Virgin Punk is the newest anime from the renowned studio Shaft and director Yasuomi Umetsu. Similar to Umetsu’s previous work, it’s an action-packed “girls with guns” series that immediately throws you into the fight, focusing on Ubu Kamigori and her strong dislike for the villainous Mr. Elegance.
The first installment of the six-part series Virgin Punk, titled Clockwork Girl, will be released in theaters on November 11th, following screenings at events around the world. While you may have already missed seeing it before the official release, Virgin Punk promises to be an amazing series that will likely improve with each viewing.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
| PROS | CONS |
| Some of the best animation of 2025, by far. | The main villain’s obsession with the protagonist’s child self can be uncomfortable for some. |
| Story has a good balance of schlock and genuine heart. | The story has a good balance of schlock and genuine heart. |
| Incredibly engaging protagonist who’s a perfect throwback to an older era of anime. |
Virgin Punk Is Cheesy ’90s Action At Its Finest
The first episode of Shaft’s Virgin Punk isn’t exactly high art. The story and setting are very basic, and it feels like something many anime fans have already seen in the 90s and early 2000s. Viewers looking for something more complex or meaningful might find it lacking.
What really makes Virgin Punk enjoyable is its sheer energy. Clockwork Girl, while full of campy dialogue and exaggerated action, is delivered with genuine enthusiasm. This makes it a fun watch and a nostalgic nod to the over-the-top action anime popular in the 1990s.
The film is visually stunning, which is no surprise considering the director, Yasuomi Umetsu, is known for his beautiful work on projects like Mezzo Forte and Kite. Virgin Punk consistently delivers breathtaking visuals that make its action scenes exciting and over-the-top. It perfectly captures the feel of classic, cheesy 90s action movies, and it has the potential to become even more popular.
How Virgin Punk Creates The Ultimate Retro Action Hero
A big part of what makes Virgin Punk so compelling is its main character, Ubu Kamigori. Even though her life is turned upside down and she has to become tough to survive, and even with the difficult circumstances she faces as the story unfolds, Ubu is a very relatable and engaging character. It’s easy to become invested in her journey, despite her somewhat rough edges.
Ubu really shines thanks to her dynamic involvement in the action. Similar to other protagonists from Yasuomi Umetsu, she’s a powerful fighter right from the start, and every fight she’s in is exciting and visually impressive, with well-animated and creative choreography that’s simply fun to watch.
Ubu really shines when compared to her antagonist, Mr. Elegance. He’s a delightfully awful character – a creepy, over-the-top villain with an unsettling obsession with Ubu. Even if he didn’t have a personal connection to her, he’d be a fantastic villain for Virgin Punk due to how outrageously evil he is.
Virgin Punk is a clear homage to the action anime of the 1990s. With a compelling, troubled past, impressive fighting skills, and a truly despicable enemy in Ubu, the main character is perfectly suited for this type of story. Hopefully, the character and the story will continue to develop and improve in future chapters.
Virgin Punk Is Bringing Back One Of The Best Hallmarks Of Retro Anime
One of the main ways Virgin Punk tries to feel like classic anime is by using the OVA format. OVAs were popular in the 1990s as a way to introduce new anime, but with the rise of streaming and digital releases, they’ve become quite rare.
Beyond its style, Virgin Punk feels like a classic OVA – and it’s released in the same way, as a series of six short films. It’s a cool detail that really adds to the show’s nostalgic, retro vibe and makes it so enjoyable.
If you’re a fan of over-the-top, fun action anime from the ’90s, Virgin Punk is a must-see. The first part suggests it will be another fantastic work by Yasuomi Umetsu, and even though only one installment is hitting theaters this November, the future sequels promise to be just as good, if not better.
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2025-10-24 17:11