Pumpkin Scissors Review

The story is about an army faction of the fictional Imperial State Army Section III "Pumpkin Scissors," who go about a war-torn country to provide "war relief." Heading this team is Alice L. Malvin, a gung-ho tomboy noble with an incredibly strong sense of justice, who goes to various parts of the land to aid civilians and soldiers. The second main character is Randel Oland, a hulking, quiet gentle-giant who joins the teams to help, but has a mysterious past. Thus the story is about the various tasks and obstacles the team faces while providing "war relief" to the common folk of a war-torn country.

The story is told in episodic format, with each episode or two covering an event as the team brings solutions to war-stricken areas, while slowly uncovering an organization out to oppose the team and the entire government. You find out about the hardships and trials the team goes through, as well as the reactions and countermeasures from the commoners, military bandits, and from higher-ups or people working behind-the-scenes. Enough time is present to know the characters' background and feelings, but as this series is cut short, there are still many questions to be answered.

Sadly, the ending does not conclude the series, and even teases of a second season (which is not likely to happen). But to continue on the adventure, the manga is available.

The feel of this anime is like of a serious nature, but not only serious in nature. In other words, use the theme is about after a war and what happens to a country recovering to survive, but there are elements of light-hearted humor thrown in to be entertaining. The overall fell of watching the anime is like watching Full Metal Alchemist: serious undertones and questioning of human morals, with enough humor to not make it un-enjoyable.

As a story told after war, Pumpkin Scissors focuses on what happens after a powerful country suddenly calls a ceasefire, but with much of the country in ruins. Even the setting is not named, just referred as "the empire." Different people, from soldiers, nobility, and commoners, have faced hardship during and after the war, and of course would do anything to survive. The team of Pumpkin Scissors at first is nothing but a military "face" to show that the government is helping the people, but most of the public views them as nothing more than a "poster boy," merely just showing they are doing something. Alice takes matters into her own hands, more often than the rest of the team likes, to show they are committed and will do anything to help the people out. Due to their many unexpected actions to help the people out, the team becomes more respected and liked by the public.

Alice's personal views on what right and wrong is is questioned many times, from many of the aforementioned groups. One can think about if every action is just, and that there will always an opposite side questioning your ideals. Her way of thinking is what motivates the team further and to gain more respect from the citizens. But it is harder for her to express her views, since she comes from a noble family who disapproves of her being in the military, and of earning the respect of the poorer citizens, whom hate all nobles.

Overall, a decent series worth watching and make you think. I just wished they would continue another season of production to tie up loose ends (but there is a manga version to finished up the story).