_summer
One day I was thinking that I would begin checking every comedy anime on file at AnimeSuki, in case there were any good ones I'd missed. This would be done in alphabetical order, and so I started with this one which has a space at the begining of it's title. Right from the start, the slick artwork was obvious, and starting the story off with a peeping tom incident at a hotspring helped grab my attention as well. The show does get a little risque at times, but it's hard to blame these characters who are clearly experiencing a certain newfound interest in the opposite sex--boys will be boys, (and girls will be girls) after all. Kind of refreshing, actually--the anxiety these teenagers are experiencing was portrayed well. Somehow I quickly "bonded" with the cast--these seemed like interesting, believable people, which is strange considering this show was apparently based on a video game. The viewer is clearly expected to already be familiar with some of the quirks of the extensive cast (like the teacher who doesn't have a single yen to buy lunch), but I had little trouble enjoying the show even though I know nothing about the game it's based on. The humor worked well, too. I wish the OP song didn't have dialogue recorded on top of it, because it's a nice, relaxing tune. I was under the impression that this must be the first episode of a more lengthy series, but it gradually dawned on me that it is in fact a standalone OVA. That realization was distinctly disappointing, because I'd gladly watch a full 26 episodes full of the antics of this cast.
'looks like my wishes have been answered! Another episode, entitled "_summer 2" has been released. A few good jokes, more lame ones, a little fanservice, but in general a relaxed, slice-of-life atmosphere. Chiwa is definitely my favorite character. And no sooner had I said this, than a brief omake segment came out involving Sana interviewing "Magical Chiwa". It is good for a few laughs, which is not bad considering it's only about three minutes long. Chiwa employs the spell "Deathly Chemical Genocide" for one thing. Yet another omake short has been released as well; again, Chiwa, or the "Sans Pareil lady" as she's known here, plays a major part ('looks like they know on which side their bread is buttered) as the Naruse High School Tennis tennis club (not a typo) holds tryouts. It was good--I sort of wish the full-length episodes would be done in this goofy style. Here's hoping still more OVAs (and better yet, shorts) are on the way. If shows like School Days do well, we might still see a full-fledged TV series!
Last updated Monday, September 24 2007. Created Monday, March 26 2007.
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