Final Thoughts: Vividred Operation

This week I was initially planning to write my first thoughts on other series that have just started airing this season, however found pretty quickly that I didn't have as much to say about them as I thought I would. Luckily, last Sunday I picked up Vividred Operation on a whim, a sci-fi series that aired last season, so I can talk about that. Please note this technically isn't a review, if I were reviewing it I would take a more objective look, these are just my personal feelings about the series. I happened across it as I was downloading the latest episodes of a few of this season's series and despite knowing nothing about it, decided that it couldn't hurt to look into it. Twenty seconds in, I started to worry I'd been mistaken...

Though, while I may not particularly like ecchi, I'll generally put up with it in two situations. If a series is built around its fanservice and wouldn't work without it (e.g. Golden Boy, Panty & Stocking) then I'll put up with it because it's a fundamental part of the series. The other time I'm willing to sit through it is when it's there but doesn't get in the way of telling a story and is merely there as some bonus for those who do happen to like it (e.g. Saki). I'd prefer if such series didn't have ecchi because it doesn't need it, but as long as we don't get derailed every 5 minutes to end up in an unrelated situation where the girls need to take their clothes off and the plot continues I can deal with it. Fortunately, Vividred Operation falls mostly into that second category excepting a few occasions that are sparsely scattered. While there's ecchi in it, it's usually an occasional camera angle that provides the fanservice and doesn't halt the story's progression.

Speaking of the story, I was quite surprised by the end of the first episode. Not because it's story is anything unique or special, but because for all it's sci-fi cosmetics, Vividred Operation is at its heart a magical girl series. That might turn some people off from the series straight away but I've always had a soft spot for magical girl series. In the series everything that would usually be caused by magic is a result of technology but it's all still there: cute animal sidekick, transformation sequences, special moves, monster of the week formula, the incredible power of friendship and a trope made popular by Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha and Puella Magi Madoka Magica, the antagonist who may not be as evil as she seems.

So this series is basically Madoka and Nanoha except the magic is replaced by science and it never gets quite as dark. The tone of the series is far more uplifting and joyful, which isn't to say there's never a sad moment, but they're merely used to counterbalance the highs of the series and aren't constructed to create the same feelings of shock that Madoka provides. It also uses a similar moral choice to the one presented in both the first and second season of Nanoha. If both sides are fighting to save lives, who is right? However it never delves into the matter and the tone of the series makes it obvious from the beginning there will be a nice way to fix it all at the end. While this lack of aspiration to explore such a theme is a  weakness in the series, personally it didn't take away from my overall enjoyment. It would have been nice to see some more depth written into the otherwise standard magical gril~esque plot.

The characters are what you'd expect from a series like this and do little to break their archetypes. A number of viewers will likely find them uninspired and boring, however I generally found them likeable enough to grow attached to over the course of the series. Our main protagonist Akane is an energetic girl who likes making friends and helping people. In standard fashion, we're introduced to the other girls over the course of the first few episode and they're each given their ability to transform. Akane is soon joined by Aoi, a friendly but somewhat reserved rich girl, Wakaba, a kendo ace with a soft spot for cute things and Himawari, a genius introverted technophile.

Where I felt the series stood out, however, was in its art direction. Its character and costume design (excluding the absurd school uniform), the architecture and location design and the overall crisp clean look of the series. Battle and transformation scenes are fluid and full of life and a colourful variety of visual effects. The sequences and designs that result from characters' ultimate technique 'docking', where Akane combines with another girl to increase their powers, are all stunning and beautifully crafted.

The alien designs are diverse and interesting. I've heard that there are similarities with the designs of the aliens in the series Strike Witches but having never seen it I couldn't help but draw parallels with the designs of the Angels in Neon Genesis Evangelion. The enemy design for the final battle is particularly memorable and really shows off the talents of the art team behind the series. Overall the art and the animation supporting the series really helps bring the anime to life creating an aesthetically rich and detailed world.

Ultimately, I enjoyed Vividred Operation far more than I expected to, finding myself attached to the characters and immersed in its beautiful world that I was sad to let go of at the end of the final episode. It's not an outstanding series by any right, there are flaws in its underdeveloped story and characters, and the fanservice, while tolerable, brings nothing to the series. However I'm glad I picked it up for its wonderful design and uplifting spirit that sincerely improved my own mood at the time I watched it.

First Impressions - Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Come wa Machigatteiru

Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Come wa Machigatteiru

Genres: Comedy, Romance, School

(Source: MyAnimeList)

With a single glance most frequent anime watchers can probably identify the sort of series that Yahari is and might dismiss it without a second thought. You can take one look at the above picture and the synopsis given for the series on anime website and no whether or not you'll be watching this series. On the surface Yahari is as formulaic as they come, set in a highschool we follow the day to day life of our main male character Hachiman Hikigaya, a loner who keeps to himself. He's suddenly thrown into an unexpected (only to him) situation where he's forced to interact with one of the school's most popular girls. Yukino Yukinoshita is that common anime breed of intelligent, beautiful girl who couldn't have less interest in a relationship with someone so out of her scope as the main character (but could easily end up falling for him anyway). By the end of the first episode they're joined by Yui Yuigahama an excitable, energetic girl whose mood switches with every few sentences. Ultimately it looks like almost any other highschool series to appear in the anime listings in the last few years.

When you start to look a little deeper at the series, it does have it's own quirks that give it its own identity, but doesn't make it unique or different. The main draw of the series is clearly going to be its characters, their personalities and the interactions and experiences they share. It breaks no new ground and doesn't introduce any novel ideas. That said, it's first 2 episodes are  inoffensive and if a romantic comedy set in a highschool is what you're looking for at the moment, while you could do better, you could also undoubtedly do worse than Yahari.

The three main characters that have been introduce so far have each been given distinct personalities from the beginning and while they all brush with the popular archetypes none of them quite fall directly into cliché. Hachiman is a loner by choice, with a suspicious and cynical personality. Despite this he appears quite self-sufficient and surprisingly intelligent in comparison to many lead males, though his abrasive character can be off-putting at times.

What I've found generally makes him interesting enough to stick by, however, is the security he has in his own reasoning for his beliefs. He's rude, uncompromising and is happy to keep to himself, but when questioned about these behaviours he can actually articulate genuine motives with an ability to rival those that do. A key weakness in this aspect of his character, however, is that the writers still find ways for him to play the deep down, good guy role. This usually works as a way of making the lead character relatable, but clearly clashes with Hachiman's personality even if he tries to explain it away.

His best moments, I feel, are when he's in discussion with Yukino. At it's core Yukino's personality is very similar to Hachiman's, cold, impersonal and distant, if a little more self-serving. Yukino has a very high impression of herself and sees it as her place to help those less fortunate. To do so, she is the only member of the Service Club when Hachiman first arrives, and helps people try to better themselves to solve their problems. Her disposition is very dividing, at times being polite and helpful (though never what one would call friendly), yet at others being blunt and belittling.

Having said this, Yukino has still quickly become one of my favourite characters this season, primarily due to her strength of character. While she may frequently be blunt or unkind I still feel she is well-presented as intelligent, firm in her beliefs, willing to help others and unyielding in the face of adversary.

Despite the shortcomings in their respective personalities, these two work together in the series because of their fundamental similarities and that they can talk to each other on an equal level, even if they don't see that in each other. Because of this, while not up to the standard set by some other series, the discussion and conversation between the leads can be both entertaining and engaging. 

The last of the current three main characters, Yui, is distinctly separate from Hachiman and Yukino, being warm and personable. She can often still be direct (mostly when talking to Hachiman), but is far less so than the other two due to her insecurities about being her own person. It is these insecurities that might be the most interesting thing about her, however, as they nicely set up room for character development over the course of the series.

The series' artstyle is appealing, reaming consistently clean and crisp throughout. The animation is standard for modern slice of life anime, not outstanding but not poor either, merely sufficient. The music is similarly average, suitably backing each scene but not leaving any real further impression. The OP and ED serve as an apt opening and close to each episode respectively, but again don't particularly stand out from the crowd.

All together Yahari is neither a unique nor special anime, however it has enough of its own personality that if you enjoy series of this genre it's worth giving it a try. It doesn't do anything to make it stand out from the abundance of these series, but is entirely inoffensive in its existence. If you've looked at the genre before and decided its not for you, Yahari certainly won't be the series to change your mind.

[Subs used: FFFansubs]

Update + Brief Impressions

Hey, I apologise that it's been a while since my last entry...I really wanted to do a 'First Impressions of Winter 2011' post, but as work and things got in the way I began to fall behind with most of the series I was watching. By the time I'd finally caught up with them, most of them were 7 or 8 episodes in and it became way too late. So instead, I've decided to give a quick outline of the series I'm currently watching at the moment (regardless of season), a brief opinion on each, then I'll post a 'Final Thoughts on...' entry for each series individually as I finish them. Then, hopefully next season I'll learn from my mistakes and make the opportunity to write up a first impressions much earlier.

Anyway, let's begin.

Carried over from previous seasons:

• Bleach - Generally like Bleach's story, though of course filler can be a hassle. Particularly random one-episode filler. The series seems to be pretty much over, so I'm wondering if they'll continue to follow whatever the manga's doing now or just end it here. If they're ending it now, I'm also wondering why they appear to be dropping filler on us after the end of the main story.
• Bakuman - Absolutely loving it. I've found it very engaging so far, I love the characters and cannot wait to see where it goes.
• To Aru Majutsu no Index II - Still about five episodes behind with Index, but still enjoying it. I'm a fairly big Index fan, but mainly for the characters, the plots often confuse me. I'd generally rate it as a very entertaining series, as opposed to a very good one.

From this season:

• Hourou Musuko - Beautiful series so far. The art style's amazing and the characters seem so believable and real. Most likely my pick of the season.
• Gosick - My other contender for favourite this season, I'm really enjoying it. I love Victorique's character, and really like murder mystery stories in general, so this is really my kind of thing. I was very glad to hear it's a 24 episode series as well, as opposed to just 12/13.
• Fractale - I've liked this so far, but it hasn't been amazing. I've definitely found it enjoyable, nice characters, very interesting and quite unique setting, it's been good so far. It just hasn't quite caught me yet, if you see what I mean.
• Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica - I'm still not sure what I think of this. I'm a big fan of magical girl series, and while I respect that Madoka's attempting a complete new take on the genre (well, almost complete, but I'm not the first, nor will I be the last to draw the parallel's with Nanoha), I'm not sure I'm a fan of everything Madoka's bringing to the table. It's definitely unique, but might be a tad too dark for me personally. At least one scene has shocked me to the point I won't be rewatching the series...ever.
• Starry Sky - I'm still way behind with this. I've only watched the first two episodes, so I have a lot of catching up to do before I can give a realistic opinion.