ALARIS' REVIEWS

18th June 2010
Anime Sampler #1: Stratos 4 (2003), Ultra Maniac (2003), Spiral (2002), Mermaid Melody (2004), Dragon Drive (2002)

Introduction

Welcome to my newest project on The Three Potatoes. I've decided to combine my love of anime, my loathing of poor storytelling, and my harsh judgmental style into a series of super short reviews.

For each sampler, I'll watch the beginning of several anime series, and write a few lines. I've shortened my fifteen minute rule to an even more intolerant limit. If the pilot is terrible, I might not make it past the opening credits. If it's looking good, I might watch the entire series.

I don't think a series needs to immediately impress – I'm a big believer in letting shows mature and find their feet. But I think you can sense the values of a show fairly quickly, and deduce whether it's something you might enjoy, or something you want to set on fire and roll into a pile of ‘Twilight' novels.

Stratos 4 (2003)

Summary: Perky, nubile space cadet earns her stripes.

I knew from the bikini shots in the opening credits that this series wouldn't be to my tastes. I persisted for another 10 minutes before I became irretrievably bored and the fanservice got too in my face. A sci fi misfire for me.

Ultra Maniac (2003)

Summary: Magical girl from a magical world goes undercover in an ordinary high school.

I only made it to 7 minutes before the bland stereotypes became too clumsy for me.

Spiral (2002)

Summary: Aloof, high school boy with exceptional detective skills tries to solve the mystery of his brother's disappearance.

The mood is restrained without being numbing. The main male character is reserved without being overly brooding. The main female characters are strong without being irritatingly feisty or emotionally stunted. The story introduces an ongoing mystery which hopefully won't end in a WTF audience reaction, RahXephon style (2002). Not outstanding, but interesting enough to keep me watching to the end of the first arc.

**

Mermaid Melody (2004)

Summary: Cutesy mermaid princess infiltrates the human world as an ordinary teenager.

I gave this show 6 minutes before the haphazard story and cloyingly ditzy, clutzy heroine did my head in. Maybe suitable for young kids, if you want them to be the painfully pink princess type.

Dragon Drive (2002)

Summary: Unmotivated schoolboy finds meaning and inner strength in a strange, virtual reality fighting game involving dragon avatars.

A fairly ordinary premise, reminiscent of countless other shonen series, including Pokemon (1997). Not terrible, but far from compelling. Maybe suitable for younger primary school kids.

*

Highlight: The Jonathan-Creek-esque concoctions in Spiral.