I’m pretty stuck on this train at this point. One Piece’s fifth volume concludes the fight with Kuro’s cat-themed pirates, and adds one more member to Luffy’s humble crew. In doing so, it consistently demonstrates the two-pronged atmospheric attack that I assume has made One Piece such an unstoppable institution. The volume opens with Luffy fighting Kuro on the slopes while Usopp’s pirates attempt to stop Django, who react to his new weapons with the wonderfully absurd “he’s not a typical traveling hypnotist after all!” It’s absurdity and action all the way down, a ride that doesn’t let up for the first two-thirds of the volume.
Category Archives: Episode Writeup
Flying Witch – Episodes 1-2
Flying Witch is charming and solidly constructed and just a very easy time all around. I often had trouble thinking of things to say about last season’s Dagashi Kashi, but I don’t think I’m going to have that problem here – Flying Witch’s craft is strong enough that it’s actually easy and satisfying to talk about, giving me just a hint of that old Hyouka high. I’m also really looking forward to seeing the various ways the show integrates its light magical conceit into the storytelling; understated magical realism is one of my favorite things, so Flying Witch is definitely hitting a specific enjoyable note for me. Easily one of the highlights of the season so far.
You can check out my full review over at ANN, or my episode two notes below!
Kiznaiver – Episodes 1-2
And continuing this season’s new contenders, we have Kiznaiver, a show that I really, really want to believe can triumph over my serious misgivings. I hate to make another writeup even partially about Okada specifically, but hey, I’m writing up two of her shows and she has an extremely distinctive style. In Kiznaiver’s case, that leaves me worried, because I feel like this could turn out exactly like A Lull in the Sea – great premise, nice setup, and then a bunch of rambling in emotional circles. Hopefully this story has other places to go, because I certainly like the platform they’ve set up here.
You can check out my full review over at ANN, or my episode two notes below!
The Lost Village – Episodes 1-3
And so my spring writeups begin, starting with what is almost certainly the season’s weirdest production. Three episodes in, it’s still pretty tough to tell if The Lost Village is intentionally bad, accidentally bad, or some mix of the two, and even harder to say if the show’s going to end up being a great time or just a total mess. So far my curiosity is greater than my suspicion, but we’ll have to see how it goes when things get intentionally crazy. I feel like the main characters I’m invested in here are more Mizushima and Okada than any of The Lost Village’s internal inhuman caricatures, but hey, that can be fun too.
You can check out my very puzzled review over at ANN, or my episode three notes below!
Puella Magi Madoka Magica – Episode 7
Madoka Magica #7 opens with a furious Sayaka, stomping home after having learned the true nature of magical girls. The opening shots hide her feelings in shadow and low frames before they’re made clear through a pair of cuts, as Sayaka gently turns on her light and then angrily tosses the soul gem aside. Sayaka then she turns that anger on Kyubey, demanding to know why he didn’t tell her the truth. And of course, his answer is classic, ever-smiling Kyubey: “you never asked.”
Aria: The Animation – Episode 1
Aria certainly has a reputation – in fact, I’d say it stands besides K-On! as the most renowned slice of life series in anime. And even within the show’s first few minutes, it’s easy to see the exact kind of peaceful, slowly warming atmosphere this show is going for. We open with unseen characters speaking of the joy of meeting new people, contrasted against gorgeous backgrounds that feel almost like tiny oil paintings. A silly-looking cat-creature opens a window, simply to enjoy the breeze. Then a girl awakes, and groggily wonders at the window, still wiping the sleep from her eyes. It’s a very sleepy opening for a very peaceful show, the kind of show perfectly suited to watching as you crawl into bed.
Puella Magi Madoka Magica – Episode 6
It turns out deals with devils generally aren’t the most reliable bargains. The consequences of Sayaka’s choice begin to pile up in this episode, as her rescue by Homura only seems to prolong the inevitable. Sayaka’s self-image and motivations are fundamentally incompatible with the nature of a magical girl; the more she struggles, the worse things become. And Kyubey knows this, and always knew this, but he doesn’t care – Sayaka herself is not important to him. Sayaka is leverage, one more tool moving him closer to his actual prey.
Legend of the Galactic Heroes – Episode 56
Legend of the Galactic Heroes doesn’t impress its worldview on the viewer through single dramatic speeches, or rousing moments in the heat of battle. It’s constructed not as a war epic, but as a historical chronicle, and its cynicism towards the great acts of men carries the great fatigue only a long-view perspective can bring. Men may inspire others to action, and even rule over their fellows for a time. Men can commit great and terrible acts, and their names can occasionally become renowned enough to be remembered. But men die, and the world moves on. History is larger than our capacity to make it.
Puella Magi Madoka Magica – Episode 5
Episode five opens with that repeated shot from Kyousuke’s bedside, as the wind blows from the outside world he can’t reach. It’s one of many visual touchstones that Madoka Magica works hard to establish and solidify, giving the show a strong internal vocabulary. The coming scene revels in another of Madoka’s big visual icons; the distinctive profile of Kyubey himself, as Sayaka agrees to make a deal.
Dagashi Kashi – Episode 12
Dagashi Kashi concludes with one more in a long series of pleasant but not particularly noteworthy slice of life vignettes, offering about as little of a real conclusion as you’d expect from a show about wasting time on summer break. There were some cute character moments here and there, some light sprinklings of fanservice, and a few final explanations of dagashi trivia to see us out. I suppose Dagashi Kashi ended up occupying my “pleasant fluff” slot this season, and as far as pleasant fluff goes, it did its job perfectly well. I liked the atmosphere this show created, and had a pretty good time throughout.
You can check out my last review over at ANN, or my very minor notes below!