November 28, 2003
Kimi Ga Nozomu Eien Episode 03
If there's one thing pretty much every anime series lacks, in my opinion, it's an overall sense of pacing and continuity of theme. Kiminozo definitely suffers from this, as the scenes of the restaurant are so over-the-top and ridiculous, they really take away from the overall package and texture of the show. (I know many disagree with me about this, as bouts of random insanity can almost be said to be a hallmark of anime.)
Ignoring these moments, the show succeeds as a slice of life romantic drama. We've always known that Mitsuki had feelings for Narumi, and with the tragic accident that put Suzumiya in a coma (and the passing of a few years), she has her opportunity to be with him. Of course, she feels like she is betraying her friend, and seeks Narumi's approval for their relationship, "Is it all right for me to be with you?"
One thing that strikes me as odd is Mitsuki's character, three years removed from the start of the show. My initial impression was that Suzumiya was the stereotypical, shy girl, and Mitsuki was the tomboyish, loud one. However, Mitsuki's manner now is omre like Suzumiya, generally very apologetic and almost submissive (especially to Narumi). Maybe this is caused by her feelings of guilt, or some measure of depression she's going through. The easier answer is that it's just easier to write a character like that, then an opinionated woman who knows what she wants.
That's a fairly minor niggling, as the other parts of the show all come together well. I hope that as we move along, we see less and less of the restaurant antics, and more of our two main characters, which really is an exceptionally good and original love story.
Rating: A-
Posted by Kei at November 28, 2003 12:05 PM