It’s an interesting batch this time. Each of these series has the potential to become great, but each of them has one or more major flaws. It’s interesting to see how these three turn out. Also, with this, I think I’ve managed to cover the largest part of the autumn season. All that’s really left to get subbed is Jigoku Shoujo (seriously, I can hardly wait for it) and a Spirit of the Sun. Oban Star Racers seems to be aired at some kind of special location, as no raws have appeared at all. It was the same case with FLAG, I think we need to wait for the Japanese DVD’s to come out in order to see it. Same with Silk Road Boy Yuto. Master of Epic seems to have delayed its anime a bit, such a pity. And Bikkuruman Hikkariden will probably never really get enough attention to even get its own raws. Next up is waiting for shows like Souko no Strain, Tokyo Tribe, Freedom and Afro Samurai.
Bartender
I’m a big fan of the various episodic case-based anime (Mushishi, Jigoku Shoujo, xxxholic), so I was looking forward to this anime. It follows a bartender who can make the god’s glass, a way to people’s hearts. Unfortunately, the first episode has yet to display anything special. It follows a stressful bar designer, but the entire story lacked emotion. Still, I’m probably going to end up blogging this. Jigoku Shoujo and Mushishi showed that you have to warm up to stories like these a bit for them to become really effective.
Kekkaishi
I have to admit, when I read the premises, I feared the worst. It’s a nice surprise that this shounen series actually turned out above average. It’s still got the cliché of having a fourteen year old brat as main character, but he’s been given unusual character depth. Especially the part when he was just a nine-year old boy was pretty impressive. If this anime loses the fourteen-year-old brattiness, things actually could get pretty good. I just hope that the creators manage to actually bring the love relationship between the main male character and main female character in a good way. Right now, all signs point to the fact that the main female character will end up being a simple damsel in distress. If this anime can avoid this, we’re in for something worthwhile.
La Corda d’Oro: Prima Passo
There’s one thing that always annoys me with anime like this: the important characters are the only ones with obscure hair colours. Anyway, this anime is sortof like learn to play the violin, the lazy way. We’ve got our main character who seems to be the only one who can see a special fairy because of no reason. The fairy then grants her a special violin which can make anyone play beautiful. Yeah, sure. I think that this anime doesn’t want to be taken seriously. Both the main male character as the main female character are as standard as possible, though the side-characters can prove to be interesting. Of course, our main character ends up winning the music competition, but seeing how the side-characters will face of against each other will probably be worth it. At least, if the creators give them a chance for this. Overall, it’s not exactly a bad anime. It’s just got some hugely annoying flaws which sortof ruin the mood. At least let the main character be someone who’ll work hard to achieve her goals.
I wanted to see Master of epic too, hopefully they didn’t delay it too much.
Haha, I was browsing which series you explored. I guess some anime you have to have the patience to stick with it then find out what it’s like.
I know you have loads on your plate (since I only follow about 2-3 series at once) but maybe if you could consider picking up La Corda d’Oro someday again?
Yes, I agree with you if you were judging from the first episode only, it would be pretty horrible. I stuck with it mainly because I play an instrument and I thought I’d like to see the competition action.
Turns out, there’s more to it 🙂
Before I digress horribly, the series focuses mainly on the meaning of music – cheesy I know, but a major theme is that music is a medium of expressing emotions – that without feeling, it would not be music. I think honestly this applies to life in general – to do something well, it must be done with passion.
The heroine isn’t exactly that lazy. (SPOILER ALERT) The magic violin does eventually release all its power and breaks, leaving her to perform in the final round of the competition with her own ability. The angsty moments of her own pain and guilt for having deceived everyone and nearly quitting does get a bit too drawn-out, but her perseverance makes you sympathize with her. And no, I don’t think she won the competition, since the ending never tells us WHO won.
And there is no particular male lead – apparently this series turns out to be a reverse harem. Although a lot of male stereotypes are gathered (the cold type, funny friendly type, and the girly man “prince” type, etc) the story focuses more on the girl’s journey to understand and love music more so than the male characters. Although if Ouran drove you crazy due to no particular pairing although it was hinted…then this aspect might kill you.
All in all, a good series, worth a first-time watch-through, in my opinion. But still, great blog! (sorry for ranting so much)
I loved Denno Coil too, by the way.