*Screencaps to follow*
And so, we reach the end of what could possibly be my first Gainax disappointment. To be fair, the ending isn’t half bad in that it provides closure and answers the main questions posed during the course of the series. Other than that my criticisms for the series as a whole still stand, but at least I can point the finger of blame at someone.
This is a show that I wanted to like. Unfortunately it’s turning out to be a Gainax-by-numbers of sorts, not least because its production was pretty much a Mahoromatic staff reunion - this alone makes it an odd viewing experience at times because you have to remind yourself that it’s a separate series. As Hikari and Akari experience the joys of life on Earth, the relationship between Hikari and Takeru starts to develop further and a new character, in the form of a mecha named Ionios, appears. There’s an especially interesting scene towards the end too, which gives hints to the background and finally justifies the infuriating Jennifer’s place in it all.
Okay, I bought this DVD because I’m a GAINAX nut. Normally this sort of show would scarcely catch my interest but I have some sort of blind faith that it’s going to take a formulaic premise to places it’s never been before…because that’s what GAINAX do. For TUYBW I hope to hell that this is what’s going to happen. There are a few signs that it will turn things on their heads in a big way, although it’s not yet obvious; for now, the fanservice is cranked up into the stratosphere and it’s the ecchi-flavoured saccharine stuff that I normally sit through with gritted teeth. On the other hand, there are dark undercurrents that bubble to the surface on occasion, so the show has potential in my eyes.
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