The first DVD volume of Sekirei released in Japan by Aniplex on October 22, 2008.
Sekirei is an anime series based on the manga of the same title by Sakurako Gokurakuin. Produced by Aniplex and Seven Arcs and directed by Keizō Kusakawa, the story revolves around a college student named Minato Sahashi, whose entire life changes when he meets a Sekirei named Musubi, and later gets involved in a deadly survival game between Sekireis and their masters, or Ashikabis, called the Sekirei Plan.
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Sekirei was broadcast in Japan on Tokyo MX from July 2 and September 17, 2008. The anime adapts the first fifty chapters of the series. Six uncut DVDs of the first season were released between October 22, 2008[1] and March 25, 2009.[2] The sixth DVD volume features an original video animation episode titled 'The First Errand', which involves Kusano in a shopping race between Musubi and Tsukiumi. A Blu-ray box set of the first season was released on June 30, 2010 with three Blu-ray discs and one additional CD.[3]
A second season, titled Sekirei: Pure Engagement, aired in Japan between July 4 and September 26, 2010 on Tokyo MX with subsequent runs on AT-X, KBS Kyoto, Nagoya Broadcasting Network, Sun TV, TV Hokkaido, and TVQ Kyushu Broadcasting.[4] The limited edition of the Hakuyoku no Seiyaku ~Pure Engagement~/Onnaji Kimochi CD single came bundled with a special three-minute OVA, classified as episode 0, titled 'Two Topic Gossip'. The full 28-minute version of the OVA was released with the first BD/DVD volume of the second season on August 25, 2010. Both anime seasons are licensed by Funimation Entertainment for distribution in North America.[5][6][7] A DVD box set of first season was released on November 23, 2010.[8]
The opening theme in the first season is 'Sekirei' and the ending theme is 'Dear sweet heart'; both songs are performed by Saori Hayami (#88 Musubi), Marina Inoue (#9 Tsukiumi), Kana Hanazawa (#108 Kusano), Aya Endo (#2 Matsu).[9][10] The ending theme used for episode 11 is 'Kimi o Omou Toki' (きみを想うとき, 'When I Think of You') by Saori Hayami.[9] The opening and ending themes were released as part of the Sekirei Original Soundtrack, released on July 23, 2008.[9] The opening theme for Pure Engagement is 'Hakuyoku no Seiyaku ~Pure Engagement~' (白翼ノ誓約~Pure Engagement~) while the ending theme is 'Onnaji Kimochi' (おんなじきもち),[11] both of them sung by Saori Hayami, Marina Inoue, Kana Hanazawa and Aya Endo, as it was in the first season. The ending theme for episode 10 is 'Oboeteiru kara' (おぼえているから, 'Remembering You') by Saori Hayami. The tracks are released in the Hakuyoku no Seiyaku ~Pure Engagement~/Onnaji Kimochi CD and the Sekirei Sound Complete CD.[11][12]
Individual episodes of the series are called feathers (羽, hane), in reference to birds and the winging process of the Sekireis.
- 1Episodes
Episodes[edit]
Sekirei (2008)[edit]
# | Episode Name | Original air date | |
---|---|---|---|
01 | 'Sekirei' (Japanese: セキレイ) | July 2, 2008 | |
Minato Sahashi, a typical ronin student, finds his life suddenly changed after meeting a strange girl named Musubi after finding out that he failed in the university entrance exams in Tokyo. Minato discovers that she is a 'Sekirei' and that he is her 'Ashikabi' (ie. Master). However, Minato gets into trouble with the landlord when the student is informed that he violated the rules of staying in his apartment. | |||
02 | 'The Door to a New Residence' Transcription: 'Shin'ya no Tobira' (Japanese: 新屋の扉) | July 9, 2008 | |
When Minato's landlord evicts him from his apartment, he and Musubi must search for a new place to live. The two of them had no luck in finding a place to stay due to Minato's non-university student status, which contributed to his problems. Through a twist of fate, the two encounter a young woman named Miya Asami, who runs a boarding house called the Izumo Inn and are allowed to stay after she hears them out. | |||
03 | 'The Green Girl' Transcription: 'Midori no Shōjo' (Japanese: 緑ノ少女) | July 16, 2008 | |
Minato takes a job at a local construction site where he meets another Ashikabi, Kaoru Seo. With Seo's help, Minato infiltrates a nearby botanical garden, drawn by visions of a young Sekirei girl named Kusano, after Seo and his Sekireis eliminate a MBI roadblock in front of the garden. Musubi soon arrives and with her help, Minato rescues Kusano, who later makes Minato her Ashikabi. | |||
04 | 'The Strange Tale of Maison Izumo' Transcription: 'Izumosō Kidan' (Japanese: 出雲荘奇談) | July 23, 2008 | |
Minato, Musubi and Kusano are startled by strange events at Izumo Inn. Unknown to him, Minato is being secretly watched by a mysterious girl. When Musubi leaves to gather groceries, she is attacked by a satellite weapon controlled by the mysterious girl who then surprises Minato in the washroom. Yukari meets Shiina for the first time. | |||
05 | 'The Water Sekirei' Transcription: 'Mizu no Sekirei' (Japanese: 水ノ鶺鴒) | July 30, 2008 | |
The mysterious girl turns out to be Matsu, a Sekirei who has been hiding at the Inn. Matsu becomes Minato's third Sekirei. Minato has dreams of another Sekirei, later identified as Tsukiumi, a Sekirei that despises Ashikabi. Minato and Kusano go looking for her and encounter Seo. Hikari and Hibiki soon arrive chased by Tsukiumi. | |||
06 | 'Maison Izumo's Flower War' Transcription: 'Izumosō Hana Ikusa' (Japanese: 出雲荘花軍) | August 6, 2008 | |
Tsukiumi attacks Minato to prove that she doesn't need an Ashikabi, but she cannot release her full power. Hibiki and Hikari show her the power of fully winged Sekirei using their Norito, but Minato shields her from the attack. Finally understanding Minato's feelings, Tsukiumi becomes his newest Sekirei, leading to a comical homecoming. | |||
07 | 'The Black Sekirei' Transcription: 'Kuro no Sekirei' (Japanese: 黒ノ鶺鴒) | August 13, 2008 | |
Karasuba, a dangerous and lethal Sekirei, pays Musubi a visit at Izumo Inn and reaffirms a promise the two made in the past. MBI Director Hiroto Minaka initiates the second phase of the Sekirei Plan and blockades Tokyo with armed personnel from MBI's Security Services. Miya establishes new sleeping arrangements at the Inn, to the displeasure of Minato's Sekirei. Yukari and Shiina go shopping, but attract the attention of another Ashikabi. | |||
08 | 'The Closed Capital' Transcription: 'Tojita Teito' (Japanese: 閉ジタ帝都) | August 20, 2008 | |
Sekirei #95, Kuno, and her Ashikabi Haruka Shigi attempt to escape Tokyo despite a lockdown, but are pursued by MBI soldiers and members of the Disciplinary Squad. While Uzume visits her Ashikabi, Chiho, in the hospital, Yukari resolves to help Shiina search for Kusano. Matsu uncovers information about Sekirei being defeated by an unidentified assailant. Tsukiumi and Musubi confront the 'veiled' Sekirei who has cornered Kuno and her Ashikabi, unaware that it is Uzume. | |||
09 | 'The Veil and the Wind' Transcription: 'Hire to Kaze' (Japanese: 比礼ト風) | August 27, 2008 | |
The fight between Tsukiumi and the 'veiled' Sekirei (Uzume) ends abruptly due to the interference of Sekirei #03, Kazehana. Musubi takes Minato to meet Kuno and her Ashikabi, Haruka Shigi. Since Kuno is so weak, Shigi has decided to leave the city, but they have met many obstacles. With Musubi's encouragement, Minato agrees to help them. That night, Kazehana and Uzume stumble into Minato's room in a drunken stupor, causing Minato much grief with his Sekirei in the morning. | |||
10 | 'The Night Before the Escape' Transcription: 'Dasshutsu Zen'ya' (Japanese: 脱出前夜) | September 3, 2008 | |
Shigi tells the others about how he and Kuno first met. Minato and Musubi take them to see Seo, who gives them information about the Disciplinary Squad and other dangerous Ashikabi in the city. After some 'prompting' from Miya, Seo agrees to help them escape the city. Later that evening, a party is held at Izumo Inn. Despite knowing that Tsukiumi's absence greatly weakens their chances of success, she refuses to help Shigi and Kuno escape, believing their actions to be cowardly. | |||
11 | 'The Sekirei Symbol Disappears' Transcription: 'Sekireimon Shōshitsu' (Japanese: 鶺鴒紋消失) | September 10, 2008 | |
Karasuba and her Ashikabi, Natsuo Ichinomi, discuss the relationship between Musubi and Sekirei #08, Yume. The escape plan commences. Matsu rushes to the scene on her motorcycle and saves Kusano after she becomes surrounded by MBI Security Service soldiers. The group makes it to the bridge, but are confronted by Benitsubasa and Haihane, members of the Disciplinary Squad with orders to prevent Kuno and Shigi from leaving Tokyo at all costs. | |||
12 | 'The Sekirei of Fate' Transcription: 'Enishi no Sekirei' (Japanese: 縁ノ鶺鴒) | September 17, 2008 | |
Minato is in despair as Musubi is down for the count, but refuses to give up much to Benitsubasa's irritation, who proceeds to deal with him. Battles rage elsewhere as Kuno and Shiina (along with their respective Ashikabi) come under assault from various adversaries, and thus decided to have themselves winged, repulsing the attacks. But in a twist of fate, someone from Karasuba's past comes to Minato's aid in assisting Kuno and Shigi. | |||
OVA | 'Kusano's First Shopping Trip' Transcription: 'Hajimete no Otsukai' (Japanese: 初メテノオツカイ) | March 26, 2009 | |
Musubi and Tsukiumi have another race to the supermarket with the winner allowed to sit at Minato's side during dinner on a permanent basis. Kusano decides to participate in the race but does not do well due to the fact that she frequently becomes lost and is easily distracted from her task. Musubi and Tsukiumi appreciate the effort and determination that Kusano puts into the race that she has no chance of winning. They decide to take pity on her and team up to help her win the competition. |
Sekirei: Pure Engagement (2010)[edit]
# | Episode Name | Original air date | |
---|---|---|---|
OVA | 'Two-Topic Gossip' Transcription: 'Kanwa Ni Dai' (Japanese: 閑話弐題) | July 21, 2010 (3 minutes, Limited edition) August 21, 2010 (28 minutes, BD/DVD edition) | |
All of the Sekirei are required to take their measurements for the diagnostics day. Both Minato and Seo are later invited to a private spa exclusive for all the Sekirei and their Ashikabi. In both occasions, Benitsubasa demolishes both the examination room and the bathhouse, out of frustration at being ridiculed for her flat chest. Also, it is noted that Kagari had pondered upon choosing between the male and female entrances for these two events. However, because Benitsubasa destroys the two buildings Kagari no longer has to choose. The episode ends with several of the characters telling of the new season and asked what they want the show to have. | |||
01 | 'Silent Omen' Transcription: 'Shizunaru Yochō' (Japanese: 静ナル予兆) | June 13, 2010 (pre-release) July 4, 2010 (TV) | |
Things calm down at the Izumo Inn (for the most part) as tensions rise for the MBI, and Sekirei and Ashikabi from all over Tokyo try to escape. Something big is surely set to happen. Meanwhile, Benitsubasa plots her revenge on Musubi. | |||
02 | 'The Wind Blows' Transcription: 'Kaze Tachinu' (Japanese: 風立チヌ) | July 11, 2010 | |
Tensions in the city continue to escalate. Minato and Tsukiumi go to visit his sister Yukari when they are attacked by Haihane, who draws Tsukiumi away. Left alone, Benitsubasa captures Minato in an attempt to draw Musubi out and into a fight. While Matsu and the others try to determine Minato's location, Kazehana manages to track him to a warehouse (since she absolutely loves her saké), but must face both Benitsubasa and Haihane in order to free Minato. | |||
03 | 'The Wind's Answer' Transcription: 'Kaze no Irae' (Japanese: 風ノ答エ) | July 18, 2010 | |
Kazehana begins fighting a losing battle, but when Minato protects her from certain danger, she kisses him to acquire her wings, then easily defeats the Disciplinary Squad duo. Musubi and Tsukiumi arrive and take Minato to the hospital. There, he learns his mother, Takami, is part of the MBI, and Karasuba makes a great proposition to Musubi. | |||
04 | 'The Final Feather' Transcription: 'Saigo no Hitoha' (Japanese: 最後ノ一羽) | July 25, 2010 | |
Uzume starts to feel the weight of eliminating other Sekireis to make sure her Ashikabi is safe. Kagari starts reacting more to Minato, furthering his disgust of having a male Ashikabi. In a moment of weakness, he faints in Minato's arms and almost gets winged by trying to kiss Minato before he comes to his senses. Minaka sends out another message to all Ashikabi that one last Sekirei remains in the north, meaning Kagari. | |||
05 | 'The Sekirei of Flame' Transcription: 'Honō no Sekirei' (Japanese: 炎ノ鶺鴒) | August 1, 2010 | |
Minato tells Kagari that Minaka sent out a message to inform all Ashikabi the last Sekirei lives in the northern area and to hurry to wing it. This prompts Kagari to head out and try to kill Minaka, but runs into other Sekirei wishing to capture him for their Ashikabi. While Uzume and Akitsu fight for his possession, Minato and his Sekirei set off to defend him and wing him before the other approaching Sekireis and their Ashikabi arrive. | |||
06 | 'Words of Binding' Transcription: 'Kunagu Kotoba' (Japanese: 婚グ言葉) | August 8, 2010 | |
Akitsu continues to fend off Uzume while Kagari begins to lose control of his powers. Then, when Mikogami orders Mutsu to interfere in the fight between Akitsu and Uzume and capture Kagari, Izumi Higa's secretary, Kakizaki appears. Mutsu, realizing it would be useless to fight against Kakizaki and the other Sekireis he brought with him, retreats along with Mikogami and Akitsu. Before she leaves, Akitsu explains to Kagari why she has a master and tells him that she envies him because he can still be winged. Right after, Musubi defeats one of the Sekirei and Kagari tries to kill himself again, but is stopped by Minato and is winged also. The other Sekirei and Ashikabi retreat. | |||
07 | 'A Faraway Tale' Transcription: 'Tōi Monogatari' (Japanese: 遠イ物語) | August 15, 2010 | |
Relieved that Kagari has now recovered, Minato asks Matsu to explain the history of the Sekirei so he can further understand what is going on. Along with Musubi, Kusano and Tsukiumi (with Miya, Kazehana and Kagari eavesdropping), Matsu tells Minato the story of Minaka and Takami finding the vessel from space containing the Sekirei and founding the MBI. Minaka sends a message to all Ashikabi that says, 'All Ashikabi who still have yet to get something in this game, are no longer recognized as having the desire to participate in the game and all of the Sekirei in their possession will cease to function.' | |||
08 | 'Kusa's Play' Transcription: 'Kusa no Yūgi' (Japanese: 草ノ遊戯) | August 22, 2010 | |
Minato and Musubi meet with Karasuba while shopping. Later on, Minato runs an errand with Kusano, but she gets distracted by a cat and runs off to the hospital, where she meets Chiho, Uzume's Ashikabi. | |||
09 | 'A Multitude of Bonds' Transcription: 'Amata no Kizuna' (Japanese: 数多ノ絆) | August 29, 2010 | |
Tsukiumi is introduced to Yukari and Shiina during an encounter with a Sekirei and her very abusive Ashikabi. Later, Minato and his Sekirei meet Chiho at the hospital, and learn that Uzume is their enemy, the Veiled Sekirei. | |||
10 | 'Far-Reaching Sky' Transcription: 'Hatsuru Sora' (Japanese: 果ツル空) | September 5, 2010 | |
Uzume attacks Minato as part of her obligations to Higa in order to secure confidence for Chiho's recovery. Minato and the Sekirei privately mourn Uzume after she was defeated to protect Musubi. Chiho's condition began to turn bad, leading to an encounter between Minato and Higa. | |||
11 | 'Preparations for the Festival' Transcription: 'Matsuri no Junbi' (Japanese: 祭ノ準備) | September 12, 2010 | |
Minato asks Takami for help to treat a sick Chiho after secretly receiving data from Higa. However, Minaka decided to use it as part of the Sekirei Plan and summoned all active Sekirei and Ashikabi to fight against Minato. When one of them decided to fight the others for insulting him, Minato and the others use the opportunity to slip away. Matsu leads Kusano and Kagari to infiltrate the botanical gardens and seize the server room. En route to the location, they were ambushed by the Sekirei under Hayato. | |||
12 | 'Tower of Confusion' Transcription: 'Rangi no Tō' (Japanese: 乱戯ノ塔) | September 19, 2010 | |
Minato and his Sekirei begin their infiltration of the MBI Tower in downtown Tokyo in order to find out what the data on the antidote is to help cure Chiho of her condition. Minaka hinders the team from successfully completing it by activating anti-personnel traps, deploying the Disciplinary Squad to attack the Sekirei and keep them busy before he announced the activation of hidden explosive charges throughout the building. This forces Minato and Musubi to run harder towards the upper floors of the MBI Tower. Outside, the botanical gardens were already burning thanks to Kagari's controlled fire attacks. | |||
13 | 'Bonds of Truth' Transcription: 'Shinjitsu no Kizuna' (Japanese: 真実ノ絆) | September 26, 2010 | |
Seo aids Matsu in securing MBI data for Higa while Minato and Musubi confront Minaka before he escapes, leaving the MBI Tower as it gets destroyed. Karasuba engages Musubi after she threatens the death of Minato's other Sekirei. Under a Norito, Musubi was able to defeat Karasuba for the latter to concede defeat. With the tower destroyed, everyone began to return back to their normal lives. Higa was covertly given false data after Seo advised Matsu. Thanks to the data recovery, Chiho was successfully cured of her sickness. |
References[edit]
- General
- 'Tokyo MX Sekirei Story Guide' (in Japanese).
- 'Tokyo MX Sekirei: Pure Engagement Episode Guide' (in Japanese).
- Specific
- ^'DVD セキレイ 壱(完全生産限定版)' (in Japanese). Aniplex. Archived from the original on August 22, 2008. Retrieved November 26, 2008.
- ^'DVD セキレイ 六(完全生産限定版)' (in Japanese). Aniplex. Archived from the original on 2008-09-23. Retrieved November 26, 2008.
- ^'セキレイ Blu-ray BOX:セキレイ~Pure Engagement~' (in Japanese). Sekirei Anime Official Site. Retrieved July 22, 2010.
- ^'Sekirei's official News page' (in Japanese). Retrieved 2010-08-25.
- ^Stehmer, Eric (2009-11-21). 'Funimation Announces Three New Titles'. Toon Zone. Retrieved 2009-11-21.
- ^'Funimation Adds Sekirei, Testuwan Birdy Decode And Decode 02'. Anime News Network. 2009-11-22.
- ^'Funi Adds Trigun Film, Moyashimon, Shiki, Black Butler 2, Sekirei 2, More (Update 2)'. Anime News Network. Retrieved 2010-08-25.
- ^'Sekirei Cast'. Funimation Entertainment. Archived from the original on January 29, 2011. Retrieved September 22, 2010.
- ^ abc'Official Sekirei Website, CD Section' (in Japanese). Aniplex. Archived from the original on 2008-08-22. Retrieved 2008-11-29.
- ^'Amazon Japan's Dear sweet heart page' (in Japanese). Amazon Japan. Retrieved 2009-11-22.
- ^ ab'「白翼ノ誓約~Pure Engagement~/おんなじきもち」' (in Japanese). Retrieved 2010-08-25.
- ^'Sekirei Sound Complete' (in Japanese). Retrieved 2010-08-25.
External links[edit]
- Official Tokyo MX Website(in Japanese)
- Official Website(in Japanese)
Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_Sekirei_episodes&oldid=933833044'
Blu-Ray - [Limited Edition]
Synopsis: | |
With four powerful Sekirei under his influence, would-be college student Minato Sahashi has become a force to be reckoned with. That means that other forces to be reckoned with would like a reckoning with him. Conflicts with the Discipline Squad and a few less-than-friendly Ashikabi at first only result in him adding still more Sekirei to his roster of busty comrades. Soon, though, the schemes of Eastern Sekirei superpower Higa pits Minato against friend and neighbor Uzume, which in turn leads to him facing off against the mad CEO of MBI Hiroto Minaka himself. | |
Review: |
Sekirei isn't just about boobs, but you wouldn't know that by looking at it. The series bends over backwards to work in the greatest quantity of nipples and jiggling jugs that it can. Whether they fight with water, cloth, fist, sword, or fire, the attacks of the Sekirei are like boob-seeking missiles, shredding, ripping, burning or exploding whatever it is that is keeping their opponents' breasts from enjoying the fresh spring air. If there's any way that an important conversation can take place in the bath, it'll take place in the bath. Female characters are as remarkable for their lack of modesty as they are for the size of their boobs, which by the way are so large that after a while they look more like pointy extraterrestrial parasites than human mammaries. Which is a bit of a shame since the series' fan-service is actually very good when applied to more modestly-endowed characters like Benitsubasa. The series' need to bedeck every scene with boobs is so pressing that it often interferes with the series' non-boob-related qualities. It is hard, for instance, to get the full impact of a deathbed request when there is a giant, barely-concealed nipple heaving in the foreground. And that's a real shame. Because Sekirei wants very much to be one of those series whose surprising depth belies its puerile surface, and if its puerile surface keeps shanking its surprising depth it'll never make it. Not that it would necessarily have worked anyway. Even if it didn't have ill-placed booby-bombs to sink important scenes, the series still does enough things wrong to lay waste to those that it does right. At first this season seems to be on the way to rectifying that imbalance. The first season spent an inordinate amount of time introducing and inducting girls into Minato's harem, a process that even harem fans find tedious. This season introduces no new romantic interests, and inducts only two into his harem—which if you're counting brings the total to six. That leaves the series considerably more time to pursue things like Uzume's tragic double life, and the Sekirei Project itself. We get a lot of background on the project, including a long-delayed rundown of MBI's history and the origin of the Sekirei. The Sekirei's number system and corresponding differences in power start to make sense, and their world begins to take on a more concrete shape. There are factions and forces and schemers, all moving against each other and the MBI authorities. It's a far more complicated and dynamic milieu than before, made even more so by the sadistic directives that MBI CEO Minaka starts issuing to get his 'game' going. With all of that activity going on, it's only a matter of time until bad things start happening to Minato and his harem. A surprisingly powerful sense of danger hangs over most of the series, exploding occasionally into violence and tragedy. The resolution of Uzume's situation in particular proves that the series has no qualms about hurting its long-standing characters. So when Minato's sister and her Sekirei get into a brawl with an abusive Ashikabi and his Sekirei, or the Uzume arc propels Minato's harem into a full-on assault on MBI, there's no guarantee that they'll come out okay. The series also isn't shy about driving home the ugly reality of the Sekirei game, or the nastiness of Minato's opponents. Don't take that to mean that the series is dark or grim, though. It balances its blacker undercurrents with a heavy dose of humor, the best of it involving the flip-flopping of vicious Benitsubasa and her dim-witted sidekick Haihane from deadly threats to Stooge-level idiots. There's some business with Benitsubasa and an ill-fated ransom call that is just murder on the funny bone. Heartening developments also crop up here and there, notably when we see how Minato is starting to fit into the power balance of the Sekirei Project. How the series torpedoes its frankly nice balance of action, substance and laughs can be summed up in one word: romance. Oh, it has other problems, make no mistake. There's its villain, who spends the entire season laughing maniacally from the top of his skyscraper. Its premise, from the submissive nature of the Sekirei to the idea that they can only manifest their true power with the help of a man, is deeply sexist—something only somewhat mitigated by the handful of male Sekirei. Good old fashioned plot holes (why, for instance, no one tells Minato that Uzume is an enemy, even after she starts attacking allies) play their part too. And then there are the clichés. The game itself is a big one, and it is the climax's devolution into a tower-based pseudo-tournament that ultimately tips the balance against the show. But in the long run, it's the romance that has the most corrosive effect. The simple fact is that the series is terrible at it. No one in Minato's harem has an iota of chemistry with him, and none of the other Ashikabi/Sekirei pairs can boast much more. The series' idea of clever romantic byplay is having Minato's girls squabble over who gets to sit next to him at supper and feed him, and its idea of a romantic situation is having someone trip and give him a face-full of boob and/or butt. Romantic advancement consists of such scorching developments as Musubi realizing that she's jealous or Tsukiumi realizing that she wants to meet Minato's family. In a series that insists on making love a central theme, that's deadly. Of the series' non-boob related technical merits, its action scenes are probably the best. Though less than fully animated, they are energetic and frequently pretty cool. CG assists and rapid-fire editing are largely responsible, along with the generally spectacular nature of the Sekirei's powers. Character designs and background art in general are generic, if occasionally and formidably cute in the case of the characters, as is the effective but forgettable score. The decision to use an insert song to bolster Musubi's final fight was a serious mistake, but a relatively forgivable one. Funimation's dub is typically good, taking few risks and making few mistakes. Tsukiumi's thou-art-thee speech pattern is definitely one of them. The female cast doesn't try too hard to be effeminate, which is definitely the right decision, and Joel McDonald doesn't overplay Minato's wimpiness. That said, the dub overall is at its very best when going whole hog for ham and playing fast and loose with the humor. Emotionally charged scenes don't work terribly well, but they don't work much better in Japanese, so it isn't much of an issue. It's hard to judge exactly how tight the script is since audio and subtitle tracks are non-selectable and thus can't be directly compared, but it seems faithful enough. The set includes a Blu-ray version for those who prefer their boobs in HD and also a pretty nice line-up of extras. There are previews and clean versions of the various and invariably undistinguished openings and endings, as well as a highly humorous (and highly breast-centric) two-part OVA episode. More important are the commentary tracks for episodes 5 and 10. As the first season didn't have any, ADR DirectorScott Sager leads Joel McDonald and Leah Clark (episode 5) and Alexis Tipton and Jamie Marchi (episode 10) through discussions of both seasons. Lively and reasonably informative, they're a boon for dub fans. As Sager himself warns, there're spoilers, so save the commentaries for after the series. The limited edition comes with a chipboard box to hold both seasons. In the balance, the quality of Pure Engagement isn't far from that of its predecessor. If you liked season one, season two will probably press the same buttons. Ditto if you hated it. Fans will be glad to know that this season features real plot advancement and an ending that satisfies while also leaving large gaps for a sequel to slip through. If you aren't already a fan, though, and are on the lookout for a fan-service action/romance with a surprisingly meaty underbelly, you'd probably be better served by something like Mahoromatic or even My-HiME. |
Grade: | |
Overall (dub) : C Story : C Art : B- + Harem romance that aspires to something more lofty than cheap titillation and wish-fulfillment; more plot advancement and less harem clutter than season one; good action. − Awful romance; mediocre execution; mammary overkill. | |
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