(L) Kamisama Dolls

[DonQuigleone]

Originally Posted by Crimson Cloud

About expectations, true at some extend, although debatable. But aren't you being too harsh? You practically buried the show even if it's just the first episode.

To me, it's much more logical to dislike the show based on the first episode in fanservice anime (you already expect the fanservice and if you don't like the art and/or the characters you will not stick to it), then anime which is mostly about the story that will slowly move on and explain itself for the next few episodes. Maybe this show will be good and maybe not, but I would give more episodes a go before forming a definite opinion on the entire show.

We only have so much time. I know that this show isn't going to get better, as it's primary faults are in it's very fabric, stuff that isn't going to change as it goes along. Storyline is all well and good, but if your presentation sucks, and you can't get the audience into it, can't absorb them in your world, you've failed.

Mayoi Chiki is exactly what people wanted -> fanservice anime. They just want fanservice anime, and fanservice doesn't need to be very good to satisfy people's wants. No one is expecting shakespeare.

When you make a "serious" show you can't get away with the corner cutting that you get in fanservice, hence why this show is more harshly judged.

[Forsaken_Infinity]

Ugh.. my problem with the pilot episode wasn't the boobs on that girl (which weren't all that unreal after all although they definitely look out of place on that body in some shots; and she does look cute/hot alright) but the cheesy and convenient plot points. Like seriously... protag ran to city from village... rival who hates village comes chasing and gets beaten by a weaker character after she gets fired up and then oh so conveniently escapes en route back to the cell. FML. They ought to do better than that to truly impress me although I will say that I am more on the pleased side thus far. I will be back next episode for sure at least!

[Shouta]

Originally Posted by Forsaken_Infinity

Ugh.. my problem with the pilot episode wasn't the boobs on that girl (which weren't all that unreal after all although they definitely look out of place on that body in some shots; and she does look cute/hot alright) but the cheesy and convenient plot points. Like seriously... protag ran to city from village... rival who hates village comes chasing and gets beaten by a weaker character after she gets fired up and then oh so conveniently escapes en route back to the cell. FML. They ought to do better than that to truly impress me although I will say that I am more on the pleased side thus far. I will be back next episode for sure at least!

It's a bit of a problem with Yamamura's writing style at times. He often has a pretty intricate setup and background to the story but sometimes the chain of events seem a little too plain. I don't find it too bad myself but I can certainly see where it isn't nearly as exciting as it could be.

[serenade_beta]

Originally Posted by DonQuigleone

I know that this show isn't going to get better

I always wanted to be born with psychic powers.

[Nvis]

Originally Posted by serenade_beta

I always wanted to be born with psychic powers.

I would go and buy a lottery ticket!

[DonQuigleone]

Originally Posted by serenade_beta

I always wanted to be born with psychic powers.

Likewise I could tell Boobanaut wasn't going to get better.

They'd have to completely change their production standards to improve this show.

Furthermore, usually they try and make the first episode the most impressive, so I can only imagine that it's downhill from here...

[serenade_beta]

Originally Posted by DonQuigleone

They'd have to completely change their production standards to improve this show.

Furthermore, usually they try and make the first episode the most impressive, so I can only imagine that it's downhill from here...

I don't have psychic powers, so I can't really argue on the same level as you, but I should just give you advice that you can't judge anything by just the first episode. The previous season was full of anime that had bad first episodes and got better.
And there were a few anime that started out with great first episode and got worse.


Well, putting that all aside, at least a week finally passed and I get to see Utao again! In episode 2.

[fertygo]

Originally Posted by DonQuigleone

Likewise I could tell Boobanaut wasn't going to get better.

They'd have to completely change their production standards to improve this show.

Furthermore, usually they try and make the first episode the most impressive, so I can only imagine that it's downhill from here...

Well its your word, myself personally will continue watching because I'm planning to buy the manga after know from which vol its ended in anime to saving some money.

Well bro, you just heard the most boring story ever from me.

Btw seriously the artwork is good, too bad the anime disappointing a bit in drawing the "reaction face".

And actually the manga have good reception.

[DonQuigleone]

Originally Posted by serenade_beta

I don't have psychic powers, so I can't really argue on the same level as you, but I should just give you advice that you can't judge anything by just the first episode. The previous season was full of anime that had bad first episodes and got better.
And there were a few anime that started out with great first episode and got worse.


Well, putting that all aside, at least a week finally passed and I get to see Utao again! In episode 2.

As I said, the problem isn't the writing. Writing can be better in latter episodes and usually it is, as they get into the groove of the plot). But the background music and lazy animation aren't going to improve. I've only seen production quality get worse as a series goes on, never better. Likewise I've never seen a "boring male" anime character suddenly grow a personality in any previous show either.

It's not psychic powers, it's just common sense and experience.

[serenade_beta]

Originally Posted by DonQuigleone

As I said, the problem isn't the writing. Writing can be better in latter episodes and usually it is, as they get into the groove of the plot). But the background music and lazy animation aren't going to improve. I've only seen production quality get worse as a series goes on, never better. Likewise I've never seen a "boring male" anime character suddenly grow a personality in any previous show either.

It's not psychic powers, it's just common sense and experience.

In other words, the show can get better, right? Because when you talk about a show getting better or not, you are referencing to the entire thing, which includes the story.
As for BGM, I don't really think you can judge a show's BGM by just the first episode. You probably haven't even heard all of the soundtrack.
As far as acting goes, there is no way these voice actors are flat. If you call this flat, you most certainly have not this "experience" that you are talking about. There is at least one actor that even won an award. Of course, your experience and common sense is probably better than the people that chose the voice actors though.
As far as experience on protagonists goes, if you really had this "experience", you probably can find a couple at least. The main problem is memory though.

Whatever.
It's almost the 2nd episode, so I'll look forward to that while seers see into the future.

[hanashi]

To be fair, the girl had ridiculous boobs in the manga so they're just staying true to the character's designs. I haven't looked at the manga in a while, but I think they were toned down some in the anime. (I was hoping they'd tone them down even more, but alas.)

I enjoyed the first episode. I loved the OP; the animation is no Mawaru Penguindrum, but it's not bad either, and the seiyuu are hitting the right notes. What I don't like is that they seem to be toning down some of the complexities of the characters and scenes. I hope I'm wrong and this is the director and writers reordering some of the scenes in the manga to better jive with an animated series. I'm going to be really upset if the Aki is played as a straight villain and all of the complexity in their history is toned down.

[Reckoner]

The second episode was enjoyable. Continuing to stroll around with the characters, a little character exposition.

The OST is fine, though not anything to write home about yet. Though I do like the OP and ED, especially the OP.

They keep you wanting more. It's not the best show I've ever seen, but it's reasonably good and entertaining and what more can you ask for?

Originally Posted by DonQuigleone

It's not psychic powers, it's just common sense and experience.

I don't see what's so wrong with the animation/art.

[ars89]

Just saw the first ep. That opening scene was intense. Story seems interesting. Aki definitely has some problems but he might be right about the village being insane. At least Kyohei sees where he's coming from. Surprised Hibino didn't know about the village before though. Looks like utao going to get some serious training.

[blitz1/2]

Utao is not bro-con enough ! xD

[Kaoru Chujo]

This is far from being a great show, but it continues to be enjoyable. Just slow and awkwardly written (by my least favorite successful anime writer, Uezu Makoto). But I'm enjoying the characters and the basic plot.

The seiyuus don't sound "flat" to me. Okamoto Nobuhiko is a terrific seiyuu. Fukuen Misato is reasonable as Utao, and Kayano Ai as Hibino is doing a much better job, for me, than she did with Menma. Showing some range. She's clearly a designated up-and-coming young seiyuu, but Menma didn't show me why. This does.

I don't have the highest hopes for this show, but it won't be the seiyuus or the animation that turn me off.

[Kanon]

I very much enjoyed the new character played by Miyuki Sawashiro. She's a pretty entertaining mad scientist. Alas, the episode was flat-out boring save for the PS2 crushing scene (I actually thought it wasn't such a bad idea for Utao to play games through Kukuri to increase her skills... turns out I was dead wrong).

[FlareKnight]

Have to agree with Hibino that Kyohei does look better when dealing with Utao and by extension Kukuri. When just dealing with her in alone situations the guy is really weak, but I guess through his dark past that he's gained the stronger side we can see now. I do wonder if he's going to take control of Kukuri at some point. I know that clearly a huge tragedy occurred before and the cost of what happened was high. It was clearly so bad that Kyohei didn't want anything to do with the village or the kakashi. But just leaving doesn't erase the past and now the situations are going to get more complicated with having to hide things.

Originally Posted by Kanon

I very much enjoyed the new character played by Miyuki Sawashiro. She's a pretty entertaining mad scientist. Alas, the episode was flat-out boring save for the PS2 crushing scene (I actually thought it wasn't such a bad idea for Utao to play games through Kukuri to increase her skills... turns out I was dead wrong).

I didn't think it was a completely bad idea, but I did have a kind of bad feeling. Didn't think she'd just smash the system though, just break the controller .

[Kismet-chan]

A very "meh" second episode, but not particularly bad. I'm willing enough to give this series another couple of episodes to impress me.

I was slightly confused about the bathroom scene. What did Kyohei do wrong? Was it girls' only or something?

[DonQuigleone]

Originally Posted by serenade_beta

In other words, the show can get better, right? Because when you talk about a show getting better or not, you are referencing to the entire thing, which includes the story.
As for BGM, I don't really think you can judge a show's BGM by just the first episode. You probably haven't even heard all of the soundtrack.
As far as acting goes, there is no way these voice actors are flat. If you call this flat, you most certainly have not this "experience" that you are talking about. There is at least one actor that even won an award. Of course, your experience and common sense is probably better than the people that chose the voice actors though.
As far as experience on protagonists goes, if you really had this "experience", you probably can find a couple at least. The main problem is memory though.

Whatever.
It's almost the 2nd episode, so I'll look forward to that while seers see into the future.

Not all the seiyuu are bad, the leading seiyuu are quite good, in fact. But all the secondary seiyuu are flat and dull. Just watch the bar scenes, it's awful. Likewise the father of boobgirl was also quite flat and dull.

Regarding BGM, BGM is usually reused throughout a series, I can't see any reason to expect an improvement, unless they intentionally revamp it due to criticism. The BGM is just poorly produced.

Regarding writing, it may indeed improve, but it won't improve enough to overcome the problems above. Some things just can't be overcome. The series can become "serviceable" but it can never be "great". I don't know about you, but "serviceable" isn't enough for me, there's 100s of other equally serviceable series I could watch.

I would contrast this series with Sacred Seven. Both series have somewhat dull plots that could improve, but Sacred Seven has top notch production values. The animation is smooth, the character designs fine, and good unobtrusive BGM. Sacred Seven's production values will probably be a little rougher around the edges, but it's going to likely remain solid for it's run. Whether it will be great or not is purely up to how well their writing is. Personally I don't think it's going to turn out much better either, but I'll admit to the possibility of being wrong on it.

In this show I see no potential for it to elevate itself, bar some kind of miraculous change in how it handles itself. Every great show I've ever seen always had some kind of "spark" of creativity that was apparent in it's first show. Whether it continued to be great was down to how well it was able to keep it up or improve on it. I just feel like the producers aren't really making an effort with this show.

The only show I've seen overcome lack of production quality was Higurashi, and it had stellar source material, and the production wasn't bad enough to get in the way of it. Kamisama Dolls doesn't feel like it has a particularly outstanding source material so...

Originally Posted by Reckoner

I don't see what's so wrong with the animation/art.

The animation in the "money scenes" is fine, but if we look at secondary characters and scenes that's where the problem is. Look at the bar scenes in episode 1. They're not awful, but they're a bit stiff.



In closing this show isn't awful, but it's not amazing either. It's basically Mediocre, and I can't see that changing. I've been watching first episodes of shows for 5-6 years now, this fits the mediocre mold pretty well. I've never seen a show with such a first episode turn into anything memorable.

[Darkman.exe213]

Originally Posted by Kismet-chan

A very "meh" second episode, but not particularly bad. I'm willing enough to give this series another couple of episodes to impress me.

I was slightly confused about the bathroom scene. What did Kyohei do wrong? Was it girls' only or something?

He was casually walking around in his boxers, and he had his hand down them...

I'm not a particular fan of the lazy artwork myself, but other than that, I like where the series is headed. I also like how grounded it is, with people from outside the village taking notice an wondering what's going on. I hope it'll stay on this path and become more of a mystery-type show, as opposed to another ordinary action series.

And Kukuri completely toppling over and smashing the PS2 seriously made me lol for some reason.

I'm surprise there are so many complaints about the show so far, with some people going as far as outright slamming the entire series from watching just the first episode. It's only been two episodes so far, and we still don't really have a clear idea of what's going on in the background yet. It might be a kinda slow series, but it seems like it's also trying to develop somewhat of a two-sided story.(one side about the village and the mystery behind its inner workings, the other about the rest of the world and people trying to figure out what's going on with all the strange activity) I think the series does have the potential to become great.