This is a pretty highly anticipated show. Let's check it out!
Japanese Title: 戦う支所 The Book of Bantorra
Studio: david production
Licensor: Crunchyroll
Director: Toshiya Shinohara
Based On: Ishio Yamagata's light novel series
Well, I definitely had a problem with the opening. For a show that is primarily cool by virtue of sounding different, I'm disappointed that they decided to go with an ALI Project opening. The songs aren't bad-- I even like them --but they always sound like the same song done over again. On top of that, some of the geometric look of the opening video sequence is vaguely reminiscent of Eden of the East. Not a great start.
Fortunately, the story itself looks interesting. We open with Hamutz Meseta listening in on some of the upper echelon of the church, who talk about various things. One of them is a clear mustachio'd black hat-type character, even if he has neither a mustache nor a black hat-- he talks loftily of living the happiest life known to man and dying and becoming a big fat book of awesome. (Did I mention that people turn into books when they die here?) He's also overly disdainful of the "meat," which appears to refer to some kind of zombified commoner.
There's a lot of story here to dig through in the upcoming episodes, and a couple of people told me that they felt a bit overloaded on information that wasn't fully explained. I didn't have a problem with it-- I'm just interested in learning about the world they've set up, and they're pretty good about not just directly explicating to the audience, preferring to show rather than tell as much as is feasible in a fantasy series like this.
The characters have potential-- Hamutz is kind of an interesting mix. I mean, she's this total badass, but like I mention, she's rocking this totally girly bow. There's a "meat" that will be playing a role of some kind, although it's not clear exactly what yet, and with him still kind of zombie-like he doesn't have much personality. Hamutz's team members who join her on the mission in the first ep aren't too vivacious yet, though there are definite hints of back story to tell. And the girls who work at the library are pretty cute.
So, to sum up: lots of potential here. Hopefully it'll live up to it.
Animation: ♥♥♥♥
Characters: ♥♥½
OP/ED Themes: ♥♥
Overall: ♥♥♥ ½
- Read or Die
- Fullmetal Alchemist
- Xam'd: Lost Memories
Length: Ongoing; unknown
Features:
- English subtitles
- Simulcast-- watch here (available only to subscribers until October 9th; free thereafter)
Vital Stats:
Title: Tatakau Shisho The Book of BantorraJapanese Title: 戦う支所 The Book of Bantorra
Studio: david production
Licensor: Crunchyroll
Director: Toshiya Shinohara
Based On: Ishio Yamagata's light novel series
The Story
The Review
Okay, you guys know I've been excited for this one: librarians ruling a fantasy world? Totally up my alley. But does it live up to my expectations?Well, I definitely had a problem with the opening. For a show that is primarily cool by virtue of sounding different, I'm disappointed that they decided to go with an ALI Project opening. The songs aren't bad-- I even like them --but they always sound like the same song done over again. On top of that, some of the geometric look of the opening video sequence is vaguely reminiscent of Eden of the East. Not a great start.
Fortunately, the story itself looks interesting. We open with Hamutz Meseta listening in on some of the upper echelon of the church, who talk about various things. One of them is a clear mustachio'd black hat-type character, even if he has neither a mustache nor a black hat-- he talks loftily of living the happiest life known to man and dying and becoming a big fat book of awesome. (Did I mention that people turn into books when they die here?) He's also overly disdainful of the "meat," which appears to refer to some kind of zombified commoner.
There's a lot of story here to dig through in the upcoming episodes, and a couple of people told me that they felt a bit overloaded on information that wasn't fully explained. I didn't have a problem with it-- I'm just interested in learning about the world they've set up, and they're pretty good about not just directly explicating to the audience, preferring to show rather than tell as much as is feasible in a fantasy series like this.
The characters have potential-- Hamutz is kind of an interesting mix. I mean, she's this total badass, but like I mention, she's rocking this totally girly bow. There's a "meat" that will be playing a role of some kind, although it's not clear exactly what yet, and with him still kind of zombie-like he doesn't have much personality. Hamutz's team members who join her on the mission in the first ep aren't too vivacious yet, though there are definite hints of back story to tell. And the girls who work at the library are pretty cute.
So, to sum up: lots of potential here. Hopefully it'll live up to it.
Ratings (of 5):
Story: ♥♥♥Animation: ♥♥♥♥
Characters: ♥♥½
OP/ED Themes: ♥♥
Overall: ♥♥♥ ½
IF, THEN
If you like these shows, you might like Tatakau Shisho.- Read or Die
- Fullmetal Alchemist
- Xam'd: Lost Memories
Release Info:
Released: October 2nd, 2009Length: Ongoing; unknown
Features:
- English subtitles
- Simulcast-- watch here (available only to subscribers until October 9th; free thereafter)
