Milestone time: this is going to be the 4000th post on this blog. Whoa, I’ve been writing a lot…
In any case: building up episode. I do hope that this was one of the last building up episodes that we’re getting in this series, because at this point it really should start delivering and using this build-up. It was an enjoyable episode nevertheless.
The fireworks and the random games weren’t anything special, but they were fun. I also like how Takuto’s apartment actually got burned out. That definitely was good for his character, even if at first it seems just like a cheap trick to get Sugata and Takuto in the same house. Keito’s twist meanwhile was a bit simple (still clinging to the things she was obsessed with in her early childhood instead of exploring new things), but nevertheless was a nice twist. As for what the hell she was doing at the end of the episode: that’s for the next episodees to answer.
In any case though, Star Driver is one of those series where a lot is going to depend on the ending. Because of that I’ll withhold judgement for now whether this is a really memorable series, or simply a really enjoyable one. I do want to say though that my initial hopes of this series becoming the spiritual successor of Utena are probably not going to be met. The entire series could have had more variation and creativity for that at this point in the story. Plus, it also turned into a bit too much of a harem. I mean, Utena had a ton of fangirls and all, but it did have a ton of other complex and deep character relationships and didn’t boil down to the entire cast only liking one or two characters (the recently introduced romance story of Ruri is a welcome addition because of that).
Also, the animation of this episode seemed surprisingly mediocre for Bones’ standards. This can point at one of two things: 1) the budget ran out or 2) the creators are saving the best budget and animator for last.
Rating: * (Good)
I think the problem is that the series kind of lost focus somewhere in the middle, spending too much time on characters who may be interesting on their own right but in the end don’t seem to matter enough to warrant all that attention – without furthering the plot. (Meanwhile, other characters are getting even less attention than they would deserve, plot-wise – for example, for a moment didn’t know who the guy with the bandana was.)
It wouldn’t be a problem if the series had more episodes or had no overarching plot, but as it is, it’s a pacing issue.
There are series that just did much worse with a cast as huge as Star Driver’s. Neverthless I like how they’re giving enough screentime to any char to flesh them so well. I also like how the cast can be friends every day at school, beside occasionally fighting one against the other in opposite factions. As for the harem, It’s not there’s an harem for any popular anime boy out there. Or rather are we deleting another good anime cause its main lead is too popular?
Solaris: nah, that indeed was just nitpicking. Utena is one of my favourite series and that’s what I’ve been comparing this show to. Star Driver still has a lot to like despite these criticisms.
LOL EFF my mom walked into the room right at the end and I was like O________o
“I’ll withhold judgement for mow”
Da5id: ack typo. Thanks for noticing.
Well… Since Wako has to be nude when she purifies herself… Maybe Keito is actually helping Sugata ease the burden of Samekh?
Anyway… There’s supposed to be 22 Cybodies, or maybe even more since Tauburn is the 22nd, but we hit episode 18 with only 15 appearing so far… Can’t wait for the rest! XD
And now that Glittering Crux is in the 3rd phrase, more than 1 Cybody can be used… Wonder if we’ll see Tauburn up against multiple Cybodies. ♥
4 maiden, 1 king, Tauburn, Ayingott, 3 in Filiament, 1 in Science Guild, 2(currently) in adult bank, 1(other than ivogrone) in Bouganville, 7 in Vanishing age makes….21
And that guy who is always with Head but isn’t counted in Vanishing Age somehow….he looks like he might has a mark. So that would make 22.
I think I have an inkling about what Keito was doing in the end. A Star Driver’s power is directly connected to their libido, right? So, as Sugata seems to be weakened after he used the King’s Pillar and looks to be unconscious, I’m guessing Keito is “refilling” his libido maybe? And by what those 2 maids said at her, I’m guessing that when Sugata was unconscious after he used the King’s Pillar for the 1st time, Keito was probably the person who helped revive him back.
Head did say the king has to have a lot of libido…explains the maids in costume o_o
“As for what the hell she was doing at the end of the episode…”
well, to me it looks like she was trying to restore Sugata’s libido.
does anyone know what the anime during the commercials were?
@hvihvip, I think I answered you in the ChatBox, but I’m not sure if you saw it. Welcome to the Space Show (which I’m finally going to watch today) in the middle and Ao no Exorcist at the end.