First Impressions / SEKIREI / Series Introduction

OP Sequence

OP: 「白翼ノ誓約～Pure Engagement～」 (Hakuyoku no Seiyaku ~Pure Engagement~) by 早見沙織, 井上麻里奈, 花澤香菜, 遠藤綾 (Hayami Saori, Inoue Marina, Hanazawa Kana, Endou Aya)
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「静ナル予兆」 (Shizu Naru Yochou)
“A Quiet Omen”

Today marks the start of the normal broadcast of the SEKIREI sequel, which had an early broadcast premiere almost three weeks ago like I mentioned before. As I was busy working on the Summer 2010 Preview at the time, I purposely held off for the cleaner screen captures that you see here. For the most part, this episode was a quick reintroduction to the series to help establish where things left off in the original adaptation two years ago. Those who need a quick refresher on top of what was covered in the episode can refer to my post about the original’s finale (…with detailed summary and all back when I used to write those). While helping us get re-accustomed to the Minato (Tachibana Shinnosuke) and his harem of Sekirei, this episode proved to be a fan-serviced-filled jump start to the series too. Oddly enough, the shower scene with Benitsubasa (Itou Shizuka) was censored in this normal broadcast (hence the screen capture from the pre-airing), whereas the bath scene with Musubi (Hayami Saori) was left untouched.

If I had to censor one of those two scenes, the latter would’ve made more sense given how much more revealing it is, but I was surprised that any scene went uncensored in either premiere. This is Tokyo MX after all, so I’m inclined to believe that this was only a bit of extra service left in for the premiere episode. As some people may recall, the same was done back in episode nine of the original run to give a taste of what the uncensored DVD releases had to offer, after which everything went back to being censored. Still, I’m not complaining when we get an early preview right off the bat, particularly with all the Benitsubasa fan-service involved. Despite being a Disciplinary Force Sekirei who’s kind of psychotic, she happens to be one of my favorite characters design-wise, simply because she’s a lot more proportional than the other big-busted girls.

Anyway, the start of the sequel caught my attention right away with the flashback scenes of the original Disciplinary Force, led by Miya (Oohara Sayaka). I was well aware that she’s Sekirei No.01, but seeing her as the leader of that group was a stark contrast to her landlord position at the Izumo guest house. What’s more, alongside her were No.02 Matsu (Endou Aya), No.03 Kazehana (Yukana), No.04 Karasuba (Paku Romi), and No.05 Mutsu (Matsubara Daisuke). Karasuba didn’t come as any surprise since she’s the leader of the third Disciplinary Force currently in deployment, but I wasn’t expecting several of the Sekirei hanging around Minato to be original members. Their single digit numbers indicate that they’re the cream of the crop Sekirei, but I wouldn’t have made the connection that they were in charge of disposing of runaway Sekirei. Their carefree personalities aren’t anything like Kurasaba’s nor Benitsubasa’s, though I guess the same could be said about Yume, who was the leader of the second Disciplinary Force. In any case, I’m curious as to what will come from Benitsubasa snooping around Izumo and checking up on Minato and the others. As we know now, he has pretty damn capable Sekirei around to deal with her.

When I watched this episode three weeks ago, what I enjoyed the most was just seeing all the characters together again. Kusano in particular proved to be adorable as ever, and I was pretty amused by how Hanazawa Kana brought out her jealousy in one scene. Then there’s Tsukiumi and her tsundere ways, who’s always fun to watch since she’s played by Inoue Marina. Aside from Minato’s Sekirei, I’m looking forward to seeing more of his sister Yukari (Asumi Kana) and her male Sekirei, Shiina (Ishizuka Sayori). However, amidst the fan-service that’s surely abound, what I’m most looking forward to in this sequel is some closure this “love story” as M.B.I. president Manaka Hiroto (Seki Toshihiko) likes to refer to it as. Seven Arcs look like they’ve upped the bar on the production of this sequel too, so it should be quite a treat visually (in more ways than one).

* Note: A Blu-ray box set of the original series was just released on June 30th, which Seven Arcs has been feverishly promoting.

 

ED Sequence

ED: 「おんなじきもち」 (Onnaji Kimochi) by 早見沙織, 井上麻里奈, 花澤香菜, 遠藤綾 (Hayami Saori, Inoue Marina, Hanazawa Kana, Endou Aya)
Watch the ED!: Download, Streaming ▼

Preview

36 Comments

  3. I seen the early premire ep 3wks ago and i enjoyed it. Seeing it how censored one part and uncensored another ^_^. So like Divine said i wonder if that was a freeby like how ep9 was in season one. I kinda hope that the 2nd ending song that they played on the first season(Kimi wo Omou Toki)would be the ending theme for this season but wasnt. I really liked that song. Oh well. Im glad that ur blogging this season Divine.

    Itachizame
    Reply

    1. Episode 00 is the Introduction of the upcoming anime Sekirei Pure Engagement and some flashbacks from the original Sekirei, all japanese seiyuu are guest host including the male japanese seiyuu enters the discussion

      All Hail Sekirei, #1 Anime EVER compare to Ikkitousen series… don’t ask…

      cutemi2
      Reply

  12. I was hoping they would something new to differentiate from the preview that aired two weeks ago, but I guess not. Either way, we got a quick reintroduction of the characters (and the ecchi) and we’re already jumping back into the action. I’m not complaining.

    Oh by the way Divine I wanted to know if you were going to cover High School of the Dead?

    Suzuku
    Reply

    1. For early broadcast premieres, it’s just an early showing of the same episode. It’s no different than a movie screening, so nothing new is ever added.

      As for HIGHSCHOOL OF THE DEAD, I’ve watched the first episode, but Kiiragi’s going to be the one covering it as indicated in the Summer 2010 Schedule. I helped him prepare OP/ED videos already, so he should have a post up sometime soon.

      Divine
      Reply

      1. Divine, can I suggest writers to be introduced/linked to the series they’d be covering, starting for the Fall season? I think it’d add an additional plus for us readers. In the past, I’ve seen the new season’s series being discussed by writers of different blogs based on their styles, likes and dislikes. I thought it was fun to see the different personalities and all.

        Shinjiro
        Reply

  13. @Divine: On a totally unrelated note, I was at Japan Expo this saturday and sunday, and each day I saw Asou Natsuko live, and Sunday she shook my hands,I can die happily, shoot me see if I care 🙂

    Rockmanshii
    Reply

  14. This is the series I was most looking forward to this season (followed by High School Of The Dead). Its a great series and all the different personalities of the girls in his “harem” make this series a joy to watch. It has something for everyone from comedy, romance, action, and fan service.

    Karmafan
    Reply

  16. No love for Uzume ??!!!!! You all die !!!! 😛

    Can’t wait for more I really like the first season so very eager for this one. As always if the oppai mass was tamed down a noch it will be a perfect series.

    Island Esper
    Reply

  19. Despite the (extremely small) differences, I hope it ends up staying true to the manga overall as the manga itself reveals quite a few things (like, as shown, the 1st generation Disciplinary Squad members). Though, based on the opening sequence, I’d guess it will stay true as, as shown last season, the OP half-spoils people as to what the season will entail (only to those who are reading the manga, though).

    HalfDemonInuyasha
    Reply

  21. Sekirei has all the right stuff except a coherent and believable plot. The whole concept of Sekirei Project made no sense in Season I. And I predict that it will stay the way for Season II.

    Matroid
    Reply

    1. How do you figure? Seeing as it is an action/sci-fi/fantasy anime, how can the plot be unbelievable? The only thing that doesn’t make sense is why all the Sekirei have giant boobs…Which, to be honest, is a little stupid. Call me gay if you want, but gigantic boobs kind of kills good shows.

      Hopefully we’ll get to see Homura’s story. I’m interested in finding out about the changes their bodies go through if they don’t find a mate.

      Dkpritts
      Reply

    2. How do you figure? Seeing as it is an action/sci-fi/fantasy anime, how can the plot be unbelievable? The only thing that doesn’t make sense is why all the Sekirei have giant boobs…Which, to be honest, is a little stupid. Call me gay if you want, but gigantic boobs kind of kills good shows.

      Hopefully we’ll get to see Homura’s story. I’m interested in finding out about the changes their bodies go through if they don’t find a mate.

      Dkpritts
      Reply

      1. Believe it or not: even work of fiction– any fiction, “science” fiction or otherwise– needs a “believable” plot. It just means that, once the setting and characters are introduced, the reader or audience should be able to follow the logic of the make-believe world and immerse into the story. Your question about Homura’s body is an example of following the “logic” of the make-believe world. That is, given the premise of the story, you actively imagine what would happen next. without such involvement, the story would be no fun to follow. And my point is that the fundamental plot (the concept of Sekirei Project itself) has so many holes and gaps that it is “unbelievable” and takes away the fun.

        Matroid
        Reply

  24. A worthy sequel of Sekirei. Definitely will buy the DVD set of this anime. ^_^

    Unlike any other seiyuus, the main seiyuus sang great opening and ending songs for the second season, as well as the first season. Great job, ladies. ^_^

    Chaos Raiden
    Reply

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