Well, so unfortunately the only part that didn’t turn out worse than the previous episode was the female lead. She’s likable, plus she knows her role as a support character. Apart from that, this episode had some annoying parts with the introduction of a new, rather obnoxious character.
Overall, this series is interesting, but flawed so far. The biggest flaw is that I have no idea how it’s going to be able to answer the why of everything: what is that bracelet that the main character found last episode and why is there an evil organization dedicated to making puzzles?
Also, you’d think that this series would focus on solving puzzles. Things turned out quite a bit different, though. The creators don’t even show the solutions to some of the puzzles, especially the smaller ones. Instead, this show is all about trying to come up with the most creative puzzles. When I first read about this series I thought it would feature a number of riddles in the same vein as Professor Layton and Spiral, but surprisingly every single puzzle in this show is an actual puzzle that is based on numbers and figures.
And granted, the puzzles that the creators came up with so far are very creative.
Rating: (Enjoyable)]]>
Phi Brain – 02
Er, I think “I have no idea how it’s going to be able to answer the why of everything” is not quite a flaw… it’s just you having no idea how the story is going to turn out. Which should be a good thing, right? Anyway, it’s just the second episode. From what I can see they’ll assemble the main cast, and work on the plot after.
Yeah, it indeed can turn into a very surprising strength if the series will actually be able to provide satisfying answers for that. I also understand the need to set up the cast, though I would rather have liked to see them do it in an exciting way. Ah well, you can’t have everything. There’s indeed plenty of room left for them to grow.
So far this seems really uninspired to me… Whats the point of a puzzle anime if there is no puzzle solving? There hasnt been a single time where we get to see the character thought process and how he actually solved something… We barely even get to look at the puzzle, because they solve right after
I thought this would be sort of like Akagi/Kaiji, smart main character, lots of inner monologue, interesting puzzles, but it has none of that… Its basically like having a fighting shounen where you dont actually get to see any fights, the character just wins them automatically
I am disappointed, that traffic puzzle was actually really simple. Do they seriously expect us to believe that this guy is the master of solving puzzles?
the bracelet (as said in ep 1) is the phi brain (i think). When it glows the wearer is capable of using 100% of their brain. Most people only use 20% – even einstein used 50%.
Basically, it makes guy-super-good-at-solving-puzzles into unbeatable genius whenever he finds a puzzle too hard. Sort of like the pyramid in yugioh.
The whole using only 20% of the brain thing is kind of misleading… for example, the medulla oblongata is at work ALL THE TIME, but because it controls non-voluntary actions like heart rate and breathing, so it’s not counted as the BS “20% rate of use” even though you ARE using it or else you’d be dead (the second you start to consciously think about your breathing and control it that way, another part of your brain takes over the medulla oblongata for respiratory).
What I’m trying to say is Hollywood science =/= real science.
an interesting point, but i think for this series fact/fiction doesnt make much difference.
I am wondering though how this series will avoid: easy puzzle, solved, harder puzzle, solved, unbeatable puzzle which will kill you and innocent bystander (sobs) so activate bracelet, solved, and everybody’s happy, except for bad guy, who vows to come back with vengeance.
Honestly I don’t need a reason for there to be an evil organization bent on creating puzzles. To me, that silliness is a strength — a campy, but fun conceit.
What I didn’t like is the tired fight over eating a lot. It doesn’t make sense to over-eat, so puzzle solvers (even hungry puzzle solvers) should be smart enough to not get competitive over out-eating another person. Besides I just saw THIS EXACT SAME SCENE in Prince of Tennis. Not original, not smart, not even funny.
Haha. As soon as the bracelet started glowing and the protagonists’s consequent personality change I instantly started getting Yugioh vibes. Just remove the Egyptian theme and replace the life or death card games with puzzles.
@Kyosei
i had the exact same thought (check post 5). what i said in post 7 though i take back – yes, the armband may start going and he gets a solution, but i think that if the creators can keep the solutions creative(i was impressed by this weeks solution) then i think it could be a highly successful show.
Anyone else think the brothers/close friends separated in childhood and reuniting as enemies is a BIG cliche?