Bokurano!!
Well, it's official.... "Bokurano" is ABSOLUTELY AWESOME!!! (If you read through my updated previous post about the new season of anime shows, and followed the link to the write-up included there, then you'll have an idea of the set-up for it already.) Gah!! I don't want to say too much about it and ruin it for anyone who might watch it, but I'm still only five episodes into it and it's already in full bloom story-wise -- just great!! I'm loving the opening theme music as well, which is by Chiaki Ishikawa of the group See-Saw. You should check it out, right now:
As you can tell by looking at the characters faces, it's not going to be a story that's going to proceed happily -- exactly the opposite! Actually, it's kind of intriguing just to think about who the actual TV audience might be for this; at least, it certainly highlights the difference in standards between Japan and North America in terms of what they think audiences are ready for. I'm guessing it's maybe for 14+ over there -- since even by their standards it might prove too disturbing and psychologically scarring for VERY young kids to watch....! (So, I doubt that we'll be seeing this one on YTV anytime soon!!) Yet, it could very much be argued that this is exactly the type of thought-provoking show that we SHOULD be seeing in North America. Although it's best seen from the beginning, anyone who's even remotely interested should AT LEAST check out episodes 4 and 5!!! {Episode 4 starts with a recap of the major events from #2, so you'll know what's going on!}
Don't be put off by the deceptively upbeat tone leading into episode 2 of this, as they are totally setting you (and the characters) up for a fall!! By episode 5, the intensity and desperation level is already climbing high as the full horror of their situation reveals itself -- even though they still haven't realized that each of them appears to be getting targeted in such a way that their own individual mental frailties will be torn loose and set against them to exaggerate their suffering!!! (The first kid was the relatively normal one of the bunch I guess, so he got off relatively easy compared to the rest of them, despite what happens to him at the end of ep #2....!)
At first, I wasn't quite sure what to make of the odd character called Dung Beetle (named so because he's such a 'shit disturber', perhaps?!). But, he is becoming a more interesting and entertaining presence as well, in episode 5.... although he is also turning out to be an absolutely unmerciful bastard, at the same time!!
*** POTENTIAL SPOILER ALERT!!! ***
At the moment, he actually seems to be (not-so-subtly) goading one kid into raping the girl that he likes!! Not in as many words perhaps, but that's obviously where it's heading.... and he seems to be manipulating the situation to keep this kid moving toward a point of rage and desperation, just to see if he can be pushed into doing it! The girl herself no doubt has major emotional problems already; so, even if he manages to get a grip on himself before it's too late, it has to go badly for them somehow -- almost certainly!
We also get a glimpse into why the kid named Ushiro despises his little sister so much, in this episode. (I'll say no more about that, though -- you'll have to find out for yourself!) The question now might be: Does he really hate her enough to want her dead?! It seems like he might! So, I'm sure that he'll get a chance to find out firsthand, eventually.... (Will he find out that he's made a mistake before it's too late I wonder, or have to learn it the hard way?) It will be interesting to see how that story unfolds; but, since this is "Bokurano", he'll probably be finding it out the hard way! That's just the kind of show it is....!
Check the series out for yourself!!
......
Click to viewAs you can tell by looking at the characters faces, it's not going to be a story that's going to proceed happily -- exactly the opposite! Actually, it's kind of intriguing just to think about who the actual TV audience might be for this; at least, it certainly highlights the difference in standards between Japan and North America in terms of what they think audiences are ready for. I'm guessing it's maybe for 14+ over there -- since even by their standards it might prove too disturbing and psychologically scarring for VERY young kids to watch....! (So, I doubt that we'll be seeing this one on YTV anytime soon!!) Yet, it could very much be argued that this is exactly the type of thought-provoking show that we SHOULD be seeing in North America. Although it's best seen from the beginning, anyone who's even remotely interested should AT LEAST check out episodes 4 and 5!!! {Episode 4 starts with a recap of the major events from #2, so you'll know what's going on!}
Don't be put off by the deceptively upbeat tone leading into episode 2 of this, as they are totally setting you (and the characters) up for a fall!! By episode 5, the intensity and desperation level is already climbing high as the full horror of their situation reveals itself -- even though they still haven't realized that each of them appears to be getting targeted in such a way that their own individual mental frailties will be torn loose and set against them to exaggerate their suffering!!! (The first kid was the relatively normal one of the bunch I guess, so he got off relatively easy compared to the rest of them, despite what happens to him at the end of ep #2....!)
At first, I wasn't quite sure what to make of the odd character called Dung Beetle (named so because he's such a 'shit disturber', perhaps?!). But, he is becoming a more interesting and entertaining presence as well, in episode 5.... although he is also turning out to be an absolutely unmerciful bastard, at the same time!!
*** POTENTIAL SPOILER ALERT!!! ***
At the moment, he actually seems to be (not-so-subtly) goading one kid into raping the girl that he likes!! Not in as many words perhaps, but that's obviously where it's heading.... and he seems to be manipulating the situation to keep this kid moving toward a point of rage and desperation, just to see if he can be pushed into doing it! The girl herself no doubt has major emotional problems already; so, even if he manages to get a grip on himself before it's too late, it has to go badly for them somehow -- almost certainly!
We also get a glimpse into why the kid named Ushiro despises his little sister so much, in this episode. (I'll say no more about that, though -- you'll have to find out for yourself!) The question now might be: Does he really hate her enough to want her dead?! It seems like he might! So, I'm sure that he'll get a chance to find out firsthand, eventually.... (Will he find out that he's made a mistake before it's too late I wonder, or have to learn it the hard way?) It will be interesting to see how that story unfolds; but, since this is "Bokurano", he'll probably be finding it out the hard way! That's just the kind of show it is....!
Check the series out for yourself!!
......