First of all let me say that I don't speak Japanese, but luckily you don't need to know it to play this awesome title.
Don't be afraid of all the Japanese text you will see in Appare (as  I call it), the only thing you need to know is that you have to beat the hell out of a lot bad guys using one of the two main characters.
The game is pretty much a Pocky and Rocky clone, with a lot of variety within the stages and numerous mid-level and end-level bosses, plenty of stages and super powers.
Every time you start a stage you'll have to select what kind of magic you want as a special attack from fire, water, air and earth but the coolest thing is that your character can transform in a big muscular ultra powered dude !!!
Yes, you read that right, that little guy with the fan or that other kinda-french guy with the rose can transform in a killing machine every time you collect enough % bonus left behind by defeated enemies! Once your meter reaches 100% you can change, for a limited period of time, into a fire punching war machine, of course a lot more powerful than the regular guy. This said a good technique to beat the game is trying to get the 100% and saving it for the fight with the last stage boss, but don't get fooled, because in every stage there's usually more than one boss, and all of them are pretty cool too.
I guess this game didn't make it to the US or Europe just for the silliness and oriental themes, and that's a shame, because it's really a good game, fantastic gameplay, great sound and good replay value.
A MUST PLAY !!!