digironin
Gotou Keiji
Kadonosono Megumi
Verdict: Surprising Jewel It`s true that character designs already tell you a lot about a series - but they definitely won`t tell you everything. And looking at the index pictu... Home Twitter
- Approval: 90.2% (9 votes) 13245x
02.03.2005 07:27 - rs2215)
Rating
| Vote |
8 |
| Average |
8.33 |
| Animation |
8 |
| Sound |
7 |
| Story |
8 |
| Character |
10 |
| Value |
9 |
| Enjoyment |
8 |
Verdict: Surprising Jewel
It's true that character designs already tell you a lot about a series - but they definitely won't tell you everything. And looking at the index picture, the educated guess about this one will be "just 'nother magical girl series", only spiced up by a dose of "moe" thrown in for good measure. Which isn't entirely off the mark, of course - but the beauty of this one lies in what they make of it.
Since what first starts out as an (above average) MahouShojo concept soon turns into something considerably more wicked and intriguing - making this one a recommended watch even for those who usually DON'T feel any particular interest in skimpily clad girls waving around magical powers.
Animation:
Explaining the concept of "moe anime" will take too long here, so I'll stick with just stating that, although the facial designs may look a bit simplistic at first glance, they are highly consistent and able to convey a good deal of emotion - while the animation is fluid, and the overall character detail level is rather high, especially the costumes.
Apart from that, the series skillfully makes use of summer colors, sun hazes and scene lighting, resulting in a really enjoyable visual experience.
Sound:
While the background tracks fall somewhat short of being spellbinding, both op and ed are of a high quality - and will most likely grow on you sooner or later. I for my part made sure to always watch both in every episode (also because there are interesting scenes in them that change with every ep).
Story:
It's probably not overly complex, but the creators really managed to make the most of it. It may seem to drag on a bit during the first three episodes, but you soon notice that this was a deliberate move to slowly make you familiar with the characters. And the more the series' darker undertones begin to surface, the more they will have you on the edge of your seat.
Characters:
Another aspect where this one shines, although not right away. Manatsu will seem kinda shallow to you at first, but before long it turns out that there are quite valid reasons for her behavior. Ichika on the other hand is one of the most credible magic girl characters that I have seen in a while, since she reacts naturally confused to all the arcane stuff happening around her (and to her). And while she seems somewhat clamped up during the early episodes, she soon after reveals to be a really strong and believable character.
Finishing line:[/u]
Great watch. And already scheduled for a rewatch.
While the premise of the series seems simple enough, the ensuing developments really turn it into something memorable. The strongest point of this one might be that somewhere in the middle of it, you will more and more begin to understand Ichikas personal troubles - and soon after get really attached to her and care for her. Which will be just in time for the intelligent and moving finale, where suddenly everything falls into place.
To sum things up, even though UtaKata may not be a timeless masterpiece, it sure is a lot better than what it looks like at first glance - and is definitely worth a watch if you like believable characters and a nice story.
Comments (9) e1e6y
