Forum - View topicREVIEW: Uta Kata Sub.DVD
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Otaking09
 Posts: 637 |
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I loved Living for the Day after Tomorrow!
I couldn't, try as I might, get into Kiddy Grade... It was just too... different. I just gave up after ep 7. Then, after some months later, tried one more ep....... didn't work out. It's the only Gonzo, aside from Hellsing, that did not work well with me. But I will try this out. Saying it's the same kind of quality of hidden gem is one of the reasons I love anime so much. |
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pachy_boy
Posts: 1341 |
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Great review for a series that surprised me (I love it when series do that). It's really neat how Gimik fill their series with standard Anime elements and still make the overall story unconventional (although it's too bad I couldn't get past the first episode of Kiddy Girl-And). Don't know why, but I especially liked the opening theme song. My only beef is the fanservice considering the characters' ages, particularly with Ichika's flashy outfits (the one in episode 3 was especially inappropriate), but aside from that this turned out to be a deceptively simple story that wrapped up in a very appropriate conclusion that felt just right.
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Key
Moderator
 Posts: 18517 Location: Indianapolis, IN (formerly Mimiho Valley) |
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In some senses Kiddy Grade is actually very structurally similar to this one: both piddle around for a while looking simpler and shallower than they actually are and don't start showing the full extent of their substance until they get several episode deep. The tone of both also starts getting progressively darker after a lighter and fluffier set of early episodes. For KG, the fluffy cheesecake part of the series corresponds exactly to the episodes you've seen (i.e. #1-8). That one starts to change beginning with episode 9, so I'd suggest checking out at least eps #9-12 before writing that one off permanently. This one starts to show its true depth earlier, but it's also half the length of KG. |
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Otaking09
Posts: 637 |
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Even so... at that point, is the change worth finishing the show? I usually LOVE shows that start out fluffy, predictable, and, possibly, downright pointless... that later have astounding turnaround eps, that completely flips the earlier eps all around the frying pan! However... most of those earlier eps are tolerable in their own right to begin with. Many of Kiddy Grade's stories aren't even... endearing. What's the point of a turnaround if the source isn't even worth it? I've read your review on the V. Collection boxset, and, based from it, it doesn't seem the show has any outstanding points.... ...other than it's one of Gonzo's better works. |
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chrisb
 Subscriber Posts: 652 Location: USA |
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^ I'd follow Key's advice. You'd be surprised just how intense Kiddy Grade gets at episde 9. It's the episode where the story finally gets going. I thought it was worth it because it really does get entertaining and dramatic. Not a masterpiece but still worth watching til the end.
This is coming from somene who doesn't like sci-fi/Gonzo works. 
As for Uta-Kata, it's a neat dark and cool mystery that takes a while to get interesting. The loli level was a little too high for me at some points but it wasn't awful. The soundtrack, voice acting, and art were all very nice. |
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neocloud9
 Posts: 1178 Location: Atlanta, GA |
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Utakata totally blew me away, I was really impressed by it. Nice to see it get a good review here.
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here-and-faraway
 Posts: 1529 Location: Sunny California |
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Wow. Sounds really good. I'll also have to give Kiddy Grade another chance. I thought it was just a fluffy, fan-service show, but obviously I was wrong. Thanks for the review!
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JohnnySake
 Posts: 587 Location: Auburn Hills, MI |
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I had not heard of Uta Kata before, but when I saw it was the same artwork style as Kiddy Grade, I just had had to pick it up, sight unseen. Kiddy Grade is one of my favorite series, just for the previous reasons mentioned, light and fluffy sinking into dark and serious.
Yes, Uta Kata seemed to do something similar, although it did not seem to be as drastic as Kiddy Grade. I don't mean to compare the two series too much since the stories are such totally different subjects. On it's own merit, Uta Kata was quite enjoyable though. I'm grateful Section 23 / Sentai keeps bringing over these oddball little shows that might not see the light of day here otherwise. |
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mckg1
 Posts: 287 Location: From Puerto Rico living in Japan |
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This show might be an interesting piece. Although it is on the older side(2004). I also enjoy shows that get intense towards the end and really grab the viewers interest.
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garfield15
 Posts: 1537 |
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^^2004 is old now?
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Shiroi Hane
Encyclopedia Editor
 Posts: 7584 Location: Wales |
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The first I ever heard about the series was an article in NewType USA, and while I instantly recognised the character designs I've never considered Ichika and Manatsu to be all that similar to Éclair and Lumière. |
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grooven
Posts: 1429 Location: Canada |
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I remember this show
 good memories
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vashfanatic
 Posts: 3495 Location: Back stateside |
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Yes. Hence why we Legend of the Galactic Heroes fans lament of ever seeing our show legally; 1989 is ancient history. |
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Chrno2
 Posts: 6172 Location: USA |
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Pretty positive review compared to some of the reviews I'd see on past years blogs. There weren't that many because for whatever reason some folks couldn't wrap their head around this show. Not to mention those who HAD to blog it because no one else would and they felt the same way. Let's not forget the fact that the title could not get a straight forward translation. I'm actually surprised that this series made it stateside. I could almost say it doesn't get any more niche than this. Then there's 'Stellar Buster Mito'.
I saw this series awhile back mainly because I was one that kinda enjoyed Kadonosono-san's work. Not a big fan of Gonzo's animation work, though some. And while some don't like Kiddy Grade, I kinda enjoyed it somewhat. However I could not get into this series. I was puzzled. Not to mention ep. 14 which was an OVA had me more stumped. Though I will admit the blogs that ragged this show were hilarious. So I'll pass on this but I applaud anyone who managed to make sense of it.
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Alan45
 Village Elder Posts: 10045 Location: Virginia |
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Anyone want to comment on the meaning of the title? Is this one of those with several possible meanings?
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