Friday, July 2, 2010

Spring 2010 Review: Arakawa Under the Bridge

Ok, since the summer 2010 season is getting into full swing, I thought that I should try to quickly wrap-up the spring 2010 season.  First off in this giant review section is the comedy Arakawa Under the Bridge.
Arakawa Under the Bridge is a comedy centering around the main character Ichinomiya Kou, note that all spellings of names are variable to subbing groups, and his interactions with the strange denizens of Arakawa bridge.  To be more precise, the denizens of under Arakawa bridge, hence the title.  From a girl who believes she is from Venus and fishes for a living to people in star masks and kappa costumes, it is quite obvious that this is a character driven anime.  Character to character interactions are quite powerful and quite hilarious.  Unlike the other character driven anime of the season Working!!, Arakawa does gain a plot for a bit yet quickly gets over it.  If you find yourself watching Arakawa, just do not expect a lot of plot overall, just crazy madness.
Well, that said, Arakawa Under the Bridge would probably be best classified as an anime adapted from a "gag manga".  This means that a lot of its humor can be contextual and a bit different from other comedy animes.  Even so, I had a lot of fun with it and am looking forward to the second season, it is already confirmed for a second season.  I liked the interaction between the main character Kou and his female counterpart Nino as they grew to love each other.  I liked how all the other characters complemented the craziness of the anime and showed how a stubborn person can change their attitude, even if it is a slow process.  Overall, I liked the anime very much and as far as comedies go, I do not know much better if you like crazy randomness.
Onto the OP/ED and music.  The OP is a bit strange, but it definitely is not the worst you can do.  If the voice did not do some strange things, it actually would have been a very good OP, as it stands it is just pretty good.  The ED is also pretty good and I do not really have much to say since I do not usually watch the ED.  The music is far from memorable but complements the anime quite well and if I got my hands on the soundtrack I am sure I would find something worth listening to.  Also, yes I do end sentences with prepositions, I am aware and you shouldn't say anything.
I am definitely sure that I have not said everything about Arakawa Under the Bridge that I want, but it suffices to say that the animation quality is good and the comedy aspects are awesome for me.  If you are looking for something light and fun but do not want to go so far as watching Working!!, Arakawa Under the Bridge is a pretty good option.  Also, for fans of Bleach and in particular Zaraki, the person who voices him is the narrator and a character who appears in the last episode.  It is pretty funny hearing that voice on such a different character.  I intended to put up pictures, but I got lazy, so you get nothing.  Expect reviews for Sarai Goyou, Durarara!!, the Tatami Galaxy, and a mid for K-ON!! in the next few hours to tomorrow.  Then the summer 2010 first episode madness can truly begin.

Overall: 9/10
Among comedy anime: 9/10

--CsMiREK

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