Okay, so here I’m going to try and do the arduous task of trying to blog 22 episodes in a month and a half. Do expect some delays on some posts though, but I really want to try and blog this thing. It’s not perfect (the acting could have been better), but I still have a lot to like on this one. So far, it’s got terrific atmosphere, great build-up, gorgeous artwork and excellent climaxes.
We do seem to be dealing with an episodic series here, But the first two episodes have been quite well written. The stories have enough depth to them to make the episodic format work. I especially like how this series likes to present its story as fairly straightforward in the beginning, only to come up with a twist that gives a completely different meaning to the characters involved. Now this is how you should use build-up well!
For most of the first half I found this episode rather confusing. The two lead brothers kept talking about a lot of stuff that they seemed to have discovered off-screen. Especially when we suddenly got the information that they knew about the whereabouts of her husband all along, plus it was also rather strange that she was able to stay in the water for so long without… you know.. drowning. The twist that she had been dead for fifteen years though, it was an excellent one that really put things into perspective. On top of that, the creators also used their red herrings of the ghost couple quite well.
But yeah, the big flaw of this show so far is the stiff acting at times. It’s what you get when you have character-designs like this and try to animate them, without trying to make it look natural. The characters’ faces, whenever they move, move rather stiff and unnatural. At the same time though, the animation does make up for it during the climaxes, due to some really great shots and artwork.
This version I found of episode 2 had English voices on it, instead of the Japanese. Overall they did quite a decent job, with a few exceptions. Grealy’s wife for example was really hammy.
Rating: ** (Excellent)
Well, the 1st 2 seasons of Supernatural were mostly episodic and based on the titles of the episodes listed on anidb this OVA will animate the those 1st 2 seasons. I think condensing this 2 seasons into one is actually a good idea since probably with episode 14 this anime will stop being episodic and will focus entirely on the Winchester’s revenge.
btw I have not yet watched this but I hope they are not overusing the song Carry on my wayward son, if they are using it at all.
it seems excellent yeah, with English voices it is much better
The only problem I have with the episodes which are adaptions of the TV-episodes is, that sometimes it’s hard not to notice how they sped up the plot.
I really liked the original episode Roadkill for it’s tense atmosphere, which was a bit lacking in the anime version…but I have to admit, the additional twist was great and gave the anime version a meaning on it’s own.
Well…and I had a hard time caring for episode 1 because I don’t like the shapeshifters in the original either.
Episode 3 took some liberties but episode 4 is an anime original story and I quite liked it…I wonder in how far it will change the overall feeling of the story.
But yeah, I’m glad you like the episodes so far, psgels. I’m really curious to see what you’ll write about later episodes.
Chounokoe: interesting, episodes 3 and 4 are already available? Where did you find them?
I found them on a youtube channel, don’t know if they were leaked or in whatever way the guy did get his hands on those…but they are actually pretty solid.
Episode 5 and 6 both seem to be anime original (one is a different take on the vampire stories from the series and one is a background episode for Sam).
I just wacthed episode 1 and 2 with the english voice. The big PLUS the Sand and Dean voice have the originals one. I don’t know if they will change it or if the OVA will keep it
it seems chounokoe was right, episodes 3-6 can be found on Nyaatorrents.
@Xyst
ACtually only Sam i voiced by the original actor. Jenen Ackles(Dean) will only be available for two episodes, purely because he could not be got to dub the other episodes(he was VA for certain character in batman animated movie at that time and also filming new supernatural season, so purely time constraints).
Now if they adapt Season 3 (the best season IMO, best atmosphere, likable side characters and good mysteries, sadly it all went downhill afterward), Dean might be fully voiced by Jensen Ackles 🙂
As someone who has seen… maybe 2 and a half some odd episodes of the original series, I’m finding this series enjoyable thus far. I love the animation and the feel of things, even with people saying the story’s been sped up.
I’ve also been seeing them in English as well, so I don’t know how the Japanese are doing, but the English is at least trying. You can tell the voices are actors rather than voice actors, yet they still make viewing enjoyable.