Some Quick First Impressions: Kokkoku, Mitsuboshi Colors and Gakuen Babysitters

Kokkoku

Short Synopsis: A woman, her father and grandfather stop time in order to rescue their kidnapped family.

Lenlo’s Review:

Anime about Time and Time Travel are not particularly rare. Good anime about time travel though… I can count those on one hand. In its first episode, Kokkoku shows it has promise and the opportunity to make that list. The characters, while not exactly lovable for the most part, feel like good ones, like people with problems that can be resolved by the end of the season. The time stop appears to have layers to it, with bloodlines and extended powers, appearing to have more of a magic and spirits aspect than the science of Steins;Gate. Kokkoku also lays the groundwork for an exploration of ethics in stopped time, with our new favorite grandpa’s explanation. What is going to make or break Kokkoku for me is the use of this “Herald” and how the magic works. For now though, I am very hopeful. Also best OP so far, its already on my playlist.

Potential: 80%

Aidan’s review

We have the winner of the best opening of the season. Kokkoku is a really weird show whose premise is so out there that even the show itself seems to realize how insane the situation is. Upon stopping time one of the characters begins to question how they could breath and move if air is also stopped in time, only for the grandfather to just say he can’t explain it. Neat way of acknowledging the flaws with stopping time as well as side stepping the obvious pitfall of trying to explain it. When it comes to time related things like this, you either put laborious effort into making a time travel rule set that makes sense and adhere to it religiously or you just handwave it away as magic. Attempting something in between always has disastrous results and is a plot hole generator. Much like my preview, I still find myself at odds with how to judge this story. The characters, while not necessarily likeable, at least feel realistic. The stories concept is pretty amazing and there is intrigue to be had but as to whether I enjoyed this episode or not that would be a…maybe? I find it very interesting but I think I need to know more of where exactly the plot is going to decide whether this is for me or not. Still I highly recommend checking this out because it’s a unique concept and also it’s not slice of life/cute girls doing cute things.

Potential: 75%

 

Mitsuboshi Colors

Short Synopsis: Three little girls play heroes in a city as they try to solve mysteries

Lenlo’s Review:

BOOM Poop joke right out the gate. Mitsuboshi Colors is, if nothing else, the essence of high brow comedy. On a legitimate review note though, Colors is the only cute-girls-doing-cute-things show with a legitimately good premise that I have seen so far. Children playing their make-believe games in the park? I can buy that. Animation to make those make believe games come to life? Oh boy we have a good reason for basically any setting/scene. Adults who actually exist in this world and care for their children?! It has everything! Now, personally I was bored by Colors as this isn’t really my genre, but I didn’t have any complaints. Animation was solid, characters fit together well they even have a little kitty mascot. Way I see it, if you enjoy moe, than Colors will be a nice break from the high-school drama of literally every other anime of its genre.

Potential: 30%

Mario’s review

Another day, another cute girls show. This time, all they do is to play children games in the park. I might sound dismissive but it’s exactly the reason why this show is a whole lotta fun. In a same vein with shows like Squid Girl (and one of the main cast has similar design too), the show’s main strength lies in its fun and bright atmosphere while we witness the girls enjoying themselves with whatever stupid, childish games they could think of. From catching a cat thief, declaring war with the police or cracking a safe, these activities sound like the kind WE used to love pulling when we were younger. Extra point goes to the main cast who has diverse personalities and they play off well with each other. Extra extra point goes to the adults who actively encouraging the girls to have fun. This show understands kids and their make-believe games and it’s a nice contrast to many high school-oriented moe shows so far. I can’t wait for more.

Potential: 40%

 

Gakuen Babysitters

Short Synopsis: A boy is taken in by a headmistress of a school to run a school daycare

Aidan’s review

Another anime to combat declining birth rates in Japan so it seems. Look how adorable these kids are? Don’t you want to have one of your own? Well how’s about to get out there and get goddamn busy! Well this episode works well in establishing the brothers relationship as well as the recent tragedy to hit their family. Though I got to say that these two had some horrible parents that seems to ditch them often to run away on holiday while the brother had to do the job of actually raising their kid. In comparison there new caregiver may be strict but at least she shows she cares in her own way and even does some bloody parenting unlike the kids actual parents. There is a heavy abundance of shows with this appeal in this season but I would rate this one of the better ones for at least having a more unique aspect.(Aka, caring for children) Still I wonder why all the babysitters are male, not to be sexist here but I just find it odd that in a school filled with students that the only people who stepped up to take care of these kids happened to be guys. Just hope they aren’t trying to target the female demographic by throwing in a bunch of cute boys. Of what I seen so far this is a fairly decent show and if you have the time for it then it could be a worthwhile watch.

Potential: 40%

Mario’s review

TODDLERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, this show starts with many issues but as the episode continues to the end, it just gets better and better. The premise is pretty forced when you think about it, the brothers lost their parents, goes to live in a stranger’s house and become a babysitter in such short span of time. Problematic as well as many people could accuse the Chairwoman as child abuser (giving the kid a job as a payback? NOOO), but somehow they get away with it in the end. There are many things that this show does right: the natural charms of those toddlers, the great bond between the brothers, the realization that your lost loved ones will never come back (in one of the episode’s best moment), and the message of “you don’t have to fight alone” all blend into a satisfying conclusion. The show’s main appeals coming forward, however, are how the main kid forms a babysitter club and deal with the toddlers in everyday situation so I suppose this show will resonate the most to those older fans who have their own kids (I’m ten year behind from that group) or viewers who love kids. While this show seems pale regarding the strong line-up of slice of life shows this season, with the amount of “feels” this first episode produces, if it goes in the right direction it could very well be a sleeper hit of the season.

Potential: 30%