wow, that's an interesting review you've got there spirit ^_^
It was nicely detailed, insightful and well written like a good and coherent essay :D
*cookies for you*
Spiral: The Bonds of Reasoning tv Review
It has been two years since Ayumu Narumi's brother, Kiyotaka Narumi, mysteriously disappeared.
Ayumu does not know the real reason behind his brother's disappearance; his only clue is the mysterious note his brother left him regarding what Kiyotaka refers to as the "Blade Children".
What is Kiyotaka thinking, and why is he leaving the matter of Blade Children to his younger brother?
What will Ayumu do once he knows what the Blade Children really are, and that he is their only hope?
Based on the synopsis by PrincessMeyrin023.
Story & Characters
THIS REVIEW IS BASED ON THE TV SERIES BECAUSED IT HAS BEEN COMPLETED.
Upon hearing the name, <b>Spiral</b>, as a title, it would give an impression described as a)an attempt to make the series seem more interesting by using English, b)a title that possible has nothing to do with the series, c)another regular anime that has repetitive aspects or possibly d)all of the above.
The Story of SPIRAL revolves around the protagonist, Ayumu Narumi, in search of his brother, Kiyotaka Narumi, who has gone missing for two years, with his sister-in-law, Madoka Narumi. Before leaving, Kiyotaka has left one clue for his brother, "<i>The Mystery of Blade Children</i>."
All things starts to change when he is convicted to murdering a classmate. From there he meets a persistent school reporter, Hiyono Yuizaki, and probably his greatest ally. In a desperate attempt to write a story, she follows Ayumu and provides information for him to help solve the mystery of who murdered his classmate.
After revealing the murderer, the murderer said one thing that intrigued the whole audience, "<i>There is one more misfortune for the perpetrator, that is to be unlucky and meet someone like you... brother of Kiyotaka Narumi.</i>" And his reason for killing this student was because of "<i>...the Blade Children...</i>" This proved that not only that the murderer is somehow tied to Kiyotaka but also... knows where Kiyotaka might be.
Ayumu uses the information of the Blade Children to learn that they have the potential killers that strive to survive and change <i>their cursed fate</i>. And surprisingly, Ayumu is the key of their Salvation. If you are looking for an anime that is sort of like Detective Conan(Case Closed) yet with more angst/drama, more interesting characters, and less child-like, this is for you.
Rating:
Art
I wouldn't call the art dull, nor do I call it original. However, the style is very interesting. The background blends well along with the characters. It is not like in some animes that the background looks too realistic that they just pasted the characters in.
Of course Spiral offers some hot bishiies (AYUMU!!), cute as hell girls, and hard-core villains. And one of the reasons why I love this series is <b>they disregard the one-outfit-per-character rule</b>. In every episode, the characters usually wear a different outfit, which makes me happy like no tomorrow.
But there are some parts of it that shows there is some laziness. Sometimes they make Kousuke's hair look more like an afro, and their faces doesn't seem as... shall we say <i>great</i> as they were twenty seconds ago. Another disappoint is the opening sequence. It plays like a screensaver, showing the characters with boxes and circles instead of actual scenes, and the 3-D effects.
But over all, the animation is crisp and pleasing to the eye.
Rating:
Sound
There are ups and downs of the sounds of SPIRAL. The OST is an interesting one. The background music suits very well with the series at their moments. However, when heard as a regular CD, it often becomes a little scary. It almost comes to the point where it might persuade you to leave the light on when you sleep. The opening and ending theme is... <i>okay.</i> At first hearing the whining-like vocals of the opening theme (Peak of Hope) may want to make you want to press fast forward but it becomes catchy after a while of enduring it. The ending theme (Cocktail) makes the hyper-ness of the opening theme down a notch; also catchy.
The original (Japanese) brings some familiar actors to the scene, Kenichi Suzamura as Ayumu (in roles such as GSD's Shinn, HNG's Shinichirou, and GALS' Yuuya), Akira Ishida as Eyes (roles such as GS/GSD's Athrun, Saiyuki's Hakkai, and DNAnge's Satoshi), and Kotono Mitsuichi as Madoka (roles such as GS/GSD's Murrue Ramius, Sailor Moon's Usagi, and Evangelion's Misato) just to name a few. Their voices stay true to their characters to my opinion. However, i don't feel a strong liking towards Kousuke's as the others. His voice doesn't really give a strong realistic impression compared to Hiyono's and Kanone's. Hiyono's voice portrays a certain adorable trait that is very hard to imitate in my opinion. Kanone's as well. His voice matches the assumingly-harmless-yet-stern-when-needed personality. It is almost impossible to hate him after hearing his voice.
The dubbed (English) has a more modern USA feel to it. A talented voice cast as well featuring Greg Ayres as Kousuke
(DNAngel's Satoshi, E's' Shen-Lon, and Sayuki's Goku), Monica Rial as Rio (InuYasha's Kagome,
Angelic Layer's Tamayo, and Sister Princess' Sakuya) and John Burgmeier as Eyes (YYH's Kurama,
Dragonball's Tien, and Fruit's Basket's Shigure), once again to name a few. Their voices also stay best
in character. The downfalls would be Hiyono's and Kanone's. Hiyono's voice causes the cuteness of the
character to dissolve. And Kanone's added Texan accent makes you want to automatically switch back to the original
Japanese. The voices were talking time to enjoy would be Kousuke's and Rio's. Though
<i>Americanize</i> (new vocab) in its own way, it makes it a little more special.
Rating:
Presentation
There are a lot of detective based anime out. But for having the most complicated type of mysteries and puzzles goes to Spiral. The mysteries aren't usually portrayed as <b>who done it?</b> but as games and puzzles to show potential and intellegence. Another factor would be the mixed angst and drama. Such as Ayumu's want to excel his brother, Kiyotaka. However, Kiyotaka was known for being sucessful in everything he has touched, varying to solving mysteries as a detective to being a world-class pianist. This often brought fustration to Ayumu knowing that fact he would never surpass the level his brother is in, let alone accumulate. Also many twists and turns occurs as the series unfolds. Thus, it keeps the series very addicting.
The humor factor in the series is both priceless and so... well, humorious. Some classic bickering, minor insults, and just natural humor. But the humor most enjoyable is between is Ayumu and Hiyono. They often bicker about a lot of things. But having them together is another ingenius way to keep the series interesting.
Spiral is captivating after the first episode you watch, reguardless whether you are interested in mysteries or not. The information spilled onto you tests your logic and challenges the mind. In a way, it is similar to CSI minus the scientific labs. And don't forget the drama and questions tied in. Why was Kiyotaka pursing the mystery of the Blade Children? What are the Blade Children? Why do they need Ayumu to change their fate? Who is their enemy? Who is their ally? Where or How does Hiyono get all the information?
One downfall of the series is the ending. Of course, spoilers are not permitted. Many of the questions stirred up during the events of the series are left unsolved. Thus, the series feels incomplete. But sometimes the best series has a short ending. Unlike some series and seem to drag.
However, the manga is still on-going. Keep on reading to be updated on what's going on. Besides, reading is the only way way to become as intellegent as Ayumu.
Rating:
Final Verdict
8.5000 (very good)
Reviewed by asianspirit, Jul 27, 2005
Comments
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kuroimisa Retired Moderator Jul 28, 2005
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tareren Jul 28, 2005
Woah, really really nice review you got there ^^ flow nicely and detailed as well, you really spent lotsa time on this :) keep up the good work and thanks for sharing this ;)
You should try joining Minitokyo Review and became a staff writer ther ^^ -
RahX101 Jul 28, 2005
you wrote yourself a nice review spirit. i always found myself wondering what this anime ws about and now i know. heh, maybe i raid my friends stash of anime and give it a gander. ^_^
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Krew Jul 29, 2005
Wow i can't beleve you wrote all that.
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cloverfann Aug 23, 2005
spiral sound really intersting, i think i'll look for it now.
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blackwolf-akr22 Aug 26, 2005
spiral is da best!!! XD one of the shws that im addicted now too bad though its kida short
-_- but dats ok it a nice show for young viewers :D -
Akushiro Sep 25, 2005
Good review, I like how you descibe the anime. I love that show.
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cassandraronald May 21, 2006
spiral! i am watching this show and i think it is wonderful and a good review u wrote
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kykyopj Dec 17, 2006
I love Spiral! I what's the sow and I fell in love whit all the carecters. Nowe am am scatering the net for the manga.
I never saw a sow soo capteveting in my life. And I am the tipe howe loves detectiv sowes, books whatever ...
I rely like you're review. The words are well chosen and you stiket to the point, whitaught mising enything. -
Sanisa Feb 24, 2010
Thanks for the review! Nice ^__^
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