The Ghost in the Shell
Short Synopsis: In the year 2029, a newly formed cybercrime task force investigates an orphanage accused of brainwashing.
Wooper: “Maximal” is the word I’d use to describe The Ghost in the Shell, the latest incarnation of Japan’s preeminent cyberpunk series. Its reenactment of the 1995 film’s opening scene is backed by a raucous string-infused jazz piece, its brain dive scenes are minor assaults on the senses, and its character animation is more exaggerated than ever. Faster action, more color, less exposition – it’s a new frontier for GitS, and while I don’t love everything about it, the bold approach certainly makes it more interesting than the franchise’s last couple outings. One thing I can unreservedly praise is the limited use of on-screen text to define in-universe terminology, which permits this episode to move at its rapid clip. The Major is more rebellious than professional this time around, which fits the faster pace, and the show frequently looks gorgeous. The cherry blossom viewing scene just after the OP is a highlight, of course, but the episode also impressed me during forested combat and even in meeting rooms tinged with red or blue light. On that note, I think I’ll be switching to the dub going forward, since the show’s speed and information density would give me less time to appreciate its good looks were I to split my eyes between subtitles and visuals. Guess I’ll learn whether the new cast can hold a candle to Mary Elizabeth McGlynn and company in a week’s time!
Potential: 70%
Victoria of Many Faces
Short Synopsis: A former spy defects and builds her new life in a neighboring country under the alias “Victoria,” then decides on taking care of a child.
Mario: We are reaching the tail end of this first impressions period, and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by Victoria of Many Faces. Even though Victoria was once a spy, there’s hardly any cool action to show off her skills, and that’s for the better. It takes a slow approach to her life in a new country, where she meticulously plans ahead so that she can stay under the radar, although life pulls her another way when she sees an abandoned child Nonna. So far, I enjoy the pacing – it takes just enough time for her to get familiar with her new surroundings and build trust with her neighbors. In addition, even though there’s a lot of narration that voices what Victoria is thinking, it’s her actions (sometimes contradicting what she thinks) that let us sense her true self beneath the surface. That said, so far I am not a fan of the visual presentation. Whenever it showcases her darker past, the show goes down a few tones in terms of brightness as well. It makes the flashbacks feel like Gothic-inspired moments, which I don’t think is what the show is aiming for. What remains strong here is Victoria herself as she opens up more and attempts to leave her past behind, while at the same time it tries to catch up with her. So far, the narrative and the main character are strong enough for me to continue on this journey.
Potential: 40%
Flaming Dodgeball Girl Danko
Short Synopsis: The impossibly enthusiastic daughter of a legendary athlete recruits teammates for her school’s dodgeball club.
Wooper: Upon learning that this show was the sequel to a decades-old sports anime, I decided not to include it in our season preview, even though the intensity of its PV made me smile. Modern spins on older properties haven’t performed too well this year: Samurai Troopers didn’t hook me, Fist of the North Star was insulting, and High School Kimengumi may go down as the year’s biggest WTF premiere. With Flaming Dodgeball Girl Danko, however, we finally hit paydirt – or rather, I did. This series will appeal to very few people reading this paragraph, and not just because it’s a sequel to an anime they’ve (and I’ve) never seen. It’s extremely old school, with lip flaps and speed lines everywhere, a blaring electric guitar soundtrack, and a ridiculous premise where dodgeball is the most awesome thing in the world. The shounen trope of winning through sheer willpower is central to its story’s operation, and there’s a low level of fanservice that will likely ramp up as time goes on, if the characters in the OP are anything to go by. Still, I found myself laughing along at the level of parody on display here. I don’t know how earnest the original Honoo no Youkyuujo series was, but this new one is geared primarily for humor, using its protagonist’s inability to hold back as a comedic weapon in her quest to recruit new players. Even the fanservice contributes to a particular character’s athletic superpower in a silly, non-exploitative way. I can’t recommend Dodgeball Girl Danko to a broad audience, but I also can’t deny how much I enjoyed watching it.
Potential: Just for me
