Here I was, looking for something after finishing Shakugan No Shana II, and I come across this show. The premise was unique enough that it warranted me to take a look at it, and at 13 Episodes, it wasn't that much of a time investment. A weekend to be precise.
Let me start by talking about the Characters, I'm giving them a nine, not because I found them particularly endearing lall the time. (Though Mahiro is a particularly skilled straight man. Usually.), but because of their designs. Each one is unique and instantly recognizable. I could watch a 1000 anime and instantly recognize these characters. I suppose it's part of the reason I give the art an 8 as well.
The story, however, doesn't go anywhere. With the exception of a very-moving 1st half of Episode 12, a lot of punchlines come from: Mahiro does something to Nyaruko. Nyaruko does the exact the same thing to Ryuuko later in the episode. While it is a clever way to show off the two MCs compatibility to each other from a romantic perspective,, if it's not up your alley for humor, it's going to be obnoxious. And while the show goes to great lengths not to be an Episode of the Week format with cliffhangers, none of them go anywhere. They're all resolved within a couple of minutes of the next episode. And Brick Jokes, part of any good comedy's humor are severely lacking.
The opening is very catchy, and while it fits for the first 11 Episodes, Episode 12 puts it in a very awkward place.
One of the writers must have loved video games, because you've got your parodies of Video Game Consoles, not just 2012's modern ones. (360 and PS3), but a WonderSwan knockoff is even plot-relevant for an episode. How many non-Japanese people are even familiar with the WonderSwan's existence?
