By: Starish6
I have to say – Hamatora turned out way better than I expected. I mean, it’s one of your typical case-solving anime, but I’d say it has a lot of potential…and hopefully, it won’t screw up somehow because I was so into it after the first few minutes and my hopes are already getting too high.
One good thing about Hamatora is that I’m liking the characters a lot, except for Murasaki. I find him creepy, but that’s just my biased opinion since he’s got glasses. (I don’t like the megane).
What I don’t like about some of the characters is that they have such stereotypical designs and personalities, it’s killing me. We have Murasaki, the aloof-megane guy. Hajime, the stoic loli whose purpose in life is eating. Birthday, the loud, flirtatious idiot. Ratio, the possibly-tsundere, ‘cool’ guy with an eye-patch. And finally, Nice, the thick-headed male whose face is covered in band-aids and wears headphones around his neck 24/7. (There’s an actual reason for his headphones, so I’ll let it pass…but even then, he doesn’t need to wear them everywhere).
Ahhh, but this is the guy who really needs a change in character-design:
Stop it with the white-hair and purple-eyes combination! Don’t think I’ll forgive you just because you’re voiced by Kamiya Hiroshi. I swear, it’s like taking one guy, then using his character design for every anime ever that’s got a white-haired boy in its cast…. Anyway, the whole idea of there being ‘Minimum Holders’ with wild, superhuman powers gets me really pumped. I mean, who doesn’t want to watch a bunch of crazy super-powered-anime-teens/adults save the world? Yes, I am quite serious right now. Their powers are actually freaking cool, okay? Don’t judge.
Moving on to the second episode… I don’t even know what to say. I can’t tell if Hamatora‘s gotten better or worse. But Theo really pissed me off. Okay, now before you guys get angry at me, let me just say that I do feel bad for him, in one way or the other.
Kitazawa was the one at fault, mostly. He was manipulating Theo and tried – as well as succeeded in – luring him into thinking he was a good guy. I knew something was fishy right from the start. I could tell by Kitazawa’s face; he never opened his eyes (unless he was doing something evil) and his smile was just downright scary.
Anime rule #632: Never trust people who keep their eyes closed at all times. Remember it well. It’s true 99.9% of the time.
Anyway…back to the episode. I can totally understand that the leader of Theo’s bullies’ gang was all ‘devastated’ by his pictures being posted on to the internet, but I didn’t think he’d turn into a homicidal/suicidal maniac-who-ties-time-bombs-around-his-body because of it!
The way Hamatora deals with psychological matters is just saddening. No one would turn into a serial-bombist (is that even a word?) simply because of something so trivial. Anyway, I’m just glad Murasaki dealt with the guy. He really needed that punch.
And thank God Theo finally came to his senses. I was wondering when he would just accept the fact that his teacher was actually a total freak. But then again, it is kind of hard to take in something like that. (God, I’m so self-contradictory). Imagine being betrayed by the one person you thought had cared for you, in a world where nobody else did. For Theo, it was his ‘light’ who betrayed him, his light who cast him into utter darkness…
Random side-notes:
- Props to Theo for completely sabotaging the hell out of Kitazawa’s funeral-picture.
- Rest in pieces, Kitazawa. You asked for it.
- Who the hell was that white-haired freak with a brain-collection at the ending of the episode?
- I now have a crush on Nice. I don’t even know why.
- I love the fanservice:
WrittenLoot 
I think Hamatora just likes being over-dramatic when it comes to the psychological side of things. But maybe it somehow works with their psychedelic colours and everything being such a good example of show off. Funny thing, I had the same problem with Art’s character design (wow, I wonder why..), but after the 3rd episode he seems a pretty interesting character so I’ll overlook it…
You’re right, but then again, most anime tend to be over-dramatic when it comes to anything.
Honestly, I don’t hate Art. His appearance just annoys me a little, but I’m also willing to overlook it.
So I watched Hamatora because you did aaaaand:
This show is going to be such a fail. Or it’s not even going to try and it’s simply going to be bland.
It’s sad that you’re able to equate all of the characters into simple archetypes without any actual reduction in personality. It’s like the creator’s gave no thought to the character’s motivations, aspirations, personality, etc.
And the ‘psychological side’ of the show is a joke. Maybe this wouldn’t have been a problem if not for the fact that the show takes itself waayyy too seriously without any actual depth or build-up to back it up. Also the jokes all fail and the obnoxious filters when the people use their powers are eye-blindingly irritating.
On to the bright side of the show: it’s inoffensive and though it’s not particularly interesting it’s entertaining enough to not be boring. Also I noticed some interesting camera angles (which I happen to love)
My hopes ride on the purple/white haired dude who’s character design you happen to dislike. He seems to maybe be interesting.
Okay, that’s that. Great review, I’ll probably be following the show just to read them.
Just what I’d expect from you. I feel like you just reviewed my review, Striffy.
The show is entertaining enough and since it apparently gets really funny i’ll keep watching. I also find the characters bland but what gets me are those moments when NOTHING is happening. it will only last 2-3 seconds but it kills me because it completely takes away from the experience. The colours are alright but i don’t think they suit the tone of the anime well-assuming that they take the overall plot seriously.
and yes, the random white kid is annoying but what about the teens chilling at a bar all day??