Short and sweet form also describes this review. Good job in getting your point across while not losing any important detail. I've had my eye on this show for a bit now, but just the idea of seeing another harem anime, no matter what the subject matter, just turns me off right now. It seems anime found a niche with the harem show and just likes to abuse it as much as possible. Quite frankly it rarely adds up to too much in the entertainment department. But when I see a well written review that doesn't just scream the word 'kawaii' and the likes, it puts me a bit more at ease in it's possible entertainment value.
Lamune tv Review
Story & Characters
Lamune is a calming, cute harem-type anime that revolves around two childhood friends, Kenji and Nanami. One problem is
that it is 12 episodes, making it impossible for it to be a real harem anime.
The first episodes start out with the usual irreverent fanservice, which goes on into a warm, adolescent story about the
two main characters as many flashbacks of their childhood are shown, usually at the beginning of the episode.
I personally found that Lamune was quite devoid of drama, angst, or any other extreme factors of dating game-influenced
anime, completely opposing the genre that has been suggested here. Lamune is almost only of the romance genre. It shows
some potential of comedy, a bit of drama at the end, and a little bit of fighting-for-love between characters in some
episodes, but this series seemed to exist solely to show the strong bond between Kenji and Nanami.
One of the distinct qualities that I found of Lamune was that the situations and reactions were realistic. There were no
preposterous shows of insane love, or stalking, or mood-destroying bursts of random ecchiness. Instead, there was a
heart-warming show of the friendship of the countryside characters, all having known each other since childhood. I found
that interesting, since those types of realistic presentations and uncomplicated plots are hardly noticed.
However, Lamune seemed to be so simple, yet overflowing with characters and relationships that I found 12 episodes too
much for the lacking storyline and too little for the character explanations. Adding to that, none of the
characters' personalities were noticeable or memorable. They were all too normal, somewhat boring, and most
secondary characters were hardly given a second glance, despite the fact that they were important to the plot.
Lamune also happens to have a unique side in the way that it has many symbols present throughout the show, such as a
fish hairpin that Nanami always wears, constantly saying it is something "very precious to her." It is never
mentioned why it is so precious. In fact, many of the symbols are not explained throughly. The viewer must always be
thinking and assuming throughout the show, which is another downside.
Rating:
Art
Personally, I didn't particularly like the art in Lamune. It was the basic shoujo type, with huge eyes, glossy
hair, small mouths, small noses, and such. Uniform design was basic and somewhat simple, as well as clothes designs,
being normal and plain. I found that the color coordination was a bit off, though.
I also found that there was variation in hair styles with girls. There were very few male characters, but the three of
them were able to maintain their different styles and colors.
The background art is beautiful, and ocean views are often shown in shiny, colorful, cheerful scenes. The color of the
anime is usually bright and sunny.
Rating:
Sound
I loved the opening song of Lamune, and the ending song was fitting to the series as well. The OST seemed to be calming
and often cheerful, just like the genre of the anime. However, none of the tracks seem to jump out and make an
impression, rendering it only "background music."
The voice actors of Lamune were appropriate and well-fitting to the characters.
Rating:
Presentation
Lamune is certainly an anime that is worth watching. Yet it has too many flaws within its simple, short and sweet form.
I would have liked to see the plot deepen and the characters to develop more, as many bonds were so abruptly ignored
that they made unclosed holes within the plot. I suppose that the anime is mismatched - the plot is much too little. It
is hardly enough to make an interesting show. But the animation is relaxing and well done, as well as the music, applied
without evident flaws. However, it is this normality that makes Lamune such an ignored show, despite the fact that it is
not lacking in any other areas.
If this had been longer, more detailed in terms of character and plot, and tidier at presenting the concept, it would
have been a much more appreciated anime, in my opinion.
Rating:
Final Verdict
7.1667 (above average)
Reviewed by Rosegirl18, May 27, 2006
Comments
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shoujoboy Jun 01, 2006
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naranjita Jun 02, 2006
o----
=^o^= fine! -
Rosegirl18 Jun 02, 2006
Thank you for your comments! Since Lamune is very unknown throughout the anime fans here, I wanted to write a review on it to tell this community about it, but no one was commenting ;_; so I was worried.
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Sabbathiel Jun 05, 2006
[h]Ello
I saw today Lamune and I want to write something about it:
maybe Lamune isn't so fascinating as many other anime, it is harem anime, it is "kawaii" and sweet, but it isn't bad too! From time to time I'm in mood to see something so simple and relaxing, music make my quiet and I'm laughing from time to time.. I smile when the scens are so romantic and when the main girl character is so naiv, gentle and lovely. I think this is very special anime in his art, the animation is good, plot is well too. I like this anime and I can give it even 8 points ^-^BTW That 'main'review is very good!
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yue_hikaru Jan 21, 2007
well Lamune is just your typical mediocre anime it doesn't have anything shockingly good. or anything that's made it bad. only worth watching if you haven't get anything good at hand.
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