Random Ramble Review Post - Ookiku Furikabutte (Oofuri) TV
EDIT: 2-15-2011!!! ♥♥ There is a SECOND SEASON that I didn't know about! So, it's actually Season 1: 26 episodes + Season 2: 13 episodes. (and I heard season 2 is just as gay, maybe even more so XD ♥♥
Ok, ok, another random review rant :-D As usual my disclaimer: this is all my opinion, blah blah blah... Enjoy and be MERRY! You be mean, then you be deleted (yay!) XD. ANd holy crap this review is loooong (no worries! I still AM taking time to write my 8059 fic!! Next chap is almost done XD! LOVE that fandom!)
I started watching Ooofuri, or other names are Ookiku Furkikabutte, or Big Windup.
The GIST: Let's hold hands. Trust me. There's nothing behind it.
I'm going to agree with prillalar 's review. It's love at first sight. The episode immediately draws you in as you become increasingly curious and immediately attached to the characters. You want to know more, and that is an aspect that is kept throughout the series IMO. It is no surprise to me that this series won the Kodansha award a few years back.
Now, I'll be up front. This is NOT specifically BL. It is a Baseball Anime. However, whether you are or are not a Baseball or BL fan, you will still enjoy it. The creator is very talented -- keeping it still within the realm of baseball and yet straddles the line of BL tendencies and close friendships. If you are a BL fan and have a polluted mind like me, you can totally see it be implied BL. If you are not a BL fan, you can still see it as a very close relationship between the boys. In this era where the trend is the flashy costumes and big explosive action scenes, it is a much needed break to finally see an anime that brings out the *characters* and a slice of life. It really is not a complicated story. The boy underdog overcomes his fears and forms wonderful relationships around him. The beauty of this series is how this is executed.
As far as execution goes, there are 26 TV episodes total. The last eps is not part of the TV but is a special. I divided this into 3 parts: Arch 1, the inbetween, and Arch 2:
- Arch 1: Introductions and the first "game". This is the best the series has, and it is worth it. You get introduced to the main characters AND why they are doing what they are doing... plus how situations are overcome. Mihashi is very adorable here. I want to pat his head and hug him lots. Plus, you get major fansqueal moment in Eps. 3 and introduced to the emotionally unstable and clingy ex-boyfriend Mihoshi pitcher in eps 4.
- In between: Kind of slows down. Not sure its worth buying, but still some awesome abe x miha moments. Introduces more side characters. Unfortunately, I can't say I feel that attached to them. However, one character, Haruna the sadistic, may rape you in the showers exboyfriend is very interesting indeed.
- Arch 2: I wasn't as into it. I wonder if it's because it's less about Abe and Mihashi, and more about the other characters. There are still plenty of cute AbeMiha though, so still watch it. Also, you delve into some new characters, such as the Tosei team. I realize after episode 16 that, for some reason, Junta Takase is extremely hot and totally having lots of hot sex with Kazuki Kawai behind everyone's back (serious). What I did not like is that it slowed down... the pacing was great in arch 1, it didn't take forever to get through a game, and in arch 2, there's one episode of nothing (just training). In addition, there is way too much screentime for the sidelines/cheer squad. As sweet as the characters are, I could care less. HOWEVER, episode 24-25 are worth it! Episode 26 is only worth it if you really like to see Haruna's sweet side, but I happen to find him more interesting when he is being a prick and potential rapist. Hey, bad boys add spice to the story!
Fan-squeals?
hahaha. I don't think I need to even ask. YES. SO much SLASH. SO SO MUCH SLASH. I can even see Yuri moments of Momo x Shinooka! Now why is this such great fan squeals? Because there's something for every fangirl fetish :p...
- Mihashi: AWWWWW! He's so cute, like a chibi chickie, you just want to pat him on the head (or with some ppl, they just want to kick him around O_o. Take your pick)
- Abe: can you believe he's reversible? He's the anal-rententive, but sweet, protective guy that takes care of everything (if he took the MBTI, he'd def be an ISTJ)
- Haruna: the ultimate bad boy. He's bad, very bad, and slightly abusive, and has a temper, but has his sweet moments. For some reason fangirls like that (not me, but hey, everyone's different) so he's quite popular. Oh, and def the ultimate seme.
- Junta: oh so pretty, oh so delicate, and I can't explain why. Must be the soft-spoken voice that makes him sexy. I peg him to be uke.
- Hanai: the guy that looks and acts like a bad boy but is actually the sweetest geek ever
- Tajima: he reminds me of a hyperactive pomeranian LOL. CUTE, CHIBI, and a TOTAL SPAZZ.
There's more, but I'll clog this post haha! OH, before I go, there are TWO major fansquee moments:
1. Anime episode 3. You'll see when you see it.
2. Manga (Can't remember when) moment. Er... I'm going to cut this part because it is a delicate manga spoiler. If you don't think you'll get to read the manga (since scanlations are slow for now, and that I doubt they will bring the manga to the US), clicky click on the cut! :-))
YES YES. Abe DOES GET INJURED *cries* and everyone gets emotional (tears).
This is a fanart i got from DeviantArt, but I CANT REMEMBER THE ARTIST (cries some more).
SO, my assessment is that I recommend the show :D
♥♥♥♥ And I still say Abe x Miha for life!♥♥♥♥
Ok, ok, another random review rant :-D As usual my disclaimer: this is all my opinion, blah blah blah... Enjoy and be MERRY! You be mean, then you be deleted (yay!) XD. ANd holy crap this review is loooong (no worries! I still AM taking time to write my 8059 fic!! Next chap is almost done XD! LOVE that fandom!)
I started watching Ooofuri, or other names are Ookiku Furkikabutte, or Big Windup.
The GIST: Let's hold hands. Trust me. There's nothing behind it.
I'm going to agree with prillalar 's review. It's love at first sight. The episode immediately draws you in as you become increasingly curious and immediately attached to the characters. You want to know more, and that is an aspect that is kept throughout the series IMO. It is no surprise to me that this series won the Kodansha award a few years back.
Now, I'll be up front. This is NOT specifically BL. It is a Baseball Anime. However, whether you are or are not a Baseball or BL fan, you will still enjoy it. The creator is very talented -- keeping it still within the realm of baseball and yet straddles the line of BL tendencies and close friendships. If you are a BL fan and have a polluted mind like me, you can totally see it be implied BL. If you are not a BL fan, you can still see it as a very close relationship between the boys. In this era where the trend is the flashy costumes and big explosive action scenes, it is a much needed break to finally see an anime that brings out the *characters* and a slice of life. It really is not a complicated story. The boy underdog overcomes his fears and forms wonderful relationships around him. The beauty of this series is how this is executed.
As far as execution goes, there are 26 TV episodes total. The last eps is not part of the TV but is a special. I divided this into 3 parts: Arch 1, the inbetween, and Arch 2:
- Arch 1: Introductions and the first "game". This is the best the series has, and it is worth it. You get introduced to the main characters AND why they are doing what they are doing... plus how situations are overcome. Mihashi is very adorable here. I want to pat his head and hug him lots. Plus, you get major fansqueal moment in Eps. 3 and introduced to the emotionally unstable and clingy ex-boyfriend Mihoshi pitcher in eps 4.
- In between: Kind of slows down. Not sure its worth buying, but still some awesome abe x miha moments. Introduces more side characters. Unfortunately, I can't say I feel that attached to them. However, one character, Haruna the sadistic, may rape you in the showers exboyfriend is very interesting indeed.
- Arch 2: I wasn't as into it. I wonder if it's because it's less about Abe and Mihashi, and more about the other characters. There are still plenty of cute AbeMiha though, so still watch it. Also, you delve into some new characters, such as the Tosei team. I realize after episode 16 that, for some reason, Junta Takase is extremely hot and totally having lots of hot sex with Kazuki Kawai behind everyone's back (serious). What I did not like is that it slowed down... the pacing was great in arch 1, it didn't take forever to get through a game, and in arch 2, there's one episode of nothing (just training). In addition, there is way too much screentime for the sidelines/cheer squad. As sweet as the characters are, I could care less. HOWEVER, episode 24-25 are worth it! Episode 26 is only worth it if you really like to see Haruna's sweet side, but I happen to find him more interesting when he is being a prick and potential rapist. Hey, bad boys add spice to the story!
Fan-squeals?
hahaha. I don't think I need to even ask. YES. SO much SLASH. SO SO MUCH SLASH. I can even see Yuri moments of Momo x Shinooka! Now why is this such great fan squeals? Because there's something for every fangirl fetish :p...
- Mihashi: AWWWWW! He's so cute, like a chibi chickie, you just want to pat him on the head (or with some ppl, they just want to kick him around O_o. Take your pick)
- Abe: can you believe he's reversible? He's the anal-rententive, but sweet, protective guy that takes care of everything (if he took the MBTI, he'd def be an ISTJ)
- Haruna: the ultimate bad boy. He's bad, very bad, and slightly abusive, and has a temper, but has his sweet moments. For some reason fangirls like that (not me, but hey, everyone's different) so he's quite popular. Oh, and def the ultimate seme.
- Junta: oh so pretty, oh so delicate, and I can't explain why. Must be the soft-spoken voice that makes him sexy. I peg him to be uke.
- Hanai: the guy that looks and acts like a bad boy but is actually the sweetest geek ever
- Tajima: he reminds me of a hyperactive pomeranian LOL. CUTE, CHIBI, and a TOTAL SPAZZ.
There's more, but I'll clog this post haha! OH, before I go, there are TWO major fansquee moments:
1. Anime episode 3. You'll see when you see it.
2. Manga (Can't remember when) moment. Er... I'm going to cut this part because it is a delicate manga spoiler. If you don't think you'll get to read the manga (since scanlations are slow for now, and that I doubt they will bring the manga to the US), clicky click on the cut! :-))
YES YES. Abe DOES GET INJURED *cries* and everyone gets emotional (tears).
This is a fanart i got from DeviantArt, but I CANT REMEMBER THE ARTIST (cries some more).
SO, my assessment is that I recommend the show :D
♥♥♥♥ And I still say Abe x Miha for life!♥♥♥♥