Seriously… how good can this series be anyway? Even though this episode took a step down from the previous episode, it was still an excellent one, and the thing is that I’ve got no idea what the creators did to make this series so great. Sure, it’s got a great soundtrack, but it’s not the best one this season. The art is pretty, but there are other series with better art. The incredibly complex dialogue probably helps, but even then I only understand half of what people are saying. I really can’t exactly put my finger as to what makes this series so great, but there has to be some reason why this series suddenly stands out, while most other series need episodes of building-up before they can reach such an emotional level…
I also have a question to those who’ve read the novels for Amatsuki. I recently found out that Amatsuki is only going to have 13 episodes, and I can’t really think that that would be the right length for this series. If I’m not mistaken, then there are 7 volumes of the original Amatsuki manga, and after episode five, at which point in the manga are we currently? If we’re just at the end of the first volume, then there’s a possibility for a second season, though if we’re up to the third volume already, then this’ll be a bit more difficult.
From what I understood in this episode, Tokidoki and Kon finally meet the princess’ real form. I first wondered a bit why so many priestesses were needed for just a simple audience, but then it turns out the princess’ body has been long dead, and it takes a whole ritual to get her spirit from that doll we saw in the previous episode to that body. Another surprise: this “princess” turns out to be a guy. Meanwhile, Tsuyukusa follows the spirit of a broken fox-statue.
From what I picked up and read on on-line forums, the “princess” and Bonten seem to be on opposing sides, and both want to use Tokidoki’s strange abilities. I’m glad that in this episode, we saw a more human side of Bonten, getting annoyed at Utsubushi’s worrying. Bonten and the Princess seem two out of four beings who can at will change bodies. The other two are a strange priest that hasn’t been introduced yet and the spirit that created this world. The names of all these four seem to end with “ten”, meaning heaven. I’m not sure about the intentions of these guys yet, though.
Episode 5 has covered up to Chapter 11 of the manga (Volume 2). There’s 2 more chapters in Volume 2. That’s what I have been informed.
Looking at the respective release rates of the (monthly) serialisation and the manga volumes (one every 6 months), there will probably be enough to cover a full 26 episodes which will then catch up with where the manga will be by that time.
Excellent. My guess is that the second season will then air around Fall 2008 or Winter 2009. Studio Deen has done remarkably well so far in actually finishing nearly all of its adaptations (for as far as I know, their only incomplete adaptations are Hatenkou Yuugi and Fruits Basket), instead of stopping them in the middle, so there’s a very good chance for the second season.
Shion no Ou was also planned for 12 episodes and was extended to 22 : don’t neglect that possibility, psels. 😉
I’ve watched the three available episodes of this anime and I wanted to thank you for blogging it because if you didn’t, I wouldn’t have paid more attention to it past the first episode which I didn’t really like.
Sorry for the double comment.
I just wanted to know if I were the only one to whom Toki’s situation looked like Watanuki’s.
Both lose their eyesight on one eye, both can see spirits ordinary people don’t…
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..
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both are voiced by Jun Fukuyama. Oo
Now that you mention it, when Tokidoki started ranting at one point (I think it was somewhere in episode three), his rambling really reminded me of Watanuki. I wouldn’t be surprised if Toki’s birthday is April 1st as well. 😛
I’m glad to hear that the quality is keeping up; I was unimpressed by the first two episodes, but the third one really won me over, and I’m looking forward to the fourth one intensely ^_^ I hope you’re right about this series getting extended; it would be a shame to cap it at 13 when it’s already going so well.
I thought the anime did quite a good adaptation of the manga; I really couldn’t quite care less about the manga (weird humour that doesn’t really quite work on me, strange pacing of the story, disconnected panels, etc) but I really do enjoy the anime! Keep up the good work 🙂 OOO, I really hope it’s not just a 13 ep series.
Quick question for you folks who are abreast of things. How is this show doing in the ratings? Do you think this series is going to be popular enough for a continuation