Mar 5 2007 04:30 PM Yeah, I finally finished watching it too and I had to settle for watching it in the .mkv file format subbed by kamisabu. I really was hoping I could finish off watching the series in .avi format from orz but orz was just taking way toooooooooo long to finish their subbing. I mean Kamisabu finished subbing the entire series at least around December 06 if not earlier but orz just released episode 11 maybe 1 or 2 weeks previous to this post. Although, I have to say both are quality subbers (although orz needs to step up their pace; but I think its because they are understaffed). (BTW here is another review so I hope this helps you out Flandria )
Anyways, moving on to the anime series itself. I have to say that I love this anime series with all my heart and I'm going to keep my sig pic of Kamisama Kazoku forever!!! Looking back on this anime series I'll have to admit while the ending was good it felt extremely rushed (much like what AeroConfident said) and some of the events seemed like they were out of place. FYI SPOILERS AHEAD
I mean like come on all of a sudden Kumiko comes back and in a span of a couple episodes the series was over. Also, I know that it seemed like all the events were leading up to this especially using that part with Ai but things just didn't seem like they linked up. Also, the ending even though ti did resolve the thing with Fumiko it still felt like events were unresolved. I have to wonder what was the point of introducing characters in to the mix just to have them make short seemingly meaningless appearances. For instance Samataro may as well not even have had sisters or a mother as they were really pointless and seem to me more for the loli and sex appeal (Mother - Venus, Older Sister - Misa, and Younger Sister - Meme). Yes, Misa's hotness did suck me into this series a bit but still they seemed like a bit of a waste of a character. Also, Samataro's buddy, Shinichi, from school was a real waste of a character. He didn't even contribute to the story at all except for leading Samataro to the hospital which I'm sure there was a better way to get him there (well that and him going out with Lulu). Speaking of Lulu she was also another minor character in this story. She helped introduce the Fumiko demon thing but then after that she just dropped off the map and was never head of again (which suits her well since she was allowed to disappear with Shinichi her male minor character counter part). I was especially dissapointed with Tenko's part in the finale of this series. For such a major character in this story she acted particularly stupid through most of the ending of this sereis. The ending seemed to enhance Kumiko a lot even though she wasn't there through half of the series (even though she had a huge role in the initial part of this series). Overall, I liked the message that was delivered in the end about angel and demons (lol no relation to the Dan Brown novel) and the revelation of Kumiko being an angel. Either way good ending, but I would like to have seen more of Tenko and Samataro follow up as to what would happen next especially with Kumiko, as she was revealed to be angel too.
In terms of characters I think that the creator did a great job of introducing all the characters but really didn't do anything with it. In part, this can be a problem with short anime series but then again look at other series like REC, you will see that its definitely not altogether impossible to clearly define the roles of characters with out sacrificing anything else in the process. Again, I have to say that they did a good job of bringing out Tanko in the beginning but made her look incredibly stupid in the end especially like in the part where she was waving to helicopters and planes, in fact I actually thought Kumiko put some spell on her to make her stupid but it was just her acting stupid (although it was very cute lol). Another, thing is despite having characters introduced to do nothing we see them introducing potential story interest points but no follow up. This is especially true of Misa and Meme as they are saying how they are both goddess candidates and the like as well as casing their powers but in the end they was all it was left at. Yes, I suppose it is possible that the creator was trying to make a segway for a second season but I highly doubt that they were really thinking that far ahead especially with the large uncertainty that all anime series face in the prospects of a second season. However, I think in summation nobody grew except for Samataro and to a lesser degree (but still in a large way) Tenko and Kumiko.
I think that one of the best things about this anime series was its animation and music. I think that all the drawing were very well done and kept to the cuteness of the series quite well without compromising any of the seriousness in the plot line (when there was serious; it was mostly just for laughs). I think that the color were especially vivid and really helped bring out and exaggerate the kind of people each character was. For instance Tenko was always a loving figure and she has pink hair and the bright school uniform. Kumiko was good looking but had underlying problems so her dark hair and navy school uniform really helped to supply that effect to a excellent degree. I also think the way the effects of 'miracles' and God powers were well done keeping true to the hilarious feeling of this story. As for the music there was always a heart felt composition anywhere a moment needed it to bring out an emotion. The element of music really added a new dimension to this anime series' story and kept me teary eyed thought the whole series. Finally, although the OP and ED are quite unique I think that they were one of the best fitting OPs and EDs out there especially the OP (its just way too good!!!). Both the OP and ED are still on my i-pod playing on a regular basis.
Overall, I would have to give this anime series the following rating.
Animation: 9/10
Music/Sound: 8/10
Character Design: 7/10
OP/ED: 9/10
OVERALL: 8/10 if not a 9/10
This is definitely a good series to download. It has both numerous laugh out loud moments as well as romance and conflict. Its very versatile in the audience that it can please so GO NOW AND DOWNLOAD IT!!! =) I don't think you'll regret it (even if you do its a short series lol). Also, please post more on this topic and revive it =).
