I's Pure
[Score: 79% = Rent; the second half alone would have been a "Buy". Recommended non-Fantasy Romance Drama animes: Koi Kaze, Lamune, Hanbun no Tsuki ga Noboru Sora, Suzuka, Rumbling Hearts, Hachimitsu to Kuroba II]
- Drama: Med/High (not just the triangle but some real danger elements)
- Comedy: Low (more incompetence of characters than real fun)
- Action: Low/Med (occasional violence, the "stalker" element)
- SciFi: None (plain old earth, normal people)
- Ecchi: Med/Low (girls in underwear but mostly in episode 1, the loli OP sequence, and the "Delusion Diary" omakes, but almost nothing during episodes 2-6)
"God created love, and then the Devil created the cell phone..."
I had been horribly disappointed by the previous release from this story's universe, From I's. Yet, with the manga being kind of famous (and from the same mangaka as two other animes I like, see above) I'm giving this one another chance as a buddy gave this OVA the highest praises... and despite its slow start this is a winner during the second half of this short series.
We're getting the standard romance plot of the late-bloomer boy having a (very) bad start with his idol girl (take this literally) whom he secretly admires from afar, and his comedy relief wingman Teratani trying to bring them together.
As for the Characters: While Itsuki started as the pain in the neck of this show (being a weird combination of naive Yui from Ichigo 100% TV and clingy Hikaru from Kimagure Orange Road (TV)) she soon turns into the most interesting character of the main staff while playing only a side role. Iori-chan looks awfully cute but is really not that bright, falling for the same trick three times in three episodes; the same applies for Ichitaka who always gets beat up when trying to defend Iori. This is once funny, twice acceptable, but boring if repeated in each episode, making me downgrade Series Story (which otherwise was great). And whenever Ichitaka is together alone with one of the girls he will allow whatever incident happening to interrupt their "date", thus irritating not only both girls but the audience as well: When you're right in the middle of a ceremony to make sure you'll be in love with the girl next to you would you actually interrupt that to simply answer your cellphone!? Baka!!! (Yes, that call was important, but still.) This repeated use of the same story elements is the one big design flaw of this series: The comedy elements soon become too predictable to still be funny. Then again, episodes 4 and 5 feature a scene where nothing happens at all - which still is one of the highlights of this story! You have to watch it by yourself to understand.
Technical aspects: The vocals of the OP song are unnerving me, the ED song is plain boring, so low grades for Music. Then again, the visual presentation is excellent, with both Art and Animation doing what has to be done to tell this story (the alcohol scenes were particularly great).
- Episode 1 (weak): Ecchi parade of girls in underwear (think Ichigo 100% TV or Green Green), with lots of perverted boys (including attempted rape in some classroom).
- Episode 2 (nice): Romantic triangle, none of which can be honest with their feelings, and with both girls competing for... their rival to win the boy!
- Episode 3 (weird): Action/drama elements (again including some perversion/violence) with both Iori and Seto acting exceptionally silly but childish-looking Itsuki acting surprisingly mature at times.
- Episode 4 (powerful): Character relation development (introducing a new side character Isozaki Izumi, one more name starting with "I"...), and Iori finally acting a lot less stupid), and several breathtaking moments (closer to Ajimu Kaigan Monogatari now).
- Episode 5 (top): Teratani, Seta, Iori and Yuka go on a double date on Christmas! Prepare for cellphones ringing at the wrong moment.
- Episode 6 (weird) Iori follows her dream, and Ichitaka tries to make the best of it...
This anime has clearly surpassed Ichigo 100% TV in terms of character quality and in the end is closer to Ajimu Kaigan Monogatari or Suzuka, meaning this is much more drama than comedy. And I removed the "Ecchi" keyword from the category list.
Last updated Friday, June 06 2008.
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