Eureka Seven AO

     Eureka Seven AO is the follow up the the 2005 mecha series Eureka Seven. Eureka Seven has its own fair share of problems, from the story that didn't know what it was doing, senseless plot twist, and mediocre animation. Even with all of these faults, I still really enjoyed the original series. It was fun mecha show with some sloppy handling by Bones, but I still liked it. AO hasn't done anything too offensive yet, but it has potential to surpass the original based on the first two episodes.

      Eureka Seven AO follows the same approach as the original, and makes sure the viewer has no clue what the fuck is going on initially. Eureka Seven is about air boarding robots called IFOs, but the main focus is place on the characters, and the romance that develops between them. It helped elevate the series from a typical and mediocre mecha series, into something that was special. A flawed gem of sorts. AO starts with the scub appearing, and Japan and China are at hostile terms it seems. The new series seems to be following suite, and focuses on a boy named Ao, who is a more likable version of Renton. Ao's mother left him years ago, and his father was never around. His mother is also a woman with turquoise hair, and used to pilot an IFO that looks like the Nirvash. If you haven't realized it yet, his mother is going to be Eureka. It's quite obvious, but I've always believed that it's better to only give the viewer info that is needed, instead of just giving them pointless exposition. Just like original, there's a girl for the boy to fall in love, even if she has a hideously deformed head, which is the size of of planets. She also requires oxygen therapy, and is linked the the new Nirvash. The series feels more like a retelling of the original, but like they're trying to do it right and put more thought into it.

Look at that head. LOOK AT IT!

     The show also makes sure the viewer is not fully aware of what's going on. The first episode only works if it is watched with the second episode back-to-back. The first two episodes feel like they were written together, and split into two for broadcast, which was most likely the case. I was hostile to the first episode until I watched the second episode which did it a ton of favors.

     Another thing similar to the original is the animation quality. The designs and scenes are consistent, with no major animation errors, but it's not so good. The animation is actually kind of flat, and feels very cheap. Compared to Hyouka, which is stunning, AO feels very poor in comparison. It doesn't get in the way of the combat, where it seems most of the budget has been placed.The animation isn't too bad and gets the job done, but it leaves something to be desired. The art and character designs are good, and practical. The Nirvash has also had an "edgy" recolour to look more "hardcore."

     The music has always been a major part of the Eureka Seven series, and is again a big factor. A lot of time has been put into the score, which is well done. The score sets the tone for the scene perfectly, and is draws the viewer in. It's not special like Tsuritama's score, but it gets the job done well. Each episode also follows the tradition of being named after a famous song, and has a slew of musical references scattered throughout. The opening is also catchy, and fits the mood of the show.

    Overall, I would recommend Eureka Seven AO to fans of the original series. The show has potential to surpass the original. If you didn't watch the original series, then you'll probably be put off by the lack of an explanation for already established terms, and mediocre animation. I will be adding this series to my weekly watch list.

Let's Solve the Hyouka Mystery

      Hyouka is the new mystery series by KyoAni studios, and is based on a series of novels I never read. KyoAni also worked on Haruhi, Lucky Star, and K-on!, which happen to be three series I never completed. Haruhi I kind of liked and should pick up again, but the other two were not the kind of tone I enjoy, and embodied most of what I hate about Japanese animation. I'm not a fan of "cute girls doing cute things," unless there's some genuine comedy there. Comedy is purely subjective, but both series were boring, and seemed to rely on the fact the the leads were cute girls. Hyouka is a mystery show on the other hand, and is right up my alley in theory. Hyouka has a major problem with the execution of the series.

      Hyouka is about a boy name Houtarou, whom doesn't do what he doesn't have to do. He's kind of angsty, but it's not typical "crawling in my skin," angst that puts me off of a series. He just does what he has to, and it then on his way. It's actually semi-realistic, because there are loads of people who do what they have to and then call it a day. He also doesn't like joining clubs, and is smart. He joins the classic literature club at the request of his sister. At the club he meets Chitanda, a young girl, whom is very curious about mysteries. Houtarou is taken by Chintanda, and starts to solve mysteries, because he likes her. His friend Satoshi joins as well, who is in a lot of clubs, and may be a homosexual. Together they solve some mysteries. That's pretty much it for the first episode of the series, which has its fair share of problems.

     One of the problems is that Hyouka is poorly written, and has terrible mysteries in the first episode. The mysteries may get better, but the first episode has very little to offer in terms of characters and plot. The mysteries in this episode could be solved by Nancy Drew's mentally challenged cousin, and the characters have very little personality. I don't want to spoil the twist, but I solved them almost as soon as they were mentioned. Encyclopedia Brown puts this episode to shame. The characters also have very little to offer outside of moving the plot. None of them have much of a personality, besides there one trait. This is the first episode, so they probably will develop over time. The writing is made up for in one aspect, which is the how pretty this show is.

The series does have strange imagery.

     The series is beautiful. The animation is so pretty and nice that it makes up for the whole show. The animation is the saving grace of the series. The series looks fluid, and the characters often move in little ways that really draw one in. I have said it before, but most Japanese cartoons have bad animation, but Hyouka bitch slaps that assumption in the face. The series looks really, really good. There are also some really strange and creative visuals. I would like to see if the series looks continuously well done, or if there's a drop in quality in the middle. If it goes the way of this episode, we may have on the finest animated television series to come out of Japan in a while.

     Overall, I have mixed feelings on Hyouka. The first episode has terrible mysteries, and a cast of one note characters, but the series has potential. The creative visuals, great animation, and potential for good mysteries is going to keep me coming back to this one. It's hard to recommend Hyouka, for anything but the visuals, but it is a series to keep a passing eye on.