First Impression – Uta no Prince-sama Maji Love 1000%
Because having only one sparkling bishie just isn’t enough apparently
Kyokai: The stuff we do for Metanorn… You know what? While scheduling for who will get what from the Summer season, there were some titles that nobody wanted to pick but some of us, actually sacrificed and took up first impressions of titles just to test out the water. Like anaaga did for ro-kyu-bu! Kara has volunteered for Uta no Prince and today I’m joining her to give her a hand in setting up thoughts. But before that, Kara to the rescue for what went down in the first episode of this overflowing bishie hunt.
Karakuri: So yeah, feeling guilt after not following most of the spring shows, I decided to be more active in summer to make up for it. Thus why I decided to watch this. After seeing a few okay harem shows recently, my hated for them has lessened slightly so we’ll see how I feel about Uta no Prince….
So fabulous, it hurts. My sides. From laughing too much.
Uta no Prince-sama starts with the heroine, Haruka, being blocked from entering Saotome Academy and writing the entrance exam because she was late. She begs the guards to let her in,but to no avail. Bishie #1 then shows up and tells them that she obviously wants to get in, so they should let her. The guards refuse. Bishie #2 shows up coming out of a nearby limo and tells the security guards that Haruka was late because she was helping a lost little girl. The guards still won’t let her through, but one of them suddenly gets a phone call and says that the academy is making an exception and that she can take the exam. Bishie#1 congratulates her and Bishie #2 then tells Haruka that they’ll meet again in April.
“But you have to let me in! The fate of my future harem depends on it!”
Haruka passes the entrance exam and time skips to spring. We’re introduced to Haruka’s friend and roommate Tomo and it’s then explained that Saotome Academy is a(n extremely prestigious looking) school for performing arts. Also, Haruka explains that her dream is to become a composer and thus why she entered the school.
Security guards, mazes, hidden cameras, sheep. This school has EVERYTHING. Hogwarts much?
Another scene change happens and it’s the schools opening ceremony. When the principal is called to make a speech, he then appears in costume on the rooftop and dramatically leaps from there (giving Ao no Exorcist a run for its money for most eccentric principal ever). After dancing for a bit, he then takes off again running in the sky through a shower of confetti.
Howl did it better.
In her homeroom, Haruka runs into Bishie #1 and it turns out that they’re in the same class. He introduces himself as Itoki Otoya . As they share introductions, we’re introduced to Bishie #3, who comes charging at Haruka yelling the name Elizabeth. Bishie #4 moves Haruka out of the way in time though and Bishie #3 hugs Otoya instead.
Bishie #3 then apologises and says that Haruka looked so much like his dog Elizabeth that he couldn’t help himself (just what every girl wants to hear). We learn that Bishie #3 is named Nasuki and that Bishie #4 is Masato. However, with all the noise going on, Haruka draws attention to herself and it seems she made a few enemies as well.
He likes small and cute things. Sounds like lolicon talk to me.
Apparently none of the teachers at Saotome are normal because the lights then go off and we meet the homeroom teacher, Tsukimiya Ringo who is also a famous idol. Tomo then points out that Ringo is a man (if you couldn’t tell already from the voice) and Haruka is shocked. We also learn that Haruka lived in a cave or something because she doesn’t own a television. It turns out the school has ridiculous amounts of money because it specializes in producing idols and their composers and that every one of the teaching staff is famous.
Stating the obvious here, but IT’S A GODDAMN TRAP.
During lunch, Haruka meets Bishie #5 while tripping over her ownfeet. He catches her lunch card for her and Bishie #2 (apparently his name is Ren) shows up again and Bishie #5’s name is introduced as Shou. Haruka thanks Ren for helping her out earlier and he says that their meeting must be fate. He’s interrupted by Masato (Bishie #4) and Tomo whispers to Haruka that Ren is famous (…is there anyone not famous in this school?) and that he doesn’t get along with Masato because they’re both sons of opposing financial groups. She also notes the number of hot men in the school.
When they return to the dorm, Haruka vows that one day she’ll write songs for her idol, Hayato. Tomo asks why she likes Hayato so much and Haraka explains that she was sick as a child and lived out in the countryside. However, when she visited the city, she was overwhelmed but she calmed down when she saw Hayato singing on a screen and then realised that she wanted the write music like that.
We then see the principal plotting something (not entirely sure what) and a cat shows up and steals one of Haruka’s handkerchiefs. She runs after it only to see Bishie #6, who suspiciously looks like her beloved Hayato, emerge from the bushes. Flustered, she tells him she’s a fan but he says that his name is Tokiya and that he has no relation to Hayato. Oh noes! Whatever will Haruka do?
I would call them by name, but Bishie #1 through 6 is just so much easier to remember.
Extra Idolness:
Introducing the most horribly color coordinated uniforms ever
Why would a school teaching idols even need sheep? They don’t exactly make for good back up dancers.
Hello Cookie: Hello Kitty’s lesser known and more delicious cousin
You can practically feel the yao- I mean tension… yeah that’s what I meant…. tension…
Ending Thoughts:
As I said in the Summer Review, seiyuu are my weak spot and there have been times that I’ve watched shitty shows just because I oh-so-want to hear them. I got through Starry Sky… so you can already imagine what I must be feeling right now? I got through the first episode and like I was expecting that I would be yawning my eyes out and dozing off; nothing like that happened; maybe some credit needs to be given to A-1 Pictures.
Of course, I rotfl’d from the OP performance of the bishie band, in which somehow or the other the band wasn’t able to sync in their steps. Like srsly man, look at SHINee or any other pop band who bank on their looks and bishieness to sell albums along with jumpy music, shouldn’t the animation have been better in that sequence? Sure, it was puffed up with many series of individual shots but oh well. The first thing I noticed was Sawashiro Miyuki voicing the main heroine and then Junichi Suwabe followed and Wakamoto too. What was left? Yuuichi Nakamura as a trap (HHNNGGG), Hiro Shimono and Mamoru Miyano’s only Summer role… I’m defeated. I can’t leave this be and for the wrong reasons too. But of course, that’s me and you don’t have to follow on my footsteps. I’ll just put some pros and cons for you and leave the final watch decision up to you:
- Pros: Seiyuu orgy. Like srsly. Miyano Mamoru actually singing rather than karaoke’ing Linda Linda! (Ref: Drrr! Kida Cover Song). Hawt Bishies. Some semblance of plot maybe (at least in first episode) and Director of Giant Killing (now that was an adaption that left you on the edge of the seat every week with cliffhangers!). I may understand now why guys like K-On!, it’s for the girls, right? Treat this as a male version of K-On! Also, HNG, DAT MOLE.
- Cons: More songs than OP and ED during the episode. Harem haters beware. Adaptation of a game, go play some dating sim rather. Too many bishie sparkles. Too colourful! My eyes hurt. Usual and typical arch enemies within student body and/or admiration of an idol turned sore due to personality change used for story progression. No dancing coordination!
- So yeah, decide yourself after watching the first episode. It can either be your cup of tea or isn’t. Ja ne~
This was…. Way better than I expected actually. In fact, it was great. By ‘great’, I don’t mean that the storyline was amazing (okay, well it was pretty decent) or that the characters were the most creative things ever, but that it was great because I spent pretty much the entire episode laughing. The opening… PFFT AHAHAHA oh god the opening. After they started dancing I just couldn’t take the show seriously and from there, making fun of it was extremely entertaining for me. Yeah, if I was taking it seriously, I would probably hate Uta no Prince-sama, but the over the top-ness everywhere makes it funny where it’s not supposed to be.
Most of the characters are definitely somewhat forgettable stereotypical otome game charas. We have the ever optimistic Bishie #1, the prince charming Bishie #2 and his BL part- er, I mean rival, the serious Bishie #4. Of course, we also have the token outgoing best friend Tomo. I’d go on, but let me note that Haruka has to be the most stereotypical of them all. She’s clumsy for one thing and she spent her childhood being sickly in the countryside. You don’t get more stereotypical than that. Just you wait, one of the bishies will turn out to be her childhood friend or something. To mix things up though, they have the whole school for idols thing (what good is a love interest if he doesn’t have a zillion fangirls to cause jealousy in the route? *sarcasm), a tranny teacher and the eccentric principal. I swear, the principal is the best character in the entire episode.
Okay, analyzing seriously, I like the color palette used for the characters. Everything looks so vibrant and so the anime has a bright, cheery feel to it. Also, the funniness of the opening aside, the animation was pretty solid and there weren’t any derp faces during the show. The seiyuu cast is pretty good too. It has Mamoru Miyano and Yuuichi Nakamura (which is slightly ironic because he did the voice of Saotome Alto. Right? Right??? …Fine, I’ll stop.) so the voices aren’t grating on the ears. However, I enjoyed this for pretty much all the wrong reasons. Will I watch this for the lols? Yes. Will I be watching this seriously? Not a chance. Will I blog it? Probably not. (Bonus question: Will I buy the game? …..I’m thinking about it. Damn it.)
About Tag Team
We live, laugh, enjoy and strictly believe on "more the merrier". When together, we usually come up with very chatty, conversation-based episodics and interesting posts.
POWUH: iLurker with 5 comments
crap that OP my eyes hurt I can’t stop laughing but I do love it xD
POWUH: Meta Team and Megane-chan with 3214 comments
I’ve watched it multiple times and I still find it hilarious. I’m thinking that this will be something that lasts the entire series.
POWUH: Beginner (20-35) with 20 comments
Because I have this huge weakness towards seiyuus as well, I picked this up (and because I played its game and I am a fan of the person who did the character designs 😉 ). Tbh, I couldnt bear to watch the OP cause it feels weird and I end up closing my face at a few intervals during the OP. lol.
And the Heroine is as readable as ABC. Dont like her personality…
/Noo~ Why must you torment me so much, my favourite seiyuus??
POWUH: Meta Team and Megane-chan with 3214 comments
Was the game any good? Should I invest??
Yeah, Haruka is pretty bland. Would it kill the companies to make an interesting heroine? Seriously… Ah well, everyone else seems more interesting so I’ll be watching for them as opposed to her anyways.
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
those uniforms! Scary O_O
Yeah passing on this sorry ahaha the girls look strange that hair and everything xD
I heard most people just laughed all the way through the first episode..
POWUH: Meta Team and Megane-chan with 3214 comments
Whoever thought the orange plaid went well with green and red has something wrong with them.
Aww ahaha I’ll let you know if mecha shows up or something. I don’t blame them for laughing. That’s what I did pretty much the entire time. XD
POWUH: iLurker with 6 comments
i actually found ep1 quite good as well, besides the hideous uniform.
haruka’s eyes remind me abit of the mystic eyes of deathly perception , that might be the reason why. usually i have an instant hate for harem female leads, lawl. :3
SEIYUU ORGYY!!!!
POWUH: Meta Team and Megane-chan with 3214 comments
Yeah the uniform… Actually, it was an ordeal just to find a full image of it in the episode. It’s like the animators knew how horrible it was and took great lengths to hide it XD.
POWUH: Occasional (51-75) with 58 comments
I read the manga which was somewhat less over the top (maybe it was the lack of dancing at the begining) and it allowed me to get through this while ignoring the… urm sparkle-y-ness and focusing on the characters which are pretty darn good =P
I’m a sucker for bishies sooo i’ll probably watch this through XD also Miyano Mamoru is one of my favorite seiyuu and artists so thats always a bonus ^_^
anywhoo great post guys =)
POWUH: Meta Team and Megane-chan with 3214 comments
Theres a manga? Theres actually going to be character development? Sold.
The bishies with excellent seiyuus are deinately a plus. And just look at how well they can dance! So much talent everywhere XD
POWUH: Lovely-pyon~ with 339 comments
This was so terribly good, oh lord did I laugh. Why did they animate that utterly fabulous dance so well? Seriously, that much effort to actually put them out of sync on purpose? Too much, guys, too much.
I’m going to enjoy this, and I have no clue why. Possibly because Haruka’s eyes make her look like she’s been smoking something funny, or possibly because there are lots of eye candy boys. IDK guys, I like it XD
POWUH: Meta Team and Megane-chan with 3214 comments
Yes, you can tell a lot of blood, sweat and tears went into the opening…. shame about the end result though XD.
Yeah, I’m not quite sure why I enjoyed this so much either. It’s so bad, it’s good.
POWUH: Lovely-pyon~ with 322 comments
i have to agree with you about Haruka’s eyes.
its as if she’s been hypnotised or something…kinda freaky…O_O.
aah, but man was the opening funny! oh, i need to learn it and put it on youtube!!! hahahaha!!!
POWUH: Lovely-pyon~ with 305 comments
The principal sold me. XD I laughed harder at this than any of the comedies airing so far. I’m definitely watching for the lulz at least.
Plus, Suwabe Junichi, Shimono Hiro, Miyano Mamoru, and Yuichi Nakamura. I went in expecting bishie eye candy, but ended up enjoying the ear candy a lot more.
POWUH: Meta Team and Megane-chan with 3214 comments
SAME HERE. ON EVERYTHING.
The seiyuu are definately win (plus the characters themselves aren’t bad looking!) so I don’t think it will be as terrible to watch as I thought it would be. Plus, theres the lol factor.
POWUH: and Yaoi Fangirl~ with 2320 comments
This thing is just so fuckin hilarious. It hurts. My jaw hurts so much from the dancing, annoying female lead, fateful encounters, and crappy plot.
But I’m still watching it. I just love the art they’re using, and NNGGGHHH BISHIE NUMBER 1 AND THE LAST BISHIE
POWUH: Meta Team and Megane-chan with 3214 comments
Yes anaaga! Do it for the bishies! And for the crappy plot! Think of the crappy plot! XD
POWUH: 400-499 with 489 comments
this remindes me of those korean manwha’s the style of the charaters. i didnt watch the whole episode though ( my computer spazed on the ear gazems )
POWUH: iLurker with 8 comments
I had a feeling that this was a game adaptaion. It had that otome game feel to it (I mean with the sudden explosion of bishies. They were popping out so fast!)
I had to laugh when the principal came out. I also couldn’t help wondering where he was hanging from.
Anyways, I’m more than likely going to watch the next episode even though I’m not a big fan of harems.
Haruka’s eyes scared the crap out of me. I’m afraid she’s just gonna crawl out from under my bed D:
POWUH: Lovely-pyon~ with 322 comments
BAHAHAHAHA!!! OMG!! i couldn’t stop laughing!!! The intro dance was awesome!! BAHAHAHAHA!!!
oh man…my sides hurt..
its so bad ITS GOOD!! >.<
BUAHAHAHAHA!!!
and i just HAVE to mention this cause its bugging the HELL outta me..
STRAIGHT CUTS DON'T WORK ON GUYS, BISHIE #4!! HIRE A NEW STYLIST ALREADY, HONEY!!
POWUH: 1000-1099 and Critique with 1024 comments
WHY IS THIS SHOW SO MUCH FUN???
POWUH: Novice (36-50) with 36 comments
*delurks*
lol, I totally watched this episode on NicoNico the day it came out. When I saw the dance the guys had to do the for OP (which is the ending song and sequence, lol), I totally laughed my butt off and said “OMG, they totally tried their best to animate the dance. XDD”
The ear & eye candy aren’t too bad. lol, I was leaning more to Suwabe-sama than anyone else because he totally makes me fangirl the most out of all the seiyuu.. but Miyano’s over the top
older twin brothercharacter was <3 too. And the actual songs aren't that bad either. lol, especially Miyano's. Can't wait for that single! XDCan't wait for more episodes. lol, the Principal totally sold me on the anime. Can't wait to see him dancing around again!
POWUH: Occasional (51-75) with 68 comments
Me love korean boy-bands: I´m sold, the music >////;D *fangirl mode*
POWUH: Occasional (51-75) with 68 comments
… I don´t understand why over the half of mah message vanished… again <.<
POWUH: iLurker with 1 comments
[…] Kara and I commented on the first impression of this anime, it’s so bad that it’s actually good! I’m definitely having fun […]
POWUH: iLurker with 1 comments
[…] “This was…. Way better than I expected actually. In fact, it was great. By ‘great’, I don’t mean that the storyline was amazing (okay, well it was pretty decent) or that the characters were the most creative things ever, but that it was great because I spent pretty much the entire episode laughing.” – Metanorn […]