Follow-up on Hyakko!
This one looked promising. It really did! The first episode had lots of fun character interaction and situation comedy. Taking four very different personalities and getting them lost in a huge school was brilliant. Why, oh why did they not stick to this for the next two episodes?! Episode 2 focuses on the group of four trying to find a club, but REALLY only focuses on Torako and Tatsuki - the strong personalities - facing off. The third episode keeps the focus on Torako and some new, strange characters, while keeping the other three of the original four on the periphery. Without the character-driven aspect, this show just doesn't have the same charm. I'll follow it for a few more episodes, but if it can't turn it around by then and recapture the fun of the first episode ... I don't know if even Hirano Aya can keep me coming back.
Bottom Line: This show has lost its magic after the first episode. Whether it can get it back is anyone's guess.
Follow-up on Toradora!
This series surprised me. The first episode was looking pretty generic, but a catchy opening and a bit of character development has done wonders for this series. (I find that a catchy opening really helps a series. It can be the most mundane thing in the world, but a catchy opening will keep me interested at least long enough for the show itself to become interesting. And that's what's happened here.) In many ways, the show reminds me a bit of School Rumble (Horie Yui aside). Just like in Sukuran, the comedy is driven by main characters who can't manage to express their feelings and the awkward situations they end up finding themselves in. As in Sukuran, the love interests are pretty generic, but even that adds a bit of humor to the whole situation. The dynamic is different, though, since Taiga and Ryuuji are at the same time developing their own relationship, albeit not a romantic one. So far, nothing's been quite as over-the-top as Sukuran, but that's probably okay for this series.
Bottom line: This one's actually pretty funny thanks to interesting characters, good use of situational comedy, and, of course, a catchy opening. I'll be trying to keep on this one.
Follow-up on Casshern Sins:
So, I'll be honest. I didn't know when I started watching this that it was a remake of an older anime - that certainly explains the stylistic choices made in its production. From what I understand, though, the story is vastly different this time around: much much darker than the original. And I've got to say. It works. As each episode progresses, we learn a bit more about what it was that actually happened between Casshern and Luna to create the massive ruin that is plaguing all of robotkind. Also developing is Casshern's own understanding of himself and of the "sin" that he has committed. It is interesting that the story is told almost entirely from the perspective of a race of robots who we learn subjugated humanity. From the robot's perspective, this is the end of the world. But one wonders how the humans (other than the one rogue we've met) view the ruin. In any case, the show has already begun to confront the themes of dealing with death and sin, as well as the pain of having to live on in that sin while everyone else must suffer the consequences. It should go without saying that such themes are an excellent entry point for some Gospel proclamation. This show has potential to engage people and make them confront and deal with the emptiness of the real world reflected in this tale of fiction. Very, very exciting, this one. I'll be watching and following it closely, and depending on how it proceeds, perhaps even do a feature on its usefulness in understanding Japanese evangelism.
Bottom Line: This one doesn't pull any punches. The themes are engaged head-on. Death, dying, and guilt are all waiting to be dealt with. It should be fun to see how Casshern does so.
Follow-up on Kannagi:
Here was another one that kinda looked like it was heading one direction, but then chose a more interesting path. Certainly, the "attractive girl suddenly living in my house" aspect has not been dropped, but the focus has begun to shift. It has begun to shift towards a plot development deeply tied to a Shinto religious outlook. The problem can be summed up with the idea that: "gods are only gods when they are worshipped." To be honest, this statement alone deserves its own feature post, and likely will get one, but for now, suffice to say that this outlook seems that it will drive the rest of the series. Nagi, who, if you remember, is a god of the land who inhabited a sacred tree until it was cut down, is losing her divinity. Why? Because her tree has been cut down and no one remembers her any longer. Solution? Find a way for people to worship you. The method that has been mentioned (and likely will be tried, if the opening is any indication) is, ironically, to become an idol. A Shinto god ... becoming an idol. Brilliant! This intelligent idea, combined once again with some interesting characters (notice a theme here?) make this show look like it'll be an interesting one to watch. At the very least, the concepts surrounding the nature of divinity will keep me watching for a while.
Bottom Line: Good characters, a refreshing plot twist with a touch of irony, religious content, and a catchy OP make this one to follow this season.
Well, I'm afraid that's it for now. Not enough hours in the day to watch all the anime I need to be caught up, but oh well. What you gonna do.
Oh, and just a reminder, since tomorrow is election day here in America: GO VOTE!
