The move to HD five years ago improved a lot for anime in terms of eye candy, but there also are drawbacks. By far the biggest is that the character designs of anime has on average become less interesting and often very similar. Of course there are exceptions, but compared to ten years ago, things look much more alike. The rise of moe and bishies certainly hasn’t helped. Overall I really like the character designs of the first half of the 200’s better, but it’s great that those exceptions are still there today, though. Phi Brain’s character designs are of the type that are very hard to animate, but the direction in this episode really made them work, and it showed how much they can do when used well despite the relatively low budget.
This episode once again was wonderful. This was the climax for Kaito’s inner struggles, and the creators came up with a great puzzle for that indeed. The cast got brought back together, and Ana’s return also worked really well. And the best thing is: we’re not even halfway yet!
I’m really puzzled as to what the second half will be about, but the more I watch this series, the more this is in a good way. I mean, at this rate the finale will wrap up the POG: Pythagoras is dead, and the finale is really set up as a battle between Kaito and Rook. I can see parallels between two other series right now: The Law of Ueki and Kaleido Star. To remain as vague as possible for the sake of spoilers, both wrapped up their first half fairly well, and then used their second half to bring in new characters, only to grow even better than they already were by developing their characters in a totally different direction. Since Sato Junichi directed one of those, I can really see the same thing happen here. At this point I just cannot fathom what that new organization is going to have to be in order to beat the POG.
Rating: *** (Awesome)
I agree the character designs have an unusual quality that makes this series stand out. Some people have a bad reaction to the character designs, but if you give it a chance, they can work quite well at times.
I don’t mind the character designs. I know some people find it generic most especially Kaitou’s design and Rook’s hairstyle. But some of the designs of the characters were all right.
BTW, they seem to pull off a lot of BL subtext near the end such as Rook, screaming “oh Kaitou, my Kaitou!”, and Cubic, saying “I love you”. XD But yeah, Rook’s completely obsessed with Kaitou and the next episode, they’re going out together.
Seriously, all this subtext AND an “otoko no ko” (who even got to grope Kaito back in Hokkaidou) – what’s gotten into NHK?? 😀 Not that I mind, though. Plus, Cubic is cute and I guess for people less rotten than me it’s possible to interpret that “daisuki” as pure friendship… maybe… ^^;; Rook, though, is pretty obviously obsessed (and not in a healthy way).
I really like the character designs. Sure, they’re a bit unusual (or should I say “non-standard”) but not too much, they just lend some individuality to the show. They feel refreshing in the sea of same-old same-old.
As for the second season, I think next episode will deal with the threat that Rook represents, the POG will go back to being a “good” organization, and then they’ll introduce the new baddies. What I’m curious about is HOW they’re going to neutralize Rook, I mean the guy has been a total nutcase since childhood… I predict a mental reset of sorts.
waaah, not expecting that!! I still don’t really understand who is the mysterious guy in the vision, it’s Rook in the last time we have the vision, so does that mean Kaito suceeds in changing the future or it was Rook since the start and he was manipulating Kaito’s vision?
And, I thought the character design is fine, but Nonoha reminds me too mcuh of Kaya in Bakuman and Rook reminds me of Byakuran in Katekyo Hitman. XD