Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on March 2010

© 2010 MTV Networks

Even if you can’t stand the music, MTV Japan’s worth watching just for the cartoons. None more so than Usavich, a series of CG animated shorts that follows a pair of bunny convicts—the tough-as-nails, sneaker-obsessed Kireneko and dopey, affable Putin—as they do time in a Soviet prison, then make a break for freedom. Be warned: this is dangerously addictive stuff. Once you warm to the surreal humor and razor-sharp slapstick, there’s no turning back. This limited edition set includes all three seasons of the show (total running time: 63 minutes) plus a couple of stickers, a postcard and paint-your-own kit models of the two protagonists.

Usavich DVD Box, ¥9,450. Available from Village Vanguard and major DVD retailers.