Creator: Shirodaira Kyou
Genre: mystery, drama, comedy
Episodes: 25
The premise of Spiral is based around Narumi Ayumu's search for his older brother Kiyotaka through those known as the Blade Children. Narumi Kiyotaka disappears without a trace two years ago and left only "Blade Children" as a clue to his little brother over the phone. Just as well, Kiyotaka also left behind his newly wed wife Madoka who ends up taking on the role of older sister to Ayumu.
In the present, murders occur that surround both Ayumu wherein he learns the first clues he's had about the Blade Children since his last contact with Kiyotaka. Because of this, Ayumu reluctantly walks into the schemes of these Blade Children time and time again, whether to help his newest partner in crime, Yuizaki Hiyono, or because of sheer interest in finding his brother's whereabouts through these Blade Children.
- credits to Spiral @ wikipedia
Narumi Ayumu -- voiced by Suzumura Kenichi
As the main protagonist of Spiral, Ayumu is a highly intelligent, though fairly uncaring high school boy in his first year. His daily routine involves skipping classes to sleep on the roof, then going home to cook dinner for his sister-in-law turned elder sister, Madoka.
Ayumu shows very little care for anything going on around him, but his interest is always piqued when anything that may have to do with his elder brother is mentioned. For two years, both he and Madoka have struggled in the search for Kiyotaka and with the appearance of the Blade Children, both become obsessed with searching for the truth behind the murders involved.
As a person, I feel like I can overpower Ayumu simply by punching him in the face, which is what I am tempted to do a lot throughout the series. Ayumu is not, by any means, a horrible person, nor is he an arrogant ass either, but the extent of his wallowing can get very annoying after a while. After all, this boy is highly intelligent, can solve all the murder cases in the blink of an eye, and can figure out problems without sweating. He's a great cook, apparently, and everyone else around him has the utmost faith that he can do anything he puts his mind to doing.
But in practically every episode, he is constantly comparing himself to Kiyotaka and claiming that he just can't do what everyone expects of him. What he doesn't seem to be able to grasp is the fact that, for an average human being, he has already surpassed normal expectation and needs to learn how to believe in himself every so often. But instead, he just compares himself to his older brother and then sulks.
It's fairly annoying. And then the way he treats Hiyono is also unforgivable, even if he has his redeeming moments where he actually considers her a friend.
In the end, however, I actually like this guy quite a bit. Poor kid simply has an overwhelming brother complex and was probably constantly compared to Kiyotaka during their childhood. Even if one were to tell him not to aim for Kiyotaka's level and simply aim as high as he can, he wouldn't be able to do it. In short, the way he can warm up to Hiyono finally and accept his potential and at least try and do what he can is commendable.
Ayumu, no matter what the situation, will come around eventually and come through for us and solve the problems without a sweat.
Being voiced by my favorite seiyu, Suzuken gives him bonus points for personality. Kenichi Suzumura does excellently in these calm, cool guy roles and it shows. He portray's Ayumu's boredom, his struggle, and his heck-care attitude smoothly.
In the end, Ayumu, I believe, just needs that little pick-me-up (though consistently) to realize that he isn't a loser. Which is where his partner, the infamous school journalist comes into play.
Yuizaki Hiyono -- voiced by Asano Masumi
Hiyono is probably one of the most lovable female characters in anime history. Though her antics and actions may come off as annoying and over the top for anyone else, she manages to pull them off wonderfully because of her cheery personality and her redeeming optimistic views on life. As the school journalist, Hiyono's network of information is extremely expanse which proves very useful in helping Ayumu with his investigations. Hiyono herself is very admirable for the way in which she is able to obtain information that any average high school student wouldn't be able to get.
Throughout the series, Hiyono is a very happy-go-lucky, intelligent, and optimistic girl. Her faith in Ayumu's ability is her winning trait, and ever since she meets him from episode one, her loyalty and faith in him is unwavering, not even for a second. When near the end it seems she has lost faith in him, she unexpectedly turns around and says to him, "Seems like the Narumi-san I once knew is gone. It can't be helped. I will wait until he comes back. If you meet Narumi-san somewhere, please tell him... 'Have the fighting spirit!'" And then she walks off with all the confidence that she has woken Ayumu back up and that he will return to doing what he can to help the Blade Children rather than brooding.
Another day in the life of Hiyono-chin meets Narumi-tan... wait, isn't this a mystery and drama anime?
Hiyono's character is very cute, by anime standards. Her cheerfulness is addicting and annoying at the same time, and some may want to know where to find the off switch for some peace and quiet. But when she's not jumping around and singing her strange song, you tend to miss her presence.
I would never want to see a sad Hiyono, because then would be proof that the world has come to an end.
The seiyu of Hiyono is unfamiliar to me, and so I can't judge the performance as compared to others, but she does quite the job bringing out the cheery attitude of Hiyono without fault. Her voice acting remains consistent throughout the series and never goes over the top, even for Hiyono's over-zealous personality.
Other characters in this series of significance include the Blade Children, who each have their own mysteriousness about them. As mentioned in the series, the Blade Children are seen as a blemish on human life, and those who will, see them as creatures born to die because they are evil and cursed.
Takeuchi Rio is a small girl with the intelligence of a physicist as she is the first to openly challenge Ayumu in the battle of wits. Though small, she displays immense courage and will-power, sacrificing her own life for the sake of the Blade Children's plans. She is straight-forward and still tends to act like a child outside of being part of the Blade Children.
Eyes Rutherford is the first of the Blade Children to challenge Ayumu with a bomb. He is supposedly cold-hearted, but he cares dearly for his friends, especially Rio. His belief in Kiyotaka's promise that Ayumu would be able to save the Blade Children is at first unwavering, but seems to falter towards the end. Nonetheless, he has hope and feels that one day the Blade Children will no longer have to hide from their hunters.
Asazuki Kousuke is an arrogant part of the Blade Children who is also hot-headed and not hesitant to carry out any immoral act necessary to protect his friends. He doesn't really trust anyone, but takes on the role of guarding Rio when she is in the hospital, and is the closest in relationship to Ryoko.
Takamachi Ryoko is the most down-to-earth member of the Blade Children. Clever and athletic, she is able to keep Kousuke in line whenever he goes overboard with his threats and his actions. She despises killing and when first introduced, wants nothing to do with the Blade Children now that she has been living a rather peaceful, normal life.
Kanone Hilbert is a older friend of the Blade Children, also a Blade Children himself. He is revealed to have grown up with Eyes, but their friendship had fallen apart due to conflict of interests. He is also known as the one who had helped the aforementioned Blade Children learn how to survive.
Other Blade Children have also been proven to exist, but few have actually been mentioned in the series.
Overall, the storyline is very intriguing and manages to grasp your attention at every turn. Ayumu's intelligence and wit is tested time and time again, and each time he manages to overcome all of the life-threatening obstacles placed before him. The series ends in a very open-ended way, because despite Ayumu becoming more confident of himself, the issue surrounding Kiyotaka's disappearance and the Blade Children's problems haven't exactly been resolved.
The art is very well done, and the characters are created clear and beautifully. The music composition of piano playing is good and I really enjoyed Hiyono's strange song. The opening theme is a little annoying and doesn't seem to fit the image of the series very well, but the ending theme is quite enjoyable to listen to.
No comments:
Post a Comment