Broken Anime

Sekirei, the answer to my need for fanservice this season?

OP: “Sekirei (セキレイ)” by Saori Hayami, Marina Inoue, Kana Hanazawa, and Aya Endo

Upon first inspection of the “Elfen Lied”esque scene that came at the beginning of the first episode, one might think that Sekirei is going to be an action-packed horror anime that may be unsuitable for minors… Although this is true, the OP lets us know that the blood and guts isn’t going to be what makes this anime so graphic. The OP, sung by the cast, gives us a look at the busty, scantily clad female lineup that is to come in the harem-anime, Sekirei.

Elfen Lied opening scene much?

Episode 01 “Sekirei” at a glance:

The episode starts with a disjointed Elfen-Lied-esque scene where an inhuman female evil quickly and inexplicably kills the many guards trying to stop her. Another girl stands opposite of the un-named killer, holding a young child who strikes a close resemblance to the main female character of our story.

Skipping to the present time, an intelligent young man named Minato Sahashi has just flunked his college exams for the second time in a row due to his inability to cope with pressure. Speaking of pressure, a busty young female falls from the sky just at that moment and lands squarely on top of him. Chased by two twins who wield some sort of strange lighting, her and Minato escape and eventually end up at his apartment.

She gives a brief explanation of the situation that Minato has landed himself in… Her name is Musubi and she is one of the many beautiful young women known as “Sekirei”. These Sekirei are in a game to fight and compete to ascend, where one of their main objectives is to find their male partner called a Ashikabi that will become their partners or “masters” in this competition.

Although not much is clear to Minato, after kissing and hearing a confession from the beautiful Musubi, he finds himself in even deeper trouble as Musubi’s Ashikabi and another participant of the highly secret, highly dangerous game run by the mysterious group known only as MBI. Also, when his landlord discovers Musubi in his room, he kicks Minato out of the apartment complex, leaving them both homeless. When kissing Musubi, she gets a strange sensation that overcomes her and wings grow out of her. Although Minato doesn’t quite know the mysteries that surround Musubi and her inhuman abilities, hes sure to find out as the game continues with himself stuck right in the middle.

Twin ninja girls? What is going on here!?

Zomg too cute…

Girl can eat.

What a homosexual.

…

Why so blue kangaroo?

Awwww…

Sure.. you can jump to the moon… but you still don’t have anywhere to stay.

ED: “Dear sweet heart” by Saori Hayami, Marina Inoue, Kana Hanazawa, and Aya Endo

This ED, although sung by the same female cast as the OP, is way more funky and lively. Also, it shamelessly shows off some of the better qualities of the beautiful female character-lineup. All in all, not a bad OP for a harem anime… but not one that I’d watch every episode.

Review: Musubi is my love!!!

The main reason I started to watch this show is to fill the gap of fanservice that Kanokon had occupied last season. But thats not to say that this harem-anime is anything close to Kanokon.

These animes, actually, have almost reverse characteristics. What I mean by this is that some of things that I felt were weak in Kanokon (the premise and some of the production values) are met by Sekirei, while other things (some of the artwork and voiceacting) are areas that Sekirei falls short in… or.. should I say, is more inconsistent in (some of the times I’m very impressed while others are a definite let down). However, I’m absolutely in love with Musubi. Just after one episode, my moé heart starts pumping new blood into my ashamed body as Musubi’s clothes get torn off… taken off… and blasted off in every action scene.

BUT SERIOUSLY… they must have ripped scenes off from at least half a dozen of my favorite animes… Some of the most notable ones, Minato failing his exams for the 2nd time despite being a complete nerd and nervous wreck *cough* Love Hina. Beyond that… the Elfen Lied scene at the beginning made me /facepalm quicker than Kazeryu in bed and her innocence in his apartment made me feel a sort of Chii-like expression, especially in the scene where shes completely nude and clueless to why hes freaking out.

Maybe I’m making all these connections in my head… but even if Sekirei is spewed out, plot-less fanservice… I’ll at least stick around for Musubi…

But lets hope that the plot stays strong (I havn’t read the manga) and we get a 2 for 1 deal on Sekirei this season!

Preview:

The search for a new home continues for Musubi and Minato as they get to know each other better after the disjointed happenings of the last episode… all in episode 02, “Door to a New House”.

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