cokesque

Synopsis

Afer many wars, mankind is finally united under on interstellar union. Disputes among members of the galactic union are resolved by GOTT, the Galactic Organization of Trade and Tariffs. Eclair and Lumiere (Thunder & Light?) are GOTT agents with amazing abilities, powerful companions, and dangerous lipstick, striving to bring order to the galaxy.

Impressions

Kiddy Grade is a mobius strip of labored plot twists and faux chic gimmickry which makes viewers travel twice as far as expected only to find they are right back where they started.

This one runs the gamut—from the seeming pointlessness of early episodes to intensely compelling suspense in the middle to an increasingly convoluted plot and the sad absurdity of the final episodes. Some words for Gonzo Digimation: deus ex machina is NOT a good thing. And plot twists are only effective if they a) make sense, and b) aren’t delivered by the dozen.

This is an action fanboy series through and through, with gobs of service for the adolescent, erm, heart. Eclair’s panties are as clean and white as the driven snow. And Lumiere—ah, Lumiere—who looks to be ten years old and running around in her skivvies, is a lolicon setpiece if ever there was one. What is this, Kiddy Pr0n?

Midway through the series, I was glad I had stuck it out through the tedious early mission-of-the-week episodes. The plot really picks up speed here and becomes interesting. It wasn’t long, however, before I was cursing myself again. Ridiculous twists become commonplace. Fight scenes are built on top of an inane heirarchy of super-powers that keep being redefined whenever a twist is needed. “Oho! My real power is to fire tiger sharks from my notrils!” “Yes, you thought my real power was to spread chum, but I can now reveal my true nature and fart Bat Shark Repellant!” Holy suspension of disbelief, Batman!

In all honesty, there is a lot of good in Kiddy Grade, enough to make it yet another average Gonzo anime. That good is just lost so far beneath the slime of incompetent storytelling that the pain in unearthing it far outweighs any moment of joy. Diagnosis: Failing Grade.

Random Thoughts

The Kiddy Grade eyecatches are wonderful:

They are also not here at the moment. The eyecatch gallery will return in a bit. I’m transferring to a new CMS.

Neko Factor

Sounds like "kitty."

- 2003-12-18 18:54 -