 |
| …It's not what you think… |
[Intended Date: May 31, 2015. Original Post Date: June 3, 2015.]
Ground Control to Psychoelectric Girl (Denpa Onna to Seishun Otoko)
Additional Links: ANN Entry, MAL Entry
Video [Free {Streaming}]: Hulu
Before we get things started, let's play a little game of "speculation". I was originally ruminating about choosing a particular title, but I was unsure about doing so. While I did like said anime (save for the ending), not everyone else quite did (though some still found some good in it). I have no qualms about showcasing controversial or divisive works, but when it comes to a genuine question of quality and execution, it becomes a little less clear. Even I have to admit that not everything went so smoothly, so in the end, I decided to hold off on it—perhaps until a latter date, when I have given it a little more thought.
I might have made it a little obvious, but can you guess which anime I am referring to? Details are being hashed out, but Kyoto Animation may be handling the prizes…
In its stead, I figured I would showcase one that not only is a bona fide good anime, but should go great with the upcoming summer season. Ground Control to Psychoelectric Girl (Denpa Onna to Seishun Otoko) centers on a wishful teen looking to end his final two years of high school—and his adolescence—in style with a change in scenery, after having to relocate to his vibrant aunt's residence. She certainly leans on the eccentric side, but she has nothing on her daughter: an ethereal, silver-haired girl who wraps herself inside of a futon mat and claims to be an alien!
GCtPG, as you can tell, is a quirky tale and the synopsis doesn't even cover the other odd characters that show up, but it is much more grounded than you might believe. It is one of the most honest and best-depicted stories about adolescence and growing-up in anime (and, perhaps, in general), and the affability of and interplay between its characters may rival the gorgeousness of its production. SHAFT and director Akiyuki Simbo may be known for their very distinct, artsy style and designs—not to mention fanservice and envelope-pushing—but this ranks as one of their most restrained and polished shows (thankfully, that also means that incestuous overtones are largely nonexistent…). Their telltale effects and flourishes are still there, but they do not override GCtPG or distract, but rather, enhance and accent an already solid and distinct story. The good acting (especially from the lead), dialogue, and character development also go a long way in making it a memorable title.
The 13-eps. series takes place in the summer, and thus, is depicted quite nicely, as well. You can watch it for free on Hulu, in Japanese with English subtitles.
No comments:
Post a Comment