I’ve been watching anime since Toonami’s first promo in 1997, and now I’m proud to call myself an anime reviewer; among being a blogger, podcast host, a DJ, and a music producer. But this new segment isn’t all about me; no, this segment is an anime and video game character analysis series where I talk about their origins, their personalities, their skill set, why people like or hate them, and maybe more. To kick off our first One-2-One, I’ve decided to go with a character from a show that is in a class all its own. I had no idea what I was getting into with a show like this, but what’s even more hilarious is how the show was created. Hope you’re ready bitches, cuz’ we’re jumping into the high-octane, highly-profane, sex-crazed world of Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt with Stocking Anarchy!

I stumbled onto this show back at Otakon 2012. I didn’t even have a clue what the show was about until I saw the preview for it during one of Funimation’s premiere panels. So if you haven’t watched the show yet, I HIGHLY suggest you watch the dub of this show (and skip this One-2-One cuz’ there WILL be spoilers), because with the art style being 90% westernized (and based on 2000’s Cartoon Network titles like Powerpuff Girls and Dexter’s Lab), it’s the only way to watch it! So let’s get into Panty’s little sister (yeah, I said it!) and find out what makes her tick, her backstory, her skill set, and what the hell was that ‘ending’ all about!

Part 1 – Origin Story: Who the Hell is Stocking Anarchy?!

Stocking Anarchy is…an angel. Yeah, I can’t believe it either. So the story goes that she and her sister got kicked out of heaven due to their ungodly behavior, but the real reason might have something to do with the fact that she’s the persona – LET ME FINISH! (Geez, Persona fans!) She’s the personification of Gluttony; one of the seven deadly sins. (Don’t worry, we’ll get to them soon.)

The funny thing about her origin story is the fact that its never really clear HOW Stocking died and became an angel, but then again, this is one of those shows that doesn’t take itself too seriously. With her being the personification of gluttony, Stocking is overly obsessed with sweets and consumes them on a rather unhealthy scale. This was justified during episode 4 of the series; where she tries to lose weight but she ends up gaining it rather quickly thanks to the sweets of a ghost that turns her into a big-ass beach ball. Other than that one time Stocking never really gains any weight from eating a lot of sweets, and even if she does, she claims it goes straight to her boobs – and I don’t have a problem with that! 😉

Part 2 – Personality & Skill Set

Stocking is pretty much like any other goth girl you’ve seen or met in high school; hates popular girls and ginger-haired geeks, likes dark-colored clothing, snarky and sarcastic, and into S&M. (I know the last part because two of the goth girls at my high school told me they like bondage.) In terms of what her ‘type’ is, she’s more into what they’re like on the inside rather than the out. That means if she’s into thicc dudes like Patrick Fargy (from episode 9.5) then I might have a shot! (*wink, wink*) She’s also more level-headed than her sister in terms of interaction with other people, but she’ll cuss you out just as bad if she’s provoked (like she did in episode 6 where she encounters the Demon Sisters, Scanty and Kneesocks).

When it comes to her move set she’s one of the most skilled swordswomen in the series. Stocking is able to transform her stockings into blue and white striped katanas that she’s named Stripe I and Stripe II, and can probably give another sword-wielding waifu a run for her money. (Death Battle! Stocking vs. Asuna! Make it happen!) Although its not proven, Stocking has the capability to transform her swords into bigger swords; like Cloud’s Buster Sword for example, and her combat style has a heavy emphasis on skill rather than power. She’s also shown to be quite durable against enemies (as seen in episode 3 “Catfight Club”) although her one weakness is of course, bondage. Stocking can spin her katanas fast enough to slice through ghosts at high speeds, and her blades are strong enough to bend (and possibly cut) steel and other metal (as seen in episode 5). To kill ghosts all she has to do is swing her blades which create an energy-cutter type of move that slices them up like Wonderbread. If you’re not a 90’s kid you will not get that childhood reference.

Part 3 – Overall Analysis

The idea of Stocking’s conception came from drunken and humorous circumstances, which makes the creation of this show all the more unique. There was never a real story or plotline with Stocking or her sister, as they just went on various ghost hunting assignments trying to get back into heaven by collecting heaven coins. Stocking’s personality is based off of various real-life traits found in girls who feel like they were labeled as “outcasts” in high school, as she’s the more relatable character in the series. (Although her fanbase is bigger than Panty’s, so that’s a win! Ha! XP) Perhaps there may be some level of resentment between her and Panty, but it was probably hidden throughout the show (which doesn’t take itself seriously) and didn’t boil over until the post-credits scene. Yes, we’re gonna talk about the ‘Infamous Post-Credits Scene’.

After the credits roll on episode 13; Stocking along with Panty, Garterbelt, and Brief return home as Stocking asks if their weapons can kill angels. Panty tells her she’d have to try it and see, and just like that Stocking stabs her sister through the head and slices her up into 666 pieces. Garter blows up (again) and a blob version of Corset pops out of Brief’s member to laugh at what just happened. Brief asks Stocking why she did the deed and she stated that she was ‘actually a demon’. Corset blob tells Brief that he’ll leave a trail of Panty pieces all the way to the nearby city of Oten City, and that he’ll revive her once he smashes himself into the other Hellsgate Keyhole. Blob Corset and ‘Demon’ Stocking take off with Garter, Brief, and the Demon Sisters giving the best reaction that the entire fandom was thinking; what in the actual FUUUUUUK!!!

Keep in mind this series was produced by Gainax, so they’re known for pulling these ‘rabbits-out-of asses’ endings to many of their shows. They guys who worked on the show left to form Studio Trigger, which still kept a little of that zany style found in Panty & Stocking, although to this day there is no word or mention of there being a season two. For a character like Stocking, you can say that even though she’s labeled as an anti-hero, she possesses the most heroic qualities that you’d find in a show like this. Yes, she ends up going back to heaven for taking her assignment seriously. Yes, she returned to help Panty while doing a heroic pose akin to the ‘Iron Man Pose’ found in Marvel. Yes, her calling herself a demon is still a debatable topic to this day. And yes, I did write a 14-chapter fan fiction sequel to the series that you can find titled Brief & Soulfire: Panty & Stocking Season 2.

To sum it all up; Stocking Anarchy is a fallen angel trying to get back into heaven by killing ghosts, while battling with her desire to eat sweets. Her personality is based on traits found in girls who felt like they were labeled as ‘outkasts’ and goths. She’s a skilled swordswomen with amazing durability, and gave the fandom the best reaction upon her heel turn, after the credits.

That will do it for this One-2-One post, until next time, stay nerdy! 😉