So at last we’ve gotten to the main part of the story: getting Dan to the moon so that he can find a way to fix Coco’s legs through some version of major league basketball (or Basquash). This episode shows the auditions, which include of course Dan, Sera and Iceman, but also one of Iceman’s old rivals, a tall black long-haired guy (apparently called Man-Z) and… our little princess (coached by Coco). Never knew that she had that much inner basketball talents.
But yeah, the reason why I like Basquash so far is that there’s always so many different stuff going on. The show doesn’t have a particularly big cast when compared to others, but it does feel like everyone is doing something. There are countless subplots going on in every episode, ranging from trivial to important. It’s great to see a character in which everyone is chasing after their own agenda and what they themselves feel important, rather than everyone walking after the lead character like a tame little lamb. Sure, Dan’s passion for basketball is the thing that keeps this series together, but everyone seems to react in a different way to this.
And that’s the thing with this show: behind the boobs, strange use of basketball and… businessmen who give pet names to boobs and blow soap bubbles, there’s quite a bit of substance behind it that you wouldn’t suspect on first sight. This series never forgets that it’s supposed to be a fun show (at least, up to this point), and yet there’s an air of seriousness that never feels out of place.
It’s also good to finally see some of the faces behind those pesky cops who keep ruining everything as soon as they come walking in with their own mechas (walking police cars… you just have to think of it). I also like how this show manages to portray the street culture here. Man-Z for example: he never got himself a proper introduction, but he was just one of the other guys who passed the audition and simply started chatting with Sera and the other winners. Very natural.
Rating: * (Good)
Introduces a bunch of new characters, a new arc and quite a bit of potential while still remaining fun. But why he bubbles?
I just love Basquash more and more, and glad Flora is joining in the basketball (I always wondered if that was her in the ending and opening).
And you’re right, it’s always light-hearted/fun but has the perfect serious moment to it. I also appreciate the cast for their diversity (in appearance, style and ambition).
The walking police cars bit had me thinking of Patlabor for a second, and I wonder how this and Basquash would meld (Noa, Bud and Dan going at it with their mechs would be interesting).
And the bubble thing was definitely weird to me. But made sense right after the basketball scene. Bubbles are kind of the most perfect sphere. Aside from Haruka’s boobs. I wonder if Miyuki’s would at all be worth his attention, or maybe she needs some (more?) time on the Moon before that can happen.
its a rly good anime it first aired on the same week as Pandora Hearts,07 Ghost,Shangri-la and all 4 are so damn good atm that i dont know aprils first weeks its the epic anime ariring days xD