Saint October

[monir]

Production Company: Konami, Studio Comet

Expected Release Date: January 2007

Genre: Fantasy, Drama

Website: http://www.konami.jp/visual/saintoctober/

Not exactly sure what to expect from the series aside that Studio Comet was involved in some popular series in the past such as Shuffle, School Rumble, Suzuka, Peach Girl and etc. Synopsis is in the following, the courtesy of animenfo:

Whether it is the future or the past… it is the world of fantasy and horror hiding in the shadow of the demon city. In the city, consecutive mysterious incidents that cannot be solved by science have occurred. To solve the incidents, they gather three girl detectives possessing special abilities.

Hayama Kotono. She is an orphan living in a convernt.
Shirafuji Natuski. She is Kotono’s classmate and a pop idol.
Hijiri Misaki. She is a mysterious girl who fights against nightmares of her previous life.

Those who want to bring the Judgment Day to the world.
Those who want to save the world.
Which is justice, and which is evil?

When Kotono encounters a boy who lost his memory, the wheel of the story begins to move but slowly. Then, solving the mysteries, the three girls will confront the fate that will influence the existence of the human beings.

[eggplant]

Anticipating the first episode, airing in 2 days.

In the meantime, I'm listening to the opening song, Wheel of Fortune, sung by Goth Loli Shoujo Tantei Dan (the three protagonists), from the anime version CD handed out at the Winter Comiket. Find out how it sounds here (can't explain anything more than this).

Interestingly enough, the first syllable for the three girls, Kotono, Natsuki, Misaki spell out Konami.

[monir]

Originally Posted by eggplant

Interestingly enough, the first syllable for the three girls, Kotono, Natsuki, Misaki spell out Konami.

Coincidence? I think not. Got even more interested in the show after seeing it promoted at the end of the 2nd episode of Rozen Maiden Oveurture. The opening song sounds nice! Looking forward to your take on the first episode.

[martino]

I wonder is the moe characters will be worth watching this...

[prince leon]

All three of the girls are really cute. I'm interested in seeing their fighting abilities, especially the one with the guns.

[eggplant]

Saw Episode 1.

Spoiler for Episode 1:

I have mixed feelings about this. Although I haven't seen the recently serialized manga in Comic Blade (a la Konami's media mix marketing stance), I had high hopes for this anime because the character conception is by Okama (Himawari!, Glass Fleet), and the animation studio is Studio Comet (School Rumble, My Melody). However, my expectations were shattered into smithereens by the atrocious artwork, reminding me that Suzuka was also done by Comet.

The plot leaves a lot to be desired, even if it's still the first episode. Heck, if the show is promoting lolis on a late night time slot, they might as well cater to otaku needs, either with moe characters, or with some angle for the plot.

Not only that, the third girl, Misaki, won't come into the fray until episode 5, which spells disaster if this is a 12-13 episode title, which I don't think it is since Konami and their ample budgeting allows for 24 eps. Now that I mention it, what is it that Konami seeks to promote from this show besides the CDs? I suppose they're intent on marketing the cards and perhaps a game, although I am skeptical of this becoming anything like the Akazukin and Tokimemo franchises.

There is one good thing about the show, though. At least the fan subbers don't have to worry about putting on the Japanese letters for the karaoke. Then again, it's so stylish, a contemporary effect would probably look awkward.

I'm still giving this show a few more looks as the lolis wield blades and seem to have some supernatural powers (as well as the shota) .

[cyth]

Spoiler for thoughts on ep 01:

This show is so bad, it's not even funny anymore. I mean, the transformation and attack sequences with waterfalls are such a misplaced concept; the art is quite distasteful; the animation is really so-so (I really have nothing nice to say about it). The story is a really simple one, but can anyone really expect any magical feeling from it if it has... sewage waterfall Kuro Rori transformations? I'm usually a fan of moe shows, but this was just disappointing. At least the girls were cute.

More thoughts and a summary of episode 01 here.

[mintyfresh]

I just watched this show yesterday myself, and..

Spoiler for ..is this even a spoiler..?:

it wasn't that bad. Granted, it wasn't that good either, but maybe it's because of the fact that I was going into the show expecting to hate it that I'm not crying bloody murder right now.

Or maybe it's because of Fukui Yukari. Man, I am a sucker for her voice.

I think I'll watch a couple more eps of this.. every now and then.

[IchiKyo]

I just watched it today and as for myself

Spoiler:

I don't think that too bad... except the Horrible Opening T_T, if this thing is really the Wheel Of Fortune... then, forget it... Even if the animation was horrible and too many Light Color... It's not bad, i like it... I just love how the Tarot Card are used... And the mix of Japan/England Universe... Those Girls are not bad... The Cast are really new for me... I wait for next... Good Suprise, nothing to add

I Think i'll watch more Episodes for have a better opinion... But it's not too bad for me...

[SinsI]

I, for once, quite enjoyed it. Got strong vibes of Yume Tsukai from it.

[Dragnfly@Gamefaqs]

By my personal rulings I need to give this series "6 episodes or half it's legnth" before I drop it but I'm not holding my breath. I was dissapointed by Akazukin despite liking the characters and this seems no more. It takes more than cute lolis to keep my attention fixed and this episode's flaws far outweighed it's perks. The villains look and sound outright rediculous, which is fine for a camp fest. But the show just reaks of "hey, buy our merchandise" and that's something I tend to hate.

[froinlaven]

Saw the first episode. While I like the character designs of the girls, the plot seems inexplicably dumb. Unless this changes, I probably won't be watching any more of this.

My full impressions.

[Impz]

My summary of Episode 1

Just a point to note, Kotono is mine.

*yes, i am a green haired anime gal fan!* Cheers and enjoy.

[Li Jianliang]

The animation quality fell below my expectations, and the voice acting for Kotono and Natsuki was flat, so I don't think I'll be watching any more of Saint October. The opening sequence was kind of cute, but I still can't get over the goopy stuff spewing from planet balls.

OP Lyrics

[Deathkillz]

first impressions ~ well it wasnt that bad

Spoiler:

seems to go on the plot of "transforming" mahou shoujo to fight evil kinda theme ~ the magic powers comes from the cards and a kid is able to "give" these cards to people...okey and it seems that villians are trying to capture this kid to gain his ability...

animation was about average...but i do find Kotono to be very cute

[Iroha]

I watched the first episode two days ago and I actually liked it. The girls are so cute, I just want to hug Kotono and Natsuki all the time. ^.^

By the way, thanks for the opening lyrics, Li Jianliang! ^_^

[IchiKyo]

*Link Deleted*
The Ep 2 Screencaps

Link will be deleted after summary with Screencaps or when Raw out

[Kaoru Chujo]

Having seen the first two episodes, I enjoyed them but expect to quit after ep3. The wonderful character design of the girls and the little boy might keep me watching, though. The story background is intriguing. And there are some nice humorous aspects. But the stories seem a bit weak to me, at least so far, and the voice acting doesn't do much for me. I look forward to the appearance of a new character played by Kobayashi Yu (Setsuna in Negima).

[Sonhex]

Watched the first two eps, on the one hand I thought it was a kid's show (it's scheduled to air at 9 am in a few weeks) but on the other ep 2 had a bunch of oppai jokes (with animation to match) which left me scratching my head. Some of the humour is hit and miss, like in ep 2 with the Reverse Company woman and oppai TV woman beating up that monster that looked like it escaped from the offices of Studio 4c. Odd. Then there's the transformation sequence which is just so yucky and wierd that I can't fathom where they dreamt that thing up from o.O

Anyway I do like Okama's character designs, the strange flying contraptions and the villains (who seemed to have escaped from a pantomine). The animation is okay if nothing special, but quite distinctive especially the backgrounds.

Oh one thing about ep 2 that made me got wtf....

Spoiler for ep2:

...was when Joshua slapped Konoka for disobeying him. Talk about harsh. I never trusted child-loving priests one bit and Joshua is no different. Especially the way he gives Euan-kun disparaging looks...

Not sure if I'll follow this, but I kind of the like the wierd atmosphere it creates. Like Kaoru Chujo I'll certainly hang around for Misaki to show up as she looks like a moody tomboy.

[Impz]

Episode 2 summary + screenshots

By the way, why is this still under unaired. It's already aired no. By the way, i am

Spoiler:

Extremely annoyed. How can someone slap a green haired neko mimi goth loli. It's wrong.