Feb 12, 2013
For many, the first episode is like candy they've never tried before. They may like it, they may not, or they may not be accustomed to the taste so they give it another shot. If you fall into the latter, you will find that Sasami-san is more than meets the eye.
With its combination of supernatural occurrences, mysterious story line, unknown depth of characters, and extremely weird chain of events, you're not sure where the producers SHAFT is going with this. However, each episode contains enough elements to pique your interest, leaving you with a sense of longing and desire to see the next episode.
Story -
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6
In its confusion, the first episode only gives you a brief glimpse into what Sasami-san is about. In general, there is very little explanation on what is happening. This is surprisingly concealed well by the events that take place, and is more so left up to the viewer to determine how the story unfolds and expands. Overal, the story is fair, not bad, not great.
Art - 7
I believe the art and animation to be on par with what SHAFT produces. I am not picky on watching anime based solely on that quality, though I have to admit there are scenes that could be drawn in more or higher detail. Overall, it is good, not exceptional.
Sound - 9
The atmosphere and setting play a large part in the general mood of Sasami-san; this includes the sound quality and background music. SHAFT does a great job in matching the music to the scene. The OP and ED reflect the series well, hinting at times the suspense, and at times the comedy and joking nature of the characters.
Character - 8
Each character has a unique personality, separate from the others in the series. Sasami-san would lose a lot of its interest if the characters were similar or bland. You will find immediately that each character adds something to the story, even if it's comedic relief or bizarre plot device.
That being said, these arch-types are common across anime; you have the sleepy, half-closed-eyes character that's lazy and unwilling to do anything physical, and you have the short, witty-comebacks character that views life as a joke. At the very least, SHAFT try to do something new with already-used character traits.
Enjoyment - 7
As I said previously, each week I find myself watching the anime out of interest, and not for the sake of "completing the series". This is because the story slowly develops, albeit slow and confusing at times. You're left guessing and making predictions on the plot and where it's going, so if that's not something you want to do, then you may find yourself dropping this anime. I for one believe that watching with no expectations is best, as you may be left pleasantly surprised at the end.
Overall -7
Sasami-san@Ganbaranai is by no means the perfect anime, and many will detest the direction (if it is heading in one) that SHAFT is taking with it. However, there are elements that make Sasami-san interesting; there are bizarre, supernatural events that unfold; some very neat action animation sequences and battles; and an array of characters that play into your senses just enough. Sasami-san, Ganbare!
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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