Master Keaton

[v16]

Master Keaton

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So, stumbled upon this one.

Looks somewhat like Monster at the glance. Is it a good watch or only has surface similarities?
I'm also wondering if it's episodic or actually has a storyline, and how good it is; I understand it's not like Monster, but well, compared to the general level.

[Vulcan1212]

Check the anirec portion of this site..Heh, should definitely be in there.

[Vulcan1212]

Oh wait.... It's not there..lol.. I have no idea then. Watch it and add it to the anirec database! Could even make a few recommendations from it! =)

[VnTB]

I think Master Keaton is nice. Master Keaton animation style is similiar to Monster (Monster better), the story and others things are different. No mystery, very relaxing serie. Episodic, but as a whole it does tell the story about Keaton life too, a little bit in each episode.

[v16]

Checked out 2 eps.

Yeah, Monster similarities are just animation style and near-realism. It's really quite light in tone. Nonetheless, another decent serious series.

[ParaParaJMo]

Well, I've only read the Keaton manga. Keaton is much older than monster though.

[HasseRovdjur]

Just watched the first episode for the buddy group. Holy crap, 264 watched and 53 watching (at the time of writing)? I thought that this show was more well known than that, especially since it has a dub. Anyway, a very solid first episode, though the way that a part of Keaton's backstory was introduced felt a little contrived. In the end, that's just nitpicking and I'm looking forward to watching more of this. It's definitely got that Tintin vibe, too.

[MugiwaraMarius]

Episode 1:

I'll start off by saying that Monster and 20th Century Boys have convinced me that Naoki Urasawa is pretty much a genius so I'm expecting to really enjoy this. I though the first episode was pretty good but didn't quite grab me the way Monster did.

This first episode pretty much just serves as an introduction to Keaton so the actual plot felt really simplistic. I'm definitely hoping to get some really interesting cases with some great historical references. I'm interested in Keaton himself who seems to be some kind of Macgyver using what ever he can to survive. He seems to be a bit absent minded or maybe that's an affectation he put on to put people at ease. The way he stole the tape was either really smooth or an accident I'm not sure yet.

I really like the European setting and I'm hoping we are going to get to see a lot of different places. The little village was nice start with it's crumbling architecture and feeling of age. The first episode definitely gave off that nice contemplative vibe that only the best slow-paced series have. The pacing doesn't feel slow so much as very deliberate. It's the kind of show that takes it's time showing off the surrounding as much as the actual plot.

Anyway nice start so on to episode 2.

Edit: Also I agree that the bit where we see Keaton was in the SAS felt a bit contrived. Pretty big coincidence that he just happened to know that guy.

[MugiwaraMarius]

Episode 2:

Another solid if not mind blowing episode. Despite the fact that I don't find this particularly gripping the episodes do seem to go by rather quickly. I'm really digging the OST and Naoki Urasawa's signature character designs that look more realistic than most other anime characters.

So Keaton is an archeologist, historian, SAS and an insurance agent for one of the best companies in the world. I'm kind of jealous but that the same time it seems a bit much for one man. The series seems so down to earth and yet Keaton has this unrealistic list of qualifications. I'm not really complaining because it makes him an interesting character. He puts on this absentminded facade but he is of course really astute. He really used those bounty hunters to his advantage in this case. Keaton seems to be really resourceful using whatever is around him to accomplish his goals. I'm not sure what he would have done if those guys hadn't of been there. Taking on a group of terrorists would have been a bit much for him alone. Although he is seriously going to get fired from his teaching job if he keeps this up.

The way Keaton just waltzes in, kicks everyone's ass, and sets the record straight reminds me of old spaghetti westerns. The main gunslinger would always play gangs against each other, kinda helping them out, but working everything to his advantage in the end.

I'm definitely liking this so far. On to episode 3.

[MugiwaraMarius]

Episode 3:

Wow in three episodes keaton has been in three different countries. This show certainly gets around.

I mentioned the OST being excellent last time but I also think the OP and ED are very good too.

Anyway episode 3 wasn't quite as strong as the first two but it was still pretty good. I think one of the most annoying things in anime is an overly precocious child but Master Keaton manages to pull it off without getting irritating. Flora was smart but she was also believably childish as well. This episode mostly focused on her and Keaton kind of took a back seat to her. Flora got in some good shots on Keaton but he was able to roll with the punches without becoming flustered. He really is a good guy but maybe a little unbelievably good. Still he's a fun guy to watch.

It was obvious he was going to take out the boxer at some point but I thought Keaton was going to improvise something like the sling again. However he just outwits the dummy and throws him on his ass. It was a nice move I guess.

These episodes really do seem to fly by. They are over before I know it but I feel each one has substance at the same time. It's interesting they are actually kind of dense without being heavy. A lot seems get done in these short one shot stories. While not a whole lot happens there is a lot of good dialogue and interesting details in each episode which makes them satisfying to watch.

Anyway I'm looking forward to more of this tomorrow.