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[GreyDuck]

Well, I had to, didn't I?

I've spotted one major downside to the idea of watching this show: Kuroko. Lots and lots of Kuroko. Who, in small doses, could be somewhat amusing in the previous serious... but she's going to be around all the effing time, here.

So. We'll see. All things considered, the sans-Kuroko parts weren't too shabby, really.

[Mentar]

Hmm...

It's interesting that Kuroko is creating such extreme reactions. What is it that riles you up so badly about her? You're not alone, mind you, but I have to admit that Kuroko as a character is my main reason why I love the Railgun universe. If anything, I consider her the MVP and most interesting character of the show, due to her diversity (only Mikoto comes close).

There are three sides to her: The relentless oneesama-hentai, the brave judgment official, and finally the sensitive-vulnerable girl. Episode 1 strongly emphasized the hentai in her, to a comical degree which I can imagine can lead to irritation ... correct?

We saw a brief glimpse of her second side, the brave judgment official. When the safety shutters of the bank exploded, she immediately reacted, and reacted well (I giggled about the detail how she wolfed down her crepe before running). Throughout the show, this is going to become her default mode. Occasionally she lapses into a taunting mode (which I consider hilarious), but overall, she does what needs to be done very capably and skillfully. Intellectually, she's probably the smartest of all characters to begin with.

I guess what really matters most is that she is brave in the truest meaning of the word. Especially when the "fun and games" times are over and things get BAD [tm], she'll shine. I've got to admit that there are particularly 2 scenes (including one very impressive flashback scene which I pray they'll animate) which pretty much made me admire her.

Finally, the vulnerable girl. Looking at her extreme and often callous behavior, you wouldn't believe it, but yes, there is this side of her too. These scenes are the most rare ones, but they do exist - and knowing that this side exists aswell further underline her "brave" aspect.

So in summary, give her some time and cut her some slack. She will NOT be as extreme as she's depicted in ep1, and it's the self-contradicting nature of her which I consider particularly appealing. So, don't worry, she will NOT remain a yurilicious sidekick

[Mentar]

And just after writing all this I see episode 2, where they altered a fairly touching "late" punishment+pool chapter into another uber-extreme Kuroko fetish farce ^_^; ... uh oh. I definitely hope they're not planning to go totall overboard with this...

*amused but slightly worried*

[GreyDuck]

Well, on the other hand... no overly-wordy heavy-drama deus-ex-machina plot arcs so far, either.

Calling it a draw at this point between this and its predecessor... but I'd like to see Kuroko in shown a better light now, thanks. We've had our fun, time to actually do something.

[penfold]

D'ya think if I pretend ep 2 never happened, ep 3 will be better?

"Unimpressed" is not quite the word I'd use for me at the moment.

[GreyDuck]

Well, episode 3 was certainly better in almost every possible respect from episode 2.

On the other hand... juvenile pranks? Really? That's the level of monster-of-the-week we're dealing with? Huh. Mind you, I wasn't really expecting Index-levels of world-ending disaster plots, but the pendulum can certainly swing a bit too far the other way, guys. Oy.

Edited to add: And finally, an episode in which I don't want to smack Kuroko with a rolled-up newspaper. GODS BLESS.

[Mentar]

I can positively assure you that things will get quite a bit more serious fairly soon (the level-upper arc), and they've been dropping hints here and there that we'll tackle this arc soonish.

However, do NOT expect Index-like "ooo, the sky is falling!" apocalyptic scenarios. The lighter atmosphere and highschool girl hijinx setting will remain (which I don't consider a real downside btw). But yes, things will get much more dangerous.

[GreyDuck]

I can live without Index-like over-the-top apocalyptic scenarios, actually. Just, as I said, there's something to be said for not swinging the pendulum too far the other direction.

Overall, two out of three ain't bad. Hell... it's the only show I'm actually watching this season so far. (Sad, ain't it?)

[GreyDuck]

Yes, I'm still alive. Just, not watching much this season.

4 and 5 are somewhat improved over, say, the 2nd episode. I didn't want to throw anything at my computer screen, anyway. Or, rather, at Kuroko. Somewhat-fluffy entertainment featuring superpowered girls? Yep, that's what I signed up for.

I'm amused that Biri-biri just happened to be passing by the post office during the robbery, though.

[Mentar]

Did ep5 do anything to your overall hostility towards Kuroko?

[GreyDuck]

Actually, 4 and 5 both helped. She can still annoy at times, but when she's in Competent Mode she's actually fun to watch. I've warmed up, you can say...

[Mentar]

As a declared Kuroko fan, I wanna point out that her crazy-perv side is extremely (over)emphasized by J.C.Staff, which is kinda regrettable since it unbalances the character alot.

What is ALSO a significant side of Kuroko was displayed in the flashback in 5, where she crawled with a sprained ankle and stepped-on fingers towards an armed and dangerous enemy to save her friend. Remaining behind with the doubly pissed criminal that might simply kill her. That's the "brave" part (which she is going to need/show very soon) which touched at least me, and which helps to round out her character.

[GreyDuck]

So, is it just me or is Judgment a really odd organization? "Young girls fight crime, retrieve lost handbags, investigate paranormal activity, and sweep trash."

When all's said and done, though: Six episodes in and I think I like Railgun more than Index overall. Index was far more talky (even after they'd done the setup episodes, they still loved their exposition scenes way, way too much) and tended to flip-flop pretty hard in tone (from "doom and gloom is coming!" to "oh look, panty shot!" in mere moments, more often than you'd have expected).

It ain't perfect, but it's entertaining. Yes... even Kuroko.

Hmm, should I do a fist-shaking-at-the-sky "DAMN YOU MENTY" riff, here? Nah, I'll save it for a better time... 

[Mentar]

I'm 75% happy with the Railgun conversion. Can't help but feel that it could have been better, with a more manga-like character balance and particularly by speeding things up a bit (I'd have shrunk the source by 2-3 episodes to deliver it in a more condensed way), but overall, I guess I can't complain.

It will be interesting to see how they will deal with the upcoming arc - in particular when the issues become life-threatening.

Oh, and consider Judgment more like boy scouts. They are not really supposed to be police, it's rather that Kuroko's proactive nature continuously involves her in Antiskill work (and in the manga, she continuously has to write letters of apology and reflection for it *grins*)

[GreyDuck]

The holidays got me a bit behind, but two marathon viewing sessions and I'm back to fully-caught-up.

I'm still enjoying the hell out of the show. It ain't perfect by any means, of course. (Moping Saten I could do with less of. Kuroko's shenanigans can still get tiring on occasion.) They're doing the job they set out to, though: A better-balanced action/dark/comedy romp in the "Index" setting. I approve.