Muka Muka Paradise (Japanese: ムカムカパラダイス) is a manga series by Yumiko Igarashi and Fumiko Shiba, serialized between March 1993 and September 1994 in Shogakukan's Ciao magazine. It was later adapted into a 51 episode anime that aired in Japan between September 4, 1993 and August 27, 1994.
The story revolves around a young girl named Uiba Shikatani and her newly hatched pet dinosaur, which is named after the only words that come out of its mouth, "Muka Muka".
Tropes:
- Alcohol Hic: Muka Muka hiccups after drinking an entire bottle of sake in the first episode.
- All Just a Dream: The events of Episode 36 turn out to be all just Uiba's nightmare.
- All of the Other Reindeer: Episode 12 features a white horse getting picked on by the other horses.
- All There in the Manual: Uiba's birthday is September 13th, and her blood type is B.
- Alpha Bitch: Ranka, who fits into the stereotypical aggressive type and has two lackeys.
- Big Eater: Muka Muka.
- Bird-Poop Gag: Episode 36 has a crow pooping on Senta's head.
- Catapult Nightmare: In the first episode, Uiba has a nightmare of a catfish monster bursting right out of her father's stomach.
- Childhood Friends: First-year middle schooler Hazuki and Senta are this to fourth-grade Uiba.
- Comedic Spanking: Happens to Ranka by a fishman in one episode; she was framed for eating fish meant for someone else (it was actually Muka Muka).
- Cry Cute: In one episode, Ranka does this when Uiba returns her lost special necklace.
- The Dentist Episode: Episode 4.
- DIY Dentistry: In the fourth episode, Uiba's father tries to glue Muka Muka's teeth back inside of his mouth. Cue a Sticky Situation when Muka Muka grabs the glue.
- Everyone Has Standards: Even Ranka is disgusted by Uiba's jerkass motives in Episode 36.
- Everything's Better with Dinosaurs: Especially since more dinosaurs enter from Episode 13 onwards.
- Festival Episode: Episode 9.
- Luminescent Blush: Muka Muka does this in the opening theme after being kissed.
- Mr. Seahorse: When hiding Muka Muka underneath his clothes, Uiba's father ends up looking heavily pregnant, much to the shock of the townspeople.
- Noblewoman's Laugh: Ranka is known to laugh in a very ojou-like manner.
- Ocular Gushers: Uiba does this in a flashback in Episode 1 upon being devastated that an egg won't hatch.
- Off-Model: Some episodes' art styles have the characters take on a more "shonen" appearance.
- Pokémon Speak: Muka Muka.
- Rich Bitch: Ranka.
- Ridiculously Cute Critter: Muka Muka himself, as well as Nika Nika.
- "Shaggy Dog" Story: Episode 49 reveals that the egg didn't contain a baby creature at all, but just some crystals. Cue mass Face Fault.
- Shout-Out: A young girl in Episode 36 bears strong resemblance to Chibi-Usa.
- Slice of Life: From Episodes 1-12, before the Time Travel happens.
- Terrible Trio: Ranka with Hashinosuke and Kayama.
- The Tooth Hurts: Uiba and Ranka both have teeth issues in Episode 4, and both have to go to the dentist.
- Trademark Favorite Food: Blueberry Jam for Muka Muka, to the point where he can easily down an entire jar in one sitting.
- Trapped in Another World: For an arc of the series.
- Weapon of Choice: Ranka has her pink fan, while Muka Muka has his magical pink hammer.
- What the Hell, Hero?: Uiba's friends and family call her out on her actions in Episode 36 when she takes things too far.
- Why Did It Have to Be Snakes?: Uiba's teacher is afraid of Muka Muka, even Fainting on one occasion.
-
Widget Series: All other sorts of wacky characters and storylines appear besides the dinosaurs as the series progresses.
