hontou ni
10Dec/098

Asura Cryin’ – Not enough lolis

While that is my short answer for feeling a little underwhelmed 4 episodes into Season 1, it is but merely a small bit of the whole truth. Having picked up the series in part due to an enlightening exchange between Zyl and an esteemed fellow 2D fan (whom I shall honorify as Ray-chin for now :P ) on AC, I can only assume it gets better after ep 4 or has a stronger run during Season 2.

There is no doubt that Asura Cryin’ has an intriguing premise. I, for one, am tremendously interested in discovering more of the AC world with its machinas, dark apocalyptic foreshadowings and tripartite factions of dubious agenda. Interweave a potential love triangle into the complex AS world and we should have an absorbing show filled with action, mystery, romance and drama. However, for this tanuki, there are 2 barriers to realizing that enjoyment.

1. We need better bishoujos.

It’s sad that I care a lot more for Aine than Misao and Kanade even though she has received much less airtime. I know many would attribute tanuki loli-leanings to such a claim but Misao and Kanade simply came across as generic, not only in their character design but personality. Of course I admit being partial to tragic lolis in sweet-lolita outfits but Aine has shown much more personality in her brief exchange with Natsume and Reishirou’s flashback.

2. We need souls for the characters.

I called for a temporary halt at ep 4 because I was troubled by how cardboard a character Natsume was. Well, what would YOU do if you found a comrade passed out at your doorstep from critical injuries? Why of course you blindfold yourself and treat her with your non-medical skills while accidentally copping a feel or two!? Is that what a normal person would do? There are more examples in the first 3 eps but my beef in summary is – I don’t feel the souls of the main 3 characters.

I’m probably too harsh, too impatient on the series. After all it’s only 4 eps and the characters have been barely flesh out. But I can’t shake off that sense of dread especially when AS is generally poorly regarded by the MAL populace. I particularly found the opening line of the top review amusing –

Someone will undoubtedly be cryin' during this anime and it will be you for watching it.

While I don’t agree with much of the review, it DID hit several well-placed nails mercilessly that I concur in my 4 seen episodes. It doesn’t help that I have inadvertently been spoiled about the end for Season 1 which apparently removes one of the KEY reasons for persevering on the show.

Either way, it looks like I’d be either crying for time lost or loli lost by the end of Season 1. Onward for Aine’s sake!

Related posts:

  1. Asura Cryin EX014
  2. Asura Cryin EX017
  3. Asura Cryin EX015

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  1. runemasterx@gmail.com
    December 10th, 2009 - 01:40

    If it makes you feel inclined to watch a bit more, episode 8 introduces the token loli of the show. Also the later parts of S2 sorta picks up the slack from S1 (puts stuff together into a semi-coherent story) but then suffers pacing and QUALITY issues right afterwards.

    ( REPLY )
    • Stripey
      December 11th, 2009 - 12:26

      Hmm sounds like an uneven series? I guess I’ll push on with S1 for Aine’s sake and hold for the reaction for S2 when it ends. Thanks for the highlight!

      ( REPLY )
  2. Aorii
    December 10th, 2009 - 01:50

    Haha, I fully agree with you here. AS introduced elements of almost every genre, and proceeds to neither explain nor seriously develop any of them. The only thing lasting for me regarding this show is its awesome OP and a joke (which also bashes it).

    I believe some blogger once categorized AS as a “show to watch if you’re too busy” since it’ll satisfy craving for every genre…

    ( REPLY )
    • Stripey
      December 11th, 2009 - 12:30

      Heh, the mix of genre don’t really bother me as much as the development of the plot/characters. Of course it’s too early for a fair gauge but going by the flat interaction between the characters, it’s worrying.

      ( REPLY )
  3. Zyl
    December 11th, 2009 - 11:16

    Aine is a worthy character to sustain your interest and the finale of the first season will not disappoint you if you’re an Aine shipper. Unlike, say Index, the full potential of her story gets appropriate development.

    Misao is a great character – I really can’t see how she can described as ‘generic’ with great justice. She is one of the few cheerful characters that I can tolerate and even like very much – mostly because she does so to support and guide Tomo in spite of and because of her own tragedy and their bounded dilemma.

    ( REPLY )
    • Stripey
      December 11th, 2009 - 12:48

      It looks like I’ll at least complete the series for Aine. :)

      Unlike Aine whom I feel for, Misao doesn’t come across quite as tragic as yet. Maybe partly compounded by my notion that she hasn’t got a clue (like Tomo) what’s going on just yet. It doesn’t help that her interaction with Tomo so far has been sub-standard osananajimi fare – flat and uninspiring.

      As mentioned, I probably need to give the bishoujos more time. Nonetheless, I think personality-wise the girls of AS needs a rework regardless of their tragic circumstances. Best if they leverage on it like Aine, else it’d just be a squander of a promising scenario.

      ( REPLY )
      • Zyl
        December 11th, 2009 - 15:18

        It never ceases to surprise me how we can see the same series/chara so differently. For me, Aine is the the one who is substandard loli-itouko fare – pandering and melodramatic. At least from your writing I can understand why you like her- though only intellectually and not emotionally.

      • Stripey
        December 11th, 2009 - 18:49

        Heh, bro, our differences are more the exception rather than the norm. :)

        Our standards for assessing anime is surprisingly similar if you delve deeper (yes, the Dark Stripey vampire in you is strong…). The deep divides are more often caused by fluctuating moods/eccentric mindsets that we suffer from occasionally while catching 2D. Our tastes in women are more stark though.

        The disparity here is probably due our separate progress in the series. I see from the ep 4 platform while you formulate from a further vantage. I hope to be won over to your side too (not the Aine perspective but for Misao hopefully :P ).

        Will share my thoughts again at the end of S1 :)


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