Anime reviews; 2010.12
Amagami SS
This hasn't quite ended yet - there's a bonus 25th episode to air on Christmas Eve - but the main story arcs are out of the way, so whatever. I almost can't admit to myself that I watched the whole series. It's based on a PS2 dating sim and follows a chap named Junichi as he wins the hearts of six different girls (one of which he doesn't seem to be interested in himself) in six alternate versions of the same time period, leading up to Christmas. There isn't much more to it than that.
Junichi has some kind of backstory revolving around a painful past rejection, but nothing is ever done with this; same goes for several other red herrings (what's up with Ayatsuji's sister, for example). Many extremely implausible things happen and I can only presume that the storylines are pretty much straight adaptations from the videogame. Junichi himself has very few redeeming traits; he's wimpy and uninteresting. I also would have much preferred three or four longer storylines rather than six short ones, but again, probably a purist adaptation thing.
Overall though, I still enjoyed the show, and I guess that's because it's very sweet and pleasant without being sickly (theme songs notwithstanding). I can only describe it as an extremely guilty pleasure. The show does seem to have quite a large following and I found fans in more than one of the (not anime-centric) online communities that I frequent, so at least I'm not alone!
Death Note
I had been aware of this series since forever but never really gave it much thought, and unfortunately it's probably because it is so popular. That was a mistake, cos I loved this show. Clever writing, and lots of fun twists and turns. After 37 episodes it started to drag a little but by the time it ended, I found myself wanting more. I won't bother summarising it since basically everyone has already seen it. I guess the only gripe I have with the show really is the almost arbitrary-seeming set of rules surrounding the notebook and shinigamis, which seem to have been designed for plot convenience more than anything else. Still, no big deal. I doubt I will ever again hear a line like "I'll take a potato chip... AND EAT IT!" made into something quite so dramatic.
Now and Then, Here and There
This is a short, grim show about an innocent boy who is unwillingly transported into a bleak, dry, war-ridden world. He is quickly caught up in a dictator's attempt to capture and manipulate Lala-Ru, a girl in possession of a magical water-producing MacGuffin pendant, and ends up in a village housing some survivors and rebels. In the meantime, kids whose families were killed by Hamdo the Villain have become members of his army and struggle with their loyalties. I'm not really sure what to say about this one. It's good, but it's not going to leave you in a good mood. It feels like what you might get if you took an older Miyazaki world (perhaps Nausicaa), sandblasted all the cheer and positivity away, and extrapolated on the negatives.
But it's certainly and engaging ride, and you do care for the characters. The visual style is quite simplistic and old-fashioned, somewhat like a kids' anime perhaps, which to me is probably a good thing - it balances out the subject matter and softens the touch rather than trivialising it or not doing it justice. It's been quite a while since I watched the show but I do remember good things about the soundtrack too. Cautious recommendation for anyone who thinks they're in the mood.
Ookami-san And Her Seven Companions
The prevailing thought I had while watching this show was that it's what Haruzi Suzumiya should have been. Quirkier and more light-hearted. Also annoyingly short (12 episodes). Ryoshi is an absurdly shy boy with a crush on Ryoko Ookami, a tough-talking tomboy who works for the 'Otogi Bank' - a high school club that loans out favours to students in need. Ryoshi ends up in the 'bank' too, and eventually demonstrates a brave and capable side that slowly wins Ryoko over.
Over its brief run, the show features both an overall story arc with serious themes and stand-alone episodes for more light-hearted stories (e.g. obligatory skimpy outfit contest). There's a decent amount of character development across a good range of different characters. The one thing that made me grind my teeth was the constant narration from the patronising voice of an omniscient old lady. Urgh. Be quiet. But after a while you get over it. This show is fun and heartwarming, and I just wish it were longer. Rockin theme tune too.
Next shows to be reviewed: Shiki, Outlaw Star, The Tatami Galaxy, Arakawa Under the Bridge, and maybe Welcome to the NHK if I get around to watching it. Movie reviews first, though.
This hasn't quite ended yet - there's a bonus 25th episode to air on Christmas Eve - but the main story arcs are out of the way, so whatever. I almost can't admit to myself that I watched the whole series. It's based on a PS2 dating sim and follows a chap named Junichi as he wins the hearts of six different girls (one of which he doesn't seem to be interested in himself) in six alternate versions of the same time period, leading up to Christmas. There isn't much more to it than that.
Junichi has some kind of backstory revolving around a painful past rejection, but nothing is ever done with this; same goes for several other red herrings (what's up with Ayatsuji's sister, for example). Many extremely implausible things happen and I can only presume that the storylines are pretty much straight adaptations from the videogame. Junichi himself has very few redeeming traits; he's wimpy and uninteresting. I also would have much preferred three or four longer storylines rather than six short ones, but again, probably a purist adaptation thing.
Overall though, I still enjoyed the show, and I guess that's because it's very sweet and pleasant without being sickly (theme songs notwithstanding). I can only describe it as an extremely guilty pleasure. The show does seem to have quite a large following and I found fans in more than one of the (not anime-centric) online communities that I frequent, so at least I'm not alone!
Death Note
I had been aware of this series since forever but never really gave it much thought, and unfortunately it's probably because it is so popular. That was a mistake, cos I loved this show. Clever writing, and lots of fun twists and turns. After 37 episodes it started to drag a little but by the time it ended, I found myself wanting more. I won't bother summarising it since basically everyone has already seen it. I guess the only gripe I have with the show really is the almost arbitrary-seeming set of rules surrounding the notebook and shinigamis, which seem to have been designed for plot convenience more than anything else. Still, no big deal. I doubt I will ever again hear a line like "I'll take a potato chip... AND EAT IT!" made into something quite so dramatic.
Now and Then, Here and There
This is a short, grim show about an innocent boy who is unwillingly transported into a bleak, dry, war-ridden world. He is quickly caught up in a dictator's attempt to capture and manipulate Lala-Ru, a girl in possession of a magical water-producing MacGuffin pendant, and ends up in a village housing some survivors and rebels. In the meantime, kids whose families were killed by Hamdo the Villain have become members of his army and struggle with their loyalties. I'm not really sure what to say about this one. It's good, but it's not going to leave you in a good mood. It feels like what you might get if you took an older Miyazaki world (perhaps Nausicaa), sandblasted all the cheer and positivity away, and extrapolated on the negatives.
But it's certainly and engaging ride, and you do care for the characters. The visual style is quite simplistic and old-fashioned, somewhat like a kids' anime perhaps, which to me is probably a good thing - it balances out the subject matter and softens the touch rather than trivialising it or not doing it justice. It's been quite a while since I watched the show but I do remember good things about the soundtrack too. Cautious recommendation for anyone who thinks they're in the mood.
Ookami-san And Her Seven Companions
The prevailing thought I had while watching this show was that it's what Haruzi Suzumiya should have been. Quirkier and more light-hearted. Also annoyingly short (12 episodes). Ryoshi is an absurdly shy boy with a crush on Ryoko Ookami, a tough-talking tomboy who works for the 'Otogi Bank' - a high school club that loans out favours to students in need. Ryoshi ends up in the 'bank' too, and eventually demonstrates a brave and capable side that slowly wins Ryoko over.
Over its brief run, the show features both an overall story arc with serious themes and stand-alone episodes for more light-hearted stories (e.g. obligatory skimpy outfit contest). There's a decent amount of character development across a good range of different characters. The one thing that made me grind my teeth was the constant narration from the patronising voice of an omniscient old lady. Urgh. Be quiet. But after a while you get over it. This show is fun and heartwarming, and I just wish it were longer. Rockin theme tune too.
Next shows to be reviewed: Shiki, Outlaw Star, The Tatami Galaxy, Arakawa Under the Bridge, and maybe Welcome to the NHK if I get around to watching it. Movie reviews first, though.