The Story
Does popular opinion really matter on airing seasonal works? Sure they do — nothing concrete but at least to some degree as a potential red flag or vote of confidence.
Seasonal Prattle has caught up with Island, a work that was commonly dropped this season before even its third episode and one which doesn’t exactly have the friendliest popular opinions for those who survived past that. However, after about episode 5 or so there’s been little discussion on the title as many viewers had long abandoned ship. Have things gotten better since then? Should you pick up Island again?
Go on
Once upon a time Island actually had a lot of anticipation and positivity. If you remember a couple of months back heading into the Summer Season, Island was a top 10 anime in terms of popularity. Not only did the series’ source material gain a lot of praise from a narrative standpoint, it was following in the footsteps of the award-winning Grisaia franchise, and studio Feel who was adapting it was coming hot off a success with Hinamatsuri. With its healthy buzz, there was a good reason to stick around Island for at least a little while.
So how has it panned out? Is Island as bad as people say it is?
Look, we’re going to cut to the chase here – it might even be worse. For those who wrote Island off once they got one glimpse of this made the right choice. Island has been a convoluted mess, with pacing that makes Black Clover look competent and storytelling that ultimately toted a murky at best time travel angle at its center. Somewhere in the mix of poorly presented plot beats and linear character acting, Setsuna (20+ years old) actually has on-screen sex with 13-year-old Rinne as if to give any remaining viewers one more hard hint to drop this one before the finale.
Hold on, they had sex and uhhh they showed it?
Yes, yes they did. You dodged a bullet and possibly an FBI list.
The Bottom Line
Island just isn’t good. You can point to a number of issues with the work, be it specifically in its script or in a broader picture with its overall execution of concepts and ideas – take your pick the result is the same: This series just isn’t worth the investment. You’re much better off spending your time elsewhere and leaving this forever dropped.
“QUOTE OF THE WEEK”
–A comment on this week’s Satsuriku no Tenshi that we may have laughed at a little too much. Rachel’s piss poor character writing and J.C. Staff’getting away with it continues to be the scariest part of the show.
SEASONAL PRATTLE
Find what you’re looking for fast
Steins;Gate 0
Revue Starlight
My Hero Academia s3
Banana Fish
Satsuriku no Tenshi
Steins;Gate 0 (21)
This was a welcomed strong showing from a work that just continues to gain much-needed momentum in its final stretch. This week’s Steins;Gate 0 was a pretty good reflection of a fair amount of touchpoints that make this series so enjoyable. Lots of fine character moments that played off of how much we’ve learned about our core cast, lots of thematic reflections bouncing around in first half, and an absolutely glorious return to form for Okabe. Steins;Gate continues to be strong,
Worthwhile Prattle:
Revue Starlight (10)
Quieter than last week for the most part, but Revue Starlight’s fundamentals are still strong enough to pull this one to a satisfying finish. This latest episode has a firm understanding of its characters’ desires, even more so than usual as they work in tandem to reach the top. The last few minutes of episode 10 only further cements that, providing a fine conclusion for Maya/Claudine and presenting a strong cliffhanger to keep the momentum for yet another week. Good save and finish for an episode that could have very well ended up as mediocre.
Worthwhile Prattle:
My Hero Academia s3 (23)
It’s clear that Bones should be applauded for what they’re doing upfront this week. A lot of 23’s scenes aren’t floaty at all, carrying the proper amount of weight to make a variety of blows landed feel impressive, all while being wrapped in an inspired direction that keeps even the quickest exchanges engaging. However, that shouldn’t overshadow what Hero Academia brought emotionally here through Bakugo’s perspective and particularly the added layer of texture it lent his relationship with Deku. Their new understanding of one another was rewarding by itself.
Banana Fish (11)
From its taut structure and fine character beats to its altogether smooth execution, this episode once again reinforces that the right team closes out strong. Utsumi’s handling of Banana Fish has been good all Summer long; She knows the push and pull of Ash and Eiji’s dynamic – playing to that strength well virtually every time the opportunity appears. However, her ability to specifically portray vulnerability goes a little unsung. She definitely deserves praise for how she navigates scenes when Ash is at his weakest.
Satsuriku no Tenshi (11)
Again returning to be scrutinized, Satsuriku no Tenshi plagues the week with its usual antics of awful dialogue and limited writing. Rachel’s entire character continues to fit in the nutrition label of a miniature candy bar, with responses and emotional reactions to Gray that are becoming just as repetitive and predictable as her trademark “please kill me.” It blows our mind to think that this anime was once a preseason favorite for AOTS from a decent chunk of the community.
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