First Impressions – Kamigami no Asobi
Let this tide you over until Sailor Moon airs
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Once again, I delve into the world of reverse harems! Unfortunately, this is usually a not so great move, although it can have funny results. If I hadn’t watched Brothers Conflict, I wouldn’t listen to the world’s most embarrassing song to be heard listening to (14 to 1)! So with a couple of them this season, let’s see how the first one, Kamigami no Asobi, works out. And I’m happy to be allowed into the realm of the Otome Game Master, Karakuri! |
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Uwah, “Otome Game Master” feels like a lofty title considering that I haven’t actually finished a full game in about a year. OTL (I’m working on it though, I swear!!!) Anyways, despite my complaining about Broccoli and their blatant crossing of genres that probably shouldn’t be crossed, I have to admit. This was… good. So good, that I’m suspicious. |
What, An Actual Protagonist Character?
Highway // That’s really the first thing I noticed about this show. I knew that they had Saori Hayami, who I just adore, as the female lead character. But they’ve cast good seiyuu in those roles before like Mamiko Noto, who was so good as Evermillion in Witch Craft Works, as Felicita in Arcana Famiglia, where she was really high priced talent to go “un!” and “ah!” a lot. So when we actually get a lot of Yui talking, and actual talking, not just gasping and exclaiming and screaming, I have to think that’s a good sign. And she actually talks about her life, about what she’s doing, what her interests are, how she hasn’t thought about her future. Moshikoshite? Actual character development? Yes please! I really hope that keeps up through the series, because having a lead character that doesn’t just pinball around, bouncing off the other characters as they do things, would be great.
Karakuri // Ahaha, it’s funny that you mention Fel, Highway. Since the anime, they’ve paid Noto to provide the same noises in the recent Arcana games. Anyways, like he said above, HELL YES, a character with an actual personality. I was just satisfied that they gave Yui a name, but having her actually react to everything (and talk back!) is ever better. Apparently Yui just went along with things in the original game too without any protests, so maybe this is the animation taking a step further and actually giving the heroine MORE personality. There’s still a possibility of them shoving her into a corner to let all of the god’s implied homo angst take centre stage, but the opening seemed okay. Though I’m not getting my hope up too high. The first episode might have just been to lull us into a false sense of security. Yes, I am going to remain a pessimist until I’m proven otherwise.
Other Characters
And ┌(┌ ^o^)┐ﾎﾓｵ
Karakuri // Well, the Japanese gods seem rather… close. As do Loki and Balder. Maybe this doesn’t express what everyone wants, but I, personally, hope that they don’t focus on this too much. Hints are okay, but this is otome. OTL I realize that this is maybe a fruitless hope though, since the original game was like this too. Though I haven’t played it, so I’ll have no idea if this is following the game’s plot or not (for the most part, anyways. I have a general idea of what’s going to happen and theres apparently a lot of ANGST). I guess it should also be noted that I’m pretty sure that there are two other route characters that Yui didn’t meet yet. One was at the end talking with Zeus and the other one… I have no idea.
These two. I believe one of them (Anubis) has Kaji Yuki as a seiyuu.
Hilarity
Highway // I won’t say the show was bad, but I found a lot of the parts of it hilarious, starting right off the bat. Why they needed to have a pro-epilogue (you know, showing the end of the show right at the beginning) I dunno, but it looked like some huge battle for Yui, who’d already picked who she thought should win. And that transformation sequence was *hilarious*. I was dying, so great. Buttons popping off, pants vaporizing (thank you lightning-chan!), and finishing it off with Pegasus. I don’t know if it gets any better than that. I also found the non-introductions of all the characters hilarious, as they showed their face and then some sort of flower blooming behind them. But they didn’t bother to actually introduce any of those guys. Just pictures with flowers, which got funnier with every one.
As far as characters, you’d have to think that Balder (last name Hringhorni, hur hur hur) and Apollo are frontrunners. I like Kamiyan as an actual love interest a lot more than a cheeky squirrel, although he’s a klutz. Apollo’s got the prologue advantage, plus the good meeting advantage, coming in and being nice to Yui after she’s just had that talk with Zeus (come on, you can pronounce it “zoos”, you don’t need to say “zay-oos”) and been kinda freaked out. Unfortunately for Yui, she’s got competition for Balder, from a really jealous Loki (and that was kinda confusing, since he wasn’t nearly as much of a jerk earlier, but I guess Yui wasn’t moving in on his crush at that point). It also seemed like the two Japanese gods had a thing for each other.
Karakuri // A large part of the episode was the typical character introduction, but at least they put in effort to make it interesting. Yes, the mahou shoujo was a big part of that. The world would probably benefit from more male mahou shoujo. Brains Base wins this one. So long story short, the first episode was pretty funny and seemed to have some sort of appeal to it other than the usual shoujo/otoge crowd (Highway watched and enjoyed it, after all). Actually, the ~fabulousness~ of the episode reminded me a lot of Broccoli’s last otoge turned anime, UtaPri. …Which explains the ┌(┌ ^o^)┐ﾎﾓｵ character relationships, but also explains the amount of ridiculousness going on.
A really enjoyable start to the show! I don’t know if it was *supposed* to be that funny, but it was, and it was welcome. And that didn’t mean it was bad. Yui seems like an actual character, and it’s not all guys skeeving on her, at least not yet. So I’m kind of excited for perhaps a good reverse harem series!
Yeah, okay, this was so much better than expected. The last offender of the BL disguised as otome genre, UtaPri, pretty much shoved Haruka to the background to let the male characters have the spotlight. This wasn’t so bad in 1000%, but 2000% seemed to ignore Haruka for almost everything else going on. In contrast though, KamiAso seems like it actually has Yui as a character instead of a plot device to gather everyone together in one place and have them interact. …She could still become one, but as far as the first episode goes, things aren’t looking too bad. Plus the character designs are all Kazuki Yone. That should count for something. Probably.
They seem kind of aware of their target audience, at least.
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: Meta Resident and Metanorn's Hime-chan~ with 1758 comments
This was definitely a lot better than I expected. Especially, the art & animation. I think, for a game adaptation this is quite nice. Can’t wait to c the next episode :3
POWUH: Meta Team and Spammy Tamer with 7115 comments
I definitely hope it keeps up. Looking at the list on MAL, it says Tomoko Konparu is responsible for Series Composition, and while I haven’t really gotten through anything else she’s done besides Sunday Without God, it’s not a list of failures. Even if I don’t like Kimi ni Todoke, quite a lot of people do, and Kara mentions UtaPri 1000% in the post. There’s so much you can do with a property like this, it’s just a shame that usually it’s screwed up.
One thing that jumps out on that MAL list for Tomoko Konparu that I don’t know if I’ve heard of before is Nana. It looks like something I should try, with over an 8.6 rating.
POWUH: Meta Resident and Metanorn's Hime-chan~ with 1758 comments
I think our hopes are not in vain, judging from her works. These shows aren’t the best out there, but not the worst, either.
I haven’t known she has done Nana either. While I haven’t seen it, a lot of people tell me that it’s really good and “Go f*cking watch it already!” so yeah…
The future of Kamigami no Asobi seems a little brighter now 😀
POWUH: Meta Team and Megane-chan with 3214 comments
Nana had great source material, so maybe that’s not the best indication of a director’s skill.
I’m looking at you, Chiaki KonPOWUH: Meta Resident and LN Informant with 1529 comments
I’m a bit disappointed these versions of Hades and Loki weren’t used:
Hades:http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RV4R3it-tgA/UWONfTtpQcI/AAAAAAAALT4/CCVmog-cUVk/s1600/hercules-disneyscreencaps.com-8826.jpg
Because blue-skinned flameheads need love too.
Loki:http://cloud2.collegefashion.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/loki-style.jpg
This speaks for itself.
And no Yato at god school? He’s bishounen too, in a sweaty, desperate way. His antics could span one entire spinoff, Yatogami no Asobi!! ≧∇≦
POWUH: Meta Resident and Metanorn's Hime-chan~ with 1758 comments
Yatogami no Asobi xDDDD
He’d be really glad to join in, I think 😀
POWUH: Meta Team and Megane-chan with 3214 comments
Yatogami no Asobi is actually a pretty accurate description of Yato’s daily life in general. xD
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Right on for Hades. I always remember the Disney version than this anime one, but damn, then again Ono Daisuke. 😉
POWUH: Meta Resident and LN Informant with 1529 comments
Come on, you can pronounce it “zoos”, you don’t need to say “zay-oos”.
The Ancient Greeks apparently pronounced Zeus as Ζεύς, Zeús(ús prounounced -oos). I think this is the Japanese attempting to follow the old Greek way.
The Japanese gods seem rather… close.
Shinto myth says they were brothers, born from the creator deity Izanagi when he washed himself clean of the Shinto underworld’s pollutants. But I don’t recall Shinto myth saying they were that…close.
Myth-wise, Susanoo(storm & sea god) was said to have a terrible temper, which caused longstanding frictions between him and his sister, sun goddess Amaterasu. I’m guessing Takeru/Susanoo’s angry posturing reflects this.
I’ll try put more Shinto myth explanations as the show reflects them, if any of you would like this.
POWUH: Meta Resident and LN Informant with 1529 comments
PS.Plus the character designs are all Kazuki Yone.
Yone also designed Nobunaga the Fool’s characters, BTW.
POWUH: Novice (36-50) with 38 comments
This was ridiculous in all the right ways. I laughed throughout the entire episode. And yay, a good protagonist! Heh, I’m definitely gonna keep up with this one.
POWUH: Meta Team and Spammy Tamer with 7115 comments
That’s a good description: it was fairly ridiculous. But not stupidly so. And thinking about the things that were silly and funny, they were kept separate from the characterization, for the most part. I mean, they threw in that transformation in the middle of a serious looking battle, but it didn’t interrupt the battle flow, just lightened the mood. And those introductions were cutaways and then they went back to the characters acting like themselves. I kind of like that sensibility, and didn’t feel like it gave mood whiplash like having the characters themselves switch between silly and serious would.
POWUH: 500-599 with 519 comments
I really enjoyed this and Yui, oh Yui. *sniff* So beautiful. You have a personality unlike a certain other Yui from last season. And THAT TRANSFORMATION. I hope everyone else has one. XD
Also, the designs of everyone in the other forms are BEAUTIFUL. *_* I’m kinda mad that Yui doesn’t have one too. XD
POWUH: Meta Resident and LN Informant with 1529 comments
Whose godly form does everyone like the most?
I personally prefer Tsukuyomi’s black kimono form, very aristocratic.
The others are a bit fanservicey, although I highly suspect most of you
pervertswill vote Apollo for obvious reasons. 😛POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Nekkid boys, isn’t that enough for the fangirls? Those ender tell-tales were spot on. 😉
PS: I loved Balder and Loki more. Kamiyaan and Hosoya ftw~
POWUH: and Yaoi Fangirl~ with 2320 comments
BUT ZEUS AND ANUBIS
I would totally do a route of that ojisan if it actually exists
POWUH: Meta Team and Megane-chan with 3214 comments
I personally think I’ll like Takeru for the tsundere possibilities, but the website told me Thoth. Who am I to argue? xD
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
The first episode left me on the floor, literally gasping for breath because I laughed so hard. Oh man, ALL DEM CG FLOWERS!
This is going to be my guilty pleasure of the season because bishies + awesome seiyuu. An added bonus is a protagonist wish CHARACTER, almost unheard of in terms of otome material Seriously, what else can you ask for?
POWUH: Novice (36-50) with 44 comments
SEXY GUYS, GODS, AND ACTION. I DON’T NEED TO EXPLAIN WHY I’M WATCHING THIS. . . 🙂
POWUH: and Yaoi Fangirl~ with 2320 comments
But I’m totally cool with all that BL hint
Besides that, holy crap a protagonist with an actual personality. I’m REALLY impressed with this. After so many damn years, they actually fix this part of otome game adaptations.
And just like the others, I think I’m actually going to watch this anime for the bishies, BL hints, flowers, and comedy. I just hope they have a proper resolution for that big battle for the protagonist. God, I can’t stop giggling every time I remember how they’re fighting for one girl only
lucky bastardPOWUH: Novice (36-50) with 44 comments
I PRAISE YOUR WORDS, WE SEEM TO THINK ALIKE !!!! 🙂
I WONDER IF THIS IS GONNA BE ANOTHER DIABOLIK LOVERS XD
POWUH: Meta Team and Megane-chan with 3214 comments
…anaaga, I was totally thinking of you when I said that. Sorry! This is something I don’t want BL in. xD
I really hope that this “heroine with a personality” becomes a thing. Giving the protagonist a name or a personality (even if it’s a super generic one) never seems to be a problem in galge adaptations.
POWUH: Novice (36-50) with 44 comments
Yep, I hope she pronounces herself as a character. If she ends up like another generic useless heroine I’m prepared to take this to court… kidding… or am I? 🙂
POWUH: Meta Resident and Werewolf Chaser with 1270 comments
http://breadmasterlee.com/2013/12/09/otome-game-review-kamigami-no-asobi/
I skimmed through it, but the review doesn’t seems good….. Oh well, I will just judge the anime on its own merits. And wow, the fujoshi hate.
That said, I thought Yui was voiced by KanaHana at first since her voice reminds me of Natsume but then it turns out its Saori Hayami instead ._. My seiyu-fu sucks.
http://blog.naver.com/PostView.nhn?blogId=ekrkfk22&logNo=120210871972
Btw, here the screencaps for the transformation scene if anyone wants it for….. research purposes.
POWUH: Meta Team and Megane-chan with 3214 comments
Yes, research purposes. That is exactly what everyone needs. xD
POWUH: and Athenaeum Châtelaine with 2212 comments
Wow, that was better than I thought it would be. I really liked all the gods and Yui is a very good protagonist and one of the best I’ve seen for a while for story like this.
This is much better than Brothers Conflict or Amnesia from the last few seasons. I already love most of their weird and hilarious personalities, even if they are the standard archetypes. I really liked Zeus mostly since he’s so arrogant and authoritative and like any god, he doesn’t deliberate, he delegates.
I’m so used to these crappy reverse harems series of recent years. This was actually interesting.
Also, those scenes you talk about, the ridiculous transformation scene (OMG! Those buttons…those pants! o_o) and the hilarious flower intro placards. I just loved it. Its a keeper. 😀