Da Capo III

krofire Feb 21, 2022

7

Studio Actas’ 2013 fantasy is the third instalment of the anime series originally developed as an adult visual novel in a Windows gameplay. It really helps if you are familiar with DC I and II because DC III is not quite a standalone. The ending of the show doesn’t explain the mystery leaving the viewer frustrated. The basic story is somehow reminiscent of “Kanon” (Kyoto Animation 2006) with the action taking place on mysterious island of Hatsune. The main protagonists are the members of a High School newspaper club all of whom (bar one) are reckoned to be (by the boys) the hottest girls in school. The exception is main character Kiyotaka Yoshino who enjoys a harem setup with the girls. They spend most of the time throwing themselves at him despite the fact that these potential romances really have nothing to do with the story. The club are investigating a Cherry blossom tree rumoured to have magical properties such that it can grant wishes. They put it to the test and the tree springs into life. Shortly afterwards Kiyotaka meets an intriguing young girl who goes by the name of “Sakura” (or course!). The show is the run-of-the-mill standard set of cliches and stereotypes. Nothing of much consequence happens but some of the small details pique the interest of the audience. Take for example the mystery text message they all got dated 1951, and the strange robot the runs the local detective agency. Despite these occasional flourishes of imagination this amounts to a whole lot of nothing. The tale ultimately disappoints as it owes way too much to the original gameplay hence narrows the potential audience. Forgettable if occasionally pretty to look at.