Apr 20, 2014
***MILD SPOILER ALERT***
I enjoyed watching Red Data Girl. I have been meaning to watch a anime with less fanservice content or over-the-top-forced-on-yourself plot. I was tempted to the series because of the Poster I saw online. Unlike a typical Shoujo Series (like Code-E etc) the male lead, Miyuki Sagara as we know, looked well mature. Izumiko has a timid and fragile built. So it was evident for first goers to predict the storyline.
So it is true. The first episode starts off Izumiko not wanting to accept herself as the vessel for the Goddess Himegami. She is introduced with Miyuki Sagara who becomes horribly rude
...
to Izumiko. But what it struck me the most that the main lead, our Izumiko was just a fragile girl. So, I inevitably had in the back of my mind that the Production team wants us to learn more about Izumiko's story and her relationship with her alter ego. So I stuck to the series to know more about her.
I am not disappointed at all by Izumiku's character development. At least she did not weep most the time. In fact it all made sense when we get into to the ending of series we get to know more about her Alter ego, or the Goddess Himegami possessing her using Izumiko as a vessel.
[spoiler]
After Izumiko, I loved how incomplete Miyuki's character was. The series starts off with the strong male lead but it only in the middle of series we see him openly confessing that he doubts himself whether being suited for the job that he is chosen for. He says that he doesn't know how to protect her as he doesn't know how to protect his own self. Somehow, it did make sense because at times of our lives, we do become in-confident about decisions and the role given to us.
What breaks my heart the most is that the series did not magnify Izumiko and Miyuki's growing closeness. Since as being an ardent Shoujo Manga reader I would expect more of romance. It is only in the few ending episodes we understand that Miyuki thought no longer of her as a burden. Although, the relationship between them grew maturely over the series keeping in mind that they were exposed to wonderful quests that reminded of their of their destiny. It did not give much growth to Miyuki's display of love for Izumiko.
[/spoiler]
I felt that the Souda siblings arc got more focus than the main plot. Yet, Mayuri, Manatsu and Masumi has a great impact of both of our leads. It was obvious that Masumi, Mayuri and Manatsu's spirit, wanted Izumiko all to himself since she was the one to see him other than his siblings.
As obvious as it seems, the series just concluded open ended leaving the fans needing for more. Leaving most of our questions unanswered. Definitely hinting us to read the Original Novel. (It has a manga adaption as well but it is still ongoing. Sadness.)
Red Data Girl is a wonderful watch if you wish to know more about Japanese Culture. If you are looking for a mild period series, this series is a recommendation. The scenery is breathtaking. The pace is good. You won't feel being rushed. The information is poured to you bit by bit. A kind of anime that I have been looking for.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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