The problem that most yuri shows, or yuri-inclined shows lately, is that they have a tough act to follow. Simoun, one of the best shows in all genres the past year, has redefined the genre to make it the icon on how to make a “good yuri show”. Even though Blue Drop is worlds apart from Simoun, there is this interesting mix of school life, science fiction and drama in this show. The potential is definitely there, but will it fulfill its promise.
It’s early days as yet, but the sky is the limit for this.
Episode summary
Mari found herself drowning and then strangled by Hagino’s “tentacles” after seeing the spaceship. However, she was awaken by Michiko and Mari was sprawling on the floor. She had a bad nightmare. As she woke up slowly, Mari looked for Hagino during breakfast but was told that she left earlier. Hagino was communicating with her ship and her assistant Subaru told Hagino that they are mostly ready for the next mission. Hagino said she wanted to wait and Subaru was dumbfounded why Hagino is holding back.
Hagino herself wondered what she was doing. In school, Mari was introduced to her class, and she described herself in a deathly manner and the teacher quickly explained that Mari was unused to school life. She was placed beside Hagino, much to her disgust. In class, Mari was sleepy with the recitation and she was called upon while she dazed at Hagino. Hagino told her where to read from, and laughed for no reason when Mari spoke the text.
Her classmates tried to converse with her during recess, but she sarcastically said that she was an exhibit. Hagino broke the tension by telling them about some work they needed to do. Mari said she would not be tricked, but Hagino simply moved very close. Mari started to blush and said Hagino was strange. Mari then called out to Michiko and started calling her Michi before it got her attention.
Mari told Michiko that she did not remember anything from her past, and only knew the fire from her grandmother. The female teacher, on the other hand, was rushing off for an appointment. Mari told Michiko that she was the only survivor, and the first person she saw was her grandmother. She did not remember anything due to the trauma. Michiko said it would be great if Mari remembered her past, but Mari said it did not matter.
Hagino was informed of a ship moving against the orders, but could not do anything as decisions are autonomous. At the hostel, Mari realized that Hagino asked the hostel leader to move into Mari. The hostel leader probably thought that Hagino was trying to make Mari comfortable. However, she was surprised as Hagino never showered so much concern to anyone. The fangirls of Hagino were helping Hagino to move house, and warned Mari not to try anything funny!
Late at night, Mari questioned Hagino and asked if she wanted to kill her, or what her motives were. Subaru teleported in and reported about the update status, only for Mari to see her. Subaru was surprised she was seen as she disappeared under Hagino’s orders. Hagino tried to calm Mari down, but Mari feared that she would be killed as she murmured “what are you”. When Hagino touched Mari on her shoulders, she started to glow and then squirm in agony on the floor. Unbeknownst to them, their teacher is giving a presentation about the tragedy at the Kamiokijima islands five years ago, and she concluded that the 800 deaths were by murder.
Thoughts
I am quite surprised that no one else has blogged about Episode 2 of this series other than RandomC. Is it the overtones of yuri that has pushed everyone away? If anything, the graphics of the show is nothing short of great for the story and mood that they aim to portray. I particularly like the part where Hagino started to glow like a lantern fish when she touched Mari. Impz felt that the scene was done wonderfully, with the music accompanying the rather tense moment perfectly.
I am still not sure whether to blog it on a weekly basis as yet, considering my busy work schedule. Nevertheless, there are many questions that still leave to be desired. The female teacher is definitely not as simple as she is. I mean, the way she left the building and the report she made clearly showed that she has suspicions of complexions in the school.
I do wonder if she has any inkling about Hagino. Hagino seems to be really well disguised as an alien, and it will be hard to detect anything magical about her except with Mari. I do wonder why there is such a huge effect whenever the two gets close together. The first time, Hagino went total bonkers and tried to strangle her. The second time, she went all bollocks and started emoing. There must have been something that happened when Mari is a child that causes this effect.
Now, on Mari. I have to admit that she can be a bit too brooding and anti social for my liking, but her growing friendship with Michiko softens my stance on her. I guess anyone who has to adapt to her new life without any social support will be like her, considering that she is going to experience a huge culture shock.
On the whole, the show continues to show good promise, and I do like the characters in the show. Hence, viewing is definitely in the mix for this. Blogging wise, I have no clue!
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9 Comments
Very good question – it seems that what people are preferring are girls slobbering all over each other, and some proper serious drama in front of that is seen as a hindrance
Personally, I really really like the show. Let’s see where it leads.
@Mentar: LOL, i think they can watch yuri hentai for that, no? I actually like the drama quite a bit since it puts up more character within the ermm characters itself. Mari is being fleshed out decently well, with the reluctant independence and strange attraction to Hagino done in a good way.
The problem with blue drop is that it is very hard to see whether it will turn out good or bad even at the second episode. For many series, it is easy. This one is hard.
Well, I just wanted to point out that the ship’s operator is not “Subaru”, but “Tsubael”, which pronounced by a Japanese sounds pretty much the same.
@Kazu-kun: arr, I see. I will edit it accordingly later. Sorry for the mistake. You know, I think I should put a spoiler saying that all names are problematic because Impz has hard of hearing
“LOL, i think they can watch yuri hentai for that, no?”
I think there is almost no yuri hentai anime.
“The problem that most yuri shows, or yuri-inclined shows lately, is that they have a tough act to follow. Simoun, one of the best shows in all genres the past year, has redefined the genre to make it the icon on how to make a “good yuri show”.”
I wouldn’t be so sure about that as Simoun wasn’t exactly the most successful commercial venture. For all we know its example might have made most anime studios wary of producing any serious yuri dramas. Now, I really like Blue Drop, it has nice drama and sci-fi elements but it’s still set in a sure bet setting, namely an all girl school.
Wonderfull, found your blog under an AS Link.
Nice, that you follow this Show. I like it. I hope to see more of this here
I’l bookmark your page
@Matrim: Arr, there is no? I was expecting that considering all the queer fetishes that Japanese people have, there must be some out there for them. I do agree wholeheartedly that Simoun is perhaps not a successful commercial venture, but there are few series that are commercially successful. Yuri themed series serve a niche market, but Simoun does bring it all right to mainstream of sorts. That part about the all girl school setting is very accurate in which it satisfies a lot of happiness.
I believe that good things often follow a set of common rules, and yet venture out for something new.
@Germanguy: pretty darn good. I am glad that you enjoy the blog, and do discuss about the story, or correct me. I tend to make mistakes a little sometimes ^^
My understanding of the word yuri is baisically about lesbians. So i am quite confused when you say this show has yuri feeling to it. I have not seen one instance of anything lesbian in natuure, unless you count a girl choking another girl and getting into fist fights “yuri”.
They are referring to the subtext and the potential for yuri. After all, the show definately gives of a lesbian vibe, ie. Hagino stroking Mari’s face before choking her, Azunael and Omoril’s relationship, and the fact that all of the aliens are female.
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