Conclusion: Denpa Onna to Seishun Otoko

I have finished Denpa Onna (except for the Blu-Ray/DVD 13th episode, which I'm eagerly awaiting) - and I can say that watching this series was very worth it.

Well I don't hear that too often. Refreshing, I must say.

I think I would have watched this series even if the plot was complete crap JUST due to the cast + graphics (fortunately, that's not the case). The graphics are just...ugh. If "eye candy" was in the dictionary, a picture of Touwa Erio would be next to it.

But anyways, this queer series by Shaft was some great watching. It seems pretty shallow because it doesn't tug on the heartstrings every 2nd episode like Ano Hana does by making all of its cast do synchronized bawling, but in my opinion it was just as good (in a different way) as Ano Hana was.

The character interaction was some of the better that I've seen in quite some time - not awkward although it is a comedy-romance series. The supporting cast fit their roles and amp up the omfg-this-is-going-to-be-sweet meter pretty nicely. Makoto is very...average, in that he seriously does not play a hero role, or even an emphasized central role in any sense of the word. He's much like Kyon in Haruhi in that aspect. He's mostly quiet, introspective, and best of all, very conscious of the interpersonal play that is going around him (AKA he's not a dumbass that wouldn't recognize a date if it stole his personal ID number). What makes him slightly more uncommon than your other main Average Joes is what becomes central to the plot.

All the ESP nonsense is pretty nonsensical in the series (but the little push at the end was pretty nicely done). However, it is a very simple allegory for talent/determination, especially in the face of everything else. Not everyone has the ability to just suddenly excel. For many, there exists at the present always someone better, or someone quicker on their feet. But the question is, in the face of 'inevitability' - even with people cheering - should you put in your best to try to achieve the impossible?

And we're not talking saving the world, or saving a girlfriend, or kicking some ass, or kicking lots of major demon ass. We're talking about the small things in life, like hitting a baseball out of a park although you've always been struck out before; being accepted into society though shunned for your strange past; cheering for your friend in a game that everybody thinks is a foregone conclusion. These things are merely everyday occurrences - yet should we just go with the flow? Or, to the wonder of those around you, should you grit your teeth and keep running as hard as you can?

The series answers this question and does it very softly. In the end, even though it's not a major thing - even though it may already be a foregone conclusion - even though everyone may be putting you down - trying to extend yourself to that one previously unreachable spot may be worth it in and of itself.

Although it's a very grandiose generalization that I've weaved out of this series, I don't think it's too far from the truth. Overall, the combination of great graphics, good soundtrack and OP, delicious cast, and a deeper-than-meets-the-eye plot and theme makes this a pretty memorable - if not classic - series. Watch it quietly when you have the time.

asdfjkl; obligatory Touwa Erio pic