Lucky ☆ Star 01

April 8th, 2007 by Shirukii

A KyoAni production that I am unable to blindly praise? And so the universe collapses.

Out of all the things I expected Lucky Star to be, they all shared one thing in common: entertaining. WHAT HAPPENED!? I hope this episode is the exception and not the rule as to what the rest of Lucky Star will be like, I’m half heartedly praying it was an “Adventures of Asahina Mikuru 00″ joke. The episode got -one- stifled laugh out of me, and the rest had me writhing in pain. More than anything, at this point, Lucky Star is a blatant attempt to capitalize on the success of KyoAni’s other shows and hope no one notices it sucks.

Episode Rating: 6/10

I’ll be lenient with the ratings for now, since first impressions aren’t always a clear indication of what’s to come.

The episode starts out innocently enough with an otaku joke. Kona-chan tears apart the competition in the 200m dash and when asked by Tsukasa why she doesn’t join any clubs, Kona-chan says that she’d miss anime golden time.

Now as much as I’d like to continue summarizing at this point…there is literally no plot to summarize. The show is an amalgamation of completely random and disjoint scenes. One minute the characters are commenting on the results of the latest rank exam and the next they’re all visiting Kagami who has apparently gotten a cold. Then it’s back to the school setting where the girls are getting out of their physical exams, lamenting Miyuki’s superior moe and discussing the methodology of eating various foods…

…Regarding that last point, 6 minutes and 13 seconds. That is the amount of time I demand KyoAni compensate me for having to watch that tedious scene. I thought it was going to be a pretty short skit, but the food kept coming as the minutes rolled by. I was considering just skipping the whole ordeal, but I feared I would miss a hilarious punchline, but by the end of it I was 6 minutes older and still scratching my head as to exactly what the purpose of it all was.

Thoughts

Again, I really hope this was a joke episode because I can’t see myself watching another 23 episodes of this, or I see myself struggling through it for the sake of KyoAni loyalty.

Then again…I watched this raw so maybe all the funny was just lost in translation. I haven’t read any other blog posts about Lucky Star yet so maybe it was actually good, but I just didn’t understand any of it. And admittedly, after that eternal food eating scene, I more or less stopped -consciously- trying to understand the rest of it. I’ll probably revisit this post when subs are out.

There were, however, two scenes that I found pretty entertaining. The first, and probably most obvious, was the OP sequence.

Hellooooo Hare Hare Yukai spinoff. Okay, so it’s pretty obvious that KyoAni did this as a throwback to Haruhi’s now famous ED dance. I think it stacked up pretty well, the song isn’t as catchy and the dance doesn’t have that “simple but entrancing” appeal. But if you set your Hare Hare Yukai bias aside and look at it objectively, it was a damn good OP. However, I think KyoAni shot themselves in the foot here, by the end of the OP I was ready to see some classic KyoAni goodness, and the resulting mediocrity was made that much worse from the build up of the OP.

And this was the scene that had me cracking up, it was hilarious and I didn’t even understand half of it! I hope this char gets more screen time.

On the technical side of things, I’m a little confused. The style of animation is so different from KyoAni’s usual approach that I’m left unsure whether to praise of critique them. Most notably are the backgrounds, a far cry from the likes of Haruhi or Kanon level scenery. The characters themselves are quite well drawn and ridiculously cute, but it’s very uncharacteristic of KyoAni not to animate or fill in background characters (as seen above). I can only think that KyoAni is sticking to the style of the source material, and if that’s the case then they’ve done well adapting to the style.

A Street Fighter parody without hadouken spamming!? *facepalm*

On that note, as much as I seem displeased with KyoAni this time around, I can’t really fault them here. They have the reputation of sticking as close to the source material as possible, and that’s probably what they’re doing here. The problem with this approach is that their shows can then only be as good as the source material. In this case, they’re adapting a 4koma into a full length anime series, 4koma often rely on situational and niche humor. So I expect that some people, myself included, won’t really appreciate the funny, while the likes of avid 4channers may find it more humorous. Just a guess though *shrugs*

I really hope that either the episode is made 10x funnier by subs (a.f.k. ftw!) or that this episode was really a joke and the awesomeness starts next week. But for now, I deserve a medal or something for making it all the way through the episode.

Edit* Looks like I’m not the only one…

- Omni made it all the way through but was slightly disappointed
- lolikit made it through the OP and 30 seconds of the actual anime resulting in a violent rant on Haruhi and all things moe :3
- Hinano gave it seven minutes then bailed
- And don’t give jpmeyer any sharp objects for a week

Heart attack in a bowl

Pantsu

So much for “cute not pedo”

~ Shirukii ~

31 Comments »


31 Responses to “Lucky ☆ Star 01”

  1. on 08 Apr 2007 at 3:27 pm1 Hung

    Those aren’t pantsu, they’re bloomers, since they’re wearing cheerleading uniforms. Disappointing, I know.

  2. on 08 Apr 2007 at 3:38 pm2 lolikit

    >>Those aren’t pantsu, they’re bloomers, since they’re wearing cheerleading uniforms. Disappointing, I know.

    There could still be penii in there, so the effect’s the same. :3

  3. on 08 Apr 2007 at 4:42 pm3 mikemil828

    //Episode Rating: 6/10

    I’ll be lenient with the ratings for now//

    Err….lenient?

  4. on 08 Apr 2007 at 4:47 pm4 lolikit

    >>Err….lenient?

    Watching the whole episode is pretty damn lenient.

  5. on 08 Apr 2007 at 10:45 pm5 Shirukii

    @ Hung: You ruin my dreams T_T

    @ lolikit: The visuals, they burn! And yes, sitting through the whole thing was quite the ordeal. Are you going to give the second ep a chance? Or are you done.

    @ mikemil: For the incredible lack of funny, 6/10 is pretty lenient, it still passed ^^

  6. on 09 Apr 2007 at 12:16 pm6 Brian Woon

    Hope the first impression stays as a first impression only. (T__T) [keeping fingers cross] May this anime don’t suck the next episode….please….(T__T)

  7. on 09 Apr 2007 at 9:31 pm7 Nightingale

    First impression:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLicx9ed6GQ

    I went ahead and spoiled myself with the first book of the Lucky Star 4-koma. And yea I’m damn sure most of the past KA fans are not gonna like this, well… i liked it, not like hyped up like just a cute and i dunno why but, nostalgic fondness. Reminds me of the old peanuts and slice of life short story anime i watched as a kid.

    For those who are hoping something impactful, I can assure u that may not happen, unless KA decides to add an original storyline that strings up each chapters of the 4-koma manga itself. It really is as titled, light comedy. Very light, its flavor of slice of life is even heavier than that of Kanon. So yea, it mite get boring. But it is still quite fun.

    Finally, my remark is that, me not gonna get serious about this show, afterall its a break for KA in a sense after something as heavy weighted as Kanon (and for myself too). Just enjoy its light hearted elements and u will be fine.

    Ratings:
    OP: S
    - DOH~~~!
    Story: B+-
    - i simply liked the common dialogue… thaz all.
    Art & Animation: A–
    - full 4-koma style background~ =3
    BGM: C+
    - a major complain, the music really doesn’t add much to the humor…
    Temporary ED: B+
    - fun to listen~ XD

    Bonus:
    MuuuuuuuuuuuUuuuuuuuuuuuuuUUUUUUUUuuuuuuuuuuuuuu~ =3

    That promo speaks for my first impression.

  8. on 09 Apr 2007 at 10:15 pm8 Shirukii

    @ Brian: Seems like the rest of the series will be more of the same, I don’t really care at this point. There’s been way too much dorama surrounding this anime, to the point where I actually received hate mail because of my entry -_- I still want to see the series succeed, but I’m keeping my hopes in check.

    @ Nightingale: I definitely need a subbed version of this ep to make a final decision, I think a lot of the funny is being lost in translation =( Again, music has never been a selling point for me in anime, but I did enjoy the OP ^^

    As there is no “plot” per se, rather a collage of pieced together skits, my views are dividing. The possibility of one scene being hilarious and the next being a total miss doesn’t exactly excite me, I tend to like consistency.

    Animation is nice, characters are definitely moe, a little overboard actually, but I’ve never been against moe ^^

    I’ll give Lucky Star up until episode 2 subbed, if it doesn’t captivate me by then, it’ll be the first time I ever abandon a KyoAni production T_T

  9. on 10 Apr 2007 at 3:54 am9 bird

    …i’m rerun only OP about 40 time!!!
    DADADADADA!!!!!!

    PS. i don’t care about the story at all cause it from 4 channel manga, like Azumanga. Just watch only one time for fun and burn to DVD >>> Seal!!! :D

  10. on 10 Apr 2007 at 12:59 pm10 Alias

    For some reason, I get this feeling that this anime is aired because Kyoani “blew their budget on the special effects in kanon and need something to stall for time while we raise funds for Clannad and Haruhi season 2.” The quality was a great drop from what they did in Kanon, and frankly, I have no idea what’s going on. Then again, the original manga was supposed to be a one-shot so I guess quality like this is supposed to be expected. Lets all go back and pray that the next ep isn’t going to be as bad…..

  11. on 10 Apr 2007 at 8:37 pm11 JESSICA

    i like it

  12. on 11 Apr 2007 at 7:58 pm12 Nightingale

    @ Shirukii

    I just spoiled myself more with the second manga….
    O man, i really think im sinking deeper into the otaku realm… I understood the jokes >///

  13. on 11 Apr 2007 at 8:09 pm13 Nightingale

    Umm….. is there a thing with the mirror of ‘>’ ????
    My message got cut off… = =;

    Anyway my original message:
    …….

    Looks like its gonna get better, dunno when but definitely will. The jokes gets funnier as u begin to get a better image of each character’s highlights. I dunno about the no=plot tho. The way i see it, theres actually a theme revolving around the girls, especially Shana-ta…. oops, i mean, Konata. “Otaku-ism” that is.
    And theres a timeline too. Characters ave knowledge of what happened in the previous manga episodes, and they actually advance in years (school years).

    On another note, the author of Lucky Star seems to be a new artist when she started Lucky Star, even she stated herself that when she look back on her beginning work she felt very different about the story and characters. My point is, dont worry, it will get better eventually. I found the later jokes a complete different level of hilarity (unless ur dealing with the ehhh…. jokes which requires u to be under a certain bad influence mind…. ok i admit im bad… = =;)

    Chillax, sleep well for the first few episodes, and keep up ur snickers later XD

    UuuuuuuuuuUUUUUUUUuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuUUUUUUUUuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuUUUUUn~

  14. on 13 Apr 2007 at 2:02 am14 Kaioshin_Sama

    You know not everything about Kyoto Animation has to be perfect. In fact they are far from perfect in my mind. Frankly I’ve never seen what all the fuss is about regarding this company that constantly has people drooling and attempting to worship everything they do. The idea that you would consider struggling through something you don’t like is also worrisome because where I come from they call that Masochism and its not a good social quality. If your not up for 4Koma comedy don’t watch a show just out of some blind loyalty to a company that does slightly above average, but unparalled in moe series. That’s really all they’ve got going for them, cute girls and good animation, which just happens to be the key to popular series for Otaku’s who have no real desire to think when watching their anime. That being said, from what I can tell the moe stuff is played purely for laughs (I wasn’t apparent at all in the manga chapters I read) and is Kyoto Animations way of making fun of its overeliance on the Moe Aesthetic to sell its series. Ultimately do what you want though, if you can’t live without the idea that Kyoto Animation is perfect in every way, then construct your own reality to shield yourself from the truth. I’m sure you’ll find a way to watch past episode 2 and have it be the best series of the year for yourself like all the other people who will follow Kyoto Animation to the ends of the earth no matter what they do.

    By the way I like this series quite a bit, but that’s beside the point, which is that people need to let Kyoto Animation the BEST COMPANY EVAR go and welcome Kyoto Animation the company that does Key Adaptations and Light Comedy series (Haruhi, Lucky Star, Fumoffu). People seriously stop deluding yourselves into believing they are untouchable. Nobody on this earth, no entity is immune to flaw, no matter how tiny, everything has its weak points.

  15. on 13 Apr 2007 at 4:32 am15 Nightingale

    Well said XD
    Tho i sort feel a spear directed towards my comment of positive nature = =; I see KA as a group of very dedicated artists rather then ‘god o anime’… and no i nvr think LS was perfect as shown in my ratings…

  16. on 13 Apr 2007 at 4:44 am16 Nightingale

    And besides… i dont have to hate a show even if its made by a great reputation company but ended up being flawed, right?

    I mean, we r just talking about an anime here… so like i said, have a cup of coffee and chillax ;) (hmm… how much sugar should i add anyway… *drifts off*)

  17. on 13 Apr 2007 at 10:14 pm17 Shirukii

    To respond to the overarching view that I’m bashing KyoAni, I’m not. What I’m criticizing is Lucky Star, which just happens to be their latest work, KyoAni is still my favourite animation studio by far.

    The reason I’m being so critical is because this is the first anime by them that didn’t instantly hook me in, being an anime blogger, this was worth discussing.

    It wasn’t just a blind jump onto the bandwagon, actually I would argue that this wasn’t a bandwagon at all, the first episode just was not funny.

    All the criticism I threw at the studio is because I’m so familiar with their work. The effect would be the same with any other company, I just wouldn’t have been able to make so many comparisons.

    Although the fact still remains that this series is not nearly as epic as past KyoAni productions. Whether it be because they’re saving up for SHnY II and Clannad or because they wanted to try something new is a whole other topic.

    Though I completely agree with Kaioshin when s/he says that flaw are inevitable, but in the case of KyoAni, where they are few and far between, that’s all the more reason to poke at them ^^

  18. on 16 Apr 2007 at 3:17 am18 Charlie

    To the guy at the very top, cheerleaders don’t wear bloomers, they wear ’spankies’ which are special cheerleader pants.
    Take it from a real life cheerleader.

  19. on 29 Apr 2007 at 4:05 pm19 Conna

    This anime series was really pritty disappointing i watch episode 1 and stopped there as did not like it very much at all.

    Didn’t make me larf at all and it all resolved around hare they eat there fiid in ep 1 wow hare great man what a let down this is i suggest you give this a miss.

    Music.
    the music at beginning is ok but got to admit the vid that went with it had me gob smacked it was crazy. 6/10

    Pic/animation.

    The picture is just average really the girls didn’t look like high schooner’s at all looked younger but it did give of a cute vibe to it thoe. 5/10

    Plot.
    There is no plot as far as I could tell at all its go school talk to friends and thats it. 1/10

    Best part and only good part so far is the beging video wear the music is.

    all in all ill give this anime a = 3/10.
    and thats me being nice at least for hare is at this time with episode 3 out.

  20. on 23 Jul 2007 at 7:56 am20 lukky

    A bit late, but…

    Don’t even bother grading plot, nobody watches slice of life for that. If you don’t like the style, gtfo.

  21. on 24 Jul 2007 at 6:59 am21 Hoogie

    Don’t be a dumbass and just watch the first episode.

  22. on 27 Aug 2007 at 2:14 pm22 anonymos

    The first episode isnt very good. I didn’t like it as well, but the other episodes make up for it. The series get funnier with time.

    And yes, the first one was supposed to be a joke episode. Actually, the whole series are supposed to be a big sattire to many anime cliches.

  23. on 21 Oct 2007 at 11:23 am23 animaster

    I agree with anonymos. The series is getting better with time. I like how Konata relates anything with her anime and/or gaming sense.
    Lucky ☆ Star is IMHO, almost as funny as Azumanga Daioh. It’s an entertaining anime, built on a simple plot of 4 high school student. I simply like it. I’ll give a 8/10 on overall.

  24. on 04 Dec 2007 at 4:22 pm24 LP

    @Conna: DANG episode 3 is NOTHING. You can’t just judge it by the first three episodes. I’m on like episode… 15-16 and I love it. I give it a… 8.5/10. THose of you who said it sucked because of the first episode are just so… well anyway, don’t go around saying, “OMG LUCKY STAR IS SO RETARDED”. Watch more. you will get it. Also, not every anime has a plot. Does YOUR life have a plot? No, I didn’t think so.

    I have to say though, Konata’s dad is kinda…. Scary. Freaky. Disturbing.

  25. on 10 Dec 2007 at 7:26 pm25 kat

    OMG!! i love lucky star! Go konata izumi YAY WHOOOOO!!

  26. on 02 Jan 2008 at 6:35 pm26 chibi angel lilluc

    i luv lucky star 2!!!!!!!!! it’s so funny!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! like azumanga daioh except azumanga daioh is more funnier!!!!!!!!!!

  27. on 26 Jul 2008 at 11:35 am27 yotsuba izumi XD

    XD i looove this anime! and azumanga daioh ^^ snd the manga yotsuba i luffs it ^^

  28. on 31 Aug 2008 at 10:15 am28 fornetti

    I do not believe this

  29. on 13 Dec 2008 at 11:20 am29 Carmela

    COOL!
    I LOVE IT

  30. on 24 Feb 2009 at 2:05 pm30 Sealed14X

    Show ▼

    I got the collector sets because at the time I was new to Anime, and Japanese Culture. Plus I can’t get the music out of my head…. …. …. Sailor Fuku … … .. …

  31. on 04 May 2009 at 8:17 pm31 ~xxx

    COOL!

    though the discussions about food didn’t really hit me first…

    through tireless repititions of watching and I, now understand…wait…why do I say this?

    anyways, OP is good, but kinda ideal…you know…

    Asides, if ever food is to be included in an episode, I guess I had to rewatch it.

    Luckily, That Episode is a good start.

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