Sengoku Basara Two
Short Synopsis: Our lead character is very loosely based on a famous historical figure.
Hell yeah! Best soundtrack of the season! A series that once was a dull samurai adventure has now become an epic hot blooded action series. The original Sengoku Basara had great ideas and intentions, but also a very soul-less direction that succumbed under its own expectations, so I wasn’t that fond of the announcement of a sequel. But heck, the new director really turned this kitty into a tiger. The creators got rid of a lot of the CG, which also really helps. The clashes between guys with superpowers for once is done justice, with over the top speeches and a snappy direction that for once makes the over the top powers of these people awesome, rather than just over the top. As for the story, the original series had a lot of intrigue, but it was all just so boring because it was so bad at building up tension. That’s not going to be a problem with the sequel though, based on this episode, so I see no way in which it won’t be able to beat its predecessor.
OP…um…ED…um…Insert Song in the Middle: Definitely fun, energetic and epic.
Potential: 85%
Asobu ni Iku Yo!
Short Synopsis: Our lead character’s harem include a best friend, rich silent girl, alien.
You know what? The plot of this thing wasn’t half bad. This episode focused a lot on the build-up of a campy action series, full of evil organizations with weird chat-rooms, high school girls who look dumb and cute, but are actually what seems like terrorists, an alien landing on earth. This wouldn’t be half bad as an entertaining action series if it can deliver the things that it promised in this episode. But yeah, who am I kidding? Every single part of this episode that involved the lead character was utterly terrible. His acting, the way that girls flock to his side for no particular reason (he already has a harem of three girls here, none of which are given any attempts at explanation), his character is horrendously dull. It’s basically AIC and its harems again. As for the lead female… imagine having a cat grow boobs. That’s pretty much her.
ED: Dull ballad.
Potential: 20%
Boku Otaryman
Short Synopsis: Our lead character is an otaku and salaryman. Hence, otaryman.
So, this OVA got released back in January, but I figured that it’s not too late to take a look at it now that it’s finally gotten subbed. Otaryman is another one of those unfunny comedies, aimed at otaku, but with a slight twist: for once it isn’t wish fulfillment. Instead, it’s a “this could be you” type of series. Its lead character is a complete loser, and this series knows it. It raises some nice points, but most of the time it drags on. If you’re not an otaku, then I don’t see any reason why you should check this one out.
OP: Catchy soundtrack, uninspired plot.
ED: Attempts at being funny that just aren’t.
Potential: 10%
So is it like NHK only with fewer drugs involved?
That, and no storyline whatsoever and nowhere as good. Although he’s not exactly a hikkikomori.
Do you think a newcomer to Sengoku Basara would be able to understand what’s happening in season 2? I didn’t watch the first season and you’ve made the second sound like a more promising way to spend my time.
Great blog by the way. I like coming here at the beginning of each season for your first impressions, it’s very helpful.
kate: tough one. the villains of the first and second season are completely different, but you will miss a lot of the build-up on the side of the main characters, as well as the setting. Especially if you don’t know much about the sengoku era of Japan’s history.
*dying to see sengoku basara 2 now for the samurai epicness on the next level*
I guess it’s time for me to watch the first season.
>>Kate
You should be fine. I’ve watched 3 episodes of the first season and the rest of my knowledge is just fangirl blathering from my friends, but it’s enough to know that the series isn’t exactly a deep and complex one where missing an episode or, really, the first season is going to hamper anything.
I’ve been wondering the same thing as Kate. But it isn’t a whole lot of episodes to get through with S1..roughly 4 hours-ish. I might be able to get through that. xD
I had no idea there was an otaryman OVA out. I picked up the first volume of the manga a couple of years ago and my feelings were the same. It’s ok and was a decent read, but there was nothing laugh out loud funny, although I got a chuckle out of the facial expressions