Shelf Life

Lil Romeo

Much like the first part of the series, Tomoya continues to work his way through the myriad of girls, learning the importance of family along the way (even if he can't manage to reconcile with his own father). Even though he's a self-labeled delinquent, it's obvious his forte is supporting the people around him, whether it's helping them keep a school club open, or helping them through hard times, or slogging through the multiple bento feasts that the various girls keep pushing upon him. It follows the well-defined path of moe harem anime, but the characters are interesting and weird enough that once you start an arc, you'll want to finish it. Plus the girls are cute, which is a given—even if their aesthetic isn't my cup of tea.

Even though I've slowly warmed up to Clannad over time, I still couldn't contain my skepticism in some parts. As much as I tried to immerse myself in the hazy little dream world the show has created, I still found myself rolling my eyes at parts—including the first few times Fuko magical girl'd her way into random situations. Because, you know… she's not physically there. I mean, if you can buy it and believe it, then by all means do so. Truthfully, maybe I'm just too hard-hearted for an innocent show like this. When the girls were explaining that Kotomi's violin was destroyed while they were taking it to the music store to be tuned, my first thought was, “…why would you take a violin to the store to be tuned?” When Tomoya was slaving away in her lawn, digging out grass with a little hand shovel, I was thinking, “Why aren't you using a real shovel? Or chemical grass killer?”

Obviously, I'm too much of a cynic to embrace some of the heart-warming gestures in this show. But really, innocent moaning aside, Clannad is a charming show. I also really dig the way these moe shows are structured, because I like the short two or three episode mini-arcs. It keeps things interesting, and it keeps the viewer curious, even if they've never played the game before. I imagine even someone who doesn't like moe shows would be able to appreciate the efficient way these stories are paced. It makes them easily digestible, and that goes a long way when it comes to entertainment.

So far, Clannad still isn't my favorite moe series, but I could see the appeal it holds for fans of the genre. The girls are cute, their lives are interesting, and Tomoya is actually someone I could support, even if I wouldn't wake up at 5AM to make him lunch like these girls do. And okay, maybe I leaked a couple tears at some point, but that's a secret between you and me, and I won't tell you which scene it was.[TOP]

Set in a fantastical floating city named Neo Verona, the series is an innovative spin on Shakespeare's original work. Juliet has been living the life of a boy for 14 years, occasionally masquerading as a masked vigilante known as the Red Whirlwind. On her sixteenth birthday, she learns that she's the last surviving Capulet, the family that ruled Neo Verona before they were decimated by the Montagues. The main gist of the story, we all already know, but never before did I think anyone would be able to stretch such a well-known story into such a lush, imaginative series that's an entity unto itself. One of the story elements that makes this rendition so fascinating is the inclusion of the Red Whirlwind, who not only adds an extra layer of complexity to Juliet's character, but also provides a catalyst for discussion on class warfare. Juliet is so much stronger for having that addition, and because of it, proves to be one of the most interesting anime heroines in recent memory.

Notably, the series isn't without its nods to Shakespeare. Aside from all the lines that are borrowed from his plays, there's also a character named Willy, a flamboyant playwright who allowed Juliet and her protectors to seek refuge in his home. It's more than a little amusing to watch him twirl his moustache as he references works like Othello and As You Like It.

Another thing worth noting is the stunning atmosphere the series has created for itself. The animation is gorgeous, save for the few shots of Montague flags flapping in the wind, which stick out like a sore thumb. There's something about the way that everything is draped that gives the series a very soft appearance. From Juliet's flowing hair, to Red Whirlwind's billowing cape, everything is filled with movement, and it keeps the series feeling very dreamlike and airy. Equally delightful are the scenes in which characters race through the city. Rather than just panning into an alley, or switching between backgrounds, the viewer is taken around corners and through alleys, adding again to that constant feeling of movement.

Romeo x Juliet has given me renewed faith in anime. Despite the good buzz, I was skeptical of the series' ability to retell a classic in a manner that was both entertaining and engaging. But it's more than just a retelling—it's a total reimagining of the story, and it works so well. I can count on one hand the other series I've felt this way about in the past few years, and I'm excited that I can add to that list.[TOP]