The fifth series I’m going to blog this season: Number 6. I was really doubting between Kamisama Dolls and this series. Both are really solid action series with a really good cast, solid acting, a rock-solid script and pacing, awesome music and really good animation. Brains Base are really on fire this season, while Bones are promising to deliver yet another rock-solid and imaginative series.
On one hand, Kamisama Dolls has a story that really seems to fit in 13 episodes. No.6 doesn’t. But heck, this was just too good. I mean, the fact that it ain’t gonna fit is just about the only negative thing I have to say about this series. It’s not as like this is another Deadman Wonderland that combined a ton of flaws with a ton of things to like: this was just completely solid overall. It makes the acting and bringing its cast to live seem so easy: the animation here is really good, and the characters really act natural in front of each other, with well written dialogue. There are no cliches, one-sided characters, or bad acting: everyone plays his role perfectly. The romance feels realistic and not the overly sappy kind you usually see as well.
Another great thing is that the story here never seems to stand still. It’s slow-paced, but it’s always developing its story. I think that along with Penguin Drum, this series pushes its story forward the best out of all the series this season (heck, four years have passed at this point and things are constantly changing). I admit that I’ve gotten tired of shows ending too soon. I’m also not blogging this series for the sake of blogging Noitamina (ever since Genji Monogatari, I’ve blogged every Noitamina series aside from Nodame Cantabile); at this point I’m still not sure whether I’m also going to blog Usagi Drop. But I really have to give Bones credit for such a solid series, script and cast.
Rating: ** (Excellent)
This was an excellent episode, with the exception that I can stand the background music. Is anyone with me on this? I think it is some of the most distracting junk I have been forced to listen to in anime. Many of those scenes needed about 1/5th of the music they put into them. Maybe I ought to just mute my sound for the series…
YES! I was really hoping you’d blog this series, and you totally DID! That’s good taste for you.
It was nice to see the Shion’s struggle. He isn’t just some kid who is terribly smart. It just isn’t his defining trait anymore; he’s now a kid who’s been at the top and fallen from grace because of his kindness. Unlike Saya from Blood-C , this character is one I’m willing to cheer on and somewhat felt more natural( despite the setting).
I really loved how well the suspense, mystery and characterization meshed so well together.This is a step up above the previous episode. As we see how time has treated and weathered the characters, we also get to know about the world they live in. Both the characters and circumstances move the plot forward in a truly brilliant way.
I didn’t care for the bl vibes in the first episode but that doesn’t mean I don’t like bl, it’s just the usual bl shows doesn’t really have a good story behind them. Whilst No. 6 seems to handle the romance and plot very well. I mean, if you make Nezumi a female, the story wouldn’t have been affected. This I take as a good sign.
This, Penguin drum, Kamisama Dolls, Sacred Seven, Blood C, Natsume, makes it a good summer for animes.
@Taara535: I didn’t find it as distracting as you did, but the few times I noticed the music during the episode I did find it rather bad. But then again, with exceptions of course, I don’t expect much from music in anime.
I found the sexual advances by Shion’s girl-friend (whats her name again) to be somewhat corny, even if they were meant to be funny. I also felt a little uncomfortable about the undertones of boy love in the first ep. I’d say I’m liking this show but when you combine some of its idiosyncrasies with the fact its going to end so soon, its probably not going to be a classic.
Even if it ends up as yaoi, this just might be my favorite BL show then 😛 (and the only one I watched)