Reviews

Jul 20, 2010
Preliminary (1/4 eps)
PROLOGUE
This series is filled with archery references but is not a serious sports anime. Although it promotes the ideals of sporting, it is in fact a lot more about a sexually awkward / gender confused pretty girl, running around in a revealing uniform. It has a lot of coming-of-age social drama in it but it never gets too serious. It has a story, which like in all sport series is simple and ends with someone getting their hopes shattered. And it is a story where everything is possible if you want it really bad. Training in order to get better has nothing to do with increasing the chances for victory.

ART SECTION: 10 [Pretty chicks in uniforms.]
The animation is average at best. The backgrounds are not very detailed. Characters share not only the same type of uniform but also the same kind of body type. Another case of having their hairstyle as the only way to tell who is who. In one scene they didn't even bother coloring everyone in, leaving them all blank. Motion fluidity is actually very good, as there was a lot of detail given to body movements during the archery club meetings. Even the visual effects are nice, without becoming great. There is of course plenty of fanservice for archery fanatics (don't get your yugake's dirty).

SOUND SECTION: 10 [Neat music, secured of themselves voices.]
Music themes are very atmospheric and generally manage to excite you during the few minutes they are playing. Voice acting was average but with strenght and appropriate tone for such a show. Trying to give accent to some of them was a nice touch. Sound effects are as neay as the visual effects. As for the dialogues… Well, how should I put it? The characters talk all the time about becoming better, transcending gender barriors, feeling the beauty of "the shot," over-bearing coaches, friendship, world peace, blah, blah, blah… All sports anime share this idealistic pile of stupidity and Kaichu is no exception.

STORY SECTION: 10 [Simple girl(boy?), simple story.]
As in all sports anime, it is the story of a rookie, trying to become the best through hardships and by experiencing lots of resistance to the person she is on the inside. Of course, some may see only an excuse for new transfer students and awkward sexual situations. The first episode alone is in fact a documentary about a genious archer and his mysterious dissappearence. The show really managed to convince me into accepting the premise of transgender atheletes as viable competitors; something I generally dislike. But there is no real progress in the story as an archer can't shoot arrows without a bow. There is no realism in it; just pretty girl chasing a guy she has no chance with. The plot is simple and generally predictable; yet the entire first episode could be missed if you get up to use the restroom (so make sure you go before you start watching). The ending is also simple but very sad and leaves you with a good final impression of the series; that all good things come to an end.

CHARACTER SECTION: 10 [Reverse harem/trap material.]
The characters have little depth in their personalities but are generally appealing. The leading girl has to live up to her desire to truly be a women on the inside and outside while attempting to seduce the man who knows her secret. In fact there isn't anyone at the school that is actually unaware of her real gender. The boy just wishes to surpass his grandfather so he can be worthy to pass on the Eishin style. Plus, all that sexual awkwardness keeps you interested in them.

OVERALL & ENJOYMENT SECTION: 10 [Don’t put your money on it.]
It was funny, sad, inspiring and sexual in the same time. It was short and with concrete plot. It even left a nice last impression. It wasn’t great in any way but it can easily be rewatched after some years as a simply nice mini episode about an idealistic girl and her awkward situations.

VERDICT
You could've watched the entire episode for yourself by now.

SUGGESTION LIST
Full Metal Alchemist, the story is longer but the main character is also short.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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