ALARIS' REVIEWS

19th June 2010
Anime Sampler #2: Naruto (2002), Gasaraki (1998), Mai-HiME (2004), Harukanaru Toki No Naka De Hachiyosho (2004), Legend of Basara (1998)

Welcome to the second instalment of my Anime Sampler series.

Naruto (2002)

Summary: A boy prodigy trainee ninja goes on dangerous missions.

Naruto seems to be one of those popular shonen animes mentioned in the same breath as Bleach (2004), but aimed at a younger audience. Some of Naruto is pretty juvenile, but the pilot is actually reasonably well put together. There's a tidy introduction, character revelation, and plot twists.

Unfortunately, the series lacks subtlety, the characters aren't deeply interesting, and it's a bit immature for me, but primary school kids might enjoy it if they're not looking for strong female role models.

*

Gasaraki (1998)

Summary: Military experiments…arms race…some kind of dance…really, it just lost me.

Five minutes into the pilot, we're still wading through cryptic, military talking heads. Ten minutes in and I still had no idea what the premise of the series is supposed to be. After half an episode of military men talking technobabble, I lost interest and switched off.

Mai-HiME (2004)

Summary: Ordinary schoolgirl and her sickly brother start at a new high school. Something something magical sword. Something something perverted schoolboys.

I was told that people who like Fruits Basket (2001) might like Mai-HiME. Despite the fact that I was appalled by Fruits Basket, I was still willing to give this series a go. I gave it half an episode, but I should have stopped when the first schoolgirl squealed ‘Pervert!'

The gender politics of Mai-HiME seem to be the same as Fruits Basket, with accidental breast squeezing in place of accidental hugging. Perhaps the series improves, but any anime series with an opening like this doesn't get a second episode from me.

Harukanaru Toki No Naka De Hachiyosho (2004)

Summary: Ordinary schoolgirl falls into a magical fantasy realm, where she is the destined priestess of the Dragon God, with a posse of devoted male protectors.

I heard this was based on some kind of shoujo dating sim, and I think the premise says it all. The heroine is timid, helpless and devoid of charm. The guardians are equally forgettable, distinguishable in the pilot only by their hair. Think a very functionally written Mary Sue, or Fushigi Yugi (1995) without the humour, no da.

Legend of Basara (1998)

Summary: In an impoverished, feudal alternative future, a teenage girl must impersonate her murdered brother, and lead a rebellion against the brutal dictatorship.

Legend of Basara is an old classic, and it's easy to see why. The opening episode creates a convincing sense of history and urgency, and the heroine, Sarasa, is quickly established as both flawed and sympathetic. Sarasa is courageous and resourceful, and matures enormously in the space of the first episode.

There's a suite of sensible mentor figures, who give genuinely good advice. While Legend of Basara isn't overflowing with whimsy or thrilling plot twists, there's meaningful tragedy, gutsy heroics, and moments of gentle connection. A worthwhile epic with an active, self respecting heroine.

**+

Highlight: Legend of Basara, when Sarasa's mentor gives her the advice ‘Never be subservient'. (Take note, Fruits Basket)