It has been a while since I did a post like this, but Dewbond’s similarly focused series Don’t @ Me made me realize just how much fun giving random, semi-related hot takes about things can be. After all, what is the point of the internet if not to get people arguing in the comments section?
With that being said, let us get started.
One Piece isn’t worth it
We are starting off strong in this one, and yeah, sorry not sorry. Maybe this is easy for me to say because I am not on the other side of it, but a series that takes 50 episodes minimum to get anywhere close to interesting, let alone getting through now 1000 episodes. While I can understand and even appreciate people’s passion for the series, I just have no reason to invest that much time into a show while barely enjoying it.
Wonder Egg Priority is almost certainly getting nominated for Anime of the Year
For as much of a disappointment as this series was, and much to many people’s, including my own, dismay, Wonder Egg Priority will likely see at least one nomination at the Crunchyroll Anime Awards for next year. Now, this does not mean that anime awards are always a perfect measure of quality, but the series does appeal enough to reviewer types like myself and probably a lot of the people who will act as judges to land at least a nomination. This will almost certainly be the case even despite the series lackluster ending.
Advertisements
Sora has the best Smash reveal trailer in all of smash
Listen, I know I’m milking this one for all its worth, but just let me have this, ok?! Obviously, full bias here, as Kingdom Hearts is a cherished memory of mine, but even so, Sora’s reveal for Smash is the most hype trailer for a couple of reasons. First, The main plotline serves as a callback to the World of Light story, in which the characters are captured by darkness. This mirrors perfectly the story of Kingdom Hearts, in which Sora must use the power of light to defeat the darkness. On top of that, the trailer has some top-tier animation along with some amazing meme potential without feeling entirely like a joke. Iconic is an understatement.
Fractured in Alterac Valley will be a good set, actually
This one will be for all two of my readers who are also Hearthstone players, but the upcoming set “Fractured in Alterac Valley” looks to be an exciting set, even without the addition of new hero cards. The cards seem significantly more measured in their impact even while looking incredibly powerful. In particular, the callback to burgle Rogue, while not super convincing from a power level perspective, does seem to be lining up as a fun archetype. Big Mage, even more, seems to be a legitimate threat as far the meta is concerned. Despite the popularity of standard format going down a significant amount, there is still plenty of fun to be had.
Have a hot take of your own? Just want to argue? Leave a comment down below.
If you are interested in reading more from me, check under blog to read my most recent stuff, or look below for some related posts. Also, if you would like to support Animated Observations, consider donating on Ko-fi or through paypal, or pledging on Patreon. You can even support by just liking and sharing this post.
Check out my writing blog, Solidly Liquid!
If you can’t, or just don’t feel like it, no worries. Thank you all for reading, and goodbye, for now, friends!
It is Friday, which means another column to share from my time at my college’s newspaper. This time, I thought it would be fun to return to the topic of good anime soundtracks, and so here are a few more that should absolutely be on a playlist of yours if they are not already. While a certain show that I have talked about in the past is also on this list, I stand by the argument that it has a great soundtrack, so yeah. With that being said, let us begin.
Welcome back, tourists.
With increasing access to pretty much every kind of music through the internet and various music streaming services, it feels as though there is a soundtrack for pretty much every point in people’s lives. Now, instead of borrowing CDs, people are sharing playlists on Spotify and YouTube.
I have said it before, and I am here to say it again. Anime has a number of amazing soundtracks with plenty of “banger” tracks, as the kids say, as well as slower, more reflective moments. Today, I want to share more of those worthwhile soundtracks. Content warning for some of the descriptions below.
“Wonder Egg Priority” – Music by De De Mouse
Those who follow seasonal anime might already be familiar with this new addition to the magical girl genre that recently took the community by storm. “Wonder Egg Priority” follows a group of girls who are transported to a dream world in order to rescue their friends who have died of suicide. The strange and dark nature of the show’s story and animation flows into the series’ soundtrack, courtesy of De De Mouse
The 42-year-old music producer pulled no punches on this project, taking his signature electronic music style and turning it up to 11. From the first episode to the latest, there is a sort of Kinetic energy that permeates the entire work. For the best example of this, check out episodes three and four. While it might be confusing, it will definitely also be exciting.
“Bleach” – Music by Shiro Sagisu
“Bleach” is an anime with a long and complicated history in terms of its quality. However, one element of the show that always felt underappreciated was its soundtrack. There are, of course, many openings that are worth talking about, especially its first one “Asterisk” by Orange Range. However, composer Shiro Sagisu knows how to capture the show’s unique flare.
Advertisements
The show’s long run time also came with it a much larger than usually soundtrack, and while there are, of course, the occasionally more generic-sounding songs, some, like “Ichigo’s Theme” help to carve out the show’s identity and give it that extra bit of hype that every good shounen anime needs.
“Your Name” – Music by RADWIMPS
Maybe it is unfair to compare tv anime soundtracks with movies, but it would be an absolute tragedy to not recommend at least one movie from Makoto Shinkai, as his films are pretty much all about the experience. After all, it would not be a Shinkai film with the backing of RADWIMPS.
The J-Rock group has been around since the turn of the millennium but got international acclaim after their work on “Your Name,” and for good reason. Their unique brand of J-rock is both energetic and musically progressive, building on itself constantly until it reaches a fantastic peak. The film would have been much worse off were it not for this group, and it is definitely good car ride material.
It can be hard to find good music given just how much is available, but for those who are up for trying something new, there are plenty of anime soundtracks worth exploring.
What other soundtracks did I miss? Let me know in the comments.
If you are interested in reading more from me, check under blog to read my most recent stuff, or look below for some related posts. Also, if you would like to support Animated Observations, consider donating on Ko-fi or through paypal, or pledging on Patreon. You can even support by just liking and sharing this post.
Check out my writing blog, Solidly Liquid!
Special thanks to patron Jenn Coulter for continuing to support us this month.
If you can’t, or just don’t feel like it, no worries. Thank you all for reading, and goodbye, for now, friends!
It seems like the response to the columns so far has been mostly positive, so here is another. This one is from a little earlier this year, in which I looked at the Winter season and its stacked list of sequels and new series, including…ugh, “Wonder Egg Priority.” Anyway, hope you enjoy this short bit of nostalgia for earlier this year.
Welcome back, tourists
Well…yeah, we’re here I guess. I don’t think most people expected the world to get much better just cause a cinderella crystal ball dropped when the clock struck midnight, but there is always that tiny feeling of hope. Anyway, back to anime.
With every change in the trees comes a change in TV, and man did the Winter 2021 season deliver in spades. The combination of a bunch of setbacks and delays for certain series culminated in one of the most exciting seasons of the last few years. There are lots of important sequels and some impressive newcomers to the scene, so let’s talk about it.
When I say this season is stacked, I really mean it. Just of the most popular series, “Attack on Titan” is back for its fourth and final season, reaching the climax of its most recent arc. “The Promised Neverland” has returned for its second season, as the kids of a strange orphanage continue their dangerous journey.
On top of that, there are sequels for a few popular Isekai shows, including “Reincarnated as a Slime,” “Re:Zero,” and one of my personal favorites “Log Horizon.” Some fairly popular slice-of-life shows also got new seasons as well, including “Yuru Camp” and “Non-Non Biyori” getting their second and third seasons, respectively.
On top of the high number of anticipated sequels, the Winter 2021 slate also brought with it some great new series. The first worth talking about is one that many have been anticipating since its announcement late last year. “Horimiya” is a romance show that focuses on two unlikely friends who quickly develop feelings for each other they are both too scared to admit.
The series centers on the idea that people usually have different personalities in different social situations. So far, at least, the show has not done a whole lot beyond that, but its pacing and the depth of its characters implies a much better story to come.
Advertisements
Whereas many people were excited for “Horimiya’s” adaptation, pretty much no one saw “Wonder Egg Priority” coming. This makes a bit of sense, though, as the original creator and scriptwriter, Saki Takahashi, has no other credited anime productions under his belt, and has only worked on a handful of relatively short manga before this.
It may have come out of nowhere, but “Wonder Egg Priority” likely will not leave anyone’s memory for quite a while. It focuses on young girls who have gained the ability to enter a dream-like world where the task is to “break open eggs” and save the girls that come out of them from their trauma and abusers.
The subject matter by its self would make the show memorable, as it touches on everything from bullying, suicide, and sexual assault. However, it is that, combined with its colorful presentation, intricate and yet somehow earworm-y soundtrack, and nuanced characters that makes it so amazing. Not to mention the series is not even halfway done, and already appears to be an easy contender for anime of the year.
One other show worth a brief mention is “EX-ARM,” a sci-fi series about a young high school student who hates machines, but who seemingly finds himself in the middle of robotic warfare. The newest Crunchyroll original, if the internet is to be believed, is one of if not the worst anime ever made. For people who find themselves fans of hate-watching, this might just be a good watch, though I cannot formally confirm or deny that.
This definitely feels like one of the better seasons to come out in a while. Sequels, exciting originals, and garbage for people who enjoy garbage, I guess? Seems like there is something for everyone.
How do you feel about the Winter 2021 season? Let me know in the comments. Feel free to also check out my column from last week where I discuss the cost of anime as a hobby.
If you are interested in reading more from me, check under blog to read my most recent stuff, or look below for some related posts. Also, if you would like to support Animated Observations, consider donating on Ko-fi or through paypal, or pledging on Patreon. You can even support by just liking and sharing this post.
Check out my writing blog, Solidly Liquid!
If you can’t, or just don’t feel like it, no worries. Thank you all for reading, and goodbye, for now, friends!
If my last post did on the subject did not make it abundantly clear, my incredibly high hopes for “Wonder Egg Priority,” a show whose first few episodes were some of the most promising in recent memory, were dashed in almost record time. The mid-episodes of the series made it seem like it was taking a much slower pace, which would have been fine if it was a full two cours like its pacing might have implied.
However, this turned out to not be the case. By the end of episode 10, I was getting pretty worried, as it felt like the show had all but run out of time to produce a satisfying ending. The next two episodes, while having an idea of where they wanted to take the series, felt slap-dashed in the worst way possible, like watching a clip of car go from full speed and in control to slamming on the breaks and beginning a front end summersault across the highway.
Advertisements
Seeing this series progress pretty much exactly like those horse drawing memes was pretty sad to watch, especially when you consider the fact that “Wonder Egg Priority” was an anime original, and thus they had full control over the direction of the series. Now, given how incredibly messed up modern anime productions are in terms of workload, and that Cloverworks was also responsible for the incredibly poorly handled second season of “The Promised Neverland,” I cannot, in good conscious, put much of the blame of Shinji Nojima.
However, the reality is that, the show just did not turn out as great as it probably could have. What had the potential to be anime of the year is ended up being an above average series with some great animation and a solid score to boot. With all of that being said, It was announced shortly after the airing of episode 12 that the show would receive a special that would serve as the series end. So, did the “Wonder Egg Priority” special do anything for the series?
Meh? It feels really shitty that the first 20+ minutes of this 45 minute final episode was a recap of the series, especially when you consider that one, the was only 12 episodes to begin with, and two, it already had a recap episode right before the lead up to the final four episodes. Again, I want to clarify that I am not necessarily blaming Nojima, only that this decision makes absolutely no sense. There is simply no reason for it.
The special also did not feel like it ended the series. I do not want to give anything away for those who have not seen it, considering it only came out less than a week ago. Still, it would be hard to argue that what we got could even be considered an ending. It felt more so like the studio giving up on trying to tell a story.
Ok, I guess I’ll try some positivity. While it was still far from being satisfying in any way, the series did at least dole out some answers for the million questions its ending raised. However, I can say that there was a not insignificant amount of development in both Neiru’s and Frill’s backstory. In addition, though nothing appears to be confirmed, its ending did leave room open for other potential specials to come and fill in more of these holes. How likely that is given Cloverworks’ current trajectory is up for debate, but theoretically still possible.
Advertisements
The quality in other areas also stayed relatively stable. The animation stayed of a higher quality, though there was not a ton of action going on in the episode to begin with. The soundtrack, it must be said again, is absolutely superb. Producer De De Mouse’s music for this series is up there when it comes to anime soundtracks, as he takes the chaotic nature of “Wonder Egg Priority’s” plot and distills it into sound.
I am definitely not going to pretend like I am happy with how it turned out, nor am I going to ignore the moral failings of the production. This special, much like the main series, was just ok. Honestly, I do not know if I am even any better off having seen it, but now that its over, I feel ready to move on.
How do you feel about “Wonder Egg Priority” and its special? Let me know in the comments below.
If you are interested in reading more from me, check under blog to read my most recent stuff, or look below for some related posts. Also, if you would like to support Animated Observations, consider donating on Ko-fi or through paypal, or pledging on Patreon. You can even support by just liking and sharing this post.
Check out my writing blog, Solidly Liquid!
If you can’t, or just don’t feel like it, no worries. Thank you all for reading, and goodbye, for now, friends!
There are a lot of shows where it feels fairly easy to parse out what exactly is going to happen. With slice of life shows, usually the character goes through some internal change that informs that they act moving forward. For romance, at least most of them, the main characters never actually end up together, or hold hands for the first time, but make no actual romantic progress. Shounen heroes usually end up saving the day, and inevitably set up for the next arc. “Wonder Egg Priority” is a different beast entirely.
Like, yeah, there was always going to be tragedy of some sort, some dark secret yet to be revealed, but this…this was not expected at all. I say that 100% in seriousness, cause the anime original nature of the show meant that even the manga readers couldn’t ruin it for everyone this time. Now, it is worth noting that the show is not technically over. It has already been announced that, in a little under a month, a special episode serving as the conclusion will air. There have not been any teasers about its lengths or content, at least as far as I’m aware, but that could always change. So, with that being said, here are my *almost* final thoughts on “Wonder Egg Priority.”
Advertisements
Advertisements
Wow, What a Story
I think it is fair to say that a lot of us make assumptions based on the generally jovial nature of a lot of anime. For example, Shounen anime is known for having a lot of moments where it looks like the main character is about to lose, but then suddenly finds a power within them that grants the ability to win a given fight. As for “Wonder Egg Priority,” a lot of those assumptions get thrown out the window.
Ok, well, maybe that is not entirely fair. It does still stick to convention in a lot of areas. The way it focuses on younger girls and their journey towards fulfilling a particular wish they have after completing a given mission is fairly reminiscent of a lot of other magical girl shows. However, where it does differ it its storytelling is in its focus on the specific experiences of younger girls.
“Wonder Egg Priority,” in this respect, chooses to focus on phenomena of teenage suicide, and specifically the things that drive younger girls to do this. Through the four main characters, it covers topics such as bullying, body shaming, gender and sexual identity, and sexual assault. While there are probably some blind spots as far as nuance goes, it does feel as though the show engages in these discussions fairly honestly and with a level of detail that definitely exceeds a lot of other shows.
Again, this is not to say that shows like “Madoka Magica” haven’t covered and engaged with these ideas before, but it is to say that the level of specificity, as well as the modern understanding of these issues, makes its stand out from its peers.
That Animation Though?!
Now, don’t misunderstand when I say this, because, after all, studio CloverWorks has absolutely had their moments when it comes to animation. “The Promised Neverland” looked amazing throughout its first season, and their were even some moments of standout moments in “Bunny Girl Senpai.” Hell, you could even argue that the final season of “Fairy Tail” was much better off because of their inclusion. However, when it comes to animation, they are not exactly the first studio I think of.
That being said, “Wonder Egg Priority” is probably some of their best work as far as animation goes. First, all of the characters have a unique and memorable design, even the characters that feel less important. This is true almost to the point that I feel comfortable saying that, if I did not engage with the series whatsoever for an extended period of time, and then came back I would probably remember just about every single character.
Second, the color palette for the show is absolutely incredible. One of the things that was initially very striking is how each of the characters have a unique world when they go to save a girl from an egg, one that reflects their personality and fears. Each of these worlds is drawn with almost an entirely different set of colors, AI’s being very drab and monochromatic in a way, and Neiru’s being a combination of reds and grays. Lastly, the fights that happen over the course of the show are awesome. Not only are each of the monsters uniquely designed, but the animation itself becomes very fast-paced and exciting.
I do have to take off a couple of points for the re-cap episode, however. It is understandable that production would have a lot of problems because of COVID, and so a certain level of time saving was probably necessary to even finish the series in the first place. However, having a re-cap episode in a one-cour series is just inexcusable. Not only does it feel incredibly lazy, it throws off the pace of the show right before the final third.
Advertisements
Advertisements
The End
As I alluded to earlier, the ending…well, it happened. There is a lot I could say about it, but at the end of the day, the most fair criticism is that it just does not make sense. The pacing of the series at the beginning made it feel as though it was gearing up for a full 24-26 episodes with multiple arcs and resolutions. However, by the final third of the series, it feels as though all direction was just thrown out the window and the writers were just scrounging for a way to finish the series in a reasonable-ish manner.
Neiru’s story feels like the biggest loser in this. The show spends time building up her character as the odd-girl out of the group, slowly but surely building up this horrible relationship she had with her sister. Then, it just completely forgets about that narrative in order introduce this friend that has apparently been in a coma, and now suddenly she has the ability to travel across different dimensions, and also alternate dimensions are a thing?
If the one episode we are getting in June is supposed to be the true ending to the series, then I think it is safe to say that there will not be a satisfying ending to this series. Honestly, it does not even feel like another whole season would be enough to fix the problems the show has at this point. I stand by my initial impressions of the show that, based on the first few episodes, this series absolutely was a contender for anime of the year. However, what was once a promising new series with a noticeably different perspective turned out to be a middling and frankly confusing mess.
Conclusion
“Wonder Egg Priority” had a lot of promise, and I mean a lot. The first episode almost felt like a fever dream in just how expressive it was, both in its storytelling and animation. However, based on what it became, I do not know if I can, in good conscious, recommend this show without the caveat of expecting disappointment.
How do you all feel about “Wonder Egg Priority?” Let me know in the comments below.
If you are interested in reading more from me, check under blog to read my most recent stuff, or look below for some related posts. Also, if you would like to support Animated Observations, consider donating on Ko-fi or through paypal, or pledging on Patreon. You can even support by just liking and sharing this post.
Check out my writing blog, Solidly Liquid!
If you can’t, or just don’t feel like it, no worries. Thank you all for reading, and goodbye, for now, friends!
It has been a little less than a month now since I first dived into “Wonder Egg Priority,” and the more I watch the show the more I want to right about it, so for today, I thought I would give an update as to my feelings as of the latest episode, which as of the writing of this post is episode 8. With that being said, lets get started.
I talked last week about how this series seemingly came out of nowhere and still has an insane level of quality. My initial reaction was “wow, this is amazing, but there is no way they can keep this up, right?” Well, turns out once again I was wrong (not that its an unusual occurrence around here). No, in fact everything about the show, from the writing to the animation and even the soundtrack is still phenomenal
The soundtrack in particular has really surprised me with just how much range it actually has. Most shows with a proximity to “Wonder Egg Priority’s” genre would probably rely on a more low-key, heavy j-pop inspired soundtrack that just sort of does its job, but ultimately remains just ok. However, the show defies a lot of genre expectations, if there even are any to begin with, and its soundtrack definitely matches that energy, with music courtesy of De De Mouse.
Advertisements
Advertisements
Most of the songs that appear in the show feel unique and like they were crafted with a specific instance in mind. While I probably could not remember a majority of the names (because my Japanese is still pretty bad), if someone played a particular song, it would not be hard for me to remember the scene which it accompanied, which is a lot more than I can say for most soundtracks.
Another thing about the show that has become really apparent is that it will very rarely hold your hand when it comes to the plot. Sure, characters will spell things out occasionally, and maybe even with big metaphorical letters sometimes, but definitely not most of the time. Momo’s identity crisis, Ai’s relationship with the school councilor, Neiru’s real reason for saving the girls in the eggs, all of it is just kind of thrown out there, and it is up to the viewers to pick up on it.
At least so far, though, it feels as though Rika has gotten the most amount of development. She is clearly the most abrasive of the group, projecting her own feelings of loneliness onto the others and, as she puts it, “plays the villain,” while simultaneously still wanting to kill herself. Given that the show is only scheduled for 12 episodes currently and most of the major plot points are nowhere close to being resolved, I do hope there are plans in works for a second season, as a premature ending would most likely kill the series.
It still feels hard to point exactly where the series is going, and while there is definitely a bit more direction now, there is plenty left and I for one will still be on my toes watching how this one plays out.
What are your feelings on “Wonder Egg Priority” now? Let me know in the comments below.
If you are interested in reading more from me, check under blog to read my most recent stuff, or look below for some related posts. Also, if you would like to support Animated Observations, consider donating on Ko-fi or through paypal, or pledging on Patreon. You can even support by just liking and sharing this post.
Check out my writing blog, Solidly Liquid!
If you can’t, or just don’t feel like it, no worries. Thank you all for reading, and goodbye, for now, friends!
Well…yeah, we’re here I guess. I don’t think most people expected the world to get much better just cause a cinderella crystal ball dropped when the clock struck midnight, but there is always that tiny feeling of hope. Anyway, back to anime.
With every change in the trees comes a change in TV, and man did the Winter 2021 season deliver in spades. The combination of a bunch of setbacks and delays for certain series culminated in one of the most exciting seasons of the last few years. There are lots of important sequels and some impressive newcomers to the scene, so let’s talk about it.
When I say this season is stacked, I really mean it. Just of the most popular series, “Attack on Titan” is back for its fourth and final season, reaching the climax of its most recent arc. “The Promised Neverland” has returned for its second season, as the kids of a strange orphanage continue their dangerous journey.
On top of that, there are sequels for a few popular Isekai shows, including “Reincarnated as a Slime,” “Re:Zero,” and one of my personal favorites “Log Horizon.” Some fairly popular slice of life shows also got new seasons as well, including “Yuru Camp” and “Non-Non Biyori” getting their second and third seasons, respectively.
On top of the high number of anticipated sequels, the Winter 2021 slate also brought with it some great new series. The first worth talking about is one that many have been anticipating since its announcement late last year. “Horimiya” is a romance show that focuses on two unlikely friends who quickly develop feelings for each other they are both too scared to admit.
The series centers on the idea that people usually have different personalities in different social situations. So far, at least, the show has not done a whole lot beyond that, but its pacing and the depth of its characters implies a much better story to come.
Advertisements
Advertisements
Whereas many people were excited for “Horimiya’s” adaptation, pretty much no one saw “Wonder Egg Priority” coming. This makes a bit of sense, though, as the original creator and scriptwriter, Saki Takahashi, has no other credited anime productions under his belt, and has only worked on a handful of relatively short manga before this.
It may have come out of nowhere, but “Wonder Egg Priority” likely will not leave anyone’s memory for quite a while. It focuses on young girls who have gained the ability to enter a dream-like world where the task is to “break open eggs” and save the girls that come out of them from their trauma and abusers.
The subject matter by its self would make the show memorable, as it touches on everything from bullying, suicide, and sexual assault. However, it is that, combined with its colorful presentation, intricate and yet somehow earworm-y soundtrack, and nuanced characters that makes it so amazing. Not to mention the series is not even halfway done, and already appears to be an easy contender for anime of the year.
One other show worth a brief mention is “EX-ARM,” a sci-fi series about a young high school student who hates machines, but who seemingly finds himself in the middle of robotic warfare. The newest Crunchyroll original, if the internet is to be believed, is one of if not the worst anime ever made. For people who find themselves fans of hate-watching, this might just be a good watch, though I cannot formally confirm or deny that.
This definitely feels like one of the better seasons to come out in a while. Sequels, exciting originals, and garbage for people who enjoy garbage, I guess? Seems like there is something for everyone.
How do you all feel about the winter season? Let me know in the comments below.
If you are interested in reading more from me, check under blog to read my most recent stuff, or look below for some related posts. Also, if you would like to support Animated Observations, consider donating on Ko-fi or through paypal, or pledging on Patreon. You can even support by just liking and sharing this post.
Check out my writing blog, Solidly Liquid!
If you can’t, or just don’t feel like it, no worries. Thank you all for reading, and goodbye, for now, friends!
Hey, so remember how I have said for a while now that “The Promised Neverland” holds the spot for best first episode of all time? Yeah, there might just be a new contender in the category.
CloverWorks feels like a rising start when it comes to animation studios, in much the same way the MAPPA did half a decade prior. They have certainly proven themselves time and time again, with shows like “Bunny Girl Senpai” and “The Promised Neverland” already under their belt, and with a solid start to this season’s “Horimiya.” I give the credit to the studio as a whole with regards to “Wonder Egg Priority” for the simple fact that, outside of a scant list of episode credits, director Shin Wakabayashi has little to nothing under his belt.
This is not to say that he is doing a bad job, far from it. In fact, much in the same way that I felt like “The Promised Neverland” was an easy contender for anime of the year at the beginning of 2019, This series is clearly positioned in the same way. With that being said, lets discuss some of the reasons why.
Bullying is a topic that gets brought up a lot in anime, and I think for good reason. A lot of anime is targeted at kids, and bullying in school just so happens to be an issue that kids can relate to, so it makes sense. However, bullying is rarely ever as minor of an issue as someone getting pushed on the playground. In fact, it can often times result in someone’s suicide, which is the situation our main character Ai Ohto finds herself in, as she attempts to bring her friend Koito back to life by saving other girls from their trauma.
Advertisements
Advertisements
The through line in “Wonder Egg Priority” is that all of its main characters have lost someone to suicide, and it is implied, though not directly stated, which I suspect will come into play much later, that by buying eggs and saving the girls inside them they will eventually be able to bring their late friends and family back to life. The most interesting cases so far are Ai herself, whose friend is implied to have been caught up in a scandal with the school councilor, along with Momoe, a masculine presenting girl who seems to have lost her first girlfriend after she confessed to her.
While its safe to say that most would probably put this under the genre label of magical girl, and while it does seem to borrow a bit from shows like “Madoka Magica” the series has already come very much into its own. there are a lot of shows that bring up the topics of bullying and abuse, but very rarely is it done well. The best example that comes to mind is the second season of “March Comes in Like a Lion.” What a lot of people tend to forget is that stuff like this often happens in silence, with very few people aware of what is actually going on, which is why it makes sense that the girls are transported to a dreamlike world to fight the enemies which are appropriately named “Seeno Evils.”
The show’s main character, Ai Ohto, is also extremely well written. In particular, her Heterochromia is an excellent visual characteristic that accomplishes a number of things. First, it gives her an immediate, stand out characteristic that makes the show that much more memorable. Because of this, it would also explain pretty reasonably why she would got bullied, as kids tend to latch on to things that are different about one another.
Lastly, her eyes serve as a great visual metaphor for a number of things, including how she can see both the real world and this new and exciting dream world, and how these can often blend together in dangerous ways. It could also represent the two different versions of herself that she sees, one that is a victim and one that is a savior.
How such an insanely good series came together is seemingly out of nowhere is still a ways beyond me. But, I will say this much: Given its current trajectory, this is on course to be an amazing series, and maybe even one of my favorites. However, only time will tell.
How do you all feel about “Wonder Egg Priority?” Let me know in the comments below.
If you are interested in reading more from me, check under blog to read my most recent stuff, or look below for some related posts. Also, if you would like to support Animated Observations, consider donating on Ko-fi or through paypal, or pledging on Patreon. You can even support by just liking and sharing this post.
Check out my writing blog, Solidly Liquid!
If you can’t, or just don’t feel like it, no worries. Thank you all for reading, and goodbye, for now, friends!
Animated Observations 