A really difficult question: whether to blog Dansai Bunri no Crime Edge, or Hataraku Maou-sama. On one hand I really like Crime Edge’s weirdness, compared to Maou-Sama that does have some cliches. Crime Edge also can be quite heart-warming, while Hataraku Maou-sama doesn’t attempt to be that. Crime Edge has an atmosphere, while Hataraku Maou-sama doesn’t really seem to care about that.
Still, what happens when you really start thinking about them? In that case, Crime Edge ends up being a celebration of weird fetishes, without really much depth. Hataraku Maou-sama on the other hand is one of the most clever comedies to appear over the past few years. Seriously, this series bites.
Instead of doing random joke after random joke, everything fits in this series, plus the jokes are all built up before you even know it. The earthquakes at first seemed random, and only after a minute I realized that that might mean something more. Especially when that random text arrived. This series is full of stuff like that, where you only realize a joke has been made, half a minute later. Or jokes that only work because of some clever build-up early on.
What also helps is some fantastic voice acting. I especially loved the part where that Hero was locked out of the demon king’s apartment and she started ranting outside of the screen. This series also really tries to be believable and realistic at times, which is what makes the jokes work even more: the suspense of disbelief is great here! How often do you see characters just doing random groceries, or just living their daily lives in the middle of trying to take over the world?
Just try to keep the cliches out of here. You’re better than that, show. *Har har you are fighting so you must be in love, har har*
Rating: 5.5/8 (Excellent)
I’d go with this series. When I first watched Crime Edge, I thought, “WTF did I just watch?” Second episode came along, and still the same thought (that scene in the nurse’s room didn’t really help). I feel like the script and characters are just… poorly written. The whole plot and dialogue feels like it was written by some teenager with a fetish for cutting hair, among other things.
This show is a riot, after the first episode I had to run off and spoil myself with the manga and while they cut out/changed some stuff I am happy with the outcome so far. Unlike Titan this show seems like it will only get better as it goes on, for me at least.
“Seriously, tihs series bites.”
This doesn’t mean what you think it means.
I think he meant it “has teeth” XD
Crime Edge doesn’t have a weak script nor characters, but at the end of the day you either buy the premise and run with it or you don’t. Personally, I find it a nice (albeit bizarre) take on the battle manga/seinen-oriented shounen formula in some respects, but how good it ends up being will depend on the pacing I suppose.
Good choice, Crime Edge seems really fun and interesting but if it follows the manga at all (it has so far) it will jump the shark. Not just any shark but a shark that shoots lazers from its eyes, breathes fire and wears a top hat and monocle.
Maou-Sama will hit some more cliches but they aren’t so bad that it takes away from the show. And really how many shows avoid cliches completely
This shark sounds pretty awesome; I hope it’s not a metaphor. XD
I think what I dislike the most about Hataraku are the cliches. If it can stray from that my enjoyment level will vastly increase. I didn’t laugh much in this episode except for that part where she was ranting outside the apartment so they would let her in. That made me laugh a hell lot.
When she started crying hysterically outside, I was already pissing myself in tears. LoL. That was golden.
As I feared, this was a clear step down from the first episode. After all, some of the gags and setups regarding culture shock can only be used once. (Or maybe not. Maou got himself arrested again, albeit in a different context.)
I still got a few chuckles and enjoyed it though.
Liked the episode. For once, the cliche was well used: A well-dressed woman attacking a man with a knife in the middle of the night and calling him her “enemy” over and over actually looks like a lovers fight.
^Exactly what I was thinking too.
Great review. I agree on the superiority of Hataraku over Dansai Buri.
Dansai Buri is enjoyable only if you are mentally available to chuckle at the fetishes. The second episode is not as beautiful as the first one though.
This one is def better than Dansai, which is just weird and not funny.
I loved the rant scene! But it’s not like the show is the best thing ever, a little bit annoyed with reactions of big boobed work colleague who gets all hyper when thinking that maou might have a gf
i also didn’t think the police reaction was cliche. I think that was the most plausible boring reason the policeman would find if he wanted to just close the case and send them on their way.
The banging at the door scene was hilarious. From the gut reaction of his general locking the door to her ranting about it then threatening to break it down only to end up sobbing and begging to be let in and making them feel sorry for her. That was priceless.
Well written, I definitely need to see this.
Just finished the 3rd episode and please dear lord do not fall further into the cliche ditch…because other than the potential love triangle that might form, this show is such awesome crack.
His loyal sidekick especially gets a real laugh out of me; not to mention the rant and then begging scene really cracked me up.
Fingers crossed it will continue to be good!
Also thanks for the review psgels!
also after 5 minutes of crime edge i had a visceral reaction of ‘what the hell is this’ and backed away quickly…so I am glad you will be blogging this one instead!
I watched Hataraku after reading this blog. I really enjoyed it! Looking forward to more episodes