Kimi to Boku
Short Synopsis: Our lead character is an average high school boy.
Agh! Why does this air on the exact. same. date as Tamayura?! I mean, it has its qualities on its own, but when it airs right after what in the end is a superior slice of life series it is in real danger of just being overshadowed. Still, despite that Kimi to Boku has this strange kind of catchiness. It suffered from trying to be too ironic, its characters still stick a bit too much to their stereotypes (which especially sticks out with such a small cast of only four characters), but the dialogue between them in the end was quite enjoyable. These guys are down to earth, and in any case it’s good to see another slice of life series that is in no danger of being overrun by boob jokes. There’s a scene of their past together, which is also a good sign and this episode was also good at portraying things going on in the background. This will probably be a very uneventful series that fleshes its characters out through its dialogue, and based on that, this episode did well and has the potential to last through 26 episodes.
OP: Another boring ballad. The use of photographs again does not help after seeing Tamayura do this so much better…
ED: A bunch of (admittedly good) drawings, with another dull song.
Potential: 75%
Tamayura ~ Hitotose
Short Synopsis: Our lead character is just a regular teenager.
Yes! Yes! Yes! The creators actually did it! Instead of just continuing with showing just a bunch of random sketches around the main cast, this entire episode was dedicated to the past of the main female character. Not only do we get to see her in the days when she was away from the rest of the main cast, but they also made clever use of that she’s a photographer. Throughout the episode we got to see a bunch of slide-shows, which did a wonderful job of painting a picture of her childhood. The writing in this episode also was great, combining slice of life and realistic dialogue with subtle morals and life lessons. Sato Junichi really is on fire this season, and it’s almost unfair competition to Kimi to Boku with how good this was. This really is what I want from a slice of life series: realistic characters, visible growth, and plenty of scenes to relate to. Knowing the creators we’re not going to get a slew of boob jokes or other bad comedy, nor was the drama in this episode forced or cheesy. Really, ideally every episode needs to be like this.
OP: Fits the series perfectly, is well sung, and again makes great use of photography.
ED: The singer is a bit weak, but the use of photographs once again is great.
Potential: 85%
Phi Brain
Short Synopsis: Our lead character solves puzzles.
Yeah. This was pretty much the best opening episode of the new season to me. I mean, this is a series with a strange premise: the main character is really tempted by just puzzles. But that’s the thing: it’s creative, and it showed in this episode. While the main characters solves sudoku puzzles like its nothing (yes, there is sudoku in this show), the larger puzzles are these huge imaginative contraptions that are well made and have interesting solutions. Waht really sold me on this series however, is how expressive it is. It’s got the best OP of the season, the best ED, the best character-designs (even including the series that still have to air), and most importantly: the animation and voice acting brought the characters to life. The female lead is actually a damsel in distress who is useful: on one hand she’s there to increase tension, but she’s also more athletic and more observant than the male lead, who in his turn also isn’t your average shounen hero. He thankfully is miles away from the usual whiny and hot blooded main character. The music is excellent, the pacing rocks. You can really see Sato Junichi at work here.
OP: Best of the season so far. Solid song and great visuals.
ED: Nice use of a puzzle-like slide show.
Potential: 90%]]>
Some Quick First Impressions: Kimi to Boku, Tamayura ~ Hitotose and Phi Brain
The production values aren’t bad for a kiddie show, but I don’t think the character designs hold up all that well against those of Persona 4 or Guilty Crown. I also get the impression that they intend to keep this rather passive by using puzzle solving as a pretension for an action show, but that’s OK. I actually like the idea of this maybe inspiring a younger audience into trying various types of puzzles, since an interest in them they can be a gateway into certain areas of mathematics.
I’m also kind of interested in seeing what kind of elaborate puzzle designs will be animated as the series progresses. I imagine that’s what will really keep me watching the series.
This show was great. The word puzzle was used a bit too much for my liking (I guess in case someone didn’t catch on that this anime is about puzzles). But despite that I love the concept and the execution is superb. Kaito is an interesting character who I’d want to learn more about. I’m glad that they spent as little time as possible at that school because I just wanted to see Kaito solve some puzzles.
I rather liked this episode, the only real issue I had was with characterization, in specific: Nonoha’s character. I found her to be a bit stereotypical and annoying. There is some potential for her to grow beyond this though, and hopefully character development will allow for that to happen.
As for Kaito, I liked his personality a lot, but his way of speaking just made me roll my eyes: overly masculine and low class, just like many other Shounen leads. Other than that, though I enjoyed him as a main, lead character and see some good potential when it comes to his character too.
The premise, the puzzles, and the other characters all have me intrigued, plus the animation, music, characters designs and etc. are nice, so I will definitely be watching a few more episodes of this, at least.
too shounen for me, and didn’t find the first ep to be amazing. But I like the concept.
This was unique, I don’t know why, but reminds me of yugioh (even though I’ve never really watched it)!
I think I would like it! 🙂 oh yeah nonoha reminds of miyoshi in Bakuman! LOL
@kurini Nonoha reminds me of what Miyoshi would look like if the thing on her head looked more like hair.
I must say, it is tough for me to see Sato Junichi in this, but I guess I have only seen his “healing” shows.
Uhmm really I like a lot more Fate zero. But its a nice show.
I’m very torn on this show. I really want to like it, and for the most part I do – the art design is quite good, the music is solid, and the premise is relatively interesting (without Layton-esque shoehorning of puzzles). Not particularly impressed with the main character, but we didn’t see much of his personality from the first episode and he didn’t really have significant conflict (first he was fleeing the water in panic, and then at the end there was magic).
But there’s one thing that makes cringe: Nonoha’s character. She felt utterly extraneous the entire time, and I don’t understand her motives at all: if the puzzle is dangerous enough to be lethal, why is she carelessly tagging along and running around without being alert? Her contributions seemed twofold: first, pointing out something nontrivial but eventually noticeable that the ‘actual king of puzzles’ had missed, and second, being the focus of a “I have to save —” moment. Perhaps I’ve been spoiled lately, but the first thing I see when I look at her is, well, a weak character. And that makes me a bit sad.
I do like the opening, though. Not sure it’ll be the best of the season – only opening lately I’ve thought that about is Kamisama Dolls’ – but it’s pretty solid, and the slideshow is really good.
I really do not see what is to like about this show.
The premise is boring and totally unexplained and unrealistic: Why does he solve puzzles? How are these massive puzzles created? Whats the point!?
The lead character Kaito… at least in this episode, had a very simple motive and literally no intrigue.
I guess i just didn’t like it; seemed to quick and with literally no explanation.
Will probably watch the next episode, but I doubt I will be following past it or possibly ep.3
I heard all these great things about Kimi to Boku, but I just couldn’t get into it (I actually stopped watching it half-way through).
The characters were all way too stereotypical and while I did like the flow of the dialogue and the opening, there was just something that was off. It couldn’t really capture my attention, and that is most likely because of the characters, which is a real shame, because I tend to like series that are based off G-Fantasy manga.
Then again, I guess there is a reason why I never really went out of my way to read the manga…
Kimi to Boku disappointed me. It wasn’t nearly as funny or heartwarming as the manga. The manga was a breath of fresh air, but the anime feels so drab and uninspired. It’s a shame really…I think I’ll just keep reading the manga….
I hope Tamayura keeps up with this kind of feeling through the entire series. I don’t think there was a part of the episode that I didn’t either have a smile on my face or a tear in my eye.
Kimi to boku adaptation wasn’t as good as I had expected. Will be looking forward to the romance in the series though. That was the most appealing factor for me in the manga.
anyone impressed by basic sudoku needs to use their brain a lot more frequently lol.
i really didnt find Phi Brain to be amazing, rather so far the premise seems to be a joke. the concept of puzzles is interesting, only thing is that it isn’t really about puzzles, rather a overpowered dude showing off. the thing is, the main character solves everything with such ease and speed that we really dont get much analysis on the puzzles themselves. with a few flicks of his fingers, the puzzles are solved within seconds, so how many viewer are able to follow along? it’s like watching yakitate japan without a single piece of info on bread, or like watching one outs without a providing a single rule on how baseball works.
to me, the first episode was freaking crap. i mean seriously… the main character’s motivation to shove himself into life threatening situations based on logic puzzles, while these puzzles arent really threatening anyone in society, is that some dude told him to “solve these fucking puzzles” while some evil antagonist goes through millions of dollars to make these pointlessly ginormous puzzles to playfully kill the main character, while ignoring the rest of society…
@qwerty1: Agree 100% It was a wonderful start to Tamayura. I really do hope they keep it up. I enjoyed the OVA’s but this was something special.
Wierd as it sounds, Kimi to Boku is one of my favorites from what i can see of the first episodes. Mabye its because i can relate to it a lot. Its just life, theres nothing very exciting to it, but that doesnt mean friends are boring either.
I love Kimi to Boku the managa, but the anime didn’t live up to it. I think it’s the pacing. I was expecting something a bit more akin to Azumanga Diaoh I think, with more sketches per episode, but this one felt like they dragged out the one story instead.
However I loved the kindergarten scene a lot, especially the reveal at the end of it!
The addition of the fifth boy might make a difference, as he is the most energetic one out of the bunch, and that might help to inject a bit of vivaciousness into the story.
I’m going to stick with it to see how it goes, as I like these characters a lot.
So…i checked out Phi Brain expecting it to be something solid..but what i got was dumb dialogue, same ol’ characters, childishness, and every other shounen trope/cliches known to man.
Yeah, no thanks. Have’nt been watching that much anime in the past year so i was hoping for some good stuff this season…this is not what i was looking forward to.
This is is copying every single post you made > http://animenewsnetworkblog.com/?cat=551
I thought Kimi to Boku was hilarious! XD I hope the pace picks up though. (can’t wait until Kouichi & Azuma comes in…)
yeah phi brain just interesting not awesome, the other is very good,, that copycats blog above is sucks
I don’t get it. Phi Brain is not entertaining or exciting for a puzzlesolving/mindgame anime where the main character is cheating. Yeah cheating, so when he is in trouble he will use his hax eye? The show is kind of contradicting itself. To solve puzzle you have to use your brain and skills, instead the main char get a magic eye. Dropped for me.
I do hope we get to the hot hot twincest actions in kimi to boku, obby obby
I actually thought kimi to boku had a stronger first episode than Tamayura. They are different kind of series though, so they shouldnt really be compared. Kimi to boku was really funny though 🙂
I actually thought kimi to boku had a stronger first episode than Tamayura. They are different kind of series though, so they shouldnt really be compared. Kimi to boku was really funny though 🙂