Comments on: Toshokan Sensou end: B-list anime done well

By: Martin

Martin — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 17:26:21 +0000

@buster_machine: duly noted. I can’t promise when I’ll get chance to watch it, but I’ll try to find the time sooner or later!

@wildcard: I think it worked better as a slice-of-life…I think it’s better to keep things simple unless it’s more than twelve or so eps. I did enjoy this series, I must admit.

@Peter S: I was in two minds about that final ep too, although the way it ended was quite satisfying. I think this was supposed to be a satire of censorship and so on, but making it into a full-on armed conflict made you want to take it a bit more seriously. That said, it’s not the worst example of mixing comedy and realism I’ve seen. You work for a library? Lucky you!

@blissmo: Kasahara’s personality carried the show I think. It needed someone so full of enthusiasm and ambition to make up for the absurdity that surrounds her I guess. The way she went through tears, embarrassment and grim determination certainly made it watchable.

@kabitzin: Cheers. I like the Uncanny Valley concept too…I’m sure I’ll find a use for it in an editorial or something. The fact that Kasahara was neither overly heroic or overly weak struck a great balance in terms of her character.

By: Kabitzin

Kabitzin — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 16:26:31 +0000

I tend to agree with your assessment, and viewing TS as a character-driven show instead of a really serious show about guns and books is the key to enjoying the show. I didn’t mind Iku’s crying since she was put in some tough situations, and it’s not like she was a pushover or anything. For many people, I think TS fell into a sort of uncanny valley, as Blissmo suggests.

By: blissmo

blissmo — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 06:47:06 +0000

At least you can enjoy this; I found most of it boring and illogical, but perhaps you’re right in saying that the show is more about Kasahara’s character development. I’m also glad that the characters didn’t go overboard with their behaviour, but I still did find it to be quite dull. Although it kind of annoyed me every time Kasahara cried, it did prove that she was like a ‘real’ person, and it’s not like she’s one of those anime characters that can beat the living daylights out of someone. I could not see anything serious about this series, even the entire war and trying to save books; I just found it ridiculous despite how much I really do like books. I don’t like it how realistic characters are combined with an ‘unrealistic’ story-line. However, there were parts that I did find funny and enjoyable, but mostly it just passed bearable.

By: Peter S

Peter S — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 03:35:27 +0000

Maybe I can be accused of going into a show expecting one thing and rejecting it when it becomes another, but for me this show was a disappointment. Being a librarian myself and experiencing a few book battles (both outside and inside the library, though no one I’m aware of was packing heat) I was intrigued by what the series would say about these issues. The answer: not much, though Kasahara’s anger at a coworker writing a negative review was a nice twist. Furthermore, while I could swallow the concept of a government that allowed two of its departments to shoot at each other, it suggested a more absurd, or at least, a satirical storyline. Instead it settled into slice of life. Okay, except for me Kasahara’s struggles and growth seemed generic, like it could have been in any number of series. The romance was well-handled, apart from the maudlin final ep. And none of the other characters or subplots seemed to come to fruition. They were half-developed and then forgotten.

A shame. I had high hopes for this series!

By: Wildcard

Wildcard — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 00:34:12 +0000

B-list sums it up pretty well. It had me thinking I was getting into a pollitical action thriller with the first episode, but ultimately it turned out to be firmly in the slice of life genre. It didn’t push any genre boundaries or have much in the way of memorable moments, but it kept up decent level of quality. Not a bad watch at all.

By: buster_machine

buster_machine — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 20:57:48 +0000

In exchange I will give you a show on my B-list; Futakoi Alternative (since it is from 2005 and not on your MyAnimeList). It is somewhat odd and definitely something that you would not find outside of anime. (Btw, do not judge it based on the first episode, nor on the series Futakoi for that matter.)