Kirino, Why Are You So Awesome?
Posted by 0rion on December 17th, 2007 - 11:30 pm
I haven’t blogged about Bamboo Blade much since I first reviewed it in our fall rankings post, but that doesn’t mean it’s fallen off my radar.
Without a doubt, Bamboo Blade is still one of the best shows of the season. Along with Minami-ke, it’s one of those rare comedies that manages to stay consistently funny while also keeping the jokes and the story fresh. And unlike many pure comedies, Bamboo Blade has it’s share of awesome action moments to mix things up a bit.
Without a doubt, however, the main selling point of the series is in the characters themselves. Without Kirino’s nekoguchi :3, Tama-chan’s O_O, and Miya-Miya’s yandere the show wouldn’t be half as funny as it is. And half the time when I start laughing, it’s not because of some tsukkomi punchline or obscure otaku joke, it’s just because Tamaki made another funny face. 
Visual comedy has always been a very mixed bag, but this year seems to have given us a great selection of series that excel in it. In addition to Bamboo Blade, Potemayo and Lucky Star come readily to mind.
Speaking of visuals, Saya-chan is great, too. 
As is Miya-Miya. I still can’t decide whether I like her better in Pink mode or Black.
And of course Tama-chan is hilarious regardless of what she’s doing.
This time around even Yuuji got his moment to shine.
With those kinds of intimidation tactics, he might just have a promising career ahead of him as a yakuza debt collecter.
Take note, I’ve just discovered an 11th item to add to my plushies list.
OK seriously, this little froggy dude has got to be the best random critter cameo I’ve seen in ages. His reaction to Tama-chan nearly running him down full speed was pretty hilarious, too.
Even Dan-kun got a good laugh from me with his sudden gunslinger action.
Once again, this show never fails when it comes to bringing humor from unexpected sources. In fact, I think that’s one of the greatest strengths of the series - I almost never know what’s coming next, so everything seems fresh and interesting.
I just cannot get enough of Kirino. Also a worried Miya-Miya in the background is fine too.
I’m also excited about seeing Satori, the fifth and final member of the kendo club, get some serious screen time in the near future. The one thing this show has been lacking is a good meganekko, especially one that can kick some serious butt.
Yeah, I totally love this show. I’m not that interested in sports shows but this one is good. Satori definitely needs to start showing up more. (I’m only up to episode 8.)
Still, I don’t see how you can group this show with that crap Minami-ke. That show is annoying.
Kirino is one of the highlight for Bamboo Blade ^^.
Tama-chan’s O_O, is so kawaii lol. Every time I see it I get that moe feeling ^^.
I just finished watching episode 12, and it just never seems to run dry. The humor, that is.
And yes, Tama-chan is so cute \o/
Visual humor….that’s a really good way to put it. I haven’t touched the manga, but I think the anime couldn’t even be better in some aspects. Like you mentioned, just think of all the random funnies that go on in the background.
I was calling Miya Miya my favorite character for a long time, but Kirino has been growing on me quick. I can’t stop loving that :3!
“Still, I don’t see how you can group this show with that crap Minami-ke. That show is annoying.”
That’s why the disclaimer is there.
I love Minami-ke, BTW.
And Ori0n: Why’d it take you so long to speak of the greatness of Kirino? (Don’t worry. i’m doing the same myself sooner or later).
@ Koji Oe
Well, to each his own. I happen to think that Minami-ke is an excellent show, but I can see how not everyone would appreciate it.
@ TheBigN
I can only blog so many things at once! Honestly, I would love to be able to write about all of the 10+ shows I’m watching, but time and creative energy are limited, so I roll with what I can.
@ Totali
=3
Yeah this show makes it hard to pick a favorite.
I could happily sit and listen to Megumi Toyoguchi recite the HTML code for this web page, so Kirino is it for me (closely followed by Saya and her incredible DS-crushing derriere). Luckily the rest of the show is worth it too… but my god is it slow to develop! Any series that can’t be bothered to introduce a title-sequence character properly until the episode count is in double figures is just being lazy.
At the same time, though, the lazy pace has kept the show fun and silly. In a way I’m glad they’re developing the story as leisurely as they are. If they were in more of a hurry to build on the main plot, a lot of these hilarious little moments that help make the show funny would probably be cut.
[…] If you had asked me early in the year whether anyone would be able to top Yoshinoya-sensei, I would’ve said no, but all that changed with Bamboo Blade. Kirino’s incredibly happy and hyperactive personality, coupled with her near religious devotion to kendo, was undoubtedly a recipe for success when it comes to genkiness. Her nekoguchi and hilarious facial expressions only serve to seal the deal. […]