Post by Bytor on Nov 10, 2012 23:44:52 GMT -5
-Details-
Genre: Action
Company: J.C. Staff
Format: 13 episodes
Dates: 7 Jan 2011 – 8 Apr 2011
-Visuals- 8.8/10
Surreal, fantastical, realistic, cartoonish...hmmm...get the picture? unfortunately it appears this anime was (possibly) visualized by someone who (possibly) likes some....uh...well...let's just say imbibing in some particular plant which many like to smoke. This causes this to be a true mish-mash of many different anime styles visually and while none particularly fail none also particularly succeed. At times I found the visuals to be other-worldly (which some scenes being set in a dream land is appropriate), at times I found it to be very realistic looking, especially in the urban areas, and at times I found it to be very cliche anime comedic, however, way too often I simply found it to be confusing. Perhaps it's me but I would have preferred the animation to have stuck with a more "spiritual" look and feel which I believe would have suited the show much better. Now, having said that the various Muma are fantastic to say the least! And that is what I meant by "more spiritual", if everything had looked as good as the Dream Demons this show would have looked incredible!
-Characters- 8.6/10
The main cast of characters are all represented well and are developed nicely, albeit possibly a bit too quickly. I felt I got to know Fujiwara and Isana and Merry well enough but I didn't get to know them well enough to develop much of an emotional attachment to them. Part of this problem is the pacing of the show and part is the fact that to be honest while things do happen in the show you never really buy into their struggles and issues. Actually considering the show is definitely a drama I found some of the comedic moments to be the best moments from an emotional standpoint.. And of course the show is relatively short, so it does become more of an issue to become emotionally attached but I personally would have welcomed a bit more fleshing out of the various characters. And, once again to a certain extent the Muma are the true stars of the show as they are, to me anyhow, far more interesting than the humans which become their vessels.
-Story- 9.0/10
The Muma are Dream Demons who were born from humans dreams. Over time they develop (somehow) a desire to take over their human "vessels" and hence become alive in the "real world". They are led by a monstrous demon who desires nothing more than to not only kill the Muma but also to thus destroy and render helpless the human vessels. Unfortunately I'm not 100% sure what I just typed is 100% accurate as the story is at best a tad vague. And it is unfortunate as the Muma human relationship could have been developed much better which would have resulted in a much, much better show.
-Overall- 8.8/10
So close, but yet so far. It's a really enjoyable show, even almost a great one...but it just misses...and I do mean just...but still worth the time spent
