Sket Dance - TV Tokyo's "Secret Samaritan" Anime

[FUNiOP]

First half didn't do anything for me... until the second half. Sure, it's still a weak segment, especially in comparison, but at least it ends up having some meaning beyond finding a new stick to beat the shit out of people with.

But the second half was probably the first episode since the Gintama episode that I actually cared about. So far, it doesn't look to be as good as Switch's backstory, but Sket Dance is making its strengths quite clear. I hope Bossun's is good, too.

[EmperorBrandon]

Ah, so here's Himeko's "dark" backstory, though likely not as dark as Switch's. I was wondering if someone was going to die (maybe that might happen next episode, but doesn't seem like it's learning that way). Seems we'll get to see her meeting Bossun next episode, which I'm interested about. Switch's story seemed to omit the meeting up with Sket-dan part, making me assume it would come in a later story. And I guess Bossun's own backstory won't come with this arc but something we get later too.

[Damius]

A hero call Popman…why after hearing that name I went and make Popcorn…
The cyclone is dead and…buried!
Wait Wait Wait…that was the Bruins logo…I HATE THIS!
I really liked the story of Hime-chan from the past; it made me forget about the worst 2.5 seconds in anime history

[FUNiOP]

About what I expected after the previous episode. Not as good as Switch's backstory, but still better than most of Sket Dance. It definitely did have the same emotional impact, but there was still some deserved crying for a less tragic reason. Now to wait for Bossun's backstory. I can't be sure how good it will be, but I think it's probably safe to assume it will still be better than most of Sket Dance.

[EmperorBrandon]

This was pretty sweet. I loved Captain's and then Bossun's persistence in befriending Himeko. Speaking of Captain, I liked her prominence here, as we don't see too much of her (I guess the result of being somewhat more "normal" than several of the other friends of the Sket-dan). There's a tie-in with Switch's story as Bossun apparently runs into him before Switch's tragic events happened. Look forward to seeing the story about Switch later joining Sket-dan and/or Bossun's backstory, if and whenever they cover those.

[Damius]

- So the flashback I really enjoy continues. Let’s see what we will learn in this episode.
- So that is how they met! The Popman hat almost went to garbages, but he his on Bossun’s head now!
- Ok, let’s go back to the fight! But, she sure is lucky, the stick was there waiting for her!
- Hime-chan is my favorite character so I really like her backstory! And this is better than the average Sket Dance.

[Damius]

- Of course Bossun won't be able to remove the head…
- Of course, they won't be able to get out of the storeroom...
- Of course, they are in the wrong storeroom…
- Did you even think it would stop to burn just like that??
- EXPLOSION!!!
- And they do it anyway in the end…

I didn’t find that episode enjoyable at all… This is a big drop compare to the last one.

[FUNiOP]

Back to pointless comedy one-offs. And they're no better at those than they've ever been. Well I guess that was the last one of the year, so three cours down, and we should have a new OP and ED next time. Plus, we get a week off. I'm alright with that. Not much of an idea of what the next episode will be like, since they spent all their preview time letting Switch talk about whatever. I'm not expecting any quality to show up again for a while. There's been significant gaps between the good episodes so far, so I expect that to continue. Honestly, I'm more interested in the new OP and ED. At least they seem to put real effort into those. Well, see you next year, Sket Dance, for better or worse...

[EmperorBrandon]

Haha, I think I rather enjoyed the hilarious bizarre mish-mash of retro games this time. Does the creator of this series have an interest in office ladies? The previous kooky made up game from Yamanobe had an office lady character too. Of course, the final boss has to be voiced by Wakamoto Norio. There can be no one else.

[Damius]

- Blowing in a cartridge, that sure brings back memories!
- Hey….let’s call it the “Brings back memories episode”

I did enjoy that episode, but now I have the Mario Bross tune in my head…NO!!!