hontou ni sou omou?

Now I’ve gotten to know the characters and understand the dynamics of their interaction better, I am really enjoying the gentle humour that arises from the chatter of Konata and Kagami’s strong friendship. Contra Hung and pro rq, I’d say that Lucky Star is funny but in an everyday slice-of-life way rather than in-your-face slapstick. In a parallel vein, while I dislike Jim Carrey-type OTT physical comedy, Eddie Murphy/Chris Rock-style motor mouthing or the Seinfeld’s malicious mean-spiritedness (karma 4TW in the final episode), I wouldn’t say that they are ‘not funny’ or ‘not humorous’ - I’m simply not inclined to enjoy those kind of performances; even if they’re popular, good for them.

The highlights in Lucky Star (before Yutaka and Minami show up *trumpets*) are the verbal sparring between Konata and Kagami but it works because both have a good understanding of what makes the other tick. Their confidence in their friendship also allows them to be brutally honest if there’s a laugh to be had at the other’s expense. But as the above scene shows, even Konata has a weak spot and Kagami rushes to try and bridge the lapse in mutual empathy about passion in collecting.

Wonderful use and then non-use of BGM when Tsukasa gives us another door-opening and closing moment of humour (sleepy bubble incident in the first episode). Before that, Konata had been Kagami’s prime suspect for such a goof-up but these things always happen under one’s own nose…

Love, passion and collecting! Besides Konata’s extended lecture about cards to send in for TV series goods, there was also the whole conversation about the Comptiq Festival refill cards towards the end. The topic will probably be much more familiar to anime fans, or anyone who’s ever tried to send in a dedication to your local radio station or music video channel as well as anyone who’s ever collected anything as a hobby. The structure was pretty similar to the chocolate cornet conversation that several anime bloggers reacted badly to so I can only conclude that talking about food isn’t something that they can identify with in their personal, social or cultural contexts. Which is phenomena that I can’t really understand meself… As food-obsessives, Stripey and I can talk for hours on Skype about good ramen in Singapore. :D~~

So happy that Lucky Channel subbers have decided not to use ALL CAPS FOR THEIR SUBS BECAUSE THEY ARE HARDER TO READ as opposed to normal. Brilliant insertion by Kururu BTW - there’s more love in them fansubs, I’m sure Konata would approve. :3

Guys actually need ventilation more but there must be some other way than being a trap…

Another great example of Konata showing deep understanding of Kagami’s character and motivation, countering her declaration of ‘Bianca’ as her choice of game scenario bride with ‘Wouldn’t you just take the money?’ Such searing truth that renders Kagami being unable to deny it herself. Don’t you just love-hate it when your friends do that to you? :3

In a rare victory, Kagami reveals herself a Murong family disciple by using their famed skill of Using The Other’s Own Technique In Return (以彼之道还施彼身) when she applies Konata’s impeccable game logic to the realm of The Homework.

And a rare moment of mutual agreement on murder mysteries.

Did she actually manage to successfully cram for her entrance exams too!? I just love Dark Konata moments. Again, one of those times when you make a joking comment about a friend’s action or motivation and then realize to your own horror how accurate you were while your friend just gives you a :3 in response.

If only it were so easy to motivate chewrens to study…

Like many seemingly recalcitrant and lazy school children, Izumi shows that she’s isn’t dumb at all. I suspect that Kagami does think of herself as being smarter as well as more deserving of success so this kind of display by Konata is always disconcerting to her mental hierarchy. Another brilliant moment of Konata-understanding when she casually predicts how Kagami would have an easy party game because it’s the only one she can win (I play to win, goddamit!).

Look out, there’s tomboy competition for ya, Subaru Nakajima!

Konata repeatedly presses one of Kagami’s sore spots - that the cute look doesn’t suit her and that she’s a bit of tomboy. Particularly witty was the comment about Tsukasa and Kagami’s hearts corresponding to their respective favourite colours of white and black. LOL

Really enjoyed how easily and repeatedly Konata gets through Kagami’s honour student shell. Kagami’s a bit of tsundere too. Is that something that is now indelibly associated with twin tails? She also seems embarrassed about her hobby of reading light novels, which is probably an area of interest that is cognate to Konata’s hobbies, partially explaining their strangely cute and delightful bond. Being described as the ’scary oneechan’ (guardian of Tsukasa) has just upped Kagami in my Oneesama Index. :3

And I’ve been having Mikuni Shimokawa’s Sora ga, Ai Deshou on repeat play all day as a result of this episode…

The forces of oneesama worshippers may be out-numbered by the lolicon armies but we will prevail when the hour comes. Because THIS!!! IS!!!! ONEESAMA!!!!