The Melancholy of Lucky Star

So much for not updating. The term has ended and I have a week-long break to get back on track. Just finishing Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 1st Gig last night, I plan to marathon the 2nd half of GaoGaiGar, and maybe watch a Makoto Shinkai show to boot. September is shaping up to be a fantastic day for games (the American release of Musou Orochi is two weeks from now, and Another Century’s Episode 3 is already out).

While Lucky Star has pretty much covered everything I don’t expect from it, KyoAni has done it again and gave me a surprise with the last two episodes (21 and 22), albeit a pleasant one. After 20+ episodes of Konata’s incessant rambling, we have… Konata’s incessant rambling still, but overshadowed by more scenes of variety.

<3 <3 <3

Episode 21 is about a field trip. However, the only part that would probably be of any noting here is the Kagami confession part. While it was set up and concluded as a gag, it evoked genuine sad feelings for Kagami’s character, and showed a side of her character that was always there but kept hidden — lonely and vulnerable. Isn’t it sad, Kagamin?

You knew it was coming, but that didn’t take out the sting in any way.

Episode 22 is about a long conversation between Konata and Soujirou about Kanata. While the two might not be capable of serious business, KyoAni manages to pull it off beautifully. Interspersed with Konata’s scathing (and comical) comments, Soujirou actually defends his love for Kanata in a heartwarming manner (which even touches Kanata, who is also overhearing the conversation as a ghost). It’s amazing for a show, supposed to be a comedy, inject a bit of drama into it without feeling superfluous or melodramatic. As light as the laughs go in Lucky Star, the emotional scenes are light as well, though the impact isn’t reduced a bit.

Many times we’ve seen the characters of the show laugh, bicker, and show their love and friendship for each other. Now, if KyoAni had injected more heartwarming bits like this in the show earlier and more frequently, I wouldn’t have been disgruntled at it.

Because Soujirou wins at life.

On an entirely different note: Minami is being reduced to flat-chested gags, I am not pleased.