[Categories: Anime Reviews]
Battle of the Backlog: summer 2008 edition
So far I’ve found only two new shows for the summer season that have really caught my attention and even then one of them, Eve no Jikan, isn’t following a weekly schedule. I quickly realised how I need to really pull my finger out in sifting through the newest offerings before they’re swamped by the Autumn titles so here are the latest updates to my watchlist: Himitsu: the Revelation, Natsume Yuujinchou, Yakushiji Ryouko Kaiki Jikenbo and of course Hidamari Sketch x365.
Himitsu: The Revelation
I like hard science fiction so I checked this one out (before noticing it’s actually a spring season show that slipped under my radar). The first problem that Himitsu: The Revelation suffers from is that of sci-fi being so hard it becomes brittle and cracks under the slightest pressure. While it’s great to see serious sci-fi taking on a premise as cool as solving crime by tapping into the victims’ memories and exploring to the extensive ethical ramifications that result, the execution falls disappointly short of its potential.
We’re in ur memoriez, examining ur brainz
The first episode takes on a case of a murdered housewife and distraught family, which is a classic crime thriller tale of hidden secrets and jealous liasons; it’s typical of the genre and introduces the issues raised and how the system works. Now, I’m a big fan of the said crime thriller genre (I love watching the likes of CSI for instance) so crime-busting, technical jargon and characters who aren’t high school age would have been a welcome break that will keep me going until another GitS: SAC series. Sadly while Himitsu wants to be taken seriously as an intelligent crime show the cheesy BGM and lame script let it down badly; I think a premise like this attracts an audience who want to think for themselves to a large degree so the spoon-feed exposition, told from the point of view of a new recruit, states the bleeding obvious and makes the whole product feel clumsy and heavy-handed.
Furthermore, the head of the division known as Section Nine (coincidence? lol) is supposed to be uber-intelligent and charismatic but for me he looks like just another addition to the sulking beady-eyed bishie fad that Death Note unknowingly started. The yaoi overtones between he and the protagonist were odd but easy to overlook; the said protagonist’s bizarre siscon leanings (delivered with the phrase “yes, everyone has secrets,” in the show’s typical insult-the-viewer’s-intelligence style) just made me think “whut?”. Seriously, isn’t spending all your working day peering into dead peoples’ brains creepy enough without Thinking Bad Thoughts about your imouto when you get home? *shudders*
Chances of continued watching: after I find out who killed the US president, forget it.
Natsume Yuujinchou
Talk about chalk and cheese! The supernatural comedy-drama of Natsume Yuujinchou could not be more different…and I happen to think it’s fantastic so expect more posts on this soon. The hero of the title has the ability to see spirits, or youkai, which leads to all manner of problems concerning a book of spirit names he inherited from his deceased grandmother. It turns out that his gran shared the same ability and made rather mischievous use of her power…and the spirits want their names back. It’s an interesting take on the supernatural-type stuff in the likes of Mokke, Spirited Away and of course the ever-awesome Mushishi; there are some quite moving and profound moments but also some hilarious ones.
Natsume Yuujinchou with some spiritual friends
Natsume is constantly trying to keep his ability secret out of fear for those around him treating him as an outcast; at the same time he meets one or two people who may share his ability to see spirits, and the youkai themselves visit him and beg him to undo his grandmother’s spells at the most inconvenient moments. I call this Mushishi-lite in the best possible way: it’s fantastical, thought-provoking but thanks to the fortune cat-spirit also really, really funny. *sigh* Another keeper then.
Chances of continued watching: HIGH
Yakushiji Ryouko no Kaiki Jikenbo
The jazzy OP theme and episodic case-of-the-week format make Ryouko’s Case File a somewhat predictable but fun series. It’s basically a supernatural cop show, in which the feisty heroine of the title, and her long-suffering sidekick Izumida, set out to solve decidedly unusual crimes committed beneath the high-rise cityscape of Toyko. Expect giant snakes and exploding zombies within the first two episodes. No, really.
Good cop, hawt cop
The dynamic between Yakushiji and Izumida is an interesting one in that the latter introduces himself as the typical overworked and underpaid salaryman but is able to hold his own in a fight. His superior on the other hand is a sassy, badass tough gal who seems to avoid doing anything by the book but gets away with it every time…a true femme fatale. I must admit that this show is utterly silly and often cheesy but in a mindless, undemanding way I think I’ll enjoy it if time allows.
Chances of continued watching: MODERATE
Hidamari Sketch x365
There isn’t much I can say about this that I didn’t say in my previous post - HS x365 is pretty much more of the same, although I’m detecting a higher budget this time around. The fluidity of the opening scenes for instance, in which Yuno’s mum comforts her on the eve of her entrance exam, looks so goddamn pretty! Nice Girl Who Leapt Through Time parody too. It goes without saying that anyone who enjoyed the first season, myself included, should find this unmissable because it’s the same iyashicomedy but bigger and brighter - like Miyako, I welcome the offer of a second helping.
The beginning of a beautiful friendship
The opening episode goes all the way back to the beginning of Yuno’s time at the Hidamari apartments, which actually takes on even more poignancy and relevance because we’ve already had an entire season to understand the characters, their challenges and why their friendships mean so much to them. Yuno’s trepidation and isolation, broken down by the irrepressible Miyako, is a fantastic demonstration of what this series does so well. Shinbo-isms FTW!
Chances of continued watching: HIGH
After all this my current watchlist is still shockingly long. *sigh*
- Allison to Lillia (the lack of new episodes being subbed might prove to be a good excuse to drop it)
- Code Geass (the second season is really good, apparently)
- Daughter of Twenty Faces (assuming it picks back up in quality)
- Eve No Jikan (I can honestly see myself watching it raw streamed from the official site to stave off the withdrawl symptoms while waiting for the subbed version)
- Hidamari Sketch x365 (a little ray of Sunshine)
- Macross Frontier (hell yeah!)
- Natsume Yuujinchu (the cat spirit rules)
- Ryouko’s Case File (probably watched sporadically)
- Soul Eater (I haven’t forgotten about it, honest)
- Xam’d: Lost Memories (awesome. That is all)
Posted on August 30th, 2008 @ 9:07 pm
Just wait until episode 8 of Natsume ;_;.
Omisyths last blog post..Mnami-ke Third Season Announced!!!!!!
Posted on August 31st, 2008 @ 12:12 am
Haha, I’m so glad you mentioned Himitsu’s God-awful incidental music - In a twisted kind of way it was the best part of that show, in that it never failed to make me laugh and wave my hands in the air in a suitably ridiculous style. I’ve been poking fun at this series (although I haven’t seen any episodes of it get subbed for some time now) on and off from the very start, and the music is only the tip of the iceberg of stupid hiding below the proverbial water.
Anyway, I’ve been enjoying Hidamari Sketch x365 a lot, and it seems to be getting better with each episode (even though I haven’t watched the original series just yet, to my shame), so it’s definitely a keeper for me too.
Hanners’ last blog post..Chi’s Sweet Home - Episodes 77-83
Posted on August 31st, 2008 @ 4:46 am
I’m down to a handful of shows myself, including Natsume (I wonder what Omisyth is hinting at?). I would add Maho Tsukai ni Taisetsu na Koto because of its stop-and-smell-the-roses narrative and interesting art. I sort of regret not picking up Hidamari Sketch, if only because I saw one ep from the first season and thinking it was nice, and I should watch more. But too many shows out there. Also I decided to find out what this newfangled Dr. Who show was all about …
Posted on August 31st, 2008 @ 10:15 pm
@Omysith: I’ve heard that ep is supposed to be especially good…it finished downloading recently so I’ll give it a watch later this week.
@Hanners: I actually had a quick read of your reviews for the show, which somehow passed me by completely (actually watching some of it explained why it’s been such a sleeper). I lol’d. HS x365 is indeed awesome - I urge you to check out the first season when you get the time.
@Peter S: I really ought to check out Maho (I actually had to Google it and discovered you’re on about Someday’s Dreamers, which I’ve heard good things about). Natsume is I think going to be a memorable title for me though. As for Doctor Who I only caught the latest two episodes (the ones with the Daleks) - BBC I-player is a wonderful thing. ^_^ We might be treated to the Cybermen nearer Christmas apparently…
Posted on September 2nd, 2008 @ 10:48 am
I really think Himitsu can really benefit from a dose of subtlety because almost everything about it shows otherwise - the distractingly horrendous BGM and the “Yes I’m soo mysterious!!” vibes throughout the show. Other episodes of Himitsu actually moved me (episode 4 and 7), but the rest of its negative aspects get in the way of seeing whatever good it has left x__x;; I was terribly disappointed with it, the same way as you and Hanners, or worse, and dedicated one whole rant post for it months back (in a sane and calm manner, thankfully enough).
That said, I’m following both Natsume Yuujinchou and Someday’s Dreamers ~Natsu no Sora~ this season, and despite how Natsume moves me more than the latter, Natsu no Sora is the one that really compels me to reflect on life and want to write about it
I’m also enjoying Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu, far more than I initially expected. I find it really sweet and adorable, though I’m not so sure if it’s your cup of tea XD
…and this comment has been long enough as it is ^^;
usagijens last blog post..Where Does Thy Charm Lie, Nogizaka Haruka?
Posted on September 2nd, 2008 @ 7:30 pm
@usagijen: cheers for the link - I’ll give it a read later (nothing wrong with harsh criticism as long as it’s jutified and well written, after all). I’m interested in watching Someday’s Dreamers but will probably wait for the DVD. Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu isn’t bad but I decided to drop it before the novelty wore off. There’s a lot about it that seems formulaic and gimmicky, so I’ll let it go while my impressions of it are still positive! Natsume Yuujinchou on the other hand is excellent…this week will be catching up on that I think. Long comments are always welcome BTW! ^_^
Posted on September 4th, 2008 @ 4:28 pm
oh and I forgot one very important thing… even if you dropped the Himitsu anime, I suggest you check out the manga. It’s definitely more superior than the anime, not only because it lacks the sound that the anime is infamous about lol.
usagijens last blog post..A [Random] Belated Congratulations to Toshokan Sensou