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Rating: 3/5

Original post with images

Kure-nai remains one of the most interesting anime to have come out this season, not due to the fact that it has any overt qualities like Soul Eater’s trippy animation or the draw of epic battle and plot, but because it’s an understated series which is deeply moody and straightforwardly enjoyable. If the first episode is a good indicator of things to come, then this series will be a soothing presence in the otherwise frenetic line-up this season. Although I wouldn’t describe it as particularly gripping or emotive, the first episode presented a very well-produced series with a dark, languid atmosphere that was very pleasant to sit back and watch after a busy day. Brains Base, in their third series, looks like they won’t be slipping up and disappointing me just yet. I loved their work on Baccano! and Kamichu a lot, and when I discovered that they were doing this show my anticipation for it changed and intensified. I went from wanting to watch for the cute loli, to wanting to watch because I knew it was going to be a unique and impressive production.

The animation is crisp and very detailed, and combined with detailed character designs, gives the show a mature look, which especially helps to accentuate Kuhoin’s childishness through her cuter character design (which looks a lot closer to the anime norm). As is to be expected from the motivated people at Brains Base, there is a lot of subtle motion to he characters’ movements which many people probably won’t give any thought to, but which help bring the show to life - things like people moving around while talking rather than just being the stationary puppets they are in more mediocre anime works. Kamichu! was a better example of this, but the tradition is carried on here. The cel art annoyed be in just one way, and that is that the eyes sometimes look distorted and unnatural, especially in the case of Kurenai who often looks like he’s just been punched below the eye. The background art is also very well done, but it is rarely given focus - usually engorged in dark a dark hue that makes it more a part of the scene than a pretty distraction. I did really like the backgrounds involving Kuhoin’s house, with the elaborate and attractive gardens. The sound production is another aspect that struck me as being well above average. The BGM is populated by slow melodic piano and other classical tracks - which suit the atmosphere of the show very well, but the use of sound effects is interestingly prevalent. More so than in other series, sound effects are applied to every little bit of movement - such as in the scene where Kurenai is talking to the laptop girl and their every gesticulation was punctuated by the sounds of their uniform being brushed against itself.

Beyond the production, the episode was enjoyable but not grandiose, thrilling or profound. It can’t be called mediocre, but nor can it be called exceptional at this stage. The characterisation is swathed in mystery, and outside of Kuhoin’s cute snobbyness few off the characters exert any striking personality traits to make them likable. At the very least, the male lead, Kurenai, seems like a decent guy with confidence and reliability. I really do think Kuohin’s is very cute, and I’m sure seeing her character come out a little more as she settles into her new environment will be a lot of fun. I have to say that I really hate the art style of the OP. In fact I’d go as far as to say it was just laughably stupid. The ED is more tolerable but not particularly fetching either. All in all, this show wasn’t all that striking, so maybe skip it if you’re schedule is already bursting at the seams with awesomeness, but it was pleasant to watch in a languid atmospheric kind of way so it might be a good thing to break the monotony of mecha battle, concerts and dragon-slaying.