Over the next few days I’ll be posting thoughts on the series that I’ve been following for Fall 2006. It’s easily the largest number of series that I’ve watched ever in an anime season. With so many shows coming out now per season, the pick lists are harder to make, but I’ve enjoyed watching most of the shows I’ve seen this fall. Some, not so much. Some, more than others. I’m going in some kind of order, in that I will be going from least favorite to most.
To start with, let’s look at Yoake Mae Yori Ruri Iro Na -Crescent Love-
You’ll notice that I don’t have any screen caps on this one. To be honest this is the show that I’m “Pot Committed” to. Yes, I just want to see how it ends. I don’t like it, as it’s weak in almost every department. It takes no chances, and piles on the clichés from moment one, which is sad considering the potential this show offered in the beginning. It’s use of SD characters was also somewhat entertaining. But none of that could make up for the lackluster inconsistent animation, or it’s storyline that we can see coming from a mile away. There is little here to enjoy, and frankly in this season of harem anime overload, there is much better fare. I have no more to say about this show, I will watch the ending and revel in the waste of time that it was.
Pumpkin Scissors
I do not dislike this show, but I do not really like it either. In my original post I called this “Action fluff”. Since then there has not been enough action and way too much fluff. We got the requisite big guy character that can whoop ass when he turns his freaky blue light on. Worse than that 10 episodes in, we still have no idea why he’s that way. Episode 11 take some time to start a potential story that would clue us into what or who Corporal Oland actually is. But getting there is grueling. As I mature even farther into Anime, I’m finding that I have less of a stomach for filler material. Episode 9 of this show was one of the largest yawners I’ve ever watched, picking the least interesting character and giving him an even less interesting story to deal with. What I’d like to see is more of the big guy pummeling tanks, taking bullets for his team, and all around getting the action he deserves. It’s a disservice to fill something that has so much potential with stupid fillers. Regardless of whether or not these were in the manga as stories or not, it’s sometimes better to look at that story and just think it might be worth dropping this one. The kicker of this would be the day they give us Mercury the dog’s story and have the episode center around that.
To be fair this show has its fair share of good stuff as well. Coroporal Oland’s life with his cat friends is cute, and gives an insight into his personality. Alice’s bravado is welcome, even if she is naive. And the designs and animation have been fairly consistent for Gonzo. When Oland fires up the blue light, he looks genuinely creepy, and I look forward to them hinting at his past. Since the episode with the baby, the animation team has also treated us with a goofy Alice face in pretty much every episode. It’s not much, but it’s something.
Less fluff and more action would be nice from this property
More to come…
I think you chose the wrong harem to follow; Gift ~ Eternal Rainbow turns out to be a very interesting series.
But you never know; Crescent Love could pull an absolute stunner (though it would be tough to top Canvas 2).
Episode 1 of Pumpkin Scissors was awesome beyond belief. Episode 2 was fairly good. Beyond that it’s just your average Gonzo trash. 110% in agreement about it needing less fluff and more action. Really a shame that the show hasn’t lived up to its great character designs and high production values.
dsong: I’m watching so many harem shows this fall, I’m dreaming about battle royales featuring childhood friends ^_^
Andrew: I’ve been most disappointed with the latest episodes as well. Even looking at the last one. How much less could happen in something that’s supposed to be pivotal.