First Impressions: Mekakucity Actors (I’M IN AN ANIME, SHAFT BEING SHAFT, AKIYUKI SHINBO BEING AKIYUKI SHINBO, AND THAT OPENING)
Read the intro while playing this drumroll…
From the director who changed the magical-girl genre forever and made talking and long conversations A LOT more interesting, and the studio who never fail to make animation so alarmingly bizarre that you would think that the animation team were smoking a hallucinogenic drug while on the job, comes a new anime airing in the 2014 spring season, based on a light novel of a surprisingly different title. Directed by Akiyuki Shinbo, known for directing Nisekoi, the Monogatari series, and Madoka Magica, and produced by the wonderful people over at SHAFT, known for producing Nisekoi, the Monogatari series, and Madoka Magica (wait…I’m seeing a trend here…), Mekakucity Actors is one of those anime that have a pretty decent amount of hype going for it. After its first episode, how does Mekakucity Actors fare? AND, more importantly, what do I think of it?
WARNING: If you are, in any way, shape, or form, easily irritated or pissed-off by spray paint, hostage-takings, NEETs, “Shia Labeouf”-ish stuttering, sticky keyboards, and terrorists, ESPECIALLY the kind who wear clown masks, then skip this First Impressions right now.
OKAY, now that all the productive, peacemaking, rule-abiding, spray paint-haters are out of the room, shall we begin? Allons-y!
I was always a fan of Shaft and Akiyuki Shinbo. I think that their works are uniquely fascinating and different from the common style of animation that I’m used to seeing in anime. They take the unique aspect of anime, then makes it even more unique with its style. Sure, some people may not like it and consider it to be like abstract art, but personally, it is something that impresses meI liked the deconstruction that was Madoka Magica and LOVED the craziness and unique story-telling style of the Monogatari series, so there was no doubt that I would end up watching the show in question with high expectations.
And after the first episode of Mekakucity Actors, this hype and my expectations has rocketed into astronomical levels, zoomed past the Andromeda galaxy, and basically ripped the very fabric of time and space, and I feel that it is my duty to educate you on why that is.
Naturally, the art style is very interesting and very Shaft-ish, something that brings an air of familiarity and an assurance that I would be seeing some uniquely awesome stuff. The dialogue for the show is already showing signs of abundance, however the conversations that happen, mainly between our 2 protagonists, are oddly compelling, very Monogatari-ish, where certain camera movements and angles are implemented to keep your eyes moving while people are conversing. The opening theme, as previewed in the credits, looks and sounds STUNNINGLY SPECTACULAR, with animation done by Shaft and sung by GARNiDELiA (who sung the second opening theme for Kill la Kill, which was AMAZING). Finally, the characters look very well-designed, especially Ene, who reminded me of Hatsune Miku for a moment, and the main protagonist, who is basically a carbon copy of your’s truly.
SEE? THIS GUY IS TOTALLY ME! AKIYUKI SHINBO, YOU’RE BRILLIANT!
THIS SHOW HAS A LOT GOING FOR IT, AND I AM LOVING IT SO FAR.
Here’s a little bit about the plot: Shintarō Kisaragi is an 18-year old hikikomori (a shut-in) who has not left his room in two years (YES 2 YEARS), engrossing himself with his computer and the internet, night and day, everyday. However, due to the messing about of the cyber girl Ene, who lives inside his computer, Shintarō spills soda on his computer keyboard and is forced to go outside to buy a new one. Shintarō goes to the department store, where a group of criminals break in and hold the people inside hostage for ransom. Here he comes in contact with a group of teenagers calling themselves the “Mekakushi Dan” (メカクシ団?, lit. “Blindfold Gang”), who stop the robbery with some mysterious power.
We haven’t seen much yet from the very first episode, but that’s exactly what gets me so excited about the show. It has a Durarara!-esque feel to it, and I enjoyed the heck out of Durarara. Therefore, I’m excited to see how the main plot will follow through, as I know that there is soooooo much more out there than meets the eye. Combine that with interesting characters (seriously, I wouldn’t mind having a cyber-girl like Ene to talk to) and Shinbo’s direction, Mekakucity Actors might just have what it takes to be one of the top anime of the season and even this year.
What I want to happen:
- Explain the premise more, as an interesting premise is nothing if the audience cannot understand it.
- Give the characters interesting personalities. With such a large cast, characterization can easily be thrown out the window. Let this be not the case.
- Explore the setting more. Durarara had a very interesting city setting that was only because they took the time to explore it as the show progresses. Do the same with this show.
- Give it a good ending theme and a nice little soundtrack
- PLOT TWISTS! This anime has loads of plot twist-potentials, so don’t waste it.
In essence, Mekakucity Actors has a lot going for it. The premise of the show is bloody interesting, and the characters, as far as we can see from the first episode, are incredibly unique as well. With such a large cast, diversity is indeed present, or going to be, similar to Shaft’s past works. Combine that with an opening that is brilliant in every way, Mekakucity Actors is definitely a must-watch this season.
As per usual, leave a comment down below pertaining to your thoughts on this topic, on the show itself, or if you would like me to review or make a first impression about anything. And, speaking of liking, give the review a thumbs-up if you enjoyed it.
With that, I leave you, and until next time, ladies, gentlemen, and others, this has been Kenji, and I’ll see you guys in the future.
I just watched the first episode. I had no idea what was going on, but I liked it. I couldn’t take my eyes off the screen. I think it has a lot of potential.