Ack, this series surely knows its cliff-hangers. They just keep getting more addictive, and for some reason they always pull those twists that you just don’t see coming at the time. This series constantly throws you for loops with its red herrings, symbolism, plot twists and characters.
In any case, one of the other interesting parts about your comments on my August Summary was the surprising amounts of people who found that Penguin Drum was Overhyped. And yeah, I do guess that I’ve been hyping this show and that I’m a huge fan of it, but I do want to clarify a few things here:
– I’m not just a fan of it because of the director of Utena. Even if this were made by a completely new director I’d gush over it (for example Mouryou no Hako: that was pretty much the directional debut of Ryousuke Nakamura, but it didn’t take long before I became a fan of him and his unique style). I just love the endless amounts of energy, and the huge amounts of details that the creators put into just about everything here. Yes, it’s weird, but that’s exactly to my tastes.
The one argument that I really didn’t understand was that the story was going nowhere. Doesn’t every episode deliver new twists? Or is everyone waiting for Shouma to get his hands on the Penguin Drum or something? The thing is, at heart this is a character study. The penguin drum is nice and all, but it’s not what this series is about. The past episodes have just built further and further upon Ringo’s character, while at the same time being ridiculously fun to watch. I guess that the pacing could be a bit more faster. Utena’s arcs were all very short, sweet and to the point. I agree that it does not look like the lay-out of this series will be as unbelievably well laid out as with Utena. But it has plenty enough of its own.
Now, this episode was not the best that this series has shown so far, but even then I still loved it. The direction still was rock-solid and the animation and facial expressions and gestures were really dynamic. Ringo is completely crazy, but the creators did make her come alive wonderfully. Oh, and the Western Scene was awesome.
Rating: ** (Excellent)
Ringo never fails to disgust me in every episode. She updraded from a delusional stalker into a delusional, phychotic, stalker and a nearly rapist (If not for Shouma).
Dont let the people that say you are over hyping it get to you. Most people seem to forget that it is all opinion. I thought that people overhyped Modoka but many people loved it. Its all opinion. Anyway great episode. Oh the next episode is supposed to get some kick ass animators.
Yeah, I’ve got to agree with you all the comments saying PenguinDrum’s plot is going nowhere also make me go lolwat. Have they been missing all the hints the director has been releasing little by little? What is Momoka’s diary exactly? What secrets do the Takakura siblings hide? Why the ‘this is our punishment’ thing? Why all those different logos? What about those hints about the Takakura and Oginome families maybe meeting each other at some point? Why the Aquarium? Why was Ringo born on the day of the Sarin attacks and what do those have to do with the plot? What shit is Kanba getting into? Why did Shoma lose control all of a sudden when Ringo mentioned him overlooking some issues with his siblings? What do Yuri and Tabuki play in this? And Natsume? Why is everyone so connected to each other?
tl;dr it’s all a big mystery that won’t be resolved until the very end. Hopefully, around ep 12 we get some more clues. The title certainly hints to that. Meanwhile, this was another great episode and I hope Shoma isn’t dead or too damaged (shit, he’s my favourite character).
Cadentia: I think its because not many anime are presented like this? I think. Are there any other notable examples of anime presented like this other then utena? But yea there are tones of secrets and all over the place and I have a sinking feeling that I missed some of it in the past episodes. I will probably have to re-watch them at after it ends to see how everything connects.
I dont think I mind how many questions have been left open ended and I still like the wackiness of the show (It’s still one of my favourites this passed season too) but I disagree with the idea that Ringo’s been developing.
I mean, she’s been trying different things but I find her enthusiasm like a running joke at this point. It has that formula of (what will she think of next) + (oh no whacky cock-block) = (fail) for episodes now. I think they’ve spent way too many episodes revolving around ‘just’ her when her aim is pretty simple/basic.
I like her, but I didn’t personally think of her as very deep, so her buildup was really slow and sorta boring for me. If it weren’t for that I wouldnt really notice that they havent been moving the greater picture of the plot.
At least her antics have been odd/interesting enough to watch. (I dont think I can tolerate another one of her fantasies though. hate those. they’re.killing.me)
Dayyum, I did not expect that kind of ending. The majority of the second half was very dramatic and I feel as if this episode really pushed forward both Ringos and Shomas character development. Very excited for the next episode
The show does whacky things and then advances the plot a little. I don’t see what the problem could be, since it’s a two-cour show. T&B did a similar thing, where it would advance the major plot a little bit each episode while also tackling some kind of problem of the week.
It’s a little funny, a little edgy, crazy, and interesting. While some bits can be a little long, the direction in parts of some of the episodes can be excellent. It just happens to often be saved for the end, and it works really well as a hook, because I’m eager to see the next episode every week.
omg! Shooooomaaa Kuuuun D:.. if Shoma kun dies, I’m not gonna watch this anymore ;_;
“It has that formula of (what will she think of next) + (oh no whacky cock-block) = (fail) for episodes now.”
This… Ever since like episode 3, every single episode is the same thing… Ringo obsesses over Tabuki, gets rejected, blabla
Im losing interest in this fast and it used to be one of my favorites of the season, what a shame
This episode made me really happy. I really enjoyed it. I was one of the people saying this show is overhyped, but I think it can grow into what people are holding it up to be. There was a picture someone posted in the chatbox about the animals/symbols in the credits and how they’re linked to different people in the show, or just around the show. I’m really excited to see that developed.
The cake thing was great. And Ringo after that. When she’s seriously being a plotting, kind of evil character, I love her. Much better than when she’s pissed off at Shouma and acting stupid. Hopefully it goes a bit away from that “seduce/sex the teacher” plot now.
I wish there would be more Himari in the show. She just disappeared, pretty much, unless she’s the Penguin Goddess, or whatever.
I think the remarks by @Cadentia are good. I have been watching a lot of TV Mystery series lately, and they often have this structure of stumbling about, and clues being dropped, but nothing coming together (or even things seeming to fall apart!) only for it to come together quickly in the end. After the Mystery gets solved there isn’t much point in continuing, so the show HAS to end. Until then, the characters struggle towards a conclusion that defies them. Penguin Drum has a strong element of that. There are all sorts of questions being raised, and the complete solution won’t be apparent until the end of the second course.
I find Ringo and the brothers to be very much a like. Aren’t the brothers doing anything they can so their family can survive?
I’m loving every bit of Penguindrum, and I dropped Utena several months at episode [looks up MALU] 8. I’d place it up there with my most favourite series of all time, provided it maintains the same quality until the very end.
The one complaint about it I completely can’t comprehend is that the show is bad because Ringo is disgusting/creepy yet seems to be the main character. So what, if a show is hitting your weak spot its quality drops? I’d say it’s the opposite, since weak spots need poking and reinforcing, not avoiding.
Complaints about magical unstoppable truck dragging a hat around with Major Healing Factor VІІІ Kanba chasing it though, I completely understand, even if that scene was exaggerated on purpose to show his dedication.
i agree with frost. so far every rinse and repeat episode is her doing something even crazier and crazier.
although this is a character study it seems as if it is a character study of just ringo. compared to everyone else ringo for the most part is the star of the show. she is the one with the most face time and the most lines to say.
besides the love they have towards their sister, it seems as if kanba and shouma are just there and i don’t know anything significant about them. i want to learn more about them their history and personalities and yet their characters have not been as fleshed out. instead we just learn more and more about ringo no one else. i guess thats the part that makes me annoyed when watching.
when im watching these episodes about ringo i wonder what is going to happen to her role in the story after they get the drum. like after this will they then focus on the other mystery characters and plots, pushing ringo out of the story? it seems that ringo is just significant just for the drum and after the drum is passed on she has no more purpose. they have put all this time into her. if she continues to be a main character what exactly will she do, she doesn’t seem like the type to actively help the brothers? i mean the director isn’t throwing me any hints to the plot and why her role is significant?
@Cadentia yes the director is showing us hints but as the average viewer i have no clue what i am looking for. if they are hints what are they hinting towards something, im still unclear what the something or end goal is. all these questions you wrote i have thought about but yet they haven’t explained any of it. as you said it is a big mystery that won’t be resolved until the very end but it seems as if they are not progressing at all.
most shows have problem arcs that get presented and then solved for the next problem/obstacle to appear. these arcs overall are linked to the main problem and plot of the story. im sure that there will be more obstacles to come as getting to drum shouldn’t be the end all, but since they haven’t finished this arc yet makes me worried. this is where i see the show going nowwhere. shoma seems no closer in getting the diary as he did back in the 3rd episode.
maybe personally i just don’t get it but im trying.
I believe that the director said before the show began that Ringo is the main female character. I’m not sure why people are surprised that a major character gets so much screentime – from the OP? I’ve learned that you can’t trust them.
I always felt that Himari and the drum were just Macguffins, there just as a reason to start the events.
I believe that the director said before the show began that Ringo is the main female character. I’m not sure why people are surprised that a major character gets so much screentime – from the OP? I’ve learned that you can’t trust them.
I always felt that Himari and the drum were just Macguffins, there just as a reason to start the events.
Mawaru no PenguinDrum is an excellent show! There are only 8 episodes so far, so I think it’s understandable not to know where to plot is going. Anyway, this show is so enjoyable, I also think it’s the best of the summer so far!
I love this show. Hasn’t waned a bit from episode 1. My friends and I watch it together every week via skype.
Excellent show so far. Might be even better than the revolutionary Utena, but that’s mainly due to context (maturation of the genre/medium) and the times (animation is cheaper today).
A bit skeptical about Ringo’s ability to hang on to the diary despite the pounding rain and the inertia of the speeding motorcycle rider.