January 08, 2005:

Keiichi and Belldandy

The greatly anticipated Aa! Megami-sama television series has begun. Known as Oh! My Goddess in its American OAV and manga forms, Aa! Megami-sama has developed a very large fanbase over the years. Although the Ah! My Goddess movie held fans over a bit, and the manga is still ongoing, Ah! My Goddess inexplicably never had a television run (unless you count The Adventures of the Mini-Goddesses). This is doubly vexing considering the huge amount of source material already available.

Keiichi

The first episode recently aired, and it is quite lovely. Fans who are only familiar with the OAV and/or the movie may be taken aback by the character designs, but anyone who has remained faithful to the manga (which now has around 200 chapters) will recognize that the series' character designs match the current manga art.

Belldandy

Manga readers will also remember that the Aa! Megami-sama art changes considerably from year to year; the early chapters are essentially unrecognizable now. Personally, I feel the character designs were best during the 'teen-numbered volumes—about the time Peorth first appeared, to about the time she returned—although I like the current art as well.

Keiichi

The Ah! My Goddess series is retelling the story from the beginning. I.e., Keiichi meets Belldandy all over again by accidentally dialing the Goddess Hotline. I have mixed feeling about this. It, and the character sequences in the OP and ED, suggest the series is going to focus on the Keiichi & Belldandy romance which (quite frankly) has dragged on way, way too long in the manga.

Keiichi

On the one hand, by focusing on the relationship angle, the series has the potential to give the love affair a satisfying conclusion. On the other hand, the best parts about the manga happen to be the incidental side stories that have essentially nothing to do with the main plot. For example, the recent broom race, full-scale rubber band war, and the motorcycle race between Keiichi and his father come to mind.

Keiichi and Belldandy

I would be quite happy with a series that focused mostly about trivial day-to-day events. In fact, I'd almost even prefer it if they showcased a lot of the supporting characters, and had lots of stuff about motorcycles and racing, and these types of stories instead of pretending to advance the love story. But if they're going to focus on the actual plot, they had better acknowledge that—more than any other couple I can think of right now—Keiichi and Belldandy need to consumate this relationship. Pity we all know that's not going to happen. Ah! My Goddess, Wall-to-Wall Sex Edition, this is not.

January 15, 2005:

I've seen rumors that the new Ah! My Goddess anime series is being animated in widesreen, but televised in pan & scan.

Belldandy and Keiichi in what is probably a widescreen scene

Based on scenes in the anime such as the one depicted above and others such as an obvious pan in episode two, I suspect these rumors are true. I can see why they might do it this way; it makes a later widescreen DVD release more attractive to consumers. It seems like a sound strategy to me.

Keiichi and Belldandy violate Keiichi's housing policy

In other news, despite it being only January, I hereby nominate Belldandy for Best Dressed Character of 2005, although technically she's had that outfit for years.

January 16, 2005:

Belldandy direct view

Belldandy three-quarter view

The art and animation in the new Ah! My Goddess anime is generally pretty good, but it can be inconsistent at times. Compare, for example, the screenshots featured above with the screenshot featured below. All three come from essentially the same scene during the second episode, but the bottom three-quarter view with Keiichi pointing clearly looks "off."

Keiichi and Belldandy in three-quarter view

As near as my non-artistic eye can tell, it appears to be largely related to the lack of pronounced cheekbones or noses in these character designs. They're usually fine with a direct view or a sharp profile, but in a three-quarter view, depth and contours just go to Hell unless there is enough shading for contrast.

January 21, 2005:

Belldandy and Keiichi on their way home from the market

Three straight good episodes for the new Ah! My Goddess anime thus far. Episode three was about Keiichi and Belldandy looking for a place to live and finding their new home in the old temple familiar to any Aa! Megami-sama fan. So far, the whole affair has been rather pleasant.

I rather enjoy the leisurely pace of this series. As good as the original OAV is, it's still only five episodes long and they had to cram a lot of material in there. Plus the OAV invented that childhood meeting story which does not appear in the manga. The new anime gives the viewer a more personal look at Keiichi, Belldandy, and the other characters; it also provides a closer look at the world around them. As a result, the show feels richer and fuller.

I'm also glad the series highlights the fact that Keiichi's wish did not instantly transform him and Belldandy into a couple. She will always be by his side, but at the moment, they are new acquantances, and they still need to get to know each other.