SEASONAL PRATTLE
Honestly, did anyone actually think that Anos was going to lose or even be remotely stopped with any of the hurdles presented in The Misfit of Demon King Academy’s latest turnout? I’ve expressed this before when briefing episode three on Seasonal Prattle’s check-ins, but it bears repeating here: Anos always being in control by design, never really selling on a whole the stakes presented to him, is an extremely dangerous game to play. While on a very superficial level it makes for decent entertainment – you can get caught in the gravity of the sheer ridiculousness of Anos’ power – it’s an absolute killer to the show’s dramatic attempts, which comprises the majority of episode eight’s telling. No matter if you have a ring draining his magic, you’re using a suped-up version of Beno Levun, you’re in an absolute space that “no one can enter”, have Lay’s mom as a hostage. etc – It doesn’t matter. Anos will succeed to no surprise at all and the process in which that happens will be largely drawn up on the spot with little tension on his end due to his disposition. This series once again finds itself as a victim of its own inherent gimmick.
Oregairu 3 (7)
“Stamping enough structural boxes to get by”
Oregairu experienced a modest showing, stamping enough structural boxes to get by and further solidifying the prom groundwork for higher dramatic aspirations down the stretch. Outside of Yui and Yukino’s latter half conversation, there’s not too much to celebrate in seven’s plotting – finding itself in some fun spots with Tamanawa getting involved but not amounting to anything too serious or narratively compelling. Not every performance can be like four or two and that’s okay. Stepping stone episodes like this or fine.
Deca-Dence (7)
“Yields plenty of value for the audience”
Deca-Dence pulls off yet another positive, character-driven performance as it tips past its midway mark. With that said, and really to no surprise, Kaburagai and Natsume’s final minute exchange yields plenty of value for the audience – ultimately acting as episode seven’s textual and visual high all in one swing. The way it’s constructed is lovely, composed as grounded and genuine in Natsume’s desire to grow, yet strung together so it’s not idyllic. The directorial work captures an appropriate amount of intimacy and concern on Kaburgai’s end, and the overall setpiece is enhanced with this series’ typical knack for lavish backgrounds. Good work.
Kanojo Okarishimasu (7)
“Narrative choices that feel decisive and directly showcase personality”
From a structural view, this latest Kanojo Okarishimasu is arguably its most confident yet and rather easy to get behind. Seven is full of narrative choices that feel decisive and directly showcase personality – cleanly accentuating Ruka’s character and the complications that she brings through a variety of creative composites that even venture into our ED. The level of expressional work from the cast is notably free-flowing, with Chizuru in particular landing some good reaction faces, and the conversational tempo keeps things from dragging. It really helps that our writing appears to be very comfortable and not shy at all with how they want to utilize Ruka – a welcomed aspect that I hope carries on.
The God of High School (7)
“Events occur consistently slide between somewhat passable to downright pitiful”
The God of High School returns, offering a showing that’s both strong in its pure eagerness to bury itself and ability to exemplify how not to write a story. Seven isn’t just largely by the books with its main tournament, riddled in cliché and predictability, but the entire episode save the usual production glamour is just a mess. The way events occur consistently slide between somewhat passable to downright pitiful, the new characters have enough depth to fill up a jewelry box with personalities that hardly stray from their appearances, and the dialogue and script seem like the fever dream of an easily excited teenager tossing together elements from their favorite action anime in 2013. Big swing and a miss here.
