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I’ve always liked Shrek for its approach on the “family movie” genre – Shrek seemed to be the first major piece of American animation that had elements catering exclusively to the PG-13 and up crowd. Say what you will about Aladdin and his phallus-palace, but Shrek was the first to have no qualms about dishing out the adult jokes. Similarly, Japanese anime studios are very keen on their audiences – as far as the past-midnight shows go, it’s not a concern of age group, but rather one of… “moe preference.”
Since Manabi Straight is an anime about grade-schoolers, that means it’s a kid’s show, right?
Heh.
Most of you have been watching anime enough to know that this is rarely the case, but I can’t remember the last time a show has been so blatantly shameless with its showcasing of preteen moe appeal. Sure, there haven’t been any panty-shots (yet), but the fact that it has been so close multiple times might raise a few eyebrows. Maybe not just eyebrows.
Rewind back to July 2005 when Ichigo Mashimaro first debuted – it had the same high quality art and animation, same level of seiyuu talent, the same-aged characters (at least it seems so), and even the same kind of cute-girls-doing-funny-stuff appeal. It had a similar type of subtle humor to the legendary Azumanga Daioh, and was more enjoyable manifested in these strangely precocious girls – that’s why I still consider Ichigo Mashimaro to be one of my favorite series. It wasn’t until someone blurted out “LOLI~!!!!” that I realized the show held another sort of appeal…one of the more “perverse” nature.
Thing is, it didn’t really bug me. Some people watch Smallville because of Kristin Kreuk, some watch women’s tennis for Maria Sharapova, and some watch beach volleyball for the other set of bouncing balls. That’s perfectly fine, because the whole appeal and fascination of it is in the mind of the viewer. Women’s tennis wasn’t created to showcase girls in frilly tennis skirts, but there just happened to be a six foot Russian bombshell who could handle her racket with the best of them. Ichigo Mashimaro wasn’t created to be a loli exhibit – some people just viewed it that way. So how about Manabi Straight?
I have to admit I was a bit disappointed in how overt the studio was in including images like the one above. In my mind, any type of “useless fanservice” belongs only in hgame based shows like SHUFFLE! and OtoBoku, where they actually fit within the context of the anime. Of course, I’m only disappointed because Manabi Straight expertly pulls off the same kind of subtle humor that made Azumanga and Ichigo so good (seitoukaichou style! pretty accurate!). It was a shame, to me at least, to see a show of such great potential stoop to something as cheap as fanservice to gain audiences.
Luckily, that’s just me. And minus my own blip of a peeve, Manabi Straight has so far been great fun – one of those shows that just picks up your spirits and leaves you feeling happy. For those who watch it for the loli factor, well…there’s plenty of widespread enjoyment for them too.
The moral of the story is, then, when a studio spends their time and money and takes care of their business in producing an anime, people will like it…for whatever reason. Massugu, GO!
-jaalin
Best part of Manabi Straight? Hirano Aya voicing Mei.
Hrm, I recall originally seeing screencaps of this and going “Damn, another loli show” and kinda ignoring the first subs that came out for it.
But then after I finally got around to watching the first episode, I found that it wasn’t such a bad series after all. The whole “loli” appeal doesn’t really work for me, but there’s something about this series that keeps me watching it. Perhaps its the humour, or just the “feel-good” feeling (no, not in that sense) I get from watching it.
Of course, Omni’s summaries did manage to get me slightly interested to begin with.
1) They’re high schoolers, or so they say.
Yes, of course this is a kid’s show! 😀
Though I haven’t watched this show yet, reading Omni’s summaries, aren’t the high schoolers, as Uryuu says? Besides, any anime shown late at night are not kids’ shows.
I myself am not partial to “loli” shows (which may be why I haven’t watched an episode yet), but it seems this show is a little deeper than that.
Loli?
…
Never crossed my mind when I watch this.
Well, I wouldn’t consider that image fanservice (though it’s pretty close). I’ve seen 2 eps so far, and I never thought of it as a loli show.
> Ichigo Mashimaro wasn’t created to be a loli exhibit – some people just viewed it that way.
You have the logic completely reversed. It is made to be a loli exhibit. Some people are just immune to it, able to ignore it, or don’t realize it instantly.
yes, indeed the girls are actually in high school, believe or not ;D
huh… I though it was the Little Mermaid with the phallus palace.
>> uruki: huh.. I though it was the Little Mermaid with the phallus palace
It was indeed the little mermaid, but it was aparently an accident. http://www.snopes.com/disney/films/mermaid.htm
Next I’ll be seeing posts about how the book “Little Women” is a loli paradise or that the shoe store’s real purpose is to get foot fetishists all vibratory…
I think the people that try to find things perverted are the ones that think this is a loli show for perverts.
I like this how so far. Perhaps in their world high school means ages 8-15 XD. They’re so cute, I just wanna hug them & grab those cheeks so badly.
(Maria Sharapova rocks, but too bad she’s not the Aussie Open Female Champion this year. I knew there was no hope after S.Williams was leading 3-0 in the first set. Maybe next yr. Wimbledon = 2004, US Open = 2006, Aussie Open = 2008!!!)
No one asked for your tennis opinions. gb2espn
^@Norne: wat?? Jaalin-san mentioned it in the blog, so there’s nothing wrong with replying to that.
Oh, i forgot to add “No one asked for your rudeness”. *evil glare*
Ichigo Mashimaro is by Barasui…and it caters to lolicon far, far more than Manabi Straight (I am a lolicon btw). Maybe you have to read the manga, it’s a lot more explicit there. (Secretly video-taping Ana-chan in the shower, Miu lifting up Chika’s skirt, Nobue trying to kiss Matsuri all the time).
why is every anime that tries to emphasize cutness to it’s maximum level get the loli stamp ? It’s cute that’s what it’s suppose to be . I’m sure people who are into lolicon watch Azumanga Daioh as well but Azumanga Daioh is not loli . Just becasue Chiyo – chan is cute doesn’t mean her character was put there to apeal lolicon fans .