So, with Black Rock Shooter still in build-up mode, Ano Natsu coming with that horrid beach episode and Smile Precure still in introduction mode, I do have to return again to Inu X Boku. And don’t get me wrong: I have major issues with this series, but despite that, it’s consistently able to put a smile on my face.
This sixth episode was special: it was the first episode that didn’t introduce any new characters (aside from random classmates perhaps), and instead focused on Karuta (the skeleton). And with that, it did a surprisingly good job. At the very least, Karuta just was completely adorable in this episode. And on top of that, I also feel that the rest of the cast emerged from the better.
Still, my big issue with this show still stands: this is a David Production series, and it lacks ambition. Ristorante Paradiso was a unique look at the Iyashi-kei genre with a ton of really old characters who were all very well depicted, Armed Librarians was an awesome roller-coaster ride with awesome storytelling, Level E was one of the best comedies of the recent years, and Ben-To pushed the boundaries of the fanservice comedy genre. And here we have Inu X Boku… where we follow a bunch of half-youkai. This charm of the characters is nice, but this just isn’t up to their usual standards. Of course, it’s far from their worst (I mean, Dogs was an awful OVA), but still: I’d hate them to turn into another Manglobe.
Also, main character: the next time try to confirm that the monster you killed is actually dead… before turning your back to it.
Rating: * (Good)
Umm… The monster she had incapacitated is immortal. So confirming if it’s dead point is invalid. However, not turning one’s back to the youkai before it has left for good is good advice.
Also, that ending theme was adorable.
I couldn’t really find the charm in this even in the manga. I think it’s just not that good of a basic story. To me it seems like it was trying to copy some elements from Fruits Basket. Where fruits basket was very charming, this just… isn’t.
I really did try to like it. 🙁
This is not a series I’d go out of my way to watch — and certainly won’t buy — but I do find it mildly enjoyable. And the main character’s realization of what was giving her heart palpitations, and her subsequent outburst, actually made me laugh out loud.
Idk, is it just me or I find Karuta X Watanuki a cuter couple than Shoushi x Ririchiyo? Anyway, at least, this episode redeems this series…for a while.
You could say that this is the same genre as Otome Youkai Zakuro: anime that is at its roots a shoujo, bishonen and all, but with such females and hints of fanservice that it might as well be targeted towards males. Before Zakuro, there was Touka Gettan ages ago that also did this, although it was much more ambitious. These types of anime are my guilty pleasure. It also feels like that genre of adventure shoujo series that almost died out by now to which series like Tactics belong.
…and I love how they hint that the bodyguard has had sex with both the guys from episodes 4 and 5-, and many others.
I kinda like this series and I think this episode has been one of the best of it so far because it didn’t have so much useless fanservice bad comedy in it. Also the exaggerated “Oh I’m soooo happy to just breath the same air as you” stuff had been toned down considerably here. The comedic elements felt much more natural this time, too, making this episode alltogether quite an enjoyable watch.
Let’s hope they can keep it up like that because I like the premise and the characters.
It’s just that this series (or the producers of the anime) doesn’t seem to have a very good grasp on atmosphere so far, which always leaves me with the feeling that something is missing, like “this could be really good if only…”