Hell yeah, this is looking really good: like Utena, Star Driver, beyond focusing on the main villains, also focuses on the people close to them. Right now, it may seem a bit random, but I’m betting my hat that these guys will return over the course of the series. It’s not like the cast of this series is infinite, and something really is telling me that the main villains will get plenty of time to show themselves.
As for the accusations of this series being formulaic: well, I guess it is partly. However, that’s the entire point of the series: Utena was the same: it had a ton of stuff that happened in every episode. The thing is however, that beyond that formula, you couldn’t predict it at all. The repetition caused it to become a bit ritualistic, which provided a beyond excellent framework for the characters to work with.
Star Driver looks like it’s going to be the same: every episode has the meeting of the council, it sets up someone to become Takuto’s opponent, it shows this person open the cybercasket, the caged girl starts singing the same song, Takuto transforms, and after a fight Takuto wins and the opponent hands in some kind of badge. Beyond that, though: it’s new and fresh. It’s one of the very few series that’s willing to try out new ideas, half of the characters are unique and unlike anyone else, and even the characters that fit a certain archetype are fun to watch.
I’m also really glad to see that the graphics still look really impressive. This is the third episode in a row that ha d a really exciting battle here, and on top of that the creators have made every match different. This one centred around sword battles, and even beyond that the style of animation also was a bit different here. Again: just think of the potential for the future of this series when the creators just continue to up the ante here.
Rating: ** (Excellent)
I don’t know why anyone would be critical of the series formula in the first 3 episodes. As long as the show’s entertaining it should have a grace period of a couple episodes to really take off and strut its stuff.
Anyone else appreciate the samurai uniform design of Takashi’s cybody? I thought it was a nice touch.
strange that the mask of this guy didn’t break after the lost battle
I must say, I’ve been hyped for this series all summer. The first two episodes were great, but for some reason with this episode I’m beginning to think that this has serious potential to become an amazing series that will be remembered.
It’s formulaic, but this is probably just to introduce the characters and such (at which it’s already doing a good job). That’s why it doesn’t bother me. It’s probably going to grow into more than that later on, and I look forward to it.
Up now this is just fight with the weekly opponent. There’s not one bit of advance in the story unless that little bit of introduction for the antagonists which is far from enough. They’re still pretty much poorly flashed, and they’re a lot! There are six different divisions in the enemy organization, and we still have to meet the sixt one:
In addidtion to last episode prediction of mine, what about adding mr blue hair as a final boss?
This anime is still pretty graphics and little contenents. I hope it improves showing some good development already.
This still has potential and the 3rd ep is too soon to condemn it. But so far the plot and character actions seems pointless and groundless. I don’t see anything unique in the villains, just a bunch of sexual tension between the usual arquetypes (and, of course, their fabulous and weird alter-egos). So far we’ve had the same episode three time in a row but form the preview I guess next time, at least, we’ll have more deepness in the characters relationships.
I wonder if this formula will keep up, or if things will deviate.
So far the pretty colors and amazing graphics are keeping me well entertained.
It’s entertaining with the Galactic Bishounen around, haha.
I love the girl in the cage’s song, I watched the firts three episodes one after the other and it seems interesting. Although the protagonist a little flamboyant he’s still likeable.
It’s episode #3, and rather than follow the same formula there were a few subtle deviations from what has already been established.
As someone has already pointed out, we did see the mask break on this week’s Enemy of the Week. What we did get, and I wonder how many of you caught this, was a comment about how this opponent didn’t need to use the cybercasket and that he is another character with a mark.
Something tells me we’ll see him, again.
Seeing as he was Tauburn’s most difficult opponent to date. I also forsee another break in the formula. I expect the winning streak will be coming to an end very shortly.
This series is one of the best of the season. Unless there is a sharp turn in the quality or the plot takes a serious dive, I’m in for the duration.
Ta!
-X
I need to know, who was the Animator who did the first half of the sword fight. It couldn’t have been Yoshinori Kanada he is, sadly, deceased. However whoever it was did a masterful job of mimicing his style.
For those of you who have doubts about the formula, I hated the entire first third of Utena. It shared the same formula and repetition. But by the final arc it was one of my favorite shows ever. Look for the subtle hints, very few things will be made obvious immediately, but there is already massive forshadowing.
Some samples:
-The Swordsman having a “Mark”
-Takuto saying “Omae…” (You…) at the start of the battle suggests he realized something.
-Looks and actions of the characters in general are very rarely what they seem.
I pray this show is slated for more than 13 episodes. It needs a full 26.
I really love this series right now. I was a little disappointed that dual-wielding ended this battle so quickly but otherwise–I love Utena, and one reason was the repetition added something to the show. It adds something here as well.
I just started the series and i already cant get enough. im interested in the direction the plot is gonna take with these marks, his father and grandfather. also that song the girl sing, sold the show for me….i WANT that song.