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ローゼンメイデン 
OP Theme: 「Nobody Knows」 by Shikao Suga - AVI version (29.5MB)
I didn't actually want to cover this or at least, I wanted to wait until the widescreen version is out so I don't have to endure the cropped screens. Unfortunately the widescreen version is not going to be available until 3 weeks later and I've always wanted to say a few things about this arc ever since I read the manga a few years ago. Anyway, the first episode is okay, I guess. I don't know why I expected marginal improvement. I just think PIG (Production I.G) can do better than this. I think the problem lies in the design conversion from manga to anime. xxxHOLiC is one of those manga that uses minimal shading for its character design. While it serves its purpose in making the manga looks stylistic and simple, it doesn't really work well in anime. Before I go further, I must apologize for the lack of summary on this entry. I'm really not in the mood to write one at the moment and just want to get my impression across. I'll try to add it in later on if I have the time.
Impression:
First, let me continue my rant about the graphical quality of this adaptation. I just want to get it out of my system. I hate that PIG chooses washed-out color palettes which have the tendency not looking good without any kind of shading. I think the series could be so much better but it's not and it really annoys me because the story is actually interesting. To compound matters, the long limbs which plagues CLAMP's design ever since Tsubasa Chronicle looks really bad animated. It's like watching Olive Oyl from Popeye the Sailor Man all over again. On a more positive side, the soundtracks (or rather, the OP/ED theme) are as good as usual. I've like Suga Shikao since I heard Evening Rain in Boogiepop Phantom and this song is not an exception. I'm not too familiar with SEAMO but their music style is quite similar to other recent J-POP groups that I listen to lately. The singers' voice are not as distinct and powerful as Ketsumeishi but it's not generic either and that's a good thing.
Story-wise, the second series started out strongly by adapting the Jorougumo/Spider's Grudge arc. This arc is basically when things start to unravel for Doumeki, Watanuki, and later on, Himawari. Doumeki is an interesting character because at first he has no need whatsoever for Yuuko's store. He believes that he is capable of solving any problem that comes to him without relying on supernatural wish. The consequence of this is that he is unable to see Yuuko's store. Because of this, I used to think that Yuuko's store is only for those weak-minded people who have no conviction in what they can do on their own. However, as Doumeki (and later on, Himawari) get drawn deeper and deeper into Watanuki's supernatural world, they have no choice but to see that there are circumstances that they can't control. Or rather, they can control it but the consequences/payment for it is very high. Because certain things like the life and death of a person is one of the few things that must not be taken lightly. This is where Yuuko's store comes into service.
The Spider's Grudge is an interesting arc because it shows that if creatures like Spiders had the ability to do so, they'd probably inflict it on those who have caused harm to them. In general, Spiders' existence is problematic for human beings. Despite the fact that they do maintain the ecosystem by consuming other insects that causes problem for us, their shape, appearance, and ability are very off-putting for humans. I certainly can't entertain the idea of living in co-existence with one. If there is one in my house then I want to make sure that it is gone as soon as possible. Because I like to go jogging late at night around 6/7PM, I usually bump into sticky spider web when I go through some of the leafy area in the park. I can't help but being disgusted by it and the idea of sharing my room with the creature that produces that substance is very off-putting. So I usually make sure that despite my disgust for them, I kill them swiftly. There's no point of getting them out of the building because they'll just populate and produces more of their breathen.
Anyway, this being CLAMP, of course they can't resist letting one of characters sacrificing his own eyes for another character. In CLAMP's world, giving eyeball (or other body part) is like forming strong bond between two characters 0_x; If you don't believe me, you can ask Seishirou from X, Kurogane from Tsubasa Chronicle, and now Watanuki. The relationship between characters in xxxHOLiC is not as insular as those in other series though (where one character is mostly pre-occupied with the life/death of one other character) so this kind of "please, take my limbs" sacrifice comes from all directions. It becomes rather amusing (and touching, of course) when later on, everyone races to help Watanuki. It's like they go "Please, take my limbs" and another goes "No, take mine instead". Anyway, I'll be interested to see how this goes especially since the anime has been ignoring the crossover with Tsubasa Chronicle and there is a major resolution that depends heavily on the involvement from one character from that series. I don't see how they can alter that without altering the story in major way.
Quiz Time:
If I see spider I:
a) have no problem with sharing space with them.
b) yelp and flail around.
c) silently shivering and crying inside, hoping it'll go away the next day.
d) ask someone to do something about it.
e) locate my spine, grab an easy-to-discard item like newspaper (or in the case of a big spider, poison strong enough to kill it without putting myself in close proximity), and send that abomination of a creature back to where they belong: HELL.
ED Theme: 「Honey Honey」 by SEAMO feat. AYUSE KOZUE - AVI version (10.8MB)
Preview
You should do this more often (less summary, more impression).
It's about time a new anime show came to this site, thanks for putting it on here. I hope ANOTHER anime show comes soon...
I was disappointed when you decided not to blog this. I agree the animation is not good but that's not a reflection on the series itself.
You should do this more often (less summary, more impression).
Well, I can't really rant about the series on every single episode entry.
PS. Hyourinmaru, sorry, I accidentally deleted your comment. I was trying to delete the extra/repeated comments. Sorry for the slowdown guys. I notice that people end up pressing the submit button many times. I'm trying to figure out what's causing it.
I don't get why people like this show. Just because it's Clamp, doesn't mean it's good.
Lefthand, have you tried to watch it? It's not as stylish as other series but the storyline *is* interesting.
I am really looking forward to the 2nd season of xxxholic. I must admit that in the beginning I really didn't like the artwork but I have to say the stories and content are really good and have deeper meanings than your typical animes.
lol, I didn't even bother checking out. It's kinda sad how none of the recent clamp mangas are getting proper treatment despite their high popularity.
Yes overall the graphical quality is really annoying, can't really enjoy the show without being upset about it. Cross-over wise, like what you said they really cannot avoid it any longer. And if I recalled correctly, the manga chapter had a Tsubasa cross over, I recognized Yuuko's attire (the one with the red lily in her hair) - she wore that while conversing with the Tsubasa gang through Mokona. (Manga readers should know)
Oh well at least we have a nice OP/ED to enjoy though they're shadows of the 1st season's OP/ED. (Mokonas!)
I don't get why people like this show. Just because it's Clamp, doesn't mean it's good.
If you mean the anime you have every right to say so, but I do like xxxHolic's storyline.
"If I see spider I:"
usually I try to get a plastic container to catch it then throw it outside.
"lol, I didn't even bother checking out. It's kinda sad how none of the recent clamp mangas are getting proper treatment despite their high popularity."
It's CLAMP. Why bother trying when the fans will flock to it regardless?
>> Sorry for the slowdown guys. I notice that people end up pressing the submit button many times. I'm trying to figure out what's causing it.
My guess? Your server is not strong enough for the amount of people that flock here everyday. I'd consider getting dedicated server.
Still haven't seen this. I agree the animation looks as bad as the 1st season.
But spider can be cute too....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTbHpV_zFjE
(Warning, contain jumping spiders)
I'm looking forward to see this spider arc also. (Mostly because I really like to see certain female character with Watanuki XD)
Hey Garten, this doesn't have anything to do with xxxHolic but I thought I'd inform you in case you didn't hear. I know you're not that into j-dramas that much but Ueno Juri and Eita are in another drama together again this season called "Last Friends." Check it out if you have the chance.
My answer is a.
I agree with the art style completely. It just puts me off, to see the tiny head and the extremely long arms and legs...
Umm.. also >_
The answer is (e). :P
It's quite understandable that Production I.G weren't able to maintain the same animation quality as the HOLiC and Tsubasa movies and OAD, but it's hard to see why they can't keep the same consistency as their other TV series e.g. Seirei no Moribito and Ghost in the Shell TV. Having a different team of staff shouldn't be that much of an excuse. Madhouse studio suffered from the same thing too. Is budget deliberately set aside for assumingly "better" projects e.g. Death Note versus Strawberry Panic? :/
"It's like watching Olive Oyl from Popeye the Sailor Man all over again."
Ohkawa-sensei (CLAMP's mob boss ^^) has previously told Director Mizushima to reassess the character designs as one of the formers' demands, presumably proposed before Kei started production. Heck, even CLAMP are bothered by the long bodies and limbs. It looks like there's a slight improvement in the chara design (if you stare long enough), but they still look jarring. Oh well, one thing I'm honestly glad about Kei is that Director Mizushima has kept his end of the bargain in having the Anime's story follow the Manga as closely as possible (even considering certain frame shots which appeared in the Manga panels).
I do actually like xxxHolic, despite all the disapproving comments about. It is true that the anime animation is bad, but I can put up with it at least. The colors are more of a annoyance but that can't be helped either.
Seems like PIG has a "Mysterious/Semi horror" thing in mind when drawing animation.
BUT, if you can put of with all that, the storyline is quite interesting, DIFFERENT maybe.
Spiders... personally, I don't mind some species, wolf spiders for instance, because they keep a lot of the bugs away and don't tend to web up every nice corner they find. Others, particularly the ones that tend to hide when I go look at them, are just up to no good. If they are trying to get in my bed, I definitely will send them on an adventure to the middle of the yard or in a tree where birds congregate in morning.... every morning ^^
So there will be a WS version, I may just wait for that. I never realized that washed look was from the studio, as I thought it was the broadcast quality. Good things to know.
I can’t wait for more anime shows like Nijuu Mensou no Musume, Kyouran Kazoku Nikki, Golgo 13, Soul Eater, Wagaya no Oinari-sama, Zettai Karen Children, Blassreiter, Itazura na Kiss, Kurenai, To Love-ru, Allison & Lillia, RD (Real Drive) Sennou Chousashitsu, Crystal Blaze, Kaiba, Toshokan Sensou, Kyouran Kazoku Nikki, 20 Mensou no Musume, Kyou Kara Mao 3rd Season, Kirarin Revolution Season 3, Neo Angelique Abyss, and Himitsu: Top Secret. I hope you get all these anime shows on this SOON…
my answer is e.
yes garten, will u look into blogging about the j-drama 'last friends'?
mousey, Jess, I'll try to review the 1st episode at least. :D Mizukawa Asami is there as well. It's like Nodame reunion.....except one without Tamaki Hiroshi.....
The girl reminds me of Emma Ai from Hell Girl.
Combo of all except E. Or scoop it up with a paper and toss it outside.
ok, where is all the spider stuff that everyone is referring to? all i recall from episode one is, those are obnoxiously huge boobs, the ribbon is butt ugly worn on the front of the kimono, and yuuko's clearly rika's seiyuu from honey and clover. was surprised when i checked her credits that she had such a long list, and i really never paid her any mind in any role except h&c. made me laugh to think she was the freaky store owner in bamboo blade (hey, garten, there's a series you should be watching... oh wait.. maybe you already are and i managed to miss your comments).
the voice acting for the brats w/ mouse ears is downright annoying. if they want to know how to make puffy shorts cute, they should copy utena.
anyway, i'm only watching more of this because of garten, and as first episodes go, i've seen worse. but if this is a comedy, i don't recall a single snort.
sorry if this comes across a lot like trolling. it's my honest impression.
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