungle
    Rob Mungle
    • Dr. Washizuka…
    • 2011
    Shelley Calene-Black
    Shelley Calene-Black
    • Yuri Tokikago
    • 2011
    Maggie Flecknoe
    Maggie Flecknoe
    • Masako Natsume
    • 2011
    Blake Shepard
    Blake Shepard
    • Shouma Takakura
    • 2011
    Cynthia Martinez
    • Asami Kuho…
    • 2011
    Illich Guardiola
    Illich Guardiola
    • Kanba Takakura
    • 2011
    David Matranga
    David Matranga
    • Kenzan Takakura…
    • 2011
    Mamiko Noto
    • Yuri Tokikago
    • 2011
    Mike Yager
    • Keiju Tabuki
    • 2011
    Subaru Kimura
    • Kanba Takakura
    • 2011
    Ryohei Kimura
    • Shouma Takakura
    • 2011
    Miho Arakawa
    • Himari Takakura
    • 2011
    • Creator
      • Kunihiko Ikuhara
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews4

    7.41K
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    Featured reviews

    9wandereramor

    I am a rock 'n' roll man...

    Not so fresh off the heels of the brilliant Revolutionary Girl Utena, Kunihiko Ikuhara comes out of hibernation for another strange story with serious implications. Through the fight over a mystical diary that slowly reveals the darker pasts of all involved, Mawaru Penguindrum considers the issue of fate and determinism, as well as questions of family and responsibility.

    The show's visual style is fantastic, and if nothing else it's a feast for the eyes. However, there's also a lot of substance here too. A twisting (perhaps even convoluted) plot and a surreal sense of humour keep Mawaru Penguindrum from being a philosophical treatise, but even so it's a show with serious ambitions that are mostly fulfilled, and a series that deserves a lot of thought. It doesn't quite reach the transcendent levels of Utena, but it's still one of the best anime series of the year.
    8Irishchatter

    Another good anime from Kunihiko Ikuhara!

    After recently been disappointed by Sarazanmai, I decided to watch Penguindrum and boy it was so much better! I liked the fact it was different in a way and not always in the same format like Sarazanmai was! I really liked the song "Rock Over Japan" which is so damn hard to find the original online except covers lol!!! Anyways I liked the fact this anime was so colourful and the penguins were literally adorable!

    I was stunned to find out that Penguindrum was based on a real life sarin gas attack that happened in the mid 1990s and killed 13 people (1 died 14 years later). This event happened in Tokyo and this anime was basing it around the children who were involved in the incident. I was so sad and devastated to hear this.

    I so recommend you to watch this anime, it's just so good! The English Dub actors were great too!
    10TimothyMcKann

    Best Series online,Ultra Cool on Blu-Ray

    How I got into it: When I first heard about this series from a couple of cos player's at a con dressing up as the characters from it,I had to prove if they say it's the best series to check out. When I watched the show online,they were right,and I really enjoyed it.

    When I decided to buy it: When I read about this anime getting released on DVD,and Blu-Ray during the winter in a Magazine,I really wanted to buy it on Blu-Ray,and I did.When I bought the series on Blu-Ray,first collection at Best Buy,and the Second collection at the con,it was like watching it online all over again.

    Favorites: I have to say that the series was truly amazing,favorite characters were Himari,and the Double H girls,and their outfits were pretty hot. Of course,I love the music in the show.

    Meaning: What this show reminds us all that fate can be very hard,and we must never tempt fate. And we should always be very careful on what we do,and not get into trouble.

    But however,I really like this show,and those cos player's who were the characters from the show were right. It's truly the best.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      A character in the show is named Ringo Oginome. "Ringo" is Japanese for "apple", and the Japanese kanji for "ringo" also reads "pingu", for "penguin". According to the producers and writers, because the apple is pivotal in fairytales (especially the tale of Snow White) they wanted to name an important character after the fruit.
    • Goofs
      The EKG monitoring Hikari in several episodes is not connected to her.
    • Crazy credits
      At the end of each episode there is an illustration of one of the characters, in a position hinting at something in that episode or a forthcoming episode.
    • Connections
      Featured in WatchMojo: Top 10 Best Yandere Girls in Anime (2017)
    • Soundtracks
      Rock over Japan
      Sung by Triple H

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    FAQ14

    • How many seasons does Penguindrum have?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 8, 2011 (Japan)
    • Country of origin
      • Japan
    • Official site
      • Official site (Japan)
    • Languages
      • English
      • Japanese
    • Also known as
      • Rolling Penguin Drum
    • Production company
      • Brains Base
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.78 : 1

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