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Mojave
Joined: 07 May 2017
Posts: 178
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Posted: Sun Jul 30, 2017 6:15 pm
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I got introduced to Sekirei when I was fairly new to anime and manga, because it was on Netflix. I didn't really understand back then that fanservice could be the main point of an anime, so I actually approached Sekirei almost entirely from its battle and emotional aspects, and I actually really loved it for those. In retrospect, the sheer amount of fanservice would seem to indicate that the series is pretty shallow, but in reality it has an impressive amount of depth and emotional complexity. Minato, the MC, is someone who really is trying to learn and grow and be worthy of those around him, and deeply cares about all of his sekirei, as well as those around him (his reaction to the "death" of another sekirei that isn't his is very moving). The relationships between him and each of his individual sekirei eventually become quite fleshed-out, and don't feel forced.
It's worth noting that the sekirei aren't people with superpowers as the review states, they're actually clearly established as humanoid aliens, hence why they have powers. They existed before MBI did, and MBI rose to power based on discovering one ship containing sekirei (there have been multiple of these ships throughout history). That's not to say that everything gets clearly explained by the end of the manga, because it doesn't, but there's enough information given and worldbuilding done that it doesn't feel incomplete or lacking.
I don't know if I would have given Sekirei much of a chance if I hadn't been new to anime and manga and clueless about the role that fanservice actually plays in the medium, but I'm really glad that I didn't know any better, because it allowed me to find and appreciate a series that has great depth and emotions. This series is a hidden gem, and I really hope that more people are able to give it a chance and discover that.
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Redbeard 101
Oscar the Grouch
Forums Superstar
Joined: 14 Aug 2006
Posts: 16961
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Posted: Sun Jul 30, 2017 6:22 pm
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I've heard it refereed to as, "The Boobie show with a heart of gold." I personally enjoyed the anime a lot. It's not a masterpiece but it's not meant to be. It's a fun action show with T&A. While there is a lot of the T&A I never felt it took away from the story nor became a hindrance to the serious parts of the show. My only complaint was how the anime ended you definitely have to read the manga to see what happens. That however is common anyways so it's not like it was something unexpected.
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zeonozero
Joined: 01 Mar 2008
Posts: 85
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Posted: Sun Jul 30, 2017 6:24 pm
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Psycho 101 wrote: | It's not a masterpiece but it's not meant to be. It's a fun action show with T&A. |
Pretty much this. MC Minato also isn't a major fool or a pervert, which also helps the story. Sure he's the typical "nothing good in life until..." but he is likeable and he does grow over time.
It is a light story though and it is slow development, but give it a chance and it'll have more world building.
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Animegomaniac
Joined: 16 Feb 2012
Posts: 4137
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Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2017 3:29 am
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I'm one of the few then to have read the manga long before the anime was ever made... and was disappointed by the anime.
Quote: | It's not a masterpiece but it's not meant to be. It's a fun action show with T&A. |
This. I don't where the "thrilling" and "despondent" parts of the manga went but they just took the girls, the harem aspect and some fighting and called it a show. No self reflection, no death, they even messed up the bridge climax. The series eventually devolves into a messy tournament story but the "winging" part of the plot is still pretty golden.
The art is... Serviceable. Fan serviceable.
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Northlander
Joined: 10 Feb 2009
Posts: 906
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Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2017 4:48 am
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I was rather surprised too, that after seeing a season, I... kind of liked most of the characters in the show, even the male lead. And the comedy was actually amusing most of the time instead of teeth-gnashingly awful.
If I had a complaint, then it would be that the first season didn't have a lot of fighting in it, but the second season amended that quite a bit. Now my only complaint is that the anime doesn't tell the story to its end.
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Kadmos1
Joined: 08 May 2014
Posts: 13591
Location: In Phoenix but has an 85308 ZIP
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Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2017 6:36 am
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Going with the extreme fan service, when Minato first meets Musubi after she fell from the sky, her landing on him was reminiscent of the "69" sex position. There's a 11/22/2010 YT clip called "Sekirei - Season 1 Now on DVD - Minato meets Musubi - Clip" from the Funi channel.
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Princess_Irene
ANN Reviewer
Joined: 16 Dec 2008
Posts: 2632
Location: The castle beyond the Goblin City
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Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2017 6:48 am
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Mojave wrote: |
It's worth noting that the sekirei aren't people with superpowers as the review states, they're actually clearly established as humanoid aliens, hence why they have powers. They existed before MBI did, and MBI rose to power based on discovering one ship containing sekirei (there have been multiple of these ships throughout history). |
They haven't quite finished establishing this in this omnibus, although the ship has been discovered. Actually, the better way to put it is that the word "alien" hasn't been used (yet?), which is why I went with "superpowered people" instead. I haven't seen the anime, so I'll be interested to see if they do actually start calling them aliens.
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Beatdigga
Joined: 26 Oct 2003
Posts: 4526
Location: New York
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Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2017 8:59 am
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Ah yes, Pokémon with boobs.
This was better than it had any right to be and that rests on the characters being likable. Sure there's a token loli but she's treated as a little sister by Minato. Sure Musubi is an airhead but it never descends into farce or annoyance. Etc.
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jr240483
Joined: 24 Dec 2005
Posts: 4426
Location: New York City,New York,USA
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Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2017 8:28 pm
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zeonozero wrote: |
Psycho 101 wrote: | It's not a masterpiece but it's not meant to be. It's a fun action show with T&A. |
Pretty much this. MC Minato also isn't a major fool or a pervert, which also helps the story. Sure he's the typical "nothing good in life until..." but he is likeable and he does grow over time.
It is a light story though and it is slow development, but give it a chance and it'll have more world building. |
and while he's no pervert ala dxd's issei , trinity seven's arata or horizon's aoi , he unfortunately have some of massive girl phobic crapshoot with a density and obliviousness towards the opposite sex which is the size of china's great wall , which tend to be the MO for male harem leads. HOWEVER, at least he's not in the same density levels as IS' ichika, index's touma or completely afraid of the opposite sex like danmachi's (is it wrong to pick up girls in a dungeon?) bell cranell and the masaki brothers tenchi & kenchi.
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nechronius
Joined: 23 Nov 2005
Posts: 275
Location: So Cal, USA
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Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2017 8:44 pm
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Sekirei. A fan service anime I actually looked forward to seeing more of despite the fan service. I really wanted to see where they were going with the world building.
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Kadmos1
Joined: 08 May 2014
Posts: 13591
Location: In Phoenix but has an 85308 ZIP
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Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2017 9:48 pm
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Definitely 1 of my fave harem series. Seriously, Minato should have had some kids with Musubi by now.
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Covnam
Joined: 31 May 2005
Posts: 3783
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Posted: Tue Aug 01, 2017 12:06 am
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Enjoyed the anime, so I'll probably pick these up.
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