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The plot of Eden of the East is thickening... with all the speed of a receding glacier. Ignoring for the moment that we are all mortal and have things to do other than sit around and see how a television show develops, you still don’t need 3 episodes to tell the amount of story that has been told thus far. Pacing should not always be quick, but you should do something with each minute of air time. I was intrigued by the workings of the Selecao and the Supporters and all that good stuff. Why not focus on that more?

Akira steals the detective’s badge after an altercation.

At least this episode does expand on that story. Saki bows out, leaving Akira with a not very subtly written note that made me laugh. Akira and the detective, Kondo, meet again. Desperate for some cash, Kondo beats the living hell out of Akira and steals his phone, only to find that the money alloted to Akira can only be used by him. Kondo is royally screwed, and has a run-in with his wife that leaves him in bad shape. I like the underlying darkness to this secret society, which (as you’ve seen) will murder bystanders with no hesitation. Sadly the episode ends just as things get exciting. Hopefully episode 4 will pick up the pace.

(Archive)

I touched on adaptations in one of my blurbs on Valkyria Chronicles but I’d like to revisit the topic now. I’m not of the opinion that all adaptations are pointless and you should just enjoy the original. Adaptations can bring a lot to a work—just look to David Fincher’s Fight Club. Quiz Magic Academy commits the crime that so many other adaptations have before: it tries too hard to ride on the capital of the original without justifying its own existence. A good adaptation uses the strength of its medium to tell a story a different way. Quiz Magic Academy barely tells a story. It’s worse than being bad, or falling short of fulfilling its intention. It has no intention, no meta-purpose, and therefore provides no reason for anyone to watch it.

Yeah, it’s like that.

I chose not to do a full review on this OVA because there just isn’t anything there. That’s pretty damning criticism in itself. But despite what I write, this OVA will inevitably find an audience. The kind of person who enjoys Quiz Magic Academy is impervious to what critics have to say about anything. They will glide through life blissfuly unaware of the abominations that show up in all media. And they will also be oblivious of those moments when a piece of art connects—when it just works and others know they’ve seen something amazing. Quiz Magic Academy isn’t good or bad. It’s nowhere on the spectrum, which is why I can’t give it a score. It is a commodity product, about as interesting as a washing machine or a vacuum cleaner. Normally I abhor the cynical, deconstructionist view of media, but I will use it here in the most acerbic way possible: this OVA is just pictures on a screen.

As for site stuff, the Boogiepop Phantom review is a ways off as I have yet to wrap my head around the damned thing. I will continue my Eden of the East write-ups but probably stop on Valkyria Chronicles. Rightning Round 6 will begin whenever I finish Valkyria (the game).

(Archive)

Episode 6 is a comedy/filler type episode. I generally dislike filler, but this one was lively and decently funny. It also helped me to realize that Valkyria Chronicles is not so much about war as it is about repeatedly humiliating Alicia. Bringing Irene Ellet into the mix spiced things up for Squad 7. Irene is a reported with a hankering for some interview time with Welkin, while Alicia is perpetually worried that what Welkin says would embarrass the militia. Of course, she also has to keep Squad 7’s idiosynchratic members in line.

Most of the series thus far has been about Alicia getting kicked in the ovaries.

I think these light comedy moments are refreshing after a bunch of blasé episodes about combat. It’s kind of weird that Alicia has such an antagonistic relationship with Welkin, though. Irene snooping around Squad 7 was entertaining at the least. She isn’t a Mary Sue, which is good. And Jann is hilarious. The whole thing about him getting in a fight with men and then enjoying it is coarse and obvious but it still makes me chuckle. The beat with Marina pondering the fate of the anomalous winged pig also made me smile.

I’m not sure if I should go on covering this series, as I’m not sure whether this is the halfway point or not. Anime News Network seems to indicate a 13 episode run, whereas Wikipedia says it will be 26 (but only shows 13 planned). So... if you don’t see episode 7 any time next week, wait for the full review I guess.

(Archive)

Eden of the East is takes a little too long to get to the point for my tastes, but the second episode continues to set up a few mysteries. Akira’s mysterious stalker appears, a middle-aged man with the same phone as him. Akira and Saki arrive in Japan after a missile attack. They follow Akira’s phone to his home. I am interested in this noblesse oblige, and I’m also interested in where the 9/11 references will go, but episode 2 hasn’t delivered on these things yet.

Yusei Kondo, a man with the same phone as Akira.

I think the problem is that Akira is too lackadaisical, and as a result the story appears a bit too light for the setting. A guy with no memories, who finds out his home was nearly destroyed in a missile attack, would not be so easygoing in my mind. And think about it: what have we really learned about the fictional world since episode 1? Japan was attacked by missiles, Akira has no memory, and is involved in a secret organization... and that’s about it. If we are not asked to reflect on any additional plot points (there are none) or imagery, then why stretch these bullet points out into 2 episodes? This frankly should be first act material.

(Archive)

Episode 5 begins in media res, with Squad 7 and Squad 1 about to besiege an Imperial HQ. Welkin, armed with knowledge of an obscure animal trail, devises a risky plan to draw the main defenses away with the Edelweiss and have a splinter force attack from the side. The rest of the episode is... pretty much just them carrying out the plan. There isn’t much context to show where this all fits in the bigger picture.

Largo is perhaps... compensating.

This is another Faldio/Alicia centered episode. Poor Alicia, people mess with her way too much. She’s shown to be a capable soldier as long as she can suppress her fears. Faldio, of course, is not shaken by many things (except his sausage-fest of a squad). Meanwhile, Welkin ducks out until the end, where he orders his forces not to pursue the enemy. I’m sure there’s some Chinese proverb about a retreating tiger still being able to bite your head off. The point is, his decision is wise, and we have yet another reason to like Welkin.

I think some continuity between story arcs would be nice. I really want to like this show, but that alone doesn’t make up for it not being very well written to begin with.

(Archive)