In a way, Yumekui Merry is quite similar to Madoka Magica: they both deal with magical girls, and both have gorgeous action scenes in a strange kind of dream world. After two episodes, I’m definitely liking Yumekui Merry more. It’s got some of the best direction of the entire season, plus it already packs some good drama and characters after only two episodes, beyond simple introductions.
This episode introduced a bunch of different new characters, including a childhood friend and her awesome father, along with a bunch of other classmates and a girl who wants to be a nurse. I especially like the latter, as they show how many different dream creatures there can be: beyond just existing, they also can inspire people, creating “dreams” in the sense of long-term goals. Especially that scene in which her dream demon got eaten away was just beautiful to look at. This show has some of the best background art and character designs of the entire season.
It’s a shame that this show also couldn’t escape the “walking into the shower naked” cliche, but at least the creators had this “ah, it’s in the manga so let’s just get this over with and focus on what’s more important”-air about them, compared to stalling such a scene for a ridiculously long time and getting the lead character to make a fool out of himself. That male lead meanwhile… this season definitely has a ton of characters like him. He isn’t the best, because we haven’t really learned much about him beyond the fact that he has weird dreams involving talking cats, but he’s also certainly not the worst, thanks to his acting. He’s neither overly whiny or hormonic and so far is doing pretty well to carry this series.
Now, I doubt that this series will be as good as Casshern Sins, but you can really see that the two series have the same director. The camera work especially shows this, with a ton of close ups and shots that focus purposefully on the tiny details on the background, like a bunch of leaves, a can or some chalk.
Rating: ** (Excellent)
I felt a bit let down by this second episode. The visuals are amazing but the cliches just irritated me. Although I was glad that the nurse-girl storyline wasn’t just for this one episode. This intrigued me and want me to learn more. Let’s see where this show gets…
Yeah its a shame about the shower scene, though the “serious face” made me lol
Also, OMG THE DONNUT EATING SCENE!! Merry is now the new queen of moe
Im sure this will become awesome later on though… Now its so-so because it shows the real world to introduce the characters and setting, but everytime it switches to the dream world it gives an idea of whats to come
While I like the direction, the editing has a weird “choppy” feeling to it that feels less like it’s meant to intentionally present a disorienting mood or lead the eye, and more like it’s trying to cover a lack of animation budget. Casshern Sins at least let us drink in it’s atmosphere a little.
I found the moemoe a little too strong as well (Merry’s tears have Lag Seeing’s hair trigger, don’t they?). But the cliches and dull male lead notwithstanding, what worried me the most is that it hinted a bit towards an obvious and cliched romance angle.
But then there was plenty to like, such as the fact that the villains seem to have a motivation beyond “hey, let’s conquer this place now”. Merry’s amnesia also felt like it might turn out to be something more than a convenient plot device. I guess time will tell if this will devolve into just another “will-they-won’t-they (while saving the world)” anime.
Yes it’s a rather imaginative series. Action and story are not bad both… BUT, half of the ep was made just by using copy\paste. Almost everything that happened in that house was taken from somewhere. For example, the last part, when she leaves, but wants to return and he wants to return her, is used everywhere (last time I saw it in one of “Mayoi Neko Overrun!” first eps).
I really want things to turn good. But for now, I fear this and “Freezing” will ruin all nice ideas behind them with cliches and fanservice .
lets talk about that random “lets help the random girl i only did see once even if i have no clue whats up and all about desire” of the dull non heroic male lead.
thats just so bad
@yaj: He feels that as she saved his life he needs to do somthing in return. It’s not like it’s out of nowhere.
I’m really curious to find out the impact of his friend having her dream demon removed. I must admit that I found the way that the fairy-like dream demon tempted her into allowing her to share their dreams fairly creapy.
All in all alot to love about this show.
Indeed. A lot to love in this show. The fantasy/dream stuff is something I love to see. It’s not as good as Ep 1 but it’s typical that Ep 2 is worse than the opening episode.