Some Quick First Impressions: Arte, Listeners, Sakura Wars the Animation

Arte

Short Synopsis: Tired of being held down by societal norms and traditions, a girl decides to leave behind her aristocratic roots and carve a new life for herself as an artist.

Lenlo: Unlike Armitage, I knew nothing about Arte going in and only barely knew that Artemisia, whom Arte is based on, existed. Yet even with no knowledge, Arte is the first series of this season to actually hold my complete attention all the way through. Similar to Runway de Waratte, the initial premise of a character striving in an industry they are unfit for and whom the industry is biased against is a good one. Right away it sets the entire world against the lead, and Arte doesn’t look like its going to shy away from the technical aspects like Runway. It’s only made better by the setting of 16th century Florence, which I at least have never seen covered in anime before. The backgrounds are beautiful, and as someone who has actually been to Florence, it’s a joy to see it rendered in such a stunning way. And the commitment to the setting seems to go beyond the flavor of the backgrounds, with hard labor in place of modern conveniences for the art and a focus on the actual living conditions of the times too. My only quibbles are actually very similar to Armitage, those being the comedy falling flat or the animation not being all there. Still though, it’s the first series to really catch and hold my eye yet. And the fact that Armitage is blogging it means I get to just sit back and relax with it to!

Potential: 80%

Armitage: Arte is a story, loosely based upon real events, which follows the titular character on her journey to becoming a painter in 16th Century Florence. The manga serves as a fitting companion piece to Blue Period (another phenomenal manga, though we’ll talk more about it when that anime eventually comes out) but while both are about individuals trying to pursue their passion of becoming artists, Arte distinguishes itself by not only being a story about art and the sacrifices that go into pursuing it for a living but by also serving as a criticism of a history of unfair gender biases that prevail almost every profession. I am already familiar with the source material so, all I hoped for while tuning in to the premiere was for a competent enough adaptation. And I got just that. While the animation itself was nothing too spectacular, the backgrounds bringing to life Renaissance-era Florence looked absolutely stunning. The voice actors for our main duo are both apt and Maaya Sakomoto’s vocal return for the OP is always welcome. The one thing I can point out as a minor quibble is that the comedic gags didn’t all land as expected but that’s a shortcoming on the manga’s part and not the anime. All in all, I couldn’t have asked for a better start to this story. I shall be returning next week for full weekly coverage. Hope you will join me too!

Potential: 100%

Listeners

Short Synopsis: Audio nerd makes advances on mysterious girl, but gets too caught up in his love of gear to actually get any.

Amun: Really the studios doing Listeners and ToG should switch – I feel like each’s visual style is way better suited for the other. This show looks great – the CGI integration makes sense, the world has good details, it feels like a world of junk and burned out tech. The characters are well introduced with their obvious traits at the front but also with adequate room to grow. Where I’m a little hesitant is the obvious service that’s going to play into this show, and I’ve always found Japan’s portrayal of rock and roll a little…mismatched. That said, I like what I’ve seen so far – this kind of seems like a music mech version of Tsugumomo (also airing this season), which I’m a fan of (see what I did there). I’m here for at least a few more gigs!

Potential: 65%

Mario: Concept-wise, Listeners has a lot to write home about. It’s a musical and mecha hybrid in a distinct setting (at least in this first episode) with gorgeous character designs, expressive animation with a plot that knows where it’s heading. At the same time though, it sweeps through an array of cliche development and tired dialogue that it feels new and old school on equal measures. The soundtrack reminds me a good deal of FLCL, anyone who is familiar with Dai Sato’s past works will see lots of familiar factors here, and boy meets girl who is a perfect match for him with a convenient amnesia? All checks. Even the gags revolving around Mu misreads Echo’s advance is so dated it’s hard to overlook. But Mu’s outgoing personality plays out as a neat contrast to Echo’s personal traits and they have a pretty solid chemistry already. The battle at the end successfully embraces Listeners’ appeals: mecha ⁺ solid action ⁺ rock & roll. In addition, I enjoy many references to the real world’s music. Listeners’ premiere might be on a cliche side, but it does it with its utmost confidence, just like Mu herself.

Potential: 40%

Sakura Wars the Animation

Short Synopsis: A team of Taisho-era actresses moonlight as mecha-piloting peacekeepers.

Wooper: I knew this show was going to be bad, but I missed the fact that it was animated by Sanzigen, one of the worst 3DCG studios in the business. The first scene took place in darkness, so its ugliness was largely disguised, but the rest of the episode looked straight outta 2013. From simple dialogue to more complex theater and combat scenes, this thing is hideous to watch. The story isn’t much better, being a fusion of the fantasy, idol, and mecha genres that feels like it was made for nobody in particular. The enemies are lizards that look like robots, but are actually demons, and the suddenness of their appearance renders the ensuing battle scene totally lifeless. But hey, at least the main characters got to reintroduce themselves and deliver their shitty catchphrases before charging into battle. Yes, this is *that* kind of show – made solely to familiarize a new generation of waifu-seekers with a media property that they can sink their money into. Don’t watch this.

Potential: 0%

Mario: Unlike Wooper, I am fond of Sanzigen given how their character designs are attractive and the CG looks rather decent, but Sakura Wars looks trash and feels trash. All the characters look stiff and emotionless. It doesn’t help that the personality traits are nothing to write home about, with the worst offender being Sakura herself. Clinging to the only boy in the show, she’s just a pain to watch. The plot is filled with cliche like that girl that has amnesia or how we can tell miles away they are going to be under attack when the only man isn’t around. I know it’s a reboot of a franchise so there’s a market for it, but otherwise I see no reason to pick up on this. It’s unremarkable on all fronts.

Potential: 0%