luxken27: (Inu neutral)
LuxKen27 ([personal profile] luxken27) wrote2010-02-06 08:21 pm
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Inuyasha: The Final Act | 18 - The Day of Days

Yay for catching up on the anime! =)

The story was just a bit jumpy, and now the whole "who is sealing Kagome's powers" explanation really doesn't make sense, but that was just about the only thing I didn't like about this episode. We were due for some more light-hearted fare, and a little injection of modern day shenanigans was just the ticket.

But first let me get some squee out of the way - SO GLAD they kept the "he is my prey" scene with Sesshoumaru, Rin, and Jaken. That was such a pivotal point in their relationship, and it was nice to see it play out on screen. Jaken clinging to mokomoko was Sesshoumaru walked away was classic! I like the way they are playing him up for comic relief. I wasn't too impressed that Bakusaiga's scabbard is apparently white (...really? How clever, guyz), but alas. I'm just glad he has the damn sword, he has his new mission, and he looked pretty hot flying off on said mission :P

So this episode was the big "almost kiss" scene between Inuyasha and Kagome, and man did it deliver the fanservice! One second away from kissing, in fact, and the entire scene was pretty intense - ripped right of the manga, just like I like 'em. Of course, this also has me hoping pretty hard that they will kiss at the end, elsewise I'd say the animators are horrible teases.

I also enjoyed the exam ticket drama; it really didn't feel all that out of place, even sandwiched up against the 494 scenes. I think it did more good than harm, really, backing up all the squishiness of the almost-kiss scene and really showing just how close their bond has become. Great, great stuff for the shippers, no doubt =)

I also like the new ending. Perhaps that's not a surprise, considering the downright prettiness of Byakuya (!) and Sesshoumaru, and even the extended scene with Bakusaiga and Tenseiga. The song is pretty catchy, too - all in all, I'd say I like it better than "Diamond", but not as much as the first ending. Call me crazy, but I'm also something of a sucker for the final scene of it, harkening all the way back to the very first opening of the very first anime, with all the characters standing on the cliff. It feels like it's come full circle, in a way =)

All in all, I wasn't terribly impressed with the art direction on this episode (it really reminded me of Ouran High School Host Club, especially the so-called comedic bits), but the scene with Inuyasha and Kaede under the tree was absolutely breathtaking, so rich and saturated with color that it almost jumped off my computer screen. It was really, really nice, and I'm only sorry the rest of the episode couldn't live up to it. I've been thinking a little bit about how this anime compares to the first one. This one seems quite rushed in comparison - in some parts of the first anime, you can clearly see how the backgrounds were painted, and the characters seemed to move better on them. In this one, sometimes that seems shoddy and lazy, using tricks of the camera to make it appear characters are moving in space instead of running in place. When its an action scene, you can tell they take care to have it look realistic, but on the rest? Meh. It's a mixed bag.

Next week (heh, Monday): the big Mir/San kiss, as Kohaku is once again thrust into the spotlight. Woohoo!

[identity profile] knittingknots.livejournal.com 2010-02-07 02:57 am (UTC)(link)
Ah, fanservice.

I actually think storywise, moving these two scenes together worked pretty well together...I was happy.
aamalie: (mirsan - perfectlove)

[personal profile] aamalie 2010-02-07 04:54 am (UTC)(link)
Overall, I'd say it was a good episode. The two arcs worked well smooshed together, and it was entertaining overall.

I'm with you on the endings. This one is a lot better than "Diamond" but the first one was by far the best. I kinda keep hoping they'll switch back, lol. (I doubt it.)

All in all, I find it a little ironic that the mix-and-match storyline has ended up with the Inu/Kag almost!kiss and the Mir/San unconscious!kiss in back to back episodes. It's almost a showcase in just how much of a tease RT really is, lol. It's like she's all, "Ship away! But you want gratification? Here, have it - with a catch!" ;)

[identity profile] madmiko.livejournal.com 2010-02-07 09:47 am (UTC)(link)
I'm glad you are keeping me up-to-date with the new anime because ever since they switched to Monday nights, I have fallen way behind.
aamalie: (Default)

[personal profile] aamalie 2010-02-07 07:26 pm (UTC)(link)
Maybe they will for the very last episode...or maybe they'll come up with something completely different
Definitely a possibility, but one thing this anime adaption has taught me? Not to get my hopes up, lol. :) I'll just expect the status quo and be pleasantly surprised if it changes.

More like, she was showing her roots as a romantic comedy writer, but then suddenly realized this was a shounen title and ZOMG can't have too much of that romance stuff!! Boys find it icky :P
Haha, no kidding. I have to admit, this makes it kind of hilarious to read Rinne now, after so much Inuyasha. It's like she's running back to those roots full-speed, cracktastic triangles and everything.

I'm very much looking forward to the actual Mir/San kiss after so many almost-maybes with the other ships...
Oh don't get me wrong - I'm one excited little fangirl over here. It's going to be a trying feat not to have a tab open to Hulu that I can refresh every 10 minutes tomorrow during work...
aamalie: (Default)

[personal profile] aamalie 2010-02-07 07:46 pm (UTC)(link)
I need a little action/adventure with my romantic triangles :P Shojo manga just isn't my thing at all.

Totally with you there! I'm all for romance in my stories and fandoms, but... plot. Plot and action is pretty and shiny and generally a must-have for the original work. And if fandom's taught me anything, it's that shipping can take care of itself, even without canon's help, LOL. I don't know if I'll ever follow Rinne seriously - right now I'm just waiting to see where it goes.

That's one thing I can't do at work, so it'll be a matter of trying to remember it's up when I finally get home

Well, I really can't afford to do it, especially since it's a Monday, so I probably won't. But man, doesn't mean I won't want to. XD

[identity profile] landofthekwt.livejournal.com 2010-02-07 08:03 pm (UTC)(link)
I think that these two episodes show how close IK are and why they are going to end up together. It is actually one of the most clear statements of romantic love that RT has made. At the end of Urusei Yatsura Ataru does show some feelings for Lum though not the love she is looking for. At the end of Ranma although the wedding has been called off Akane knows that Ranma loves her and they run off to Furinkan High hand in hand. In the Maisson Ikkoku they actually have sex, get married and have children within the series. In One Pound Gospel the nun gives up her habit to support the man she loves as he declares his love for her in front of the boxing arena. I am sure that Rinne will end up with Sakura after ten years. The rivals , the triangles and such will never be as serious as Inuyasha although all of the elements are there.

[identity profile] landofthekwt.livejournal.com 2010-02-08 04:46 am (UTC)(link)
She had been telling him that the Entrance Exam was the most important thing in her life. What she realized along the way was that IY was the most important thing in her life. IY's statement that he does understand the entrance exam, but if it is important to Kagome,it is important to him. In every relationship you must be willing to go along with your special other in order to make it work. You don't have to like it, but you have to accept what they want because it is important to them.

[identity profile] piratequeen0405.livejournal.com 2010-02-09 12:31 am (UTC)(link)
Finally got around to watching this episode today. Very light hearted for the most part; very sweet. The almost kiss, IY's helping her find the backpack. All made me gooey. But I think my favorite part was under the tree with Kaede. I really enjoy their unique relationship--their bond over Kikyou and I think they understand and accept each other in ways that are very poignant.