This post was written by Dark_Sage. He is Dark_Sage.
Spoilers up to episode 8, but it’s another masterpiece article by me-sama, so read on anyway.
The Drama
Primarily characterized by incessant reminders that you should be sad, Key series attempt to instill emotion in viewers by building up boring characters and then tearing them right the fuck down.
Though it feels like Key’s following a good template for Charlotte, the inefficient pacing/direction keeps it from living up to its potential.
Nearly every Key moment™ that would seem good on paper fails to impress in the anime. But rather than just taking my word for it, let’s go through the fucking list:
Episodes 1-5
On paper: Characters & relationships are developed so that when the tragedies kick in, they will have legitimate impact on the viewers.
In reality: Nothing but filler.
Episode 6
On paper: The best character in the show accidentally kills herself while trying to avoid a yandere Nevada-chan, and MC-kun desperately tries to save her but finds himself far too late to help.
In reality: Both characters are “killed off” super awkwardly, to the point that you just have to assume they’re both alive, cuz if even Game of Thrones is shitting the bed on this front, who has any expectations for Japan?
For full impact, MC-kun shouldn’t have factored into the ending, and lolimouto should’ve died in episode 6, not in the opening scenes of ep 7. I’m watching the show for tears, not a semi-hard dick that I don’t feel like finishing off but emotionlessly do so anyway cuz that’s what being an adult means.
Episode 7
We’ve been over this. And also, R2 should never be emulated unless you plan on turning the MC into a god-king martyr that single-handedly redeems the anime genre with the sheer sumptuous fucking brilliance of his death scene.
Episode 8
On paper: Super Hot Blind Chick, who’s also the vocalist for a thematically critical band, fucks bitches and gets paid.
In reality: SHBC wastes an entire day mentoring MC Piece of Shit’s emo ass.
It’s all pretty much a joke at this point, and I’m almost out of hope for this emotional roller coaster to bring me where I wanna be. But luckily there’s another component to the show that doesn’t suffer from poor direction…
The Character Interactions
Charlotte’s mediocre melodrama is boosted significantly by the characters and how they interact with one another. Though, I should clarify that I’m mainly referring to the slapstick, since the only on-screen chemistry comes from the characters fucking each other’s days up.
Or, of course, Yusa being Yusa.
I find it hard to even crack a smile at most series these days, but damned if each episode of Charlotte doesn’t find me grinning like an idiot at the same joke being repeated over and over cuz the Stockholm Syndrome has my brain turned to dough. And I mean that in a good way.
The more I think about it, the more I realize this is what fucking Inou-Battle was supposed to be.
Likable characters getting into shenanigans: that’s about all you need. Well, except for…
Nao’s Fucking Mouth, Man
And the words that come out of it too…
Oh. My. God.
Puddi was well within his rights to turn his phone background into her open-mouth bitch face, cuz goddamn. When I got to see it in action at AniRevo, I was pitching more tents than a fucking boy scout camp.
It’s like Japan invents new fetishes every day, and as a legitimate anime journalist, I have no choice but to line up for my serving. Top job, Key, you sick fucks. Top job.
Conclusion
Charlotte’s not a good anime by objective measures, and I think everyone knows it. But it’s so endearing in spite of that, and Nao’s mouth is so hot, that I don’t feel ashamed for looking past its faults.
Currently, I gotta peg Charlotte at a solid 8. But when the inevitable Nao-related drama hits (you know it’s gonna be brutal), I’ll boost its score by 1 for each of my eyes that shed tears. Don’t let me down, Key.
Shorten that webm a bit for wehwehwehwehwehwehwehwehwehwehwehwehwehwehwehwehwehwehwehwehwehwehwehweh hhnngg-ness.
It’s funny how this show had their characters almost dying all the time and then bam, someone who was never involved in such jokes actually dies, good job guys, just good job.
The first episode was really good and the humor has still hold on pretty well even if it has gotten a bit repetitive but it’s still a whatever show, I liked episode 7 with MC’s depression was a bit over the top at time but was executed well.
Also, their execuse for a plot is fucking pathetic, I swear to fucking god if I hear about these “evil scientists” once more I will be the one who is going to develop some sort of power. Seriously what a joke, not to mention it’s super incoherent “don’t use your powers in from of people!.. unless you’re us, the MCs, then it’s perfectly ok”, “you’re perfectly safe in this school…” *proceeds to warn someone to not use their powers in school*.
>They said I could be anything/ so I became pizza sauce
Oh, wow.
…wow.
>spend an article tearing a shit series apart
>8/10
Every time.
Shit taste confirmed.
8/10… fuck you, DS, stop being such a pleb scum.
3/10 tops, upgrade your taste, cancerous cunt.
g8 b8 m8
But it’s Nevada-tan, not -chan! (not that I know the difference.)
Shit. Will have to fix that when I get back home.
I can’t help those who refuse to learn from past Key series. It’s like the proverbial crazy dude who expects different results.
http://www.crymore.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Bandanaman.jpg
Someone needs to play Little Busters.
Pretty sure Saito was referenced in many Key VNs before LB.
And D_S’s still got a point. I mean, it was the Saito reference, but for all his being the focus of an entire episode, he sure didn’t contribute to anything plot-wise.
How about how Yuu was able to use his flying power? That’s kind of important.
Not important enough to waste an episode on.
B-but the shipping tease!
I don’t remember a thing about Air’s main character, which you showed here. In fact, I can remember a single character from Dekaranger, Go-Onger, and Go-Busters better than all of Key’s protagonists put together.
Well this show turned shit.
Just watched episode 9. How could they possibly fuck it up from here? I mean, I know Japan’s Japan, but holy shit, they’d have to try so fucking hard.
D_S, you are in for one hell of a ride. And not the good sort.
Praise based Maeda. Somewhere during production he basically thought “What if I had MORE plot points instead of wrapping existing ones up? GENIUS!” and rolled with it.
Oh boy.
Will have a write up tonight if I don’t pass out first. What a show.
Can you review the subs as well? Like maybe Asuka-subs?
Ugh, fuck Asuka Subs. Not sure if I could ever gather the motivation to review that cancer now.
I can tell you that GJM-Mezashite would not drop below B-tier, regardless of which episode I reviewed. High quality stuff.
What? Asuka Subs reviews rule!
Casino Royale seemed like a better investment. #gomenz
did you even pass out?
40 minutes left of movie and the Bulleit’s just about gone. If I finish this thing it’ll be a fucking miracle. Either that or the Sprinkled Donut Crunch really is a suitable replacement for beef jerky.
If you got drunk then it was a good investment indeed.
Sage in all the best ways~
> Bulleit
Good man.
Might I also recommend Tennessee Fire and Tito’s (if you like vodka, or alternately, hate vodka because you’ve only had shitty vodka)?
Yeah, Tito’s isn’t bad, had some at a con with SoupRKnowva. Not too keen on vodka in general though.
Tennessee Fire seems like an option depending on if my local store has some. They’re kinda low on options, but I’m doing a restock later tonight so we’ll see.
Herkz said that anyone who likes this anime probably has brain damage
Sadly I agree. Charlotte a total shit lmao
Please write new post to update based on new information. Thicks.
>update
>Dark_Sage
Pick one.
I’ll take the update please.
Dark_Sage, hands down.
But that would mean I have to watch anime. Gross.