Seikon no Qwaser 01 ~ Beyond mammarian monstrosities
It's easy to write SnQ off as yet another hentai wannabe just like how many have condemned Mahoromatic and Kodomo no jikan into the ecchi and lolicon ghettos respectively. Given that I've only seen 1 episode of SnQ, I would not defend it as rigourously as I would for Mahoro/KnJ but suffice to say, I see much potential in the series beyond the clutter of fanservice and mutating mammaries.
First, let me get this off my chest - Neither big nor small (Will talk about 'small' when I come to Dance in the vampire bund in the next entry) is beautiful. Being proportional is. I'm not sure what brand of milk the character designers are drunk on but Tomo's figure is simply outrageous. (I have no doubt Tomo was absent from school due to her chronic stiff shoulders/back from carrying that load.) That said, since milk seems to be the manna of this magical world, the over-the-top... err top could possibly be a future plot device? Who am I kidding?! And so that's it. My one time rant about the oversized chest and I urge all hung-up on the fanservice to move on since there's so much more goodness in SnQ than genetic disorders.
Enjoyed greatly the tight storytelling. Well-paced plot with pinches of mysteries (missing headmaster, mysterious light haired shota, murders etc) embedded with well-placed character revelations. It was particularly sweet to see the Tomo/Mafuyu friendship. With the right context, Tomo somehow didn't come across as the over-endowed airhead but instead a good-natured, lovable klutz. Mafuyu's feisty charm got through too.
On the production values, it's a beautiful show. Artwork that's easy on the eyes, consistent animation (thumbs-up to the fluid battle scenes) and a worthy score to boot. I only have one concern - the series composer. I always check out the staff on shows I catch since the director/series composer could give an indication of the possible success of the show. It was thus terrifying to learn that the series composer for SnQ is none other than he who put the following series together -
Amaenaideyo! (TV) : Series Composition, Script
Akane-Iro ni Somaru Saka (TV) : Series Composition, Screenplay
Tayutama -Kiss on my Deity- (TV) : Series Composition, Script
Yumeria (TV) : Series Composition
This reads like a resume from harem hell. I HATED Amaenaideyo. Despised Yumeria. Cried over Akane-Iro and dropped Tayutama. To his credit, I did like Utawarerumono which he also worked on.
Dare I put my hopes up for this show? Have been disappointed so many times by great (false) starts that I want to be cautious about hailing this as the next MUST-WATCH shounen. But given how impressed I have been with ep 1, I really can't help it.
Hoping they keep up to good run by revving up plot and tone-down the panties in ep 2.
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January 22nd, 2010 - 01:58
“…Cried over Akane-Iro…”
Wait, I thought you were suppose to be a siscon? (=9)
January 24th, 2010 - 18:46
heh, I have betrayed my siscon roots.
It was Akane-Iro that gave siscon a bad name. XD I loved Minato but lament the poor plot and character development.
More details here.
January 22nd, 2010 - 02:10
Which version did you watch?
January 24th, 2010 - 18:47
The sanitised version. Actually it’s was only after catching it that I realised there were 2 versions which explains the jarring transitions.
January 22nd, 2010 - 02:35
Amen. I hope the beyond-J-cup monstrosities that seem to be proliferating lately aren’t a trend – Princess Lover is another good example of what could have been good-looking character designs spoiled by oppai the size of an SUV. There’s a point where beautiful becomes grotesque, and Tomo is way on the bad side of that line for me. There should be a law that bishoujo have to be between B- and D-cup…
Agreed…so much potential there, wasted…
Will have to check this out, though, as long as there’s no one pissing themselves (Juuden-chan, I’m talking about you), service doesn’t generally bother me if there’s a good story too.
January 24th, 2010 - 18:53
LOL! That’s one of the reasons why my favourite character is Seika. She was by-FAR the most proportional of the lot. Meido san comes a close 2nd because commoner maids have a special place in tanuki lore.
Maybe because I watched the censored version which was less intrusive but still the character setup, interaction and premise all show a great deal of promise. I just hope they’d not be smothered nudity in the following episodes. Will report on ep 2 soon
January 22nd, 2010 - 18:47
I assume that Stripey watched the censored version. Because, frankly, a lot of people were flabbergasted by the uncensored episode. It was like watching another show really.
January 24th, 2010 - 18:55
Spot on!
THat would be the reason why I report this more favourably than most? I have yet to see the uncensored version but have seen the caps which leave nothing to imagination. Have dl-ed both versions for ep 2 – moment of truth. 
January 23rd, 2010 - 07:56
It is. Had I not read a synopsis before viewing the show, I probably would have no been aware of the breast-feeding element at all. It seems like the producers just shot themselves in the foot deciding to animate this series knowing that it was going to be dismantled on public TV.
January 24th, 2010 - 18:58
While I agree on the jarring transition due to the censorship, I think there was enough goodness in ep 1 hope for an engaging tale. Hoping the fanservice does not overwhelm the storytelling eventually.
January 24th, 2010 - 03:57
who is acutally watching any of the new series this season. I can’t even make myself download any of the stuff. i just watching stuff form my dvd collection.
January 24th, 2010 - 19:01
Heh, it’s a phase I supposed. For much of 2009, I have been reaching for my anime DVDs instead of the freshest from Japan since the former seem to give more mileage in satisfaction.
January 26th, 2010 - 11:16
If you’re my bro, then only flat chest is acceptable.
January 26th, 2010 - 18:59
Aren’t you torn between 3D and 2D right now, Shin instead of the As and the Cs?
January 27th, 2010 - 12:29
No, he’s torn between loli and boys.
January 30th, 2010 - 09:20
LOL! I suppose I’m your half brother then XD After all I chose Nadeko over Mayoi
February 3rd, 2010 - 12:27
I REALLY liked Amaenaideyo Katsu’s antagonist. She was very very cute.
February 9th, 2010 - 00:48
I never made it through season 1 XD Hmmm but will check out antagonist chan some time.