After finishing the book American Gods which starred as the main character a grifter named Wednesday who turns out to actually be Odin of Norse mythology, I was in the mood for more (you should read the book….you’ll know why I was in need of some Odin redemption).  I jokingly made the comment to Mayama that I should watch all of Loki Ragnarok (fully named, of course Mythical Detective Loki Ragnarok), a series that I had heard of and assumed was really nothing like it really is.  For anyone out there who equates Loki with the manga Ragnarok…..it’s not the same thing.  It’s not the same thing at all.  On a recent pilgrimage to animeland, Mayama and I came across the first disc of Loki for a mere $7.00 (that’s roughly ¥700 for those of you thinking in Japanese) and after my recent joking and actually reading the description on the back of the disc, we decided that it had to be worth at least that much money, so we bought it.  And I’m glad we did.  In fact, we’re now conquesting for disc 2 which seems to have mysteriously disappeared.  If I can acquire it in a timely fashion, I believe that this would be a good candidate for anime club to watch.  It seems up their alley.  Like I said, another one where I’ve only watched disc 1…..but this has promise. 

As its name may indicate, this is a detective show.  I must say that I’m not too terribly up on my detective shows, so I don’t have much to compare it too, but this one is at least keeping me amused.  The animation is decent, though they definitely rely on completely recycled animation every time Loki summons his staff.  Understandable, I think, but I guess this may bother some people.  I say, save the budget where you can to make the rest of it that much better.  I really can’t say that much about animation in this show, as it really hasn’t caught me as anything spectacularly good or spectacularly bad.  It just is.  It’s a brand new show….it has brand new animation.  Nothing more to say than that really. 

The storyline is interesting.  In a way.  It’s obviously about Norse mythology.  Loki.  Ragnarok.  But at the same time it’s presented through a very Japanese cultural filter.  It’s like this.  Odin has exiled Loki to earth.  For something….I don’t know what.  You never know with Odin…I’m sure we’ll find out as things go on.  However, the catch is that Loki is now in the body of a young boy.  He’s still got his wits and his personality, but he looks like a grade schooler.  A grade schooler who doesn’t go to school….though no one ever seems to comment on that.  He’s also got a detective agency.  For whatever reason or another.  No one seems to think that’s weird either.  And he’s got a devoted servant to help him out with things.  He seems like a nice guy, but you don’t really learn much about him other than that he’s there helping Loki.  I don’t think he’s a god, but he sure knows that Loki is.  I’m hoping that this will be revealed as the series goes on.  Also tagging along is the character that, while necessary, will probably also be the bane of the series.  Her name is Mayura, she’s obsessed with mysteries to a level far surpassing Haruhi Suzumiya, and she’s a complete idiot.  So far she’s managed to be terrified of the thing she was investigating on numerous occasions and she usually falls down or does something otherwise clumsy.  But Loki lets her help out.  She’s necessary really.  And she’s not that bad.  Especially in episode 4 where Loki helps bring her and her father closer through a super adorable flashback episode that left me feeling all warm inside.  Mayura’s mom died some time ago, so it’s just her and her father who’s working as a spiritualist who doesn’t believe in the supernatural but can see spirits.  Loki exploits him a few times, but so far he hasn’t really taken off.  The character development beyond basic characteristics is slow so far, but I’m hoping it will take off at some point.  In addition to exile, Odin apparently wants Loki dead, and sends various other gods to do it (so far we’ve gotten Thor…who works doing odd jobs and goes to school with Mayura, and Heimdall…who hasn’t really come into things beyond his one episode, but he’s swearing that he’ll kill Loki).  Things are setting themselves up for a glorious Ragnarok ending where all the gods fight one another to the death…..but I just don’t know if it will actually get there.  It’s drawing on elements of the myths, but I don’t know how exact they will want to be really. 

Bottom line is that I see a lot of potential in this show, but I don’t know if we’ll get there.  It is a cute show though, and it’s entertaining if nothing else.  I suppose if you’re expecting deep characters or true Norse mythology you might be disappointed.  I’m intrigued enough to want to see more.  When I get to the end we’ll see if my thoughts have changed.

posted by Yukino @11:58 PM