“QUOTE OF THE WEEK”

– Scum’s Wish Alternative Domestic na Kanojo is now a thing.  Check it out your own risk, your tolerance for tropey writing will be tested.

 

SEASONAL PRATTLE

Kaguya-sama wa Kokurasetai (1)

An efficient, layered style with the priority goal of pulling you into the headspace of the leads is exactly the type of approach that I expect to work well for Kaguya-sama wa Kokurasetai on paper. However, I never thought it would be this effective from start to finish.

Mamoru Hatakeyama is disgustingly good on this first episode in pulling this approach off – showing an effective use of his idiosyncracies forged from the early stages in his directorial career working on SHAFT titles and mixing that with a similar control of scene design and tone that contributed to make Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu such a powerhouse under his watch.

While it’s easy to be impressed with Kaguya-sama wa Kokurasetai’s construction, it’s just as easy for that aspect to overshadow how sturdy the first episode’s narrative fundamentals are. Chemistry, comedic timing and lean scenario writing are just some of the immediate features that are cleanly deployed here and harmonize well with what the series is doing on its visual front. Very impressed with the balance and touch of this first episode.

The Promised Neverland (1)

Most of The Promised Neverland premiere is largely blunt introduction surrounding a deep hook, but its understanding of shot comps and narrative fundamentals are firm enough to still make that a pretty immersive time. Tiny visual flourishes deliver consistent gifts – I like the pocket watch touch during tag and some of the quick profile cuts during the conversation around the gate once the game cooled down.

The episode’s hook was a more apparent visual highlight with strong character work and one that was just tightly executed from a written standpoint on a whole. I particularly wouldn’t mind seeing a little more risk in The Promised Neverland’s telling moving forward, but I’m very happy with the results in this safe but strong first showing.

Mob Psycho 2 (1)

It’s like Yuzuru Tachikawa and his team never skipped a beat – packing plenty of stylish embellishments and design competence into this opening entry of Mob Psycho 2. Tachikawa has always been gifted, boasting a relatively short but impressive track record as a director, and a personal favorite of mine since handling Death Parade.

However, his talent for construction and vision aside, It’s always been enjoyable to see him explore the sad contradiction of his characters. Mob’s insecurities are still very much at the core of this series, especially in this first episode. Rest assured Tachikawa did a good job capturing that.

Dororo (1) 

Dororo was already a capable work coming into this season on paper, especially with MAPPA thoroughly in its corner, but in actual practice, it’s on a different level. This first episode is simply more accomplished than I imagined in all phases: Regardless if you want to point to individual facets like the fluent, action-heavy beats, no-nonsense pacing or even the care given all the way down to the OP and ED. Dororo is looking good in this start.

Kakegurui xx (1)

The direction is solid already. Smart shallow shots and a plethora of crisp ones that create intimacy in the frame really go a long way for the type of tonal notes this first episode is driving at. Lots of narrative strokes successfully designed to facilitate atmosphere and tension help out as well – almost all of Erimi’s material after the second round of strings being cut smoothly builds drama and Midari’s role effectively hypes the game. Kakegurui xx may very well suffer from similar miscues of the first season: The writing isn’t inherently strong and its level of predictability can rob its thrill, but it still has enough quirks to make for an engaging moment to moment watch.

Doukyonin wa Hiza, Tokidoki, Atama no Ue (1)

Relaxing slice-of-life stories aren’t exactly plentiful this season, so it’s nice to see Doukyonin wa Hiza, Tokidoki, Atama no Ue fill that void with a fair start. There’s not exactly too much to note here; The comedy is so-so, Subaru comes off as a bit uncompelling and its neutral tone isn’t delivered with any particular finesse or flair. However, Haru is pretty charming so if you’re looking for adorable cat time this might be your pick up.

 

Kemurikusa (1)

There’s likely only going to be a small patch of the community that give Kemurikusa a full watch, and that’s pretty understandable. The first episode has a lot of repellent for the modern anime viewer in almost every relevant sense outside of its sound design – especially showing up as unattractive when it comes to establishing any sort of floor for its narrative to stand on. Be that as it may, episode one does hold a fair amount of intrigue.

Tatsuki’s incidental worldbuilding on this project brings a similar kind of wonder as it did during his time with Kemono Friends, and what shreds of narrative can be gathered do lend their own curiosity for what’s to come. This start and series will very much be looked at as “bad” but I wouldn’t be surprised if it becomes a dark horse down the road.

Watashi ni Tenshi ga Maiorita (1)

It’s a shame that Watashi ni Tenshi ga Maiorita’s lolicon concept and undertones are going to define the conversation around this first episode and likely the entire series rather than Doga Kobo’s talent. There was actually plenty of expressive bits and other appreciable features here from a craft perspective, but I completely understand if viewers turn away from this one because of how awkward the theme can be.

Domestic na Kanojo (1)

Domestic na Kanojo’s brand of character drama is already hinting at a deeply frustrating experience, presenting contrived writing and emotional handling that feel right at home with Diomedea’s usual low level of quality. From a craft standpoint, Kanjo’s premiere doesn’t receive any help. The telling is straight laced – almost comically predictable, and there’s not much touch from a production sense to add layers of nuance to key scenes. On a whole, this episode just feels like it could easily be Scum’s Wish and Kiss x Sis’ inept child.

Pastel Memories (1)

Fairly unimpressed with Pastel Memories in what has easily been one of the weakest premieres thus far. Our twenty minutes spent are middling at best in a variety of ways – with most of its lackluster notably stemming from the core cast itself. It’s one thing to predicate your show on an uncompelling concept – “Future Akihabara where otaku culture has declined” will perk up some ears but doesn’t exactly promise long-term value – however, it’s another story when you combine that with characters that are as paper thin as this. Bootleg Hanekawa can’t save this series from the bland writing that surrounds her.

Mahou Shoujo Tokushusen Asuka (1)

This would have been a reasonable first entry if it wasn’t loaded with some of the worst dialogue choices spoken all season so far. Bits like “now let’s say our motto” and then having the characters say it rather than just, you know, say the motto from the start are tedious and add a really manufactured feel to the show. Bigger verbal mishaps only further sink it; Mahou Shoujo Tokushusen Asuka doesn’t just blatantly ride on the mysterious, yet super special transfer student cliche – they thought it was a competent idea to have their supporting cast spell it out for the audience. Simply stating the tropes and cliches of your show doesn’t make it any less tropey and cliche, actually, it makes it worse. Much worse.

Dimension High School (1)

The trashcan that makes up Dimension High School’s writing is overflowing and spilling out onto the streets. This entire first episode is simply an applaudable feat of trainwreck engineering.

 

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