Looking Back on The iDOLM@STER Part 1: A Missed Opportunity

The iDOLM@STER is one of my favorite shows of the year, if not my number one. It is a really fantastic show and I would recommend it, but that’s not what I’m going to talk about in this post. I’ll save my review filled with glowing praise and adoration for another time. Here I want to talk about a what I think was an waste of potential and my least favorite episode of the entire show. Episode sixteen (aka Hibiki’s episode) was a weak episode and is a good example of wasted potential, but it is not the one I have in mind. No, the episode that disappointed me the most was episode nine, the one that focused on the Futami twins.

Don’t remember which one that was? Well maybe this will jog your memory!

Now, this wasn’t a terrible episode, but I feel that this episode missed a big opportunity for some serious drama. After Ami became a part of Ryuuguu Komachi, I wanted to see an episode about Mami. Having Miki get upset about not being picked for Ryuuguu Komachi made for a good story arc, but I had expected that Mami would be the first to take it hard given that her twin got picked for the special group that went on to become extremely popular. Mami really is a saint for not showing any signs of jealousy at all, but that didn’t stop me from feeling bad for her.

In the original iDOLM@STER game, Mami performed on stage under her sister’s name. In fact, people outside of 765 pro were not aware that Ami even had a sister, let alone one that substituted for her on occasion. Never getting recognized as her own person, Mami was forever trapped in Ami’s shadow. In the show, this obviously isn’t the case because Mami has distinguished herself from her sister with a different hairstyle and is recognized by fans as a different person. However, in a way, Mami is still the “lesser” of the twins because of Ami’s success in her idol group with Iori and Azusa.

One of the major themes in the iDOLM@STER is the pursuit of one’s dreams and this episode seemed like a great place for it to be explored. Each of the girls have their own reasons for becoming an idol and the Futami twins are no different. The episode highlighted the girls playful nature and bond with each other, but I didn’t really get to know them at all from this. What I really wanted from this episode was to get to know the two as individuals. I wanted to see how Mami felt about Ami going down a path she couldn’t be a part of. I wanted to learn about Mami’s personal dreams and passions. For that matter, I would’ve liked to learn about Ami’s as well.

The light-hearted, playful episode nine was fun, but was not too memorable because it was focused on the shenanigans and not the characters. And at the end of the day, the Futami twins remain two of the girls that I can connect with the least (Takane doesn’t really count because you aren’t supposed to be able to understand her).

Instead of focusing on the playful aspect of the Futami twins that is constantly seen throughout the series in their interactions with the other characters, I would have liked to see episode nine be about Ami and Mami, both as individuals and as the wonderful pair that I enjoyed watching.

Merry Christmas!!!

Merry Christmas to everyone! However, you spend it, I hope your day is a fabulous one!

2011 ANIBLOGGERS’ CHOICE ANIME AWARDS

Okay, for those who don’t know, the Ani Bloggers Choice Anime Awards is a Contest hosted by Kiddtic from Kidd’s Anime Blog. Basically, participating anime bloggers will pick their twelve favorite shows from the year and then name one show best of the year. Once all votes have been received, the results will be tallied and posted on Kiddtic’s blog. If you are an anime blogger and would like to participate or at least see what this all about then click this link and read the official rules. Just be aware that the deadline for participation is Dec. 16^th. So if you plan on submitting your votes, it is advised to let Kiddtic know as soon as possible.

Before I go through my personal list I’d like to give a big “thank you” to Kiddtic for taking the time to organize this. It is a fantastic idea and I look forward to being able to do it every year that I stay an aniblogger.

Winter: Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magika

I WAS NOT PREPARED! No seriously, I wasn’t ready for Urobuchi’s deconstruction of the Mahou Shoujo genre at all. Now, I probably didn’t get as much out of Madoka because I am not very familiar with the Mahou Shoujo genre as a whole. However, even without knowing the genre’s staples, Madoka went against almost every one of my expectations until I learned to expect the worst. I also have to give this show credit for granting me the opportunity to connect with another anime fan that I know in real life.

Honorable Mentions:  Gosick, Wandering Son

Spring: Steins;Gate

A superb combination of comedy and drama, Steins;Gate was a thrilling story about the consequences of time travel. Though, Steins;Gate was a little slow in the beginning, this was overshadowed by its hilarious characters. To be honest, I would’ve been fine if the story never got serious, and it was just a comedy, but that is not to say that the main story was bad because it was, in fact, really good. Once the plot kicked in, the show became serious, and kept me on the edge of my seat. A brilliant show with a lot to offer, I would recommend Steins;Gate to any anime fan.

Honorable Mentions:  Hoshi wo Ou Kodomo, Anohana

Summer: the iDOLM@STER

There is so much to love about The iDOLM@STER. It’s fun, cheerful, gorgeously animated, filled with a wide array of music, and most importantly, masterfully executed. Simple scenes, simple stories, all made many times more enjoyable by how it was presented and the clever combination of all the different elements.

Now, it has to be said that The iDOLM@STER is not a realistic look at the idol industry, but I think that is why I like it. The problems the girls face are usually simple (and sometimes childish), but how they overcome their problems is genuine, charming, and most of all, inspiring. The repeated exclamations of “Let’s do our best!” may annoy some people, but the girls enthusiasm, especially Haruka’s, has infused me with a similar determination. The iDOLM@STER is something special to me because it is one of the few shows that has been able to impact my life in such a way.

Honorable Mentions:  Usagi Drop, Mawaru Penguindrum

Fall: Fate/Zero

It should come as no surprise that Fate/Zero would be my pick for the Fall. Aesthetically, this show has been incredible, with minimal drops in quality. The soundtrack, done by one of my personal favorite composers, Yuki Kajiura, has fit the mood perfectly. Though it has the makings of one, Fate/Zero is not your typical shonen fighting anime. Encounters are won through strategy and planning, and the characters are all multi-dimensional. Out of any show that I watched this year, I had the highest expectations for Fate/Zero, and it did not disappoint in the slightest. It has been epic, plain and simple.

Honorable Mentions:  Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai, UN-GO

Anime of the Year:

If this spot was for my personal favorite of the year, it would probably have been a choice between Fate/Zero and The iDOLM@STER. However, there are reasons for preventing me from choosing either one of those as what I think is the “best” of the year. Fate/Zero is good, very good in fact, but it is still in its early stages. We haven’t yet seen what it is truly capable of as it has felt like it has been holding off until it reaches the second cour. And until I see everything it has to offer, I can’t vote Fate/Zero as “best” of the year. As much as I love The iDOLM@STER, it isn’t perfect. It has its flaws and it doesn’t appeal to everyone (especially considering its happy and charming atmosphere).

So what would I choose as the “Anime of the Year?” It was a difficult choice between Usagi Drop and Steins;Gate, but ultimately Steins;Gate won me over. It has a very wide appeal and is an all-around solid show. Dramatic, suspenseful, hilarious, Steins;Gate has my vote for the best of 2011.