I wanted to do this sooner, but my weekend has been stuffed. Basically, I just wanted to touch on two series that accomplished nicely in the recent episodes I watch. Asatte no Houkou 03 and Black Lagoon 15.

Asatte no Houkou didn’t necessarily accomplish the same as Black Lagoon, but it did a couple good things that I admire. Aside from the production, the characters and plot struck me cleanly. Shouko’s kawaii actions, and her interation with Hiro were pretty mezmorizing. Hiro seems so dense, but Shouko really shined her emotions and anger beautifully. The rising conflict wasn’t even about the age/body swap, it was past events, the relationship, something that Hiro may have shut off and forgot about unsympathetically, but Shouko still clings to. This was evident from episode 1, so it was like a continuation of the arguement, but the flashback gave me a more empathetic grasp of Shouko.

Aside from Shouko’s conflict, the plot pace and introduction of the event were great. The chance that Hiro showed up at Shouko’s apartment seemed so awkward, but it was so right. It all fell into place like a puzzle, straight to the end cliff hanger (reuniting). I wasn’t sure when Hiro would come to the realization, but it felt too quick at first, yet I loved it. Thicken the plot with these event, conflicts, and hopeful resolutions and Asatte will be a sound Romance/Drama/Slice-o-Life. I have faith that this won’t get messed up.

Black Lagoon! What can I say? The most recent completed arc of BL has seriously bumped it up notches. After the twins story I can say that this is nearing the level of Bebop, but not quite there. Black Lagoon has awesome animation, great sequencing, and characters with colour, flavor, and darkness. As an action series, it is not afraid to wander into morale, or even fight and cry about it. The details urges me to ponder the complexities of social reality, where I am, and my luck. The past arc can standalone, because even without character familiarization it works; though, having a feel for Chan is much more entertaining when watcing him predict a flailing mafio flying out the window.

I’m looking forward to seeing how the future arcs go. If the story can involve the Lagoon crew personally, much like Bebop did with it’s crew, I don’t see why this won’t be something remembered as more than fantastic action. Revy is perhaps the most apparently complex of the characters, and digging into her past would own the screentime, but….dunno. BL feels like something big is lurking, always, and when it comes out, we will all be marvelled.

I’m to bed now, a new week begins. Finally, DST!

Ryan A