Samurai Flamenco – 06

I know I say this every week, but I really do love this show – it’s just got so much personality!  If only the animation quality could match up to the strength of the writing and direction it would be perfect.

Anyway, this week saw Samurai Flamenco receive his newest upgrade in the form of some pimped out stationary….yeah I love this show.

In a way the Office Supplies of Doom Masayoshi receives from the rather enthusiastic R&D scientist are perfect for Samurai Flamenco.  They’re ordinary (perfectly legal) items that appear harmless, and indeed they are designed more to subdue than harm, unlike Mari’s Flamenco Girl staff which is a pretty vicious weapon.  In Masayoshi’s increasingly capable hands (seriously his fighting skills have come a long way since episode one) the super stationery become rather effective (if hilarious) tools and weapons.  I can’t help but be impressed by the thought that went into these things – how are stapler nunchuks and measuring tape grappling hooks not made of awesome!?  Really looking forward to seeing what other gadgets Samumenco ends up using!

The majority of the episode was basically Masayoshi being chased all over town by a mob looking to cash in on his newest bounty.  The entire thing put me strongly in mind of scenes in Durarara!! (also directed by Omori) that involve the Dollars, basically due to the reliance on social media for spreading information among a bunch of disconnected strangers – it highlights the power of social media, which more and more shows seem to be acknowledging recently.  It brings Samurai Flamenco with its dated superhero aesthetic right up into the modern day really effectively.  Keeping a secret identity has never been so difficult!

Not much else to say about the episode apart from my pure amusement at Mari’s uniform fetish (although can’t blame the girl, Goto does really suit his uniform) and how handily Goto shoots her advances down.  Seems Goto’s relationship with his girlfriend (does she have a name??) is pretty solid again – once again something that really impresses me, an actual stable adult relationship in an anime – wonders never cease!  Still won’t stop me from shipping Goto with Masayoshi though – had to laugh at how Mari instantly jumps to the conclusion Goto is dating Masayoshi as well.

This show just has so many things I love in it, all while being pretty low-key and down to earth overall.  Its only glaring problem is the derp-tastic animation which really doesn’t do justice to the series – why can’t wonderfully written shows like this get a better budget!?

SHIP~!