So unlike the previous episode, this episode was actually about the fairies again, as they created this bizarre manga world that traps people and forces them to create stories that excite readers. Y being the bad writer she is, completely ruins this by trying to tie as many cliches together as possible and making a complete mess of a story. It’s a nice parody of bad manga.
One thing I did notice is that the blond kid doesn’t really feel like a character. I mean, being mute is of course one thing, but oftentimes he’s just there to provide a handy note from the creators in order to keep the story going or get Watashi out of a pinch.
One wasted opportunity was that the creators didn’t show the other manga that the characters were competing with. That would also have been interesting. Still, this was a nice episode that was interesting to watch. I’m still waiting for the characters to really set themselves apart, but there is still time for that.
Regarding the soundtrack though, I feel that this is one of Kou Otani’s lesser works. It just doesn’t seem to fit the satirical atmosphere of this serise, and disappears just too often into the background to the point where I hardly ever notice it. It’s still typical of his soundtrack, but that’s just because he uses that one instrument that nobody else uses. (That one synthesizer)
Rating: (Good)
I agree that the weakest point of the series is the side-characters, except for Y so far. I keep loving this series, even if the satire this arc was much less subtle than the previous one; and I loved the author making fun of baseball, Japan’s most popular sport.
Lovely episode, i really enjoyed it thoroughly … it was both funny and informative at the same time .. showing the inner workings of the manga industry (and how brutal it can be like any other industry out there .. it isn’t all roses, rainbows, mecha and hot blooded teenagers action/romance XD) .. also funny thing that i was reading recently about the failures that Kubo (mangaka of Bleach) had with his first manga series “Zombie Powder” and how it got canceled because it wasn’t popular enough .. but somehow he recovered from that and made “Bleach” which was -and still is- a big hit .. interesting coincidence XD
I also liked how the analogies where made between the real-life manga industry and the Fairy version of it .. very brilliant and creative.
But one thing i have to say .. every time the Fairies do something why do i get creeped by them even more -with their wide open mouths and cutesy attitude that hides their “lethal indifference” towards humans- i’m i the only one who is getting creepy vibes from those -seemingly innocent- Fariries !!?
I’ve found Assistant quite interesting, actually. His “Seven Children” story was rather surprising (and amusing) back in ep 2, and I find it nice how the relationship between him and Sensei is (by far?) the most genuine one in a show filled to the brim with satire. Like much of the series in general, Assistant looks sweet and harmless but is in fact a rather critical, rational boy.
I also thought it was hilarious how Sensei could “communicate” with Assistant just be reading the impressions deep within those eternally deadpan blue eyes of his.
Humanity Has Declined is much more about the themes than the characters in the first place though, IMO. So I suppose your expectations of a show will affect how you view it.
I could be over thinking this, but Assistant seems like a satire character on actual assistants to me. His name is simply Assistant, no real name, and he gives valuable advice to our main but remains silent. No one can understand him except Watashi, and while he’s usually out of the picture on most things, he still gets dragged into the shenanigans. While he may look like he doesn’t mind because of his sweet, expressionless face, he’s pretty cynical (Seven Children Story in episode 2) and intuitive. Probably more-so than the MC, but because he’s in the assistant position, his genius is overseen.
He plays a key-role in this Manga arc, but he remains upstages by the other two.
I think the fact he can’t speak could factor well in that case. He was the one who defeated the skinned chickens, and was the one who drew everything in the manga world. In other words he’s the one who gets things done, yet he doesn’t have a voice in any of the important matters since he’s relegated to an assistant position.
I actually thought the soundtrack was by satoru kosaki just because of the minimalist feel it has. i think it fits the series though, as being dialogue-heavy, a stand-out soundtrack would be pretty distracting.