[Digital] Ristorante Paradiso Episode #11 (Series Finale)

[The Great Bear]

http://www.mania.com/content_pics/000004/99/49/b16e87d18f68c555_thumb.jpgReview by Greg Smith (http://www.mania.com/ristorante-paradiso-episode-11_article_115879.html)

Mania Grade: B+
* Audio Rating: NA
* Video Rating: NA
* Packaging Rating: NA
* Menus Rating: NA
* Extras Rating: NA
* Age Rating: 13 and Up
* Region: All Region
* Released By: Crunchyroll
* Running time: 25
* Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 Widescreen
* Resolution: 480p (720p also available)
* Series: Ristorante Paradiso

Series Review:

Every now and then, we come across an anime title that is definitely aimed at a slightly more mature crowd, such as Honey & Clover, a title that does not feature unusually talented or supernaturally gifted teenagers piloting giant robots or using fantastical powers to beat off evil organizations and super villains bent upon conquering and controlling or destroying the universe. Nor does it have unrealistically endowed female high school students being romantically persued by other high school students, while wacky hi-jinks occur. Ristorante Paradiso is one of those refreshing diversions from the norm in anime, so much of which is aimed at a teenaged or younger crowd. In many ways, it's more like a nighttime drama, perhaps a little soap opera-ish, that would actually work very well as a one-hour drama playing around 9-10 pm, back when TV actually showed scripted shows and was not inundated with a plethora of cheap unscripted fare that pretends to be fresh and exciting, but most often fails to be either. Not that Ristorante Paradiso is a non-stop action thrill ride either. It is much more a quiet, almost introspective look at the often messy lives that real people can have: divorce, separation, the little lies we tell to get what we want, and the haunting consequences that can follow such lies. All of these things help to make this show a welcome break from the monotony of Big Mouthed Small Eyed teenage fluff that overwhelmingly dominates the anime landscape, at least as far as what is normally available in North America through legal channels.

If you're looking for another show that features super-powered teenagers fighting against…whatever, or super-endowed teenagers fighting against the hordes trying to get their attention, this might be a show that you would be interested in seeking out. If you are interested in character studies of flawed individuals, and how communities can be built out of the strangest of connections (one woman's weird fetish for older men wearing glasses), then you might be interested in seeing this show. If you want to see non-stop action with explosions (whether technologically or supernaturally caused) or want to see another comedy set in a high school environment, you will likely want to pass, but I would suggest that you at least watch an episode or two, even if bored to tears, just to get a taste of what anime can do besides breasts and bombs.

[Suwako Moriya]

Interesting, so I take it the series turned out decently then. On a side note, I have to be honest here. Don't take this the wrong way, but whenever a review praises something for being different it makes me slightly hesitant.

As it sometimes gives me the impression the show is mainly being praised due to being different. As opposed to the actual quality of the series itself. If that makes any sense.

In any case, I've had the series on hold for awhile. Mainly waiting for all eleven episodes to be up for free streaming before making a decision on the series. *Checks*.

Hmm, six days before episode 11 comes up for free streaming. I guess even if I were to catch up now, that wouldn't be too long of a wait. I'll have to think about that. The first episode was decent even if different from what I'm used to.

[The Great Bear]

On a side note, I have to be honest here. Don't take this the wrong way, but whenever a review praises something for being different it makes me slightly hesitant.

No, that's a fair point. Is it novelty or quality that makes it attractive?

Novelty certainly plays a factor, but I think it comes down to the characters. While I am not entirely enthralled by some of them, there are ones that are a little more interesting, who make it worth while to see the show.

While there is a plot, I think this is a good example of a show where each viewer will have to determine for him/herself whether they want to learn more about the characters, or whether one episode's (Note: the first two episodes are really halves of a single unit, so watch at least Eps. 1 and 2) worth of exposure is enough.

[Suwako Moriya]

Novelty certainly plays a factor, but I think it comes down to the characters. While I am not entirely enthralled by some of them, there are ones that are a little more interesting, who make it worth while to see the show.

Ah, I see then. Speaking of characters, I wonder if it would shock anyone to learn that the one I'm mainly focused on is Nicoletta. As if I even needed to ask such an obvious question.

In any case, I'm currently in the middle of episode 3. So I am making some progress in terms of watching the series. Granted, it helps that I'm in one of those moods where you feel you have time to kill and decide to watch a show just for the heck of it. As more of a side thing.

[The Great Bear]

Ah, I see then. Speaking of characters, I wonder if it would shock anyone to learn that the one I'm mainly focusing is Nicoletta herself.

Considering just about all the other characters are guys, no, I am not shocked :P

…

Not that Nicoletta is the most interesting character in the series…

[Suwako Moriya]

Considering just about all the other characters are guys, no, I am not shocked :P

Ah, I should have figured as much. In any case, I've completed four episodes of it. This definitely seems to be one of those shows I can bring myself to watch if I'm in the right mood. However I doubt I'd actually discuss it much beyond saying "It's decent for what it is".

[Collectonian]

My only complaint is the review really did not need to tell the entire episode's ending :( No other reviews for the series gave the whole episode plot scene for scene, just minor points, so I felt it was safe to read this one as well, and now I'm rather bummed to have it ruined that badly.

[The Great Bear]

My only complaint is the review really did not need to tell the entire episode's ending :( No other reviews for the series gave the whole episode plot scene for scene, just minor points, so I felt it was safe to read this one as well, and now I'm rather bummed to have it ruined that badly.

If I were not to discuss anything that involved plot "spoilers," then I really wouldn't be able to say anything about this episode at all. The entire episode was the plot threads being wrapped up, one after another.

A completely spoilerless comment would have consisted of:

"It's Olga's birthday, and the restaurant is throwing a party for her. Nicoletta is making a special dish for the occasion. And Gabrielle, Claudio's ex-wife, will be among the guests."

I'm sorry if the review spoiled things, I probably should have put a strong spoiler warning at the start, but otherwise, there really would not be anything to write beyond that one sentence. Everything that happens in the episode involves answering the various questions and tidying up the plot threads laid out from the beginning of the show.

If I had left off the very end, that would have left one little thing, perhaps, but there still would have been a large amount of spoiler information regardless, since things start getting wrapped up quite early.

But then this is the first wrap-up I've done for a show, so I'll be sure next time to be more clear about what is about to be revealed, so the reader can decide when to stop reading before they watch the actual episode.

[Suwako Moriya]

I might have more to say later in the "Currently Watching" thread when I'm ready to comment on my remaining one cour Spring shows. So for now I'll just say it here.

I finished the series and over all found to be decent. Yeah it's a bit different that what I'm used to. Who knew older people could actually look older? However like I said it was definitely decent.

Also I liked the dress that Nicoletta wore in the final episode. Make of that statement what you will.