Ubu Roi is through the third DVD now, and likes it. I left this comment:

I’m beginning to feel reassured. I reacted to this so strongly, and praised it so lavishly, that there was a secret fear that others wouldn’t react the same way I did, and would find the series to be a “meh”.

I mean that, too. I was beginning to wonder, maybe the reason the series was neglected is because the majority really won't think it's very good. Maybe my liking it so much is a fluke. Maybe I'll be pitching my credibility as a reviewer into the toilet by being so enthusiastic about it. Maybe the bionic ducks will come for me and carry me away in their black helicopters.

I have to go with what I think, of course. Reviews are necessarily opinions, and everyone has their own. These are mine. And I really do think Shingu is one of the best things I've ever watched.

I just hope others who take my word for that won't be disappointed.

UPDATE: with images, below the fold.

I think there's a degree of synergy between the characters being written well and being voice-acted well. At the beginning of episode 4, because of some things that happened at the end of ep 3, Nayuta talks to Muryou (with Hajime present) and after some rather sheepish build-up says, "Thank you. I'm sorry. I've learned a great deal from this. And I hate, hate, HATE YOU! I HATE YOU!"

At which point Shun starts teasing Nayuta mercilessly about having a crush on Muryou.

It's hilarious but it's also a critical character moment, because the defining characteristic of Nayuta in the series is that she is a mass of conflicting impulses and has a hard time sorting them out. That scene really establishes Nayuta for us.

It works as a scene mainly because Paku Romi's performance is outstanding. Part of that is just that she's an extremely talented actress, but I think another reason is that Nayuta is a real character for her. She really understands Nayuta well, and is able to perfectly capture Nayuta's confusion so brilliantly. And that is only possible because Nayuta is written so well. Nayuta was already vivid, in the script, to Paku.

Posted by: Steven Den Beste in at 02:05 PM | Comments (8) | Add Comment
Post contains 381 words, total size 3 kb.

1 We don't use helicopters.  We don't need them.

Posted by: Wonderduck at June 17, 2007 02:43 PM (GpR+s)

2 I picked up the series a few days ago, entirely because of your recommendation. I wasn't disappointed; it really is a fantastic show. It's obvious that a lot of care went into crafting the story and characters.

Posted by: Tim at June 17, 2007 02:45 PM (r0lMs)

3

We don't use helicopters.  We don't need them.

You just want me to believe that.

Posted by: Steven Den Beste at June 17, 2007 03:20 PM (+rSRq)

4 Yes.

Posted by: Wonderduck at June 17, 2007 04:51 PM (6YRS5)

5 Chizumatic: where you find out what's really good. 

Posted by: ubu roi at June 17, 2007 06:46 PM (QqWRV)

6 Just finished it here.  I really enjoyed it, and was rather surprised by how much I enjoyed it.  Thanks for the reccommendation Steven.

I am still digesting it, but I'm getting my brothers into Shingu.

Posted by: Sparafucile at June 18, 2007 01:17 AM (iioMR)

7 You should check with Robert and see how much anime you're (indirectly) selling.  I've bought everything you've liked lately except Vandred (which I saw (dub) as one of the Starz/Encore channels ran it all) and liked them all.  I've just started Shingu and so far I like it a lot.

Posted by: Bob Price at June 27, 2007 09:31 PM (gHP37)

8

I don't really consider it to be any of my business how much business I've steered to Bob. And I don't believe that even he really knows for sure.

And the fact is that I don't really want to know.

Posted by: Steven Den Beste at June 27, 2007 09:43 PM (+rSRq)

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