Excel Saga [Season 1 Episodes 1 to 26]

Excel Saga: A Wild Ride of Chaos and Comedy

If you’re looking for an anime that defies logic, embraces absurdity, and throws every possible genre trope into a blender, Excel Saga is your go-to show. This 26-episode rollercoaster, produced by J.C.Staff and directed by Shinichi Watanabe (aka Nabeshin), aired from 1999 to 2000, and it remains a cult classic for its sheer audacity. The story follows Excel, a hyperactive and hilariously incompetent member of the secret organization ACROSS, whose mission is to take over the world—starting with Fukuoka. Alongside her perpetually dying partner Hyatt and their talking dog Menchi (who doubles as emergency food), Excel’s antics range from parodying other anime to breaking the fourth wall in ways that still feel fresh today.

The Madness of Episode 26

The finale, Episode 26, is where Excel Saga truly goes off the rails—even by its own standards. Fans have described it as “the greatest 26 minutes of my life” (Pyrokensei), and it’s easy to see why. The episode opens with a bizarre musical number, transitions into uncensored ecchi, and then dives into gore and dark humor. One fan noted, “They really went all-out on the last episode. So many violations left and right” (Comment 22).

What makes this episode stand out is how it pushes boundaries that were considered extreme in 2000. Compared to modern anime, some of the content might seem tame, but back then, it was groundbreaking. As one viewer put it, “For 2000, I’d say they went pretty far. However, if they knew it wouldn’t be aired, I don’t see why they didn’t go even further” (vexium). The episode’s mix of blood, nudity, and absurdity—like a dog thrusting or a near-lesbian moment—cemented its reputation as a no-holds-barred conclusion.

Fan Reactions: Love It or Hate It

The fanbase is divided, but most agree that Excel Saga is a unique experience. Some, like Comment 11, call it “the best comedy/parody anime I’ve seen so far,” praising its relentless energy and unpredictability. Others, however, found certain episodes (like the infamous clip shows) to be weak spots. One reviewer lamented, “If they just limited it to 1 clip show or made 26 more episodes clip show-free, I’d have given it a perfect score” (Comment 24).

The humor is hit-or-miss, depending on your tolerance for randomness. The show’s willingness to parody everything—from Spielberg to hentai tropes—keeps it entertaining, but it’s not for everyone. As Comment 30 puts it, “For a quack experimental anime that really parodied different genres, this was a decent watch. A lot of chaos each episode, but in a fun way.”

Legacy and Why It Still Matters

Despite its age, Excel Saga holds up as a pioneer of meta-humor and genre parody. It paved the way for shows like Nichijou and Gintama, which also thrive on absurdity. The finale’s over-the-top nature was a fitting end to a series that never took itself seriously. As one fan summed it up: “The hardest laughs are always the last laughs” (Comment 25).

If you’re in the mood for something unapologetically chaotic, Excel Saga is a must-watch. Just don’t expect coherence—embrace the madness.

Final Verdict: 8/10 (Pure, unfiltered insanity with a few dull moments.)

“Damn, I was content with this anime ending, but then this episode just made me want more. Too funny.” — Comment 15