Apr 7, 2021
I am a huge fan of Madoka Magica, and I search for any and all deconstructions of stereotypical genres. Shadow Star Narutaru has been on my list as a dark deconstruction of the pet monster (Pokemon, Digimon, etc.) phenomenon. I recently saw Bokurano, which is by the same mangaka, and while it did feel a bit rushed, I really enjoyed it. Thus, Shadow Star Narutaru was next on my list.
Story: The idea for this show is great. The first half of the episodes had obvious antagonists and a good-and-evil back and forth. Then, we get introduced to some new characters whose stories take up an
...
entire episode. This happens again. And again. Only for the finale to center on a secondary character who was only shown once or twice. The main villains and the overall "plot" was never resolved. I am planning on reading the manga because I'm committed to knowing what happens, but they could have tried to give some closure to the anime.
Art: Nothing special or unique about the art. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't notable. Some characters look almost identical to those in Bokurano. There were times the awkward silences and character stills lasted for so long, I wondered if my computer was buffering.
Sound: I watched the English dub and found myself constantly reaching for the remote to turn the volume up and down. The theme song is super loud, but the characters spoke so softly. I had to rewind multiple times to catch what they were saying.
Character: This is probably the best part of this anime for me, and it's the reason I kept watching. Most of these characters are either unlikeable or they become unlikeable at the end. I appreciated this. One character is suicidal. (This isn't a spoiler because she is holding a gun to her head in the promo picture.) We are never told why she wants to end her life except for the obvious violence in the show. This endears her to me, as I wonder if she struggles with PTSD, depression, or both. Some characters are good people who crack under the pressures of life. Others are absolutely evil, willing to kill for the tiniest of reasons. This is true of humanity. If pushed to edge, nearly anyone would break. And this show definitely pushes people to the edge! It's not gory, but it's not for children. Ironic since the main characters are children. The bright spot in all this damaged humanity is the protagonist, Shiina. She never loses hope. Even when the horrible things she has seen haunt her, she remains a loyal friend and daughter.
Enjoyment: I appreciated the different take on the pet monster genre. It reminded me a lot of Bokurano. Except Bokurano actually ended. When the plot switched to one shots about people other than the MC, I tended to check out. If the show had continued to follow Shiina in her fight against the villains from the beginning, I would have enjoyed it a lot better.
Overall recommendation: If you're looking for a decent deconstruction anime, this is a valid choice. Just be warned the plot goes all over the place, so if you're looking for a good story in with that deconstruction, you won't find it here. Well-written characters, yes. Good characters, no. If you want a good story with realistic characters that's still dark and takes apart a genre, try Madoka Magica or Bokurano. Or just watch this and be ready to read the manga afterwards.
Reviewer’s Rating: 6
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