Like Senkou no Night Raid, Rainbow is a bit of a strange series. If the creators played it realistically, it definitely would have been the best show of the season. The execution that the creators went with however, does hit hard. As opposed to most series, which often take their time introducing the characters, Rainbow plays it heavy, right from the first moment. This episode goes to huge lengths in stirring up some drama, trapping some of the cast members inside a burning prison while Nomoto gets stirred up by psycho guard in order to turn against them.
Still though, I believe that setting the psycho guard aside, all these things could have happened: the arson was set up because Nomoto quickly stashed away a burning cigarette. And even the psycho guard becomes a bit less stereotypical in this episode when it turns out that he just hates Sakuragi. This guy is obviously way over the top, but he does illustrate the problem of corrupt prison guards. What I also liked was that this episode did show that there were other normal guards around, but even they seem to either ignore or don’t know about psycho guard’s issues.
This show obviously is extreme, but I’m interested to what kind of character-development it’s going to lead. I mean, the OP keeps hinting that it’s going to keep animating the manga until we reach the part in which the kids grow up (and who knows how much more).
Rating: * (Good)
rainbow is indeed dark and extreme, but id say its “Darkness” level is in the mediocre side. some parts of the anime, really gives us a warm feeling. unlike some “dark” animes i watched which made me reluctant or lose interest in watching dark animes.
I found the end of the episode so corny and draggy. “Excuse me. While your bawl/cry your eyes out, I’ll act heroic.” Still, I look forward to the next episode. But… nerdy talk… I think ‘Big bro’ should be nicknamed Mario and Mario should be nicknamed Princess Peach or Luigi, haha.
I’m so in love with the opening theme though.
I actually thought you were going to comment negatively on this episode… The action lines still kill me XDDD And I agree with Pi, I thought they could have just squeezed in the part where Sakuragi saves everyone instead of the typical talk while the others in the cell are DYING.
I like Mario, and I thought he would be the braver one, but instead he sits down doing nothing and believing An-chan would save them. What an impression. >__> (it reminds me of Gurren Lagann and Nia haha)
(I know he realized later and starts helping, but still.)
Anyone notice how most of the kids back stories so far seem to have some form of sexual exploitation. I guess after a costly war with alot of the men dead all woman had to bargin with was their bodies but I hope they move into other human aspects to drive these characters back stories.
The psycho guard Ishihara is a bit over the top, but I think he makes a pretty good villian. Though at the same time, i hope he gets what he deserves.
And I also believe that SOMEBODY’s gonna die at the end. I don’t know who, but i’m sure someone will.