Arranged in descending order

The Minami-ke sisters are back this season with their 3rd installment, Minami-ke Okaeri.

It’s only been episode 1 and already there’s a storm of criticism with regards to its animation quality and whatnot.

The benchmark for this quality comparision is not surprisingly the first season of Minami-ke, which was also used for endless comparisions with Minami-ke Okawari (some anime watchers claim Minami-ke never had a second season. Or a third. Gunslinger Girls anyone?)

Here’s a couple screenshots for comparision.

Minami-ke’s Teru-Teru Chiaki

A scene from Minami-ke Okaeri

Certainly Minami-ke has a better animation quality. However, I don’t find the proceeding two installments (Minami-ke Okaeri so far) unwatchable either.

Story-wise, I’ve enjoyed the antics of the Minami-ke sisters and their friends  in both the 1st and 2nd installments. I have heard some complaining about Okawari as being unfunny and boring as compared to Season 1 but I don’t see how it is so. Sure, it wasn’t always laugh-out-loud funny but to say it completely sucked doesn’t seem right to me.

Perhaps this has got to do with the Cup Yakisoba Phenomenon?

Cup Yakisoba Phenomenon! Cup Yakisoba Phenomenon!

A part I found interesting in this episode of Okaeri was the Cup Yakisoba Phenomenon (as dubbed by Chiaki-sama). To the uninitiated, Haruka served some tea to their uncle Takeru (Takeru-ojisan) claiming it was “new tea” (literal translation) with Takeru replying that “new tea” tasted great when in reality Haruka had served “old tea” by mistake.

The point to be made here is probably one of perception and how it affects what you experience and how you experience it.

Perhaps this is an indirect hint by the producers (or directors or whatever) telling people to stop comparing excessively and just enjoy/judge the show in its own right? Humour is relative so you can’t expect everyone to appreciate it. Furthermore, if you already think the show sucks chances are it WILL suck (hence Cup Yakisoba Phenomenon). If you are still loading the hate on the series why not just drop the expectations and watch the show objectively, you may surprise yourself.

Haruka Banchou!

Anyway, Minami-ke Okaeri episode 1 was enjoyable. I certainly missed Chiaki-sama and Kana’s boke tsukkomi acts. I would love to see Haruka go into Banchou mode again too ^^. And lets not forget Mako-chan!!! Here’s hoping for another great season!

Oh yeah he’s back, GAR and sexy as ever ^^” Hosaka-senpai!!!!