Narutaru...partly a question about Japanese TV

[but_the_moment]

First of all, has anyone else seen this? I don't believe it's licensed in the US (nor would I suspect it ever would be).
http://www.animetempy.com/reviews/LMNO/narutaru.htm -- Anime Tempy's review
-- torrent available here

Second, my opinion of the show itself is complicated. I think I would have liked the concept had it been coherent. As it is, I could barely understand it. Oh yeah, and I'd challenge anyone to find a more disturbing anime. The closest I've ever come to this level of feeling was Akira, towards the end where Tetsuo goes REALLY nuts. If you've seen it, chances are you know the scene I'm talking about--it involves a squish. And even that is a solid second place. There's actually no (or very little) visible gore shown in Narutaru, but they make sure you know EXACTLY what's going on. However, if that were the only thing I had against this anime (I do not enjoy heavy/disturbing violence), I'd be like, "fine. it's my own gosh darn fault for watching it."

However, my third point/question: This is, as far as I can tell, being shown on a kids' station in Japan? ("Kids' Station" is the channel on which the show is purportedly being shown--hence my reasoning.) Admittedly, I have no idea what young kids are allowed to see by their parents these days--I grew up rather sheltered. However, if I knew that children 12 and younger were watching THIS level of violence, I'd have to seriously reconsider what the culture that was producing the entertainment that I so thoroughly enjoy is being influenced by.

So--
I can't but believe that this is the exception and not the rule. Just because it's -hard- to create this level of psychological turmoil, even through violence. I'd also like it if someone who knew a bit about it could tell me what this whole "Kids' Station" is all about--is it seriously for youngsters? Is this probably some really really late night thing? This issue's been on my mind ever since I finished the series (and there was a lot in me fighting against finishing even the 13 episodes it encompasses). I wanted to bring this to an actual anime forum and get some responses there. I hope someone can help me out.

[And if you have no actual knowledge of Japanese TV, please do everyone a favor and don't just spout indignantly--I am, in fact, a rather big anime fan; I know some things. I know enough to disregard the "Goku can kick everyone else's BUTT" fools.]


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[danball1976]

My understanding is that Narutaru was cancelled after the 13th episode due to its level of violence in its later episodes, thus the odd ending at the very end of ep 13