The final scene of this episode really showed that the creators of this series are biased for the main couple. As soon as Kurumi even mentioned the possibility of talking to another boy, the dramatic music set in and they tried to make it look like a cliff-hanger. Like it’s blasphemy if the two were to even look at each other. Even though Kurumi was doing what she’s been doing ever since the previous episode, and it wasn’t really worse than any of her other plans. This really could hurt this show in the long run.
But yeah, it’s the small things like this that prevent me from fully enjoying this series. When you look at the big picture, there really isn’t much wrong with this series: it’s got a nice concept of an outcast who manages to find herself. The dialogue is well detailed and the characters have good concepts. But then there are times at which the creators are just trying too hard, like for example dragging the evil bitch-arc on for too long (I’m sure that I wouldn’t have complained as much about that arc if it was done in just one episode). This episode also carried Sawako’s naiveness a bit too far, and I feel that Mamiko Nouto doesn’t really fit her as a voice actress.
So yeah, I’m not often one to agree with the “the manga is so much better”-arguments, but I think that it really holds up here. This is not about cutting certain parts off, this is rather about blindly adapting a pretty good manga without thinking about the transition from still frames to animation. I personally couldn’t care less whether creators of an anime delete stuff or add extra stuff in, as long as it works. This goes with series that take a lot of these artistic liberties like Umineko and Full Metal Alchemist, but also with series that do try to put everything in from the original source-material like this series and Bakemonogatari.
Incidentally, I noticed something interesting when I looked at the staff page at ANN. While there is very little to say about the main director, the script has been written so far by two people: Tomoko Konparu, who wrote the majority of the episodes, and Mamiko Ikeda, who wrote episodes 2, 7 and 10. Incidentally, now that I look back, I can say that these three episodes belonged to the best ones of the series so far. My guess is that Tomoko Konparu, who also is doing the series composition, really isn’t having her right year: the series composition she did on Chi’s New Address also left a lot to be desired and while she has worked and contributed to a lot of great and awesome series in the past, this time she just seems to have an off season.
I think another reason why I’m extra critical of this series, even though it seems to be loved by many, is because half of the times, the jokes fall flat. Do other people have this as well? I mean, there are tons of awkward moments in this series for me when the creators are trying to make a joke, which just isn’t funny to me. There really is this thing called suspense of disbelief, and if this series had built up any at this point I definitely wouldn’t be whining as much as I am now, but it’s a shame that this show continues to break this for me. It’s especially annoying now that even Kobato, which once was even duller than this series for me, is getting better and better.
Rating: (Enjoyable)
Well KnT as certainly lost the appeal it had at the beginning for me… They are taking everything too far, as you said Sawako’s naivety is just ridiculous at this point, and then theres the overload of flowery stuff and sparks every time someone smiles
The sense of humor was never one of the strong points of the show to begin with, so meh
Only thing I dont agree with in your post is Kobato getting better lol I already dropped it, shes too retarded, not funny, and the whole series doesnt seem to be going anywhere, another big let down for me, along with 90% of this season
I’m actually only at episode 2 now and though I can tell it’s a fairly good series, I’m already annoyed by the naivety and the overly happiness. I do like the show, but if there’s not much character development in this show I might just drop it.
LOL Bakemonogatari actually cut out half of the dialogue in the novel. No joke. xD
Ebod: heh, really? I could have sworn to have read an interview in which Shinbo claimed that he wanted to adapt the story as faithfully as possible, so that tehre would be no need for a person behind the series composition. So much for that, then. 😛
Eh I gave the manga a shot since I had some time to kill, reached chapter 24, and well the naivety of Sawako is definitely just as bad, along with the fluff. In fact Kazehaya I think wins hands down for being one of the dullest characters in the manga simply put he has nothing that makes him particularly stand out as a personality. Sure he has his friendliness and all but his nice guy or “refreshing” vibe isn’t particularly striking, largely in part because the class doesn’t have a distinct personality itself and just follow around as sheep (making me wonder why Sawako bothers so hard to be part of the flock). In fact without people he’s just well there, sure he has encouraging words and all to say but that is mostly early on and its just too naive or idealistic so to speak. I can see why you were wondering when he would have a flaw I think its not just a flaw he would need, don’t think jealousy counts much since its not over the top, but a passion or something would be just as good. Well he’s eye candy and thats about it. As for the rest I could go on but in the end it boils down to the same gripe as you had which is that they take things too far and glossy, and though it isn’t a matter of adaptation of manga material to anime just plain manga. Really tried to get why this was so popular, I mean I enjoyed Skip Beat!, but this was pretty standard fare shoujo.
Well, there goes one theory then. I also just have to keep wondering why this series is so incredibly popular. Sure, it has nice eye-candy, but there are so many other shoujo romances that are so much better than this one.
Yeah, the series IS faithful to the story, but still a lot was cut out. So if you thought that Bakemonogatari had a lot of people just talking… well, imagine if Shinbo was COMPLETELY faithful. xD
Although I defend the series at times on here I am actually not a big fan of it myself (well except the opening). I mean it can be cute but I do find the characters either too perfect or too nasty. There is not enough middle ground for me.
Thats disappointing to hear (about the manga)
I guess I will have to wait a bit longer for a romance which can dethrone NANA 😛
It’s hard to dethrone NANA in the manga dept. the only other manga I love as much is After School Nightmare.