Koji Oe wouldn’t mind a second season. I’m not so sure. I felt that, wrt the OVAs, the franchise has lost some of its charm.

The reintroduction of the cast was somewhat tedious and the thing I particularly took exception to was how Gouzaburo has reverted back to Nagasumi-hatin’ – this takes away from his reluctant acknowledgment of the latter as his son-in-law. It would have been so much more interesting if Gouzaburo could have transitioned to become conflicted (as full acceptance right away would be both implausible and less fun).

A few further gripes. The meido cafe was completely predictable, you just knew that things would end in utter devastation. On the introduction of new charas, Saru’s sister was a lot more fun than the seaweed girl from the latter half of the Gi OVA.

But my main reservation is the whole one step forward, one step back vibe; it points to stalled dynamics, vicious cycles, gags getting old and stale, School Rumble syndrome if you will. Seto no Hanayome hasn’t plumbed those depths yet by far but the OVAs were not a promising glimpse into its future.

Ichigo Mashimaro Encore

Erica’s review pretty much covers everything of significance so instead of regurgitating my agreement, as a fellow member of the Cult of Miu, here’s the screencaps of the scenes she mentioned:

The role assignment in the afterlife was really appropriate. I don’t really know my Japanese mythology that well – who would Miu be?

This really was proof of friendship. First, Chika actually bothers to reply. Second, her reply above was such a dry witty putdown. No wonder Miu sees her as her best friend.

Best ‘we are lesbians’ line.

Nobue-nee-sama joins the ranks of Minami Kana, Bruce Springsteen and Suntory coffee-based drinks.

However I’ve never really liked Matsuri. While she makes a good partner with Ana to contrast against the Chika-Miu duo, she’s just so pathetic. I struggle between feeling sad for her and shaking her while shouting ‘Get yourself together!’ whenever she blubbers. And there was quite a bit of Matsuri in the park scene and then the Who’s Better Best Friends!? competition (though Miu’s mockery made the latter quite entertaining).

Pani Poni Dash!

I shared Washi’s surprise at ‘how familiar it felt.’ The premise was nonsensical but (1) even the cast commented so, (2) it was as good an excuse as any for how hilarity ensued, and (3) the kick the can contest didn’t make sense in of itself but it provided the context and structure, making sense of everyone’s actions during the OVA.

Characters were reintroduced and familiar gags were replayed with a verve and flair that had plenty of justified confidence that the memorable cast was indeed memorable. This velocity allowed the madcap events of the contest to speed through the time of the OVA, all the while with a wink, a twinkle in the eye, a tongue firmly in cheek as the ending unfolded with its multiple twists and turns that had a surprising bite, a LOL flavour and texture followed by an ‘Ah I should have known’ aftertaste sprinkled with otaku references, udon torture, Jackie Chan and Al Pacino (Heat?). And lots of eye catches and fan service.

Good stuff. I certainly wouldn’t mind another OVA like that.

©2012 hontou ni sou omou?. All Rights Reserved.

Ask and ye shall receive.

Though it may be something you DO NOT WANT. Oh dear, San-chan’s cosplay was hilarous (I’m sure it’s a parody of something but I can’t put my finger on exactly what), great for chara relationship building (showing Nagasumi how far he is from San’s ideal) and just slightly less orz-inducing as Sailor Fuku Luna-papa (quite a feat given how it’s almost impossible for a young, beautiful girl to wear something that makes her anything other than beautiful).

I can feel your pain, Sun brigade! When Lunamaria kissed Shinn (as Xellos-_^ keeps reminding me OTL), I was going: ‘NOOOOOOOOOOOoooooo!!!‘ too. BTW while the ‘Sun’ and ‘Lunar’ spellings are canonical, I still prefer ‘San’ and ‘Luna’… somehow, the real sun and moon girls are Himeko and Chikane. Yuri trumps all!

The Maki hand puppet segment was great too, particularly how Maki was moved by Luna’s WILL TO SUCCEED and thus her chivalry yet again. Luna’s admission of why she didn’t want Nagasumi to be her rehearsal partner was also a nice and cute touch to end off.

Another example of sneaky foreshadowing, Mermaid Examiner Akenochi realizes that San-chan is trained in the same school of swordsmanship as her and that may prove to be a link to her missing oniisama. Utterly typical of San-chan of not knowing nor caring what school of swordsmanship she practices. If it works, who cares?

The opening scene of Masa-san in Snack Akeno was also another foreshadowing type moment that tied Masa-san into this thread.

SISCON versus YAOI!

Akeno’s reversion to her younger ‘Oniisama!’ stage was also great. It’s always the quiet ones.

Quite a tidy fix. Masa-san regains his memories but decides to stay with his current family. Akeno achieves closure but cannot remember Masa-san’s true identity.

Episode 24 was definitely my least favourite episode, given its focus on Kai and Saru.

My reaction was mainly along the lines of Fujishiro. GG, Shark!

And another foreshadowed event. Akeno and her Leisure Suit Larry superior’s preoccupation with breaking up San x Nagasumi is revealed to be a plot by Kyoto nobleman, Yoshio Minamoto to acquire San-chan for his harem.

Ren-aneesan had initially been worried about bringing San along and was the first to realize the danger of the sweet incense. Seems that the Setouchi gumi’s intel isn’t that good, given how Luna and Kai immediately knew the danger of Yoshio’s invitation. But then if it was, there won’t be a chance for Nagasumi to come to the rescue.

So there was a point to having Kai around after all…

Yoshio, you have just chosen to mess with the wrong crowd… it was great how bad ass everyone was.

Nagasumi’s sakura speech was great. He’s finally levelled up to be able to express that feeling. Also very tidy how all his suffering so far (from the San and Luna’s howling voice attacks and other mermaid songs as well as the constant attempts on his life by Gouzaburou and company) have also made it much more plausible that he could stand a chance in the penultimate and final Boss battle. Great how Gouzaburou was finally able to express a moment of acceptance.

How all of San x Nagasumi’s friends (and rivals!) joined the fray reminded me of the title of an episode in Shana Second: 合わせの力 (combined powers). It’s so convenient to have friends in high places!

What a great final battle! Nagasumi being able to level up just by being at San-chan’s side and then combining their powers FTW.

I also loved the punnery… not just chivalry and mermaid but also the word for ‘mermaid’ made up of human (Nagasumi) and fish (San-chan).

And the culmination of the opening moments of the series. Very satisfying ending, definitely no SUNRISE screwed up endings or GONZO character/story mutilation here. Given my bias against GONZO, I’d attribute the success of this series to AIC’s involvement if the following testable hypotheses are borne out: the directors and script writers were mainly from AIC rather than GONZO. True or false? Like Skane, I’m a fan of AIC’s Black Heaven. While Cautionary Warning got my nerves after a while, it’s still one of the few anime series that confronts adult relationship problems and was the best anime depiction I’ve seen of Corporate Soul/Dream Crush x Marital Breakdown.

LOL another karaoke ending! BTW I was wondering where Maki was and how she could be in the room with Mawari and Inchou present but when I finally realized where she was, it was perfect! Hiding in plain sight FTW.

A really enjoyable series and looking forward to the OVA!

©2012 hontou ni sou omou?. All Rights Reserved.

Everyone loves school trip to Kyoto!

One of the things that concerned me slightly about the series as a whole is whether it glorifies or romanticizes gangsterism; Yakuza continue to be a real problem and I can’t imagine parents being happy if children start to speak like some of the Setouchi-gumi members. I suppose a lot of this type of controversy surrounds movies like the Godfather trilogy, Goodfellas and, of course, the Sopranos TV series. But I suppose the whole mermaid thing makes it so far out that it’s hard to think of the series as anything other than pure fantasy and comedy, which then begs the question of the big blue screen ‘no resemblance to organizations and persons living or dead’ disclaimer at the end of each episode. The yakuza arc in Black Lagoon: Second Barrage is probably a great example of negatively depicting the yakuza, showing their internecine fighting as well as being ruthlessly out-competed by foreign gangsters.

Akeno’s Saber moment. Okawari!

Something about hot springs increase appetite. One of my friends actually did do the above, eating all the (not inconsiderable) remaining rice with pickles confiscated from the rest of the group and when she finally fell asleep, she really did say: ‘もう食べられない。’ (I can’t eat anymore) in her sleep! -_-;;

Mawari check!

Faux yuri mentioned by petrichorlic – still better than no yuri. As Baka-raptor sayeth unto us, lesbians make everything better.

The coy look in those eyes. And blushing for greatness.

Mawari rope play. Not quite as good as Hato-nee versus Benisu though.

LOL cat user! Surely the most fearsome police opponent of the mermen gangsters!

‘Embrace me tightly!’ is the new RONERY.

Cool Afroman Masa-san must, of course, chill out in cool Pazu hangouts like Snack Akeno, complete with cool Mama-san and film noir lighting. ‘Sad father’ as the house drink, hope that was on Masa-san’s tab; that’s the least he could do.

So cute how Luna is totali love overpowered by Nagasumi’s mom. It was a great moment at the end of Ep 8 when the latter laid down the law unto the former about taking a proper breakfast.

Even more horrifying than Sailor Bubba!? Arnold Schwarzenegger motteke sailor fuku – CAN HAZ or DO NOT WANT!?

Oniichan~~ [In all fairness, Oneesama fans also have our genre ruined by the short clip after the ED and before the preview. orz]

You can run but you cannot escape from the power of moé!

Stop, right there, in the name of Aneesan!

In the name of the falling cherry blossom petals, I will counsel you!

San-chan nekomimi mode! No tsukkomi over the irony following the cat episode?

San-chan nekomimi meido mode!

Slipper power. I have cut another useless guy.

Snack bar’s Akemi-chan is Gouzaburou’s shameful secret! I do agree with him that one shouldn’t argue in front of the chewrens though.

Dragged off to a horrible fate!

MOAR counselling.

OMG

GEM OVERLODING

Bazooka FTW

Helpu mi, mum in law!

Sure. :3 I really can’t recall any other anime where the son-in-law has such a good relationship with the mother-in-law… though, of course, not that many series at all even get past the marriage point (or even the confession stage!)

You all make my bath time so much fun~~

Another inchou story… I was quite surprised that it was actually useful in building up Nagasumi and San’s relationship by raising the issue of how meeting San has obviated Nagasumi’s ‘normal school life’. The Last Amazoness was plenty ridiculous but it actually flowed very well, much like the rest of this series in general.

And the first thing I thought of was: ‘Hey! She’s missing the cap from Mai’s karaoke costume at the end of the Mai HiME Orphans battle arc.’ -_-;;

©2012 hontou ni sou omou?. All Rights Reserved.