So Sunday at the convention, I was hanging out at a dealer's booth of a dealer I'd gotten friendly with. Since I'm trying to expand my list of Anime I've Seen, I asked the dealer what was good. Her first reaction was 'everything on the discount table is crap'. Then she took me over to the main DVD section, asked what I liked, and made two suggestions that I'd already seen - Rune Soldier and Tactics, funnily enough.
Then she suggested Saikano. The boxed set was $139, I got it for about $40. It's a deal that can't be beat. I asked around a little, and kept hearing passed along information. It was very depressing, it was very sad, not for the faint of heart, etc etc.
Last night, I decided I'd watch an episode or two before going to bed. Six episodes later, my eyes are burning and my legs are aching and I can barely think but I want to watch more. I am hooked. This series is amazing. it is depressing and sad and chock-full of material that would make a lot of people uncomfortable, but I love it. I haven't been this grabbed by an anime in ages.
The premise is pretty simple. There's a massive world war going on and Chise, a seventeen year old high school girl, becomes the ultimate weapon that the military believes will bring Japan safety and victory. But what I love about this series is that while most teenager-becomes-world-saving-thing have a happy, cute balance between Savior-life and home-life, this doesn't. This is realistic in showing the struggles that Chise goes through to be the Ultimate Weapon, keep it a secret, and try to have a normal life.
I'm going to finish this one soon, I think. And? Chise just rocketed to the top of the list of Characters I Want To Apply For. I want to play her so, so badly. She is an amazing character, and I love her. Shuji as well.
Anyway, definitely recommend Saikano if you like the gritty, touching and mildly disturbing.
Then she suggested Saikano. The boxed set was $139, I got it for about $40. It's a deal that can't be beat. I asked around a little, and kept hearing passed along information. It was very depressing, it was very sad, not for the faint of heart, etc etc.
Last night, I decided I'd watch an episode or two before going to bed. Six episodes later, my eyes are burning and my legs are aching and I can barely think but I want to watch more. I am hooked. This series is amazing. it is depressing and sad and chock-full of material that would make a lot of people uncomfortable, but I love it. I haven't been this grabbed by an anime in ages.
The premise is pretty simple. There's a massive world war going on and Chise, a seventeen year old high school girl, becomes the ultimate weapon that the military believes will bring Japan safety and victory. But what I love about this series is that while most teenager-becomes-world-saving-thing have a happy, cute balance between Savior-life and home-life, this doesn't. This is realistic in showing the struggles that Chise goes through to be the Ultimate Weapon, keep it a secret, and try to have a normal life.
I'm going to finish this one soon, I think. And? Chise just rocketed to the top of the list of Characters I Want To Apply For. I want to play her so, so badly. She is an amazing character, and I love her. Shuji as well.
Anyway, definitely recommend Saikano if you like the gritty, touching and mildly disturbing.