The World is Still Beautiful | Episode 1 | TFP Review
Alphanega: Wasn’t exactly sure what kind of show this was going to be but that was a pretty cute first episode. Nice balance between comedy and minor politics stuff(which I assume will be more important later) and Nike is a likeable protagonist so far. Only irk I had with the ep was that one 4th wall joke since it felt a bit out of place but other than that this is a fairly solid start. I’ll be keeping up with this.
GingaDaiuchuu: Meh. There’s some potential there, but the execution definitely isn’t bringing it out too much just yet. Not surprising for Pierrot. Still not terrible, so I’ll probably give it some more time, but it’s not off to a great start.
I like Nike and some of the storyline so far, but the “WE GOTTA PUT IN THOSE FANSERVICE SCENES FOR OUR MALE VIEWERS” was entirely unfunny for this kind of show.
Hitsugi Amachi: Actually, I think I’m pretty happy that this has turned out to be a comedy. With the premise, if this were some serious drama, I think it would take itself much too seriously and fall under the weight of its own ponderousness. The comedy, even the stupid fanservice fourth wall joke, removes any pretense of seriousness here and that’s a good thing.
Nike is a likeable lead so far, and I like Rena Maeda’s voicing of her. The right kind of fiery spirit, but with decent comic timing.
Not sold on the show so far, because we have to see whether Livius has an interesting side to him, or is just a boring teenage brat.
Gildor: Nike is a pleasantly strong and somewhat eccentric character. Different enough to make me continue watching for now. Have to see how the show develops.
Sensuifu: That was a rather enjoyable first episode; I think I’ll be sticking with this show. Nike is already likeable and the premise sounds interesting, although I’m suspecting there’s going to be some drama regarding rainmaking and the exploitation of that power. But with the comedy and lighthearted tone it’s set, I doubt it’ll be treading itself into cringe-inducing melodrama, or at least I hope it won’t. Though with a character like Nike, it’s hard to imagine it would.
EyeOfPain: I thought that was decently enjoyable for what it was. Not really sure where they’re going with it, but I’m willing to find out.
Nork22: Nike, despite being a princess, sure acts like a country tomboy. Well it would be interesting to see how she handles the Sun King. I like the feel of the show without it getting overly serious.
cxt217: Well, that was not what I was expecting from the series, going in. I was expecting drama and romance, and Episode 1 was largely comedy, with some dramatic elements. It was definitely not perfect, with a fourth wall breaking scene at the least fitting moment in the story, to say the least. Also, the transition between comedy and drama and back were too sudden and schizophrenic. Not to mention the end of the credits…
But Nike is a wonderful character so far, and the character designs are much more attractive than most. The series is not perfect, but it is entertaining enough right now, that I want to watch more of it.
stardf29: I also thought the fourth-wall-breaking moment was out of place.
Otherwise, this was a great episode. Nike is full of awesomeness. Looking forward to where this will go from here.
Next time: World Conquest ~Sun King Plot~. (What’s with all these young kids wanting to conquer the world lately?)
Sly05: I wasn’t going to bother with this until I saw a bunch of positive comments about the episode and it turned out to be a very good first episode. I wasn’t expecting comedy, but I thought that the fact that it did not take itself very seriously only made it better. Nike is hard not to love as the main character.
We only saw a little bit of the prince (and then a lot more of him in the end credits), but I can see him getting annoying.
Episode 2
cxt217: Wow, just wow.
Episode 2: Le Roi Soliel, with the intelligence of William Pitt the Younger and the ruthlessness of Stalin mixed in.
In the span of less than 22 minutes, you have: Nike meeting King Livi, who turns out to be a brat in every sense of the word, yet also be a very cunning and wise king; has Nike get tossed into the dungeon after refusing to generate rain on demand; Nike breaks out of the cell to and tries to punish Livi (Except for her fatal weakness of hunger.), Nike apparently seeing Livi’s dreams and suddenly get dressed up for a feast of a breakfast; the pair visiting the garden so Nike can start seeing the world (As well as regret what she said to the king.); an assassination attempt against Livi where Nike takes the arrow in the arm; Livi purging the upper ranks of his kingdom of conspirators; Nike get sent back home; a coup attempt that culminate in a fire in Livi’s office; Nike coming back and calling down the rain to put out the fire; and the rain leaving behind a rainbow over the capital.
Yes, it is turning out to be one heck of a series. Soredemo is turning out to be as fickle and schizophrenic as Martian Successor Nadesico, going from insane comedy, to deadly seriousness, to absolutely heartwarming, and repeat, in the blink of an eye.
Nike is definitely the attention getter, but Livi, with his personal issues, cold rationality, and utter ruthlessness, may actually be the more interesting character of the two – no mean achievement.
Just wow. I am definitely looking forward to watching the next episode.
Buckeye: That was quite a huge atmospheric shift there at the midway point seeing how it had been a lighthearted comedy up until that point when things turn serious. They didn’t realize it back then, but after that, they probably realize that they are meant for each other.
cxt217: It was not handled nearly as well in Episode 1, but the sudden and surprisingly changes and shifts in the tone of the series really came into its own in Episode 2. It is already hard to characterize what Soredemo is because of the schizophrenic changes.
GingaDaiuchuu: Well I continued to be unimpressed with it right up until the song performance, which was admittedly still a bit silly, but worked very well for me. I wouldn’t say that’s enough for me to be happy with it overall, but it’s definitely something I didn’t quite plan for.
smashwagon: This episode did not work for me at all really.. I enjoyed the pace and humor of the first episode, but this one was so different in tone, and so scattershot, and paced terribly. I really dislike the megalomaniacal midget who happens to be king in the place where it never rains. His character is so immature, unrealistic, and a chore to sit through his rants. If Nike was as spirited as she seems to be, there would be no way that he would arise interest in her. Or at least I would hope. Either way the fact that even though she does not like him, she takes an arrow for him and then sings for him in this ridiculous over the top sequence, which felt so corny like a disney kids show. I think this is where I accept the world as being less than beautiful..
Sly05: I found the choice of song a bit odd for what is supposed to be a more or less medieval setting. I also enjoy it more when it’s playing for laughs rather than the shouta-con angle though I’m not particularly offended by it or anything.
Sensuifu: Yeah, I wasn’t expecting that. Though I guess it somehow works with the way the show’s been so far. Since Nike’s regular attire is more modern despite being in a medieval-esque setting, they might as well make the song modern as well.. btw, for me it wasn’t Nike’s song that gave a kiddy vibe to the show, it was the short BGMs from earlier in the episode and in particular, the one that sounds exactly like The Mulberry Bush.
I kept thinking to myself this has to be some older dude stuck in a boy’s body, a midget, a Napoleon Bonaparte…until the facts showed up. Oh, and the OP also gave it away…which was cool considering this wasn’t the type of show I expected the technique to be used on.
So yeah, now that we’re aware Nike and Livi now have a budding relationship, I’m wondering how the show will continue to develop them as a couple since it’s been established so early on.
Nork22: Cute is all I have to say with this odd couple. You know Livi is almost emotionally stunted to the point of being ruthless after his crappy upbringing. As for Nike, for a country bumpkin princess, it seems like one of those fairy tale meeting between her and Livi. Still it was enjoyable and was moved by the spectacle of the rain song.
Also decided to read the manga so I can see what will happen later on with their relationship, and will keep up with this anime adaptation too.
stardf29: Okay, this was absolutely amazing. The themes in this episode are just wonderful: finding beauty in seemingly insignificant things like flowers and stars… and then, the moment when Nike finally brings in the rain… absolutely beautiful.
Honestly, I think this should have been the first episode. I think this episode really sets the tone for what this show will be like, and it is wonderful.
Oh, and Nike is still totally awesome.