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Nov 13, 2015
Okusama ga Seitokaichou! is a very simplistic ecchi anime with a very shallow plot. To some this would be labeled "simple ecchi done right" while others would call it mediocre/crummy. In my opinion, both are partially right. The anime is nothing new for the ecchi genre and it really doesn't try to be.
The plot is basic: After being beaten out by a "love liberation" speech by female student council running opponent Ui Wakan, our male protagonist Hayato Izumi is forced into the vice president position while being fairly upset with the new president's school stance. That evening the president comes to
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his house and tells him she is his new wife, due to a drunken agreement made by their parents when the two of them were 3, and that she will now be living with him. Realistic, right? No, just a typical excuse to get the two players living in close proximity to each other. Again, you either roll and enjoy the implausibility, or get critical on something that is OBVIOUSLY stupid from conception and ruin any chance of enjoyment.
There is also another player in this game in the form of a third romantic lead who grows to like the main male protagonist, causing tension between him and his so-called "wife." This girl is a polar-opposite and is against "free love," but only because she was hurt in the past. Again, all of this is in an attempt to float as many peoples' boats as possible (living together due to valid "explanations", "sexual" accidents with more than one girl, girls on both ends of the spectrum so you can pick sides, etc).
Does the anime do anything extremely well? Not particularly, although for the first half of the show's episodes the opening credits had "highlights" of the last episode's plot which are helpful if you had forgotten. So that was a nice touch. The average episode length is also good (usually around 10-minutes) and makes the anime more palatable if you are bored and want to binge a series in a short few hours without risking enjoyment of it (due to binging).
Sexually, the show really doesn't shake it up at all (as far as the nudity). There is basically a guaranteed breast shot ONCE each episode (all that's shaken up....is the way we get to it). Personally, I found this tiring after the first few episodes and wished they had thought a little more outside the box (some episodes having more or less, depending on plot). I think it would have really helped towards the second half.
On a more personal note, I also didn't particularly favor the very frequent "free love" mantra and it was really forced on the audience (and frankly, many episodes disprove what little message they were trying to get across). Extremes really bug me, because they are both usually wrong/polarized sides of the presented argument.
Are the characters unique? No, not really.
Is the plot gripping? It's amusing and can be fun at times.
Is the animation or sound good? Pretty average/standard fare.
Enjoyment? Depends on who you are. I don't feel like it was a total waste, but it's not a show I'd watch again.
(Oh, and the show's final episode had no closure whatsoever. I'm totally banking on the fact it itself seems to want a second season.)
Reviewer’s Rating: 5
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Aug 11, 2015
More than ten years after the original 4-episode OVA had finished airing, we are given more Futari Ecchi in the form of a 3-episode OVA reboot entitled The One and Only Step Up Love Story (aka. Futari Ecchi 2014).
The story goes pretty much the same as the original in most aspects: Makoto and Yura wed after some focused arranged marriage compatibility dating, and then enter their lives as newlyweds upon their wedding. Some new characters debut that were not previously seen, and some characters are scrapped entirely or shrank in importance.
The problem with this re-telling is it shouldn't have taken as much risk in
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the department of originality (a shocker coming from a guy who usually hates when a reboot just rehashes the original). Episode 2 and 3 of this OVA....spend too much focus on OTHER characters, rather than our main couple! The original OVA had side stories, but they never dominated/took center stage above Yura and Makoto's relationship. This tended to dampen the enjoyment of this anime for me, as I came to see the couple I loved to root for from the beginning.
Episode 2 focuses on a young highschool girl named Rui Watanabe, who is trying to figure out what love is about and what to look for in a guy. Her father is a pervert and has soured her view towards marriage in general. She slowly finds counsel from Yura and begins to silently use Makoto as her implied model for an ideal man. (This episode may have been catering/paying tribute to the spin-off of Futari Ecchi's manga entitled: Futari Ecchi for Ladies.)
Episode 3 returns to the side story (from the original OVA episode 2) of Makoto's childhood friend and student he tutored, Miyuki Kikuchi, and expands heavily on it (almost to the point where episode 3 ends with a pretty lackluster close).
Generally, the animation also struggles a bit in a few aspects. Don't get me wrong, the drawing is smoother than the original, but there are constant long still-frames and "slow-mo" chop shots that just fail to live up to the original Futari Ecchi in its presentation. And again, a personal preference, but I prefer the voice talents of the original actors for Yura and Makoto (especially Yura).
Other than that, some character' roles are shrank such as Yura's promiscuous sister Rika, or removed altogether like Makoto's lonely cousin Kyouko. This can be a pro or con depending on how you felt about the specific character.
Overall, the reboot OVA is nice if you want to revisit Futari Ecchi or see some elements expanded on that were not as highlighted in the original (e.g Makoto and Yura's pre-marriage dating life), but it doesn't live up to the original or bullseye what made the first OVA as heartfelt. Again, the original production is simply superior in almost every way.
(And you may be thinking: this guy hasn't even touched on what this anime is about.....sex! Well, let me tell you this: Futari Ecchi, to me, is more about the love and bond of a young couple. Even though the sex is focal point of this OVA, it does not dominate the over-arcing simple message of marital love/dedication. You looking for sex? Yeah, it's here....but that is not the fullest part of this OVA's enjoyment. Look at it that way, and I think you'll be pleased with the results.)
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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Dec 23, 2014
Green Green takes a lot of heat for being a down-right bad anime in plot, character development, and writing (and, it frankly is). However, as you are even looking at this capping episode, it means you've most likely watched the show. So with this in mind, I'm not really going to get into the original show itself. Sufficient to say, I got really REALLY into the romance between Yusuke, Midori, and Futaba. This was the only thing that kept me going throughout the show, as the rest was pretty superfluous, forgettable, and weak (see my basic Green Green review for more).
Originally
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ignorant of this thirteenth episode, I was SO disappointing with the outcome/finale of episode 12 because I believed it to be the end. Yusuke basically ended up with neither of the two leading girls. It felt hollow. After finding out about Erolutions a day or so later, I literally leaped for joy (sorry for sounding like a fangirl).
I will note that Yusuke lost a bit of respect in my mind with what he proceeds to do in this episode. Yes, he connects with his girl in perfect romance, but he also dishonors her morally, even after showing a great act of chivalry earlier in the show for this same girl (depending on your outlook).
As far as the genre of this special OVA episode sequel: Yes, it is technically labeled "Hentai" due to two sex scenes within the episode. I'm not sure if it is correctly labeled though. I've seen Ecchi that are just as bad (if not worse) and have WAY more sexually explicit content almost constantly throughout the whole OVA (nudity, constant groping, masturbation, nipple ejaculating, orgasms, tentacle, etc). They are just lacking the sex itself (looking at you, Kagaku na Yatsura). Or take Futari Ecchi, a romance ecchi anime OVA series completely revolving around the early innocence of a virgin couples' sex life within the first few weeks of marriage (yet this anime is not labeled Hentai even though it has tons of sex scenes). Not trying to cause a fight but, the "Hentai" label on this episode tends to scare people off more than it should. It's borderline or soft Hentai at best. Erolutions also does a very good job in not contrasting to the original show, it hardly feels different.
The story was "fair" in comparison to the rest of the show as it gave closure. Art and sound were just as good as the original anime (blended/merged very well with its anime cohort). The characters are basically the same as they were before (though this episode gives us the final touches to Futaba Kutsuki's transformation of character that the show had been building. Midori is also a bit more mature and less annoying/more understanding).
Why did I rate this so high? As with the original show, I personally enjoyed it very much. Quality-wise, this OVA special episode just capped off a majority-opinion bad show (so it deserves a much lower, more realistic rating in that regard for sure).
Anyways, this really REALLY adds closure to the series. If you've watched all 12 episodes of the original Green Green (and liked them, mind you), you most definitely need to cap with this. Otherwise, the show is very dissatisfying in its closure as it isn't complete.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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Dec 20, 2014
This anime was Ecchi at raw ecchi's finest. Being a one-time OVA, the anime lacks obvious plot depth, but makes it quite obvious it isn't really made for that or trying to attain it.
The basic plot/story direction is definitely structured to give the main male character as much accidental "encounters"/situations as possible. It is rather humorous and works for a one time OVA (I could have seen it expanded to maybe three or four more).
If I personally was in Yuuki's shoes, I'd ask Miss Kakinozaka to marry me, right on the spot. She is sensitive, naive, giving, and sweet. Great waifu material (I also
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get that feeling that she is in serious danger of getting severely abused if not swept up by a healthy man. Hence, I have a little bit of a "savior complex" going, I guess XD).
Art and sound is nothing to write home about, but is still very effective for what the anime is doing. Overall, a very absurd, exaggerated, but overall funny anime for what it is trying to be.
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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Dec 20, 2014
This anime tends to receive a lot of flack from the public and anime lovers in general. It has flat stereotyped characters, a story that doesn't really move much after the first few episodes (and then till the last few episodes), and a very "paper" romance structure. This is a fair judgement and is done rightly so. I preface this review by saying that this anime is terrible/generic and I know it.
That being said, I strangely liked this anime personally. Despite its many obvious cons, I got into the love story and fanaticism of the lead female's (Midori) love for Yusuke. I also
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really liked Futaba and started to wage internal war over which girl I hoped Yusuke would go for. (Guys, take notes to Yusuke's act of chivalry to protect a girl's honor/modesty in an early episode. It worked well in his favor love-wise and it was totally the right thing to do. Kudos to gentlemen!)
Futaba was probably the character that developed the most as the series went on. She started as a stereotyped "tough girl" caricature and eventually became a very sensitive/shy nice person. I found myself performing a "180" on disliking her character....to loving it to death. Besides her and Midori, I found the other girls just there to take up space/add to the overall cast.
I haven't watched a ton of anime, and that may be the reason I liked it but.....it felt like a summer camp to me. I bonded with the characters (despite how annoying/stereotyped most all of them are) and was sad as it drew to a close. Without spoiling anything, the ending of this series is VERY VERY disappointing and UNfulfilling if you do not go and locate the extra episode 13 (Erolutions) which caps the series off and puts a romantic "ease"/closure to one such as myself. I was really upset and confused until I learned of the final episode so....if you do get invested in this show, I'd recommend you find it (the series went from beyond depressing to very satisfying with the conclusion reached between the end of 12 and the end of 13).
The art and sound of the show isn't anything to write home about (though the opening theme song can be very catchy).
Anyways, the setting was good, the girls were cute, the main character was decently honorable (until his less-than-ideal move in episode 13), and I even grew to be ok/amused with the Baka Trio (Hikaru Ichiban-Boshi being the most amusing as I liked/related to his romantic traits) by the end.
In the end, the ultimate pro of the show is the love triangle between the main characters. The cons.....almost everything else. I give this anime a "9" because of my own personal bond/enjoyment of it, but in reality, it deserves a "3" overall when I step back.
Though most would disagree with me, I'd love to see a Green Green 2 that expands on Yusuke's relationship with his "significant other." However, I'm content with where the series ended.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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Dec 20, 2014
Sekirei is considered by many to be an underrated gem of its genre. It is definitely a classic harem anime in the sense that we know the main character is not going to pick any of the girls due to his demeanor and the circumstances surrounding the plot. I personally dropped this anime after episode 3 the first time I attempted to watch it. However, after a couple months, I came back to it and it has grown on me, very much so.
For as infamous as this show is for it's very frequent nudity, big-breasted sex-appeal women, and emphasis on Ecchi, Seikirei does actually have
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a very fascinating plot and setting which balances out its constant innuendos. The Sekirei concept in itself feels much like a mixture of Pokémon, The Hunger Games, and The Running Man all weaved into one (with a lot of drama and "slice of life" atmosphere thrown in). The plot has a fair amount of good action and enough of an actual story line of depth to yank it from the category of an anime that is "just being an Ecchi for ecchi's sake" but not enough to make it more about the story either. So it balances itself quite nicely.
The plot and concept/constructs of the story are nicely thought out and explained adequately as the story unfolds (at some point, a confusion you may be having will always be addressed). The whole concept of the Sekireis, Ashikabis, the Disciplinary Squad, and government structure of the Sekirei project offer a depth that matches many "fair" anime adventure series (I say "fair" because the plot is well-done/laid out, but also isn't flat-out amazing either).
Minato Sahashi, the male lead and protagonist, in my opinion, is the show's weakest point. Much like Yusuke Takasaki from the infamous anime: Green Green (but not AS bad), he is a very tasteless character that kind of just has to be there for the plot's sake and structure. By season 2, he grows a small bit and I probably accepted him more than in the first season due to the simple factor of time.
The Sekirei, for the most part, are what make this anime interesting. Their personality differences as well as their constant fighting to be Minato's one love, is highly comical and at times, super sweet (when they get a moment to themselves with him).
For me personally, Musubi and Tsukiumi are my favorite players in this anime drama. They both have very much potential (in my personal opinion) as showing quality traits of girls I personally would love to marry (Musubi more than Tsukiumi). This aspect is definitely one of the more core reasons I like this anime. The loyalty and dedication of Minato's Sekirei to their Ashikabi, is quite beautiful and romantic/"wifely" if you let it be. Attaching to a character will definitely help you ride out the entire show MUCH better.
The art and sound are nothing to write home about but are good enough that they don't distract from the characters and plot at hand. The opening theme to both seasons of the show are very well-done in terms of music.
To conclude, a statement I once heard vulgarly put to describe this show was: "it's like Pokémon, except with big-titted women." Though that statement in the raw sense is true, yes....the show is definitely more than that. It isn't a flat-out amazing show, but most of the characters are quite interesting and you can definitely get attached to them. Overall: Good plot/setting/story, funny comedy, mostly all likable characters (a few I can't stand), very well-done opening theme song, and exciting super powered action when it's around. Sekirei is definitely a decent anime for the genre-mix it is trying to be.
(Warning: Season 2 ends on a "to be continued" cliff-hanger and Season 3 will probably never be created/released to conclude the story, due to a few reasons you can research yourself. With this in mind, just realize that you won't get closure if you decide to get into this anime.)
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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