Touka Gettan

[purplemo]

Touka Gettan

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I didn't think I would be doing any more of these (other than Musou Kakyou when it comes out), but putting down my thoughts on this show (as well as having to defend it way more than I wanted to in the past) was kind of hard without taking forever. So by the time I was done I realized this damned thing was so long I figure I might as well format it for here.

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Story 8/10

To begin with, I will admit that knowing Kao no Nai Tsuki and Yami to Boushi to Hon to Tabibito helped a lot in understanding the basic story of Touka Gettan and that I knew more of Touka Gettan’s basic story than most people initially. I can see how Touka Gettan would be very hard to follow for someone without some basic idea of what are the major plot points. It also doesn’t help that the show is aired chronologically backwards. That said, I think the biggest problem people have with this show is they expect too much of a story instead of just immersing themselves into Kamitsumihara. While Touka Gettan’s world is actually quite complex and there is quite a deep narrative that could be told, the previous two shows are a good barometer of just how ambitious the storytelling (and fanservice) was going to be.

As the spiritual sequel to Kao no Nai Tsuki I came in expecting very little and found it a pretty decent slice o’life story that dabbles in some drama and intrigue. I watched Touka Gettan in its original broadcast order. This turned out much better than I heard it would be as most of the show is broken up in single-episode vignettes that can stand alone if one is not pushing too hard to find a link between each episode (which there is). I found the reverse method to work quite well as the bigger, more complex plot hooks appeared earlier and gave more impetus to continue watching. The “ending” in particular fit very well and was a great way to come “full circle." While a viewer might get more sense of the overarching story watching it chronologically, I think it has a much stronger emotional impact watched the order it was aired.

Animation 8.5/10

There is no doubt from the first scene to every character and background that Touka Gettan is from Root (the company that developed Kao no Nai Tsuki and Yami to Boushi). The characters are in general attractive, though lacking a bit of the polish seen in Kao no Nai Tsuki. The characters are prettier than the usual h-game derived anime counterparts as well. The fanservice, for what it is worth, is very well done and surprisingly less intrusive than most other shows given the quantity present.

The backgrounds range from pretty to gorgeous, again a nod to Touka Gettan’s pedigree. The mountain setting, old Japanese home, forests, and even the school looks good. While it does not have the production values of, say, Last Exile, Touka Gettan is still a feast for the eyes and does Kamitsumihara justice.

Sound 10/10

Touka Gettan sports one of the best soundtracks I have heard in a long time. It is a truly gorgeous mix of strings and wind instruments that add a depth to each of the show’s many emotional scenes that is usually reserved for the best of the best. While Shuuai, Sekiken, and Sekkai are the crowning jewels of this soundtrack, each track, even the upbeat comical ones, are excellent and thoroughly match the scenes they were written for. Not a big surprise given the production was done by the same person who did Haibane Renmei’s music production.

Complimenting the outstanding soundtrack is a solid voice cast. Each voice actor does their character exceptionally well, rarely missing an inflection or emotion. Even the triplets with their horrid Naga-esque laugh come off less annoying than they would otherwise if they were done poorly.

Characters 8/10

For a show replete of character archetypes I depise (ditzy endless stomach, little kouhai who says weird things, the ero-child mom, the catgirl, the triplets, etc), I found myself pleasantly surprised that there was only one character I really didn’t like. The triplets were the early front runner with their “Naga laugh,” but even they turned out passable. Really the only one I didn’t like was Shouko. She came off a little too confrontational and over-the-top, whether it be her car or glasses or creepy love of Makoto (even more creepy than Yumiko and Touka surprisingly) and served no real purpose other than comic relief. That knocks her down a lot considering everyone else served some role in the overarching story.

The biggest surprise for me was that I found Momoka rather likable. She’s overtly happy, ditzy, and naïve. Yet she comes off rather more sympathetic than I expected, especially near the “end.” Many times I found myself hoping things would turn her way when in other shows I would wish Shouko's car would land on her. It is hard for me to explain, but rarely have I run across a show with so many hated character archetypes but likeable characters. Even Kannazuki did not pull off this feat with me.

Overall 8/10

Despite the fact that I don’t consider Touka Gettan a great show, I find myself defending it like I consider it a top 10 show because so many people hate it so much because of the confusing nature of the story. What people need to remember here is that this is not a Haibane Renmei or Crest of the Stars. This is a light-hearted school slice o’life telling with a bit of mysticism thrown in. This is not a show to be psychoanalyzed but a show to enjoy without asking questions about every bit of the universe. It is a show best watched pretending it is a series of stand-alone vignettes and seen as a glimpse into another world (or for a more real-world example, another culture). A glimpse will not provide all the answers to the questions that come to mind; it doesn’t need to. If you accept the world and its rules for what it is, Touka Gettan’s tale is a pretty decent one with more emotional depth than you'd ever expect from this show.

[VivisQueen]

The review is an interesting read, but, what confuses me, is that you seem to be adding rating points JUST BECAUSE others don't like it. Wouldn't that make the ratings a false reflection of your actual views?

For example, to say you don't consider Touka Gettan a great show, and then still give it an 8/10 feels rather odd.

[purplemo]

No, not really. An 8 does not mean to me what it means to you. An 8 does not have to be a great show; a good but very flawed show that is enjoyable can rate up there for me. My rating uses 7 as the mean and branches out from there. Yours sets the mean around 6-6.5 and is very top heavy, which is probably why it seems different (there's a definite 0.5-1.0 disparity in how your rating scale differs from mine).

How do you use your ratings?

[VivisQueen]

Never mind, then.