November 29, 2003
Lunar Legend Tsukihime Episode 01
"Reversal Impulse"
I think this is the first show I've seen where characters' (non-sunglasses) glasses subtly tint a character's face. Not saying it's the first, but it's the first I've seen. Or maybe I've just never noticed it before.
That should be enough to base a review on this show, right?
I can't remember the last anime that left me with as much of a "what the heck is going on?" feeling as this one. I can't really try to explain the plot, because it drifts from weird, fantasylike dream sequences to graphic murder shots to everyday life at school. There is one thing that ties it all together, though, and that is the slow, methodical pacing of the show. This really adds to the mystery of the show, which is good, because frequently slow-paced anime just tends to drag on needlessly, without enhancing the end product.
Also adding to the sparse, dreamlike feel of the show is the music, which is very laid back, fleeting and nostalgic. The whole show feels like it has been fuzzed out a bit, which also helps with the presentation, which is almost universally top notch. The art and animation is very good, screaming high production values.
I'm grateful that unlike most shows, Shingetsutan Tsukihime's first episode feels like the beginning of a story, instead of a forced, one-shot episode used to introduce a few main characters.
Though I have no idea what's going on, or even what kind of show this is, its understated style has definitely piqued my curiousity for the next installment.
Rating: B+
Posted by Kei at November 29, 2003 01:04 PM