Wakaranai

Rating:    

‘The flock of panties have returned!’ sums up this bizarre but frivolously fun episode of Sora no Otoshimono. They’re back by popular demand! Well, maybe not, but I have to say I didn’t expect them to make a comeback after their teary departure only a few episodes ago. When peace-loving Tomoki opens his window to take in the tranquil morning, he is soon mobbed by the returning panties. And that pretty much sets the tone for the remainder of the episode; much like their departure their arrival heralds an episode overloaded with underwear and pantsu-related humour. Only this time they stretched the ridiculousness to a new peak of absurdity - including exploding panties, and porn magazine defence pantsu-robot. As a self-prescribed pantsu-fanatic I am always delighted with the prospect of such an episode. Unfortunately, I was let down in a couple of ways. The main problem was that, despite being drenched in epic quantities of panties, there was very little in the way of girls wearing any. You know, actual fanservice, like panty-shots and girls undressing. Somehow pantsu strategically distributed around a house just isn’t as exciting. There was enough hotness for the episode to pass, but for an episode with a premise like this in a show that relishes its ecchi status, I expect a little more.

The other problem I had was a shortcoming in the humour department. I can’t really put my finger on why I found the previous pantsu-saturation episode more entertaining (and titillating) than this one, but it lacked that usual oomph that Sora no Otoshimono had. The jokes kind of fell flat. The episode was still fun from a fanboy perspective, but it didn’t have that Seto no Hanayome-esque edge of riotousness. By the time Tomoki was fighting his way through the projectile-pantsu onslaught of his own robot creation I was leaning more towards cringing rather than laughing. I think my issue with the episode boils down to it just being a bit too silly without having the sharp humour or self-ridicule to pull it off right. On the upside, the production on the show remains consistently great, and it was still pretty enjoyable even if it wasn’t as funny or fapworthy as it could’ve been. As a bonus, the long-awaited Nymph finally made her entrance (although it was a fleeting cameo in the epilogue).

✘ I felt they kind of undermined their own plot, thing though it is, by having Icarus spend the day with Mitsuki while her master, Tomoki, was delegated the punishing task of fighting his way out of his explosive house. It calls into question whether her loyalty to her master is conditional or by her own choice. Anyway, I thought she was connected to Tomoki by her chain (even though it’s invisible), so he surely could summon her and use her powers to get out of the situation. Unless I missed something it just seems like a bit of a lazy way to write this little sidestory. I mean, they don’t have all that much of a plot, it couldn’t be too hard to stick to what they’ve established..

♡ The best fanservice moment came when Mitsuki took Icarus underwear shopping. The underwear she picked out for Iacrus really WAS super-cute and fitted her angel status perfectly. The wings on the bra and panties are lovely!. I thought that scene was cut a bit too short (extension saved for DVD releases perhaps). I wanted a good look at Iacrus wearing them! Well, that might come later in the series. Mitsuki is good at picking underwear for others, she should refine her own choices a bit. Her striped panties this episode were and improvement, especially the pink-striped ones (sadly now-deceased ;_;). Lucky Tomoki got a mouthful of them..

♡ Mitsuki ended up in a nopan predicament yet again! Poor girl ^^ We don’t get any good flashes, sadly. For those who’ve seen how GAINAX played the nopan episode of Abenobashi for maximum eyecandy should agree.

✔ Finally! Nymph! And her role is kind of interesting. She might mix things up even more than I thought. I wonder if she will be an addition to Tomoki’s pet angel collection, or perhaps she has a different master? I’m intrigued. And the scene where she appeared definitely had an air of mystery to it.

✔ Have to admit I loved the boner gag at the end. Something had to ruin his hero status. Poor Tomoki got a crushing Mitsuki-chop. His body is just being honest!

✔ I really appreciate the fact that each episode has its own ED relevant to the episode. It’s something anime should do more often as it’s a last bit of fun to finish the episode off with instead of the same old song. Also, I have to say Tomoki has an enviable dirty magazine collection.

 

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Sora no Otoshimono is one of those anime that has nudged its way into an already overcrowded genre but which effortlessly stands out and pleasantly surprises by reaching past people’s expectations. I think everyone had reservations that this would be another mind-numbingly generic ecchi anime, but with every episode it has proven its ability to entertain. Last week, with the all the panties and, well, all the no-panties, I thought the best thing abut the show WAS the fanservice. It delivered copious amounts of droolworthy fanservice scenes and, most importantly, delivered it in a fun way and with top-notch production values. But this episode shows it has strength beyond maneoucering its cute girls into embarrassing/sexy situations. There was practically no fanservice at all and yet it was still really enjoyable. I can’t even really explain why anymore, except to say that this episode demonstrated the show’s ability to do comedy more than the others have so far. There’s a surreal element to the series that stops it from feeling too generic. The manliness factor also increased in the form of Eishirou, as did the moe levels with some dramatic development for the stoic but earnest Icarus herself.

♡ I definitely gained a strong moe attraction for Icarus this episode! Before she seemed like a pretty empty, large-breasted vessel for fanservice, but now she has definitely developed some cute character traits. I certainly wouldn’t say she’d a deep or complex character, and her personality is largely defined by the typical moe palette: submissive, childish, pure of heart, wants to please, etc. But, as someone easily ensnared by the trappings of moe, I find her utterly adorable! I want one! A pet-class angel in chains .. it’s the ultimate fetishism! SUGOI SUGOI!

♡ Tomoki patting her head was just too cute. She just loves it <3 <3 HHNNNNNNNNNGGG.

● Still waiting for Nymph to show up. Is she going to be Tomoki’s servant as well? I ask because this guy doesn’t even deserve one, let alone two. He hasn’t been abusing his powers nearly enough (although he still gets fanboy kudos from me for handcuffing Mitsuki!).

✔ And every series needs a bit of arbitrary GAR. I’d previously pinned Eishirou as a freaky nerd type of character but apparently he is a badass outdoor dude, a highly intelligent scientist and an all-round man of win. I cracked up when I saw his ‘house’. Sorry Eishirou, I misjudged you! Not sure about you’re taste in Pretty the 2nd though. You can use one of my figures if you want!

● That watermelon is creeping me out.

✔ Why are the productions values so fucking awesome? The soft-style shading, which reminds me of parts of Macross Frontier, just gives the show such a unqiue and attractive finish. But the animation is great, the backgrounds are well-done, and details like the sunlight gleaming of the water - it all adds up to a very well produced series. The studio, AIC A.S.T.A., really surprised me with this one. I assume they’re betting on some good DVD sales for this one, and I hope they get them!

✘ I have to admit to being a BIT disappointed by the lack of ero content in this episode. A shot of Mitsuki in wet and transparent clothing is nice (especially as she had some nice underwear on this week), but it doesn’t compare to last week!

 

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There’s no denying the fact that Sora no Otoshimono deserves the label of ‘ecchi series’, and it doesn’t stray far from the standard magical girlfriend/servant formula. What’s great about the series is that it revels in its genre. There’s no pretence at being a drama or action series with some fanservice thrown in - it’s all fanservice, and very very good fanservice at that. From what I’ve seen so far it is the best ecchi series I have seen in a long time, because not only does it let loose an unyielding barrage of panty-shots, dirty jokes and partial nudity but it does so with disturbingly good production values and with a frenetic and sharp sense of humour akin to comedy anime Seto no Hanayome. The tone of the service is also especially racy, because counter to the norm the male protagonist actually has a very strong pervert mindset. His subconscious raises havoc this episode by wishing away his classmate’s panties and then later handcuffing her, rendering her totally at the mercy of the wind! I hope for more sexy situations like this in future episodes.

The music and animation quality are exemplary for this type of series, and the visual humour motifs such as the frequent use of chibis gives the show a very fun and quirky look. The type of fanservice is geared more towards the crowd who appreciate cute/moe girls rather than the traditional style of huge-breasted women in a perpetual state of undress. Fans of the latter can stand by the likes of Queens Blade *shivers*. But for fans of the former, this is one of the hottest series around, and it fends off monotony and mediocrity with fun characters, a brisk pace, a good sense of humour and vibrant production qualities. Superb mindless fun!

♡ I should say that this was the ultimate nopan fiasco! There’s something about the scenario of girls getting stuck without underwear that is massively hot, especially when it gets them into increasingly embarrassing situations! Just the thought of them not wearing any is better than actually showing it! And here it happens on a school-wide scale! *nosebleeds* This beats Natsuki’s nopan adventure in episode 4 of Mai HiME and the classic pantsu-swapping episode of Strike Witches. Though it might have trouble topping the episode Arumi spends not wearing any in Abenobashi!

♡ It may have been the ultimate episode for no-panties but it could also be the ultimate episode for panties in general! Although other anime have managed to rack up a pretty massive volume of panties in a single episode, I think this episode tops them all when you combine all the underwear Icarus stole and the vast quantum of pantsu she later purchased. And it’s always great seeing such a wide variety. Personally I was disappointed in Tomoki’s final choice. The white, frilly ones were superior. But at least it’s an upgrade from Mitsuki’s original selection. It’s almost as bad as Misaka’s taste in underwear!

✔ I’m consistently surprised by just how shiny and polished the animation work on this series is. The soft shading on the cels really makes the show look attractive and the animation doesn’t seem to falter at all. It’s unusual to have an ecchi show look this good, but it really does make a difference, elevating it above it’s competition!

● Unlike last episode I’m kind of surprised Tomoki isn’t making good use of the wish powers granted by Icarus and the card. Unless I’m missing something he basically has the power to do whatever he wants. I mean, so far he’s done some pretty great things (peeking, panty-theft, etc), but I’m surprised he wants to go back to his regular school life. He could be ruler of the world by now! I guess he really does love peace and quiet ..

● I quite like all the characters we’ve got now, but I just can’t wait for the second ‘angel’ to come along, the blue-haired, lolirific and aptly named, Nymph. Hopefully she gets into some exciting ecchi situations too.

● The ED is gloriously strange. It flutters between retarded, funny and sentimental leaving me totally confused and unsure what to think of it. Flying pantsu. Is this awesome? Y/N.

● Did any one else get entranced by Sugata rhythmically shaking that pigeon at the start of the episode?

● Mikako is great as the classy girl with a perverted mind. I love her comments about other people’s “interests”, her commentary on the panties Mitsuki was trying on, and her reaction to having her pantsu stolen was great - she seemed strangely happy!

 

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When I put on the latest episode of Umineko no Naku Koro ni I have to say I was firmly in my comfort zone - I thought I knew what to expect. Some melodrama here, a bit of UUUU UUU there, a dose of Beatrice laughing cruelly, and another series of violent murder culminating in an “EVERYBODY DIES” finish. The first half of the episode reinforced this, with the deaths of George and maid-cum-lover (sounds like a hentai title), Shanon. I admit I actually enjoyed this particular scene. Like much of the show it was done in a bit of a whacky and awkward manner, but I still have an emotional investment in the innocent love story between these two, and I liked the fact that their love kind of got the better of Beatrice, undermining her façade of unassailable wickedness. I’m not sure if I enjoyed what the episode eventually turned into, but I have to say it was one of the most, if not the most, fucked up and disturbing things I’ve seen in an anime.

Higurashi had gore-a-plenty, there’s no doubting that. And a lot of people reacted squeamishly to some of the gorier moments that the mystery-horror series offered up. Whether it was Rena putting needles in K1’s rice balls, the finger-nail tearing traditions of the Sonozaki family, or a frenzied Rika stabbing herself repeatedly in the side of the head, there was something for everyone to feel queasy about. But what transpires here is on a whole new level. While not as technically gory as those Higurashi moments, the twisted psychology behind it makes it far more unnerving.

Seeing the wholly dejected and crushed Battler paraded around naked by collar and leash was actually a bit sickening as well as depressing. Even if Battler came back 5 minutes later with a fresh resolve to resist Beatrice, that does nothing to repair the damage his image has suffered at the hands of his witch foe. I’ve lost all respect for him ;_;. Keiichi wouldn’t have stood for this shit! Now his only path to redemption in my eyes is to get Beatrice on a leash and collar. Now that I would like to see, especially because I now realise just how warped and sadistic Beatrice is - she deserves a hundred hells of pain and humiliation!

Because what she did to Battler was possibly topped by the sheer foulness of how she tormented Rosa. I have to admit, if this arc has achieved anything it’s an increased fondness for Rosa. She took the role of the shotgun toting survivor from Natsuhi and made the role her own, defeating Battler with her clear-headedness and emotional fortitude. The scene where she goes out fighting by Maria’s side was probably the most touching moment of the show thus far, redeeming her prior loli-abuse misdemeanours. Maria’s elation in this scene was so beautiful! So, with my newfound Rosa appreciation I was petty upset by Beatrice forcing her to eat delicacies of which her dead family members were the prime ingredient. There is no way to put that dinner-table scene into words except “totally screwed up”. And when Maria’s severed head made an appearance and started talking, it gave everything this unnerving surrealness. It was like watching a greek tragedy on psychedelic drugs.

I usually enjoy creepyness and gore, but this episode actually got to me a bit. As a result, I’m not sure if I enjoyed it or not. One thing’s for sure - I won’t be forgetting this anime any time soon! Fortunately this episode did have some very strong character moments (between Shanon and George and Rosa and her daughter) to make up for the debasement Beatrice inflicted on Battler and Rosa. Also, the final tea room scene gave a few hints at a sensible structure behind the loop arcs, as well as some clues to Beatrice’s motivations and a higher level story at work. Such hints are just the kind of thing I’m looking for, and I hope next arc can add to these.
 
 

。。 Genji is still the best character in the show. His stoic, manly presence is much appreciated.

。。 I’m not a fan of Beatrice’s gothic-schoolgirl-cosplay outfit. It might be just me but it’s hard to take her seriously when she’s wearing that getup. It just makes her look kind of desperate and a bit slutty. She’s just too old to make it work!

。。 I like the new witch introduced at the end of the episode! She has more personality than Bernkastel and less of an insane streak than Beatrice. She’s cute when she pouts!

Based on a popular manga title currently serialised in Shounen Ace with 3 volumes currently released, Sora no Otoshimono is a fanservice-comedy shounen receiving an anime adaptation this October. Now, let’s get this straight, I normally don’t get excited or even mildly interested in series like this. For someone, like me, who’s unfamiliar with the manga, a shallow appraisal of the anime is enough to nudge it into the ‘generic harem - ignore’ corner. A quick glance at the website and promotional images gives off that cliché ‘look’. A common-looking high school boy unjustifiably surrounded by bishoujo of the typical archetypes: ‘childhood friend’ and ‘supernatural [goddess/demon/spirit/whatever] who somehow or other becomes the lead’s servant’. The ‘based on a H-game’ flag is up and being waved furiously. But luckily it isn’t.

The premise is as follows:

Tomoki Sakurai often encounters a strange girl in his dreams asking for his help, but he can’t remember her face when he wakes up. When an Unidentified Mysterious Animal (U.M.A.) falls out of the sky, his life of pacifism suddenly becomes complicated. The animal turns out to be an angel, Ikaros.

There are basically three things that can save a cliché harem-ish setup like this:

1. Bishoujo who are actually cute
2. Actual fanservice
3. A sense of humour

With these 3 powerful attributes, even the most horridly cliché pile of crap can quickly blossom into something wildly entertaining. One only has to look to GONZO’s Seto no Hanayome as an example. I almost dropped it after the first episode because it was the same kind of done-to-death harem-esque setup as this. But then it quickly turned into an uproarious comedy. After checking out the trailer for this series I was pleasantly happy to see that at least 2 of these attributes were present.

It looks like this series will certainly have a sense of humour (although whether that sense of humour is on the same length as mine remains unknown). You get the feeling that the director and staff behind it are trying to pour in a fun and energetic nature to the series, from the fact that the PV is so unusual, starting off with a serious, atmospheric tone before descending into the usual anime routine of playing the OP/ED over a highlight reel of the first episode. I’m so used to that PV format that when a studio dares to try any variation on this it’s a monumental shock. There were also some really funny-looking snippets in there, from the use of chibis to the naughty joke of how having a girl wake you up in the morning can turn out badly. There also seems to be a good amount of fanservice, not nearly enough to make it just another girls bravo or Queen’s Blade, but enough to get your attention. In fanservice terms, it’s always a good sign to see a cute panty-shot in the PV (also, I hear the lead character is a high-level pervert). I have to admit the chain-collar look is kinda hot and the first thing that caught my eye - it’s a bit different XD. Mind you, the wings are a nice moe item as well. And my moe drive really starting spooling up when Icarus said ‘my master’. The blue-haired loli character looks pretty cute as well, even though she didn’t get a spot in the PV. Check out the character designs more here.

The production values look pretty good too, with attractive and fluid animation. It’s being handled by Studio AIC A.S.T.A. I’m not really sure if that’s a good thing or not as I’m not very familiar with their other works. They’re best known for Bamboo Blade, which was pretty successful. The director was also the director for that anime (and hasn’t directed a lot more). So nothing in the staff list really strikes me as being especially promising. In terms of cast, Saori Hayami has the role of the wing-bearing Icarus. I really fell for her voice playing the sweet and soft role of Saki from Eden of the East, so I’m pretty keen to see what she can bring to this character.

Solely in the hopes that it delivers strong entertainment values and some appreciable fanservice, this is on my list of things to check out next season.

Updates

● 13 Aug .. A new scan for the series has shown up, showing off Ikaros’s assets in a sexy beach shot. I just love the pantsu-mask Tomoki’s wearing, it should be the official pervert battle mask! This shows promise as a bit of an ecchi series..


● 16 Aug .. I stumbled upon a couple more scans. This series seems pretty heavily promoted in the otaku magazines. I guess that generally happens when they’re trying to appeal to the otaku kind of audience. I can’t say I’m complaining - these two images certainly appeal to me. We get a nice quality pic of the epic panty-shot from the PV. Just what the hell is that thing on her panties anyway… More importantly the scans give us a good look at the loli girl, Nymph. She looks pretty cute. Her expression is at least less vacant than Icarus’!



● 27 Aug Airdates have been revealed (http://www.presepe.jp/soraoto/archives/294) and they’re bloody soon. First episode will apparently be the 4th of september - 8 days from now!!

● 8 Sept .. (source) Although it was originally announced as a 14 episodes, Anime Newtype Channel reported that one of the episodes will not be aired and will become a DVD-only episode because it is “dangerous”. Unless they’re going to show the Ring video and cause actual physical harm, I can only assume that by dangerous they mean dangerously HOT! The last time a show I watched came out and said they had a too-hot-for TV episode was Moetan. Personally I don’t mind, as long as it really is as fanservice-filled as they’re letting on and not just a disappointing marketing tactic. This show is shaping up to be a real delight in terms of sexiness.

● 29 Sept .. Another PV has surfaced. This one’s pretty cute. Saori Hayami’s voice comes through really well here. She’s got such a cute voice! I really like Chibi-Ikaros..

Rating:    

Episode 11 and episode 12 of Saki have provided a timely rejuvenation of my interest in the show. While I was originally wrapped by the premise of combining strategic mahjong play and moe bishoujo characters, and enjoyed what I read of the manga, I have been gradually falling out of love with the anime since the first episode, or realising that there wasn’t any love for it in the first place. Due to some atrocious character designs, an ugly colour palette, a sub par casting of seiyuu (especially for Nodoka), and really poor characterisation for the main girls, it began to seem like another failed adaptation to GONZO’s name. The main characters are not really enjoyable to watch for me at all; Saki is boring, Nodoka ugly and dull, Taco-girl unbearable. The captain is pretty much the only character I was able to enjoy from the beginning. The annoying characters takes all the fun out of fanservice and maid cosplay. To feel moe you really have to have affections towards the characters, so the moe part of the moe-mahjong premise wasn’t there. And neither was the mahjong! The first 10 episodes consistent mainly of Saki and Nodoka blushing at each other and saying “let’s go to the nationals together!”, or Yuuki BAWWWWing over a lack of tacos. But the last few episodes have really started to pull me in.

As the focus has shifted solely from the main team of protagonists to all four of the different teams that are now vying against each other in the finals for a spot in the national tournament. The cast has been drastically expanded, and these new characters are given back-story and their own personal motivations in between the actual games. What I’ve quickly come to realise is that pretty much all of the secondary characters are far more likeable than the main ones. Only since the introduction of the sexy, feline Kana, and the flat-chested, handcuffed maid, Hajime has this series had an appreciable moe element. Those two characters, as well as the super adorable loli Koromo are so cute I can fawn over them. Their character designs are actually very good, their seiyuus are well-chosen and their personalities are unique and quirky.

The mahjong component of the show is also heating up now that we’re getting proper games being played, and between players who we are familiar with. It’s much moe exciting when you can really root for or sympathise with players other than the ones from Kiyosumi. Personally I’d love Ryuumonbochi to win the regional tournament just so they can replace Kiyosumi as the focus of the show! The game played this episode was probably the most interesting so far. Hisa’s crazy reach hell-waits were really cool. I know what it would feel like to discard into a wait like that. I didn’t really buy her reaching on an impossible wait just to intimidate the other players though - at least one other play was in tenpai, so being in reach puts her at a real disadvantage defensively because she no longer has a choice of what tiles to play. Along with that we got some really cute moments with Koromo and Hajime, and the web of yuri relationships grows yet again.

<3 This scene was just perfect. Cute and really heart-warming. It was really sweet seeing the usually tough and composed Touka melt at Hajime’s expression of affection. Plus, the animation of her reaction was really fluid and fantastic. I can really understand that flustered response though: Hajime has just the loveliest smile - it could capture anyone’s heart! Touka is the luckiest ojousama in existence though, not only does she have a great master-servant yuri situation with a cute, chained Hajime, but she even has her own yuri love triangle when you include the other jealous maid. Really, she’s in heaven. I’m looking forward to comiket in the hope that these particular girls will get a few H-doujins. Surely Hajime could be into bondage play XD!

Just because Hajime has rapidly become my favourite character in the series, I have to highlight just how charming she looks in maid costume. Even in this costume her pettanko frame is clear. The red bow, combined with the bow on her head-dress just makes it indescribably cute, almost like it was designed just for Hajime (actually it probably was). Plus, the chains and her nervousness in this scene .. MOEE~

But not to be outdone, the captain of Kazekoshi has her own love triangle of a kind. She’s evidently infatuated with Hisa, and has been ever since she compliment her eyes romantically. But adorable neko-girl, Kana is interested in her too. Actually Kana’s feelings for her captain are really funny because it’s very much a pet-master kind of love. For example, she purrs when being washed by Mihoko in an earlier episode, and her she is jealous of being hugged by her. It’s more like she wants to be petted by her than she is in love with her. Kana is such a cat that even her relationships mirror that.

And to complete the array of moe fetishes, we have Koromo, who emphatically ticks both the loli and bunny-ears boxes. I have to admit to never getting in to bunny girls much before, mostly because it usually involves daicon cosplay on a busty girl. But Koromo just has the ears and a really nice girly dress. She really makes the bunny ears work. I love how they stand up when she’s being thanked by Nodoka. Yet another character with animal characteristics, like Kouka’s ahoge wagging when she’s happy. But Koromo is actually quite a rare type of character; she’s a loli who actually acts like a loli. She’s really childish, which makes her delightful to watch. Despite her frightening Mahjong talents, she has a really pure heart exemplified by feeling distraught when the penguin was ripped, and her wanting to make a friend. I also love her stubborn catchphrase “Kodomo janai, koromo da!”. HNNNNGG, her moe power is too strong for me!