C is above all, a lot of fun to watch. It’s got an awesome premise, and makes awesome use of that. The action scenes are full of creativity and there is a ton of fast-paced intrigue that keeps this show going. The soundtrack is amazing (third best of the season after Hyouge Mono and Tiger & Bunny), and everything is pointing at the creators planning to make this as fun to watch as possible. Great!
At the same time though, it does have its weaknesses, and doesn’t try to hide it. I like that kind of honesty, at least. The main character did end up to be “the chosen one”: the complete rookie who with a very flimsy reason suddenly does things no other rookie has done before… aside from his big rival. (The rest of the episodes really need to un-flimsy that “asset” of him that allowed him to summon such a giant beam).
Also: 3D CG. It’s clear that the animators are ambitious, but don’t have the budget they need. They want a lot of movement, but they just can’t do everything at the same time, which leads to A TON of 3D CG. On actual characters. Whereas in Tiger & Bunny at least the models are consistent in either 2D or #D, here they really are all over the place, really convincing me of the budget problems. And yet, the scenes at which the animators did focus their attention… are absolutely gorgeous and amongst the best eye candy of the season. Take your pick.
Now, as for the characters: they’re not the best, but I like ’em. The male lead is more than your average male lead, despite his cliches, his female fighting companion is short and to the point, and has the potential to grow, and his rival is probably the most intriguing. They’re all likable, they have potential but need more depth to really work, though. Especially the main character; this episode was instead all about developing the premise. In terms of the really minor side characters though… that probably is the worst part of this series. That thug was just…. too much.
In any case, I’ve been asked what my favourite shows of this season are. I consider the big four to be Hyouge Mono, Anohana, Hana-Saku Iroha and Tiger & Bunny. Those really instantly captured me. After those come Steins;Gate, and C: two series that have all the ingredients to become amongst those other four, but just need a bit of extra time. Right now, the most important thing for C is to remain entertaining throughout its entire 11 episodes. If it manages that, then I’ll be happy, and I won’t mind the flaws at all. The key ingredients for that right now seem to be: more depth on the different characters, and a variety on the different episodes.
Rating: ** (Excellent)
3D on the clown was really REALLY freaky. I wish the show would keep their dimension issues to the Financial district and out of the “Real world” – otherwise it’s too weird.
Still, a very pretty show.
The clown in general is really freaky. But that’s what makes him fun! 🙂
Was really hoping they would introduce a clever way to bring economics into this, but the way it seems to go is that of a mere fight show with your usual clash every week, building up for that showdon of rookie VS master.
Granted, it has the prettiest graphics of this season, but I’d be surprised if it picks up story-wise after this episode.
This show feels rough around the edges, though as said, so far it’s working. Essentially this anime is just a cocktail of creative artistic decisions, old storytelling chestnuts, random plot points and interesting themes, and other elements randomly thrown together. It can be jarring and offputting, but so far C is striking me as a show that will be strangely fun to watch, as it’s shown that so far it can take any direction it chooses and make the most of its concept on the way.
Overall what I really like about the show is its acknowledgement of how human and imaginary the entire meaning of “money” is, and has simply progressed that to something very imaginative and fantastical. The entire premise is bizarre, but that only compliments the way real money is in itself an utterly weird concept we just happen to have got used to – it’s a show about changing perception, and I really like that.
I wonder how much demon money I would have to pay them to get them to use anything other than that same The Wealth of Nations quote every time they take us to the Financial District.
It’s really not clear to me what this show is going to be yet. I’m not really that interested in weekly card game battles, but the show is pretty funny, with just enough creepiness that I’m curious what the diabolical goal of using these idiots to disseminate demon money into the world will be.
Perhaps it’s my economic background, but I’m not satisfied with this show.
It keeps on hinting at some symbolic message about capitalism, deals with the devil, and so forth. The main character wanting a normal life over riches is kind of interesting. The talk about consumption being too high hints at some Austrian Macroeconomics influences.
But frankly it’s all a bit too jumbled and confusing to really hook me. Now maybe this is all going to be explained eventually. I can’t deny I see a lot of potential in this anime.
But they still haven’t explained what the mechanic of the combat is, let alone fully develop the symbolism. What are the draw backs of different attacks? What is the nature of an asset and how it interacts with the combat?
We the viewers know virtually nothing about this world that’s being presented to us.
I can accept that they are going with the “hero doesn’t know anything” route, so neither do the viewers. Which is fine, but it’s two episodes in and we still don’t understand the basics of this show. They better have a ton of explanation next episode, because 3 episodes of confusion without progress on explaining how the world works is usually all I can take.
It’s entertaining enough for me to keep watching! XD
I have to agree. This “he’s the destined rookie” stuff was a bit disappointing. Still, the show feels very original and interesting.
As my favorites so far, I’d swap in Ao No Exorcist with Hyouge Mono personally. Not that it ain’t good. It most definitely is. But I don’t fancy old dudes talking as much as you do.