Pumpkin Scissors - 03
Posted on October 20th, 2006 by retsgip - 292 Views
Omgz, she’s blushing with a pickaxe!$!@!
Rating: 8/10
I don’t know what everyone was complaining about. From the comments I saw of this episode, I half expected to get my ass kicked so hard while watching this that I’d denounce my love for Pumpkin Scissors. The quality might have been a little worse than the first two, but nothing to really panic over. The plot was a little slow this episode, but somewhat necessary in order to develop Alice’s character. Hopefully, next episode will be the start of a new era in which GONZO picks up the slack from this week of vacation they just had.
I think the biggest question for me (and others) right now is: “Where is PumpSis going with their plot, and will they accomplish this without sucking too badly?” I don’t really have a direct answer mainly because I don’t read the manga, but I’m hoping GONZO knows what they’re doing. I’ve seen a few people paralleling PumpSis with NHK and how GONZO fucked that up early on as well, but the problem with this argument is that people still enjoy NHK (myself included). I could tell from the first episode of PumpSis that it wasn’t going to be uber detailed or aesthetically pleasing anime this season, but I appreciated the characters and whatever uniqueness they brought. The same goes for NHK.
There was still a ton of things to appreciate during this episode, even though it followed a slower, more laid-back pace. For one, it focused on Alice and gave us a glimpse at who she is and why she does what she does. Yes, she’s nobility, she eats good food everyday, and sleeps in a comfortable bed, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t care about the war relief effort. I found her outlook on the whole situation a bit childish (e.g., fasting to “live like a commoner”), yet fitting for her character. Thank god Panda-kun finally got through to her and convinced her that she was being stupid. He gave her a nice analogy, which I’ll paraphrase since I’m too lazy to find it:
When a patient is suffering from an illness or pain, does he/she want the doctor to feel that same illness or pain? No, they just want to be cured. They don’t necessarily want someone to understand their pain, nor do they need a friend, but in the end they just want to be saved.
If you take that in the context of the war relief effort, I think it fits rather nicely. More importantly, Alice (along with the viewer) is reminded what the true goal of Pumpkin Scissors is: to save people from the troubles and hardships of a war.
No cliche slangs, but we get a table stab!
I found the change of pace welcoming since the trump card of the series seems to be Panda-kun and his ability to fight rather large objects. It was nice being able to witness classic Alice-esque moments even in a rather uneventful episodes. When she does stupid things I can’t help but shake my head, but at the same time I recognize that this is her character, and without these moments she wouldn’t be the awesome character that she is. Here’s some classic Alice moments:
- Fasting and running to work to “live like a commoner”
- Being stubborn
- Slamming her ’sword’ into table
- Rushing into the cave without thinking about the repercussions
- Her willingness to help others
She’s a great character, they just need to develop her a little more via other methods that don’t involve focusing an entire episode on her. It was nice to see minor developments of the side characters, but we need more to give the anime a more complete feeling. Overall, I think the anime is still decent, it just needs some minor adjustments in order to be labeled good or great.
My cash camel isn’t dead yet you bastards, I’m riding this shit to the end and will continue to fanboy it!
-Retsgip
Loading ...
“but I’m hoping GONZO knows what they’re doing.”
Yeah, lets keep our fingers crossed, so that this show doesnt become as big a failure as FMA.
I rather enjoyed this episode, mainly because they DID focus on Alice. Anyway though, with this char development ep finished, we can expect some more action and Orlando next few episodes.
I liked how the tunnel tank was ganked while the guys were out taking a piss! haha jk. But I agree with you on many levels. The episode was fair in terms of character, it was devoted to Alice, but we only discovered a few details about her in the first 5 minutes.
If GONZO can integrate the action in a shouneny sort of way without having to impress with the trump, AND build the character interaction, we’ll be in business.
Still, its enjoyable to watch. (Alice is fun to watch period)
Im personally seeing this as a Foundation builder for Alice’s back story. Granted, she’s the jewel of Pumpsis, its the action and complimentary qualities of the other characters which is what defines and separates Pumpsis from other anime genres.
For the sake of this Potential-Filled series, I do hope Gonzo lifts their game as they have teased for the next episode.
Karry: I actually liked FMA for awhile. Then something happened and flipped my hate switch and I could barely even finishe the series. It was pretty much a let down for me towards the end of the series.
Danny: you and me brother danny, you and me.
Ryan: Of COURSE Alice is fun to watch PERIOD! She’s one of the main reasons I watch the show. Her haphazardous actions which somehow pull through are awesome.
Darkshaunz: I agree the Alice is the jewel of the serious, but Panda is the trump. I’m glad they’re developing her character a bit because she needs it. There are so many unanswered questions still left on the table. Lets hope for better days.