Okay, I just finished Lunar’s wave of new Ayakashi Ayashi, and I know I’m not blogging it, but I just had to say something about this series. While I originally thought that this would be just another shounen-fighting series, it has pleasantly surprised me on so many levels. First of all, its characters. It comes with a wide variety of characters, some of them had some kind of problem, worry, which has something to do with their history and the way they grew up.
The great thing is that these problems and worries really are different from what you usually see in anime. Never have I seen an anime which put so many emphasis on longing for another place, or different faces of yourself. Not only that, but Ayakashi Ayashi combines this with some very complex storytelling. It’s based on arcs of two or three episodes, but somehow these small arcs end in great multi-layered conclusions.
Another thing which makes this anime stand out is its huge roots in Japanese history. Bakumatsu Kikansetsu Irohanihoheto may have a lot of historical references, that series is nothing compared to Ayakashi Ayashi. While Bakumatsu looks at history from a higher-up’s perspective, Ayakashi takes this a step further when it shows the story from the perspective of people with a low to medium status, and it does this with great detail. For example, I’ve seen my share of anime which involved a brothel, but never did I see it this detailed as in Ayakashi Ayashi.
It’s too bad, though. This is an excellent series, it’s got great storytelling, but the fact remains that it’s hard to understand. Because of this, it’ll never be really popular. And still this series has been scheduled to air at the prime-time date of anime, the former place of popular series as Blood+, Gundam Seed Destiny and even Full Metal Alchemist. The result: it got cut down from 52 episodes to 26. -_-
I’m actually wondering how this will take out. There’s no doubt that there will be rushed parts, but it’ll be interesting to see if the creators actually managed to pull this off right. The results are noticeable even now, though. The past five episodes have had a sudden increase in comedy, and Saizou often turns into chibi-mode when she’s astounded. Often by Atl’s new found relationship. So far, especially the comedic note has done the series good, the creators actually knew when to use it, and when to keep serious.]]>
Tempou Ibun Ayakashi Ayashi – 01-15
I really love the show. My only complaint is it’s been very slow on releases. I love how the characters get so well described and it’s one of the most creative shows I’ve watched.
Well, Lunar’s wave of releases a couple of days ago does show that they’re at least doing something, but this show indeed is behind when compared to the others from the Fall Season. But then again, I can imagine how hard it must be to find all the historical references.
I like this series as well. Unfortunately it doesn’t seem to have been taken in by most anime fans. The cutback to 26 episodes worries me considering how major a cutback that is. The show seemed to be really taking its time in the beginning with a slow pace and now I think that’s going to seriously hurt it now that it can only be 26 episodes. Oh well, not much we can do about it but hope it at least ends decently.
Are you sure there won’t be some sort of a second season thing?
Well, nothing has been announced so far. I definitely do hope that it’s getting one, but the chances are rather slim, unfortunately.