The stream is running a bit on the dry side.

I was really hoping to get a third show to go with these (which is to say I was hoping Funimation would finally get around to streaming Barakamon seeing as how they LICENSED it I mean what are you WAITING for, an INVITATION, because HERE’S YOUR INVITATION STREAM BARAKAMON ALREADY RAWR), but it looks like we’ve run out of licenses for the moment.

So then, here’s the final pair of shows to trickle down the stream: one mixed bag followed by a big bag of awful. I’ve also included the shortlist of summer shows airing but not (legally) streaming, which I’m still waiting to review. Enjoy!

Nobunaga Concerto

Studio: Fuji TV
Based On: The manga by Ishii Ayumi
Streaming On: Crunchyroll

In a Sentence: Teenage slacker Saburou gets sent back in time to the Warring States Period, where he meets a young Oda Nobunaga – and discovers that the two bear a striking resemblance to one another.

How was it? Decidedly uneven, but you can cover a lot of flaws when you have Miyano Mamoru as your lead.

Overall
I’ve never seen a seiyuu carry a show quite like Miyano carried this premiere. Despite the pretty terrible cell-shaded CG animation and the whirlwind pacing, I found myself enjoying Nobunaga Concerto, largely because of Miyano’s ability to imbue Saburou with charm, wit, and a wide range of emotions – an impressive feat given that he basically had two facial expressions the entire episode (friggin’ CG).

Granted, the lead actor isn’t the only thing I liked here. I’m a huge fan of historical fantasy, and this show does seem like it wants to present a reasonably accurate depiction of 1500s Japan (time travel notwithstanding), so that caught my interest. And while Miyano’s acting goes a long way towards making the dialogue work, there’s some genuine heart and humor to the script, too (when the show takes a moment to breathe between rapid-fire plot points, at least). If the pacing smooths out this could end up being sneakily good, but it’s too early to tell just yet.

Coming Back for More?
The premise and the magnificent Miyano have convinced me to stick around a bit longer. I can overlook crappy animation if the story has chops. We’ll see how this one holds up.

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance (“Blade Dance of the Elementals”)

Studio: TNK
Based On: The light novel series by Shimizu Yuu
Streaming On: Crunchyroll

In a Sentence: Blargh, I dunno, something about a boy and a harem of loli girls using magic.

How was it? Very nearly beat out Momo Kyun Sword for “shortest amount of time I spent watching a premiere,” so…

Overall
The cover art suggested I wouldn’t like it. The opening theme all but guaranteed it. And then the first fucking scene after the opening was Boy Stumbles On Loli Girl In Bath, Boy Insults Girl’s Breast Size, Enraged Girl Attacks Boy With Magic While Naked. The barrage of distasteful fanservicey cliches almost killed me before I could hit “stop.” The only good thing I can say for this show is that at least it didn’t waste my time making me think it might be worth watching (lookin’ at you, Rokujyoma).

Coming Back for More?
I can think of no logical reason why you would even ask me that question.

On the Shore

No, I didn’t forget these shows – they just don’t seem to be streaming anywhere official yet. If they turn up I’ll pan ‘em right proper, but due to my personal “licensed anime only” rules (I’m a big supporter of the industry, partly because I’d like to someday work for said industry), they’re off limits for now.

• Barakamon
• Jinsei
• Minarai Diva
• PuriPara
• Sengoku Basara Judge End