Angel Beats was a rather unique show even though the execution was so tsundere that it was not even funny. The show was pretty interesting with girls with guns, fighting against other people and learning about the heroes’/heroines’ tragic memories. Therefore, this makes it the 8th Anime Moment in our countdown to Christmas.
If you think life is unfair, the afterlife seems to be the same way, but worse. People are basically fighting in a struggle since their prior life was unsatisfying. Therefore, Tenshi gets most of the blame because of the SSS. If you think about it, the show a thesis against school bullying. Basically, the SSS is a persistent bullying organization with Yurippe the perpetrator. As I have said in the past, bullying is a worst possible thing a person can do since it have dire consequences with the victim harming him or herself. You just don’t do that!
Besides the bullying, there were some tragic memories from some of the heroes and heroines. For instance, Iwasawa desired a career in music. Sadly, her parents fighting brought her down with an incurable brain injury. While the pacing make the dramatic memories feel out of place, the person’s memories makes you feel sympathetic towards them since life is incredibly unfair. This sadness isn’t too different from other works done by Key like Clannad for instance.
Although the story was all over the place, I have to admit, I actually enjoyed the character designs in Angel Beats. Kanade Tenshi was basically my favorite character out of the bunch. She is a very innocent and a very nice girl that was being bullied. She only wanted people to accept their fate and move on to the next life so they can leave purgatory. With the help of Otonashi, they managed to have everyone leave and start over. Regrettably, the show does not go in depth with the other characters due to time constraints. Darn, I really wanted to learn more about TK’s past since he is so cool!
The music in Angel Beats was excellent if you ignore Girls Dead Monster; this is probably the best part of the show. The opening and ending themes from Lia and Tada Aoi sounded godly with the addition of the background music from ANANT-GARDE EYES and Jun Maeda. Sure, the songs are similar to past works done by Key, but it has more of an electronica feeling in comparison. Also, karuta’s version of “Ichiban no Takaramomo” sounded nice and went well with the happy ending in the last episode.
In the end, Angel Beats is a fantastic disaster. Sure it could have done better with more episodes so character development and the story would be better executed. Ultimately, the character designs and the music made the series redeem itself. Then again, who doesn’t want to see Kanade eat some Mapo Doufu? I do!
Want More Twelve Moments?
Check out the ones made in the Aniblogoshere from Aorii, 8C, prototype27, Scamp, schneider, Borderline Hikkikomori, TWWK, Landon, Janette, digiboy, CCY, RyanA, Roghek, Bitmapchaosand Valence. If you looking for more that I didn’t mention can be viewed here and here.
Tsundere anime…? I don’t quite understand 😐
The inconsistencies with the drama and comedy due to the length made it feel like that… I kind of did not explain it enough,
I feel like I’m in the very small minority who enjoyed the show fully, even realizing that it was majorly flawed. I even enjoyed Girls Dead Monster – forget the “even,” I don’t understand the bad wrap they get!
By the way, Iwasaw’s episode, I think, was the high point of the series. Very well done, very moving, and very strong, despite revolving around a character who wasn’t developed before or after that episode.
Mmm…mapo tofu…
I think it has more to do with the singing talent since they picked rather mediocre and unknown singers to fill these positions. While the songs aren’t horrible, they are definitely not the best… I guess we have to accept it as it is since there is no point of complaining about them.
Anyways, I did enjoy the show and the memories were a high point of the show. It may not be the masterpiece of the previous works, but nevertheless still a good, but flawed show.
Ahhhh…yes, the singing was nothing special. I just liked the energy. 🙂
I think, though, that I would place Angel Beats above Air. I never much for that show (except that I enjoyed the loopy ending and of course, the beautiful animation). But it’s certainly no Clannad or Kanon.
*rewatching Kanon these days*
That is kind of true. While Air was enjoyable, it suffered from length problem since it was also 12 episodes (without the recap).
Even though Angel Beats may be better with animation and stuff, I agree with you. It’s pretty far away from the really good KyoAni Key adaptions for Clannad and Kanon. It has more to do with the execution more than anything… I guess.
I agree with your last paragraph, especially the last sentence.