Minami-ke

I caught this off of Taco's journal and after reading some of the positive feedback this show has garnered (especially for people suffering Lucky Star withdrawal symptoms), I decided to check this out.

Synopsis: It's another one of those slice of life comedies that we all love ever since shows like Lucky Star and Ichigo Mashimaro hit the airwaves. The premise behind this series is rather simple: it takes a look into the daily lives of the three Minami sisters. Honestly, there's not really much more to say about it other than to note that the comedy is pretty light-hearted and the situations are pretty normal and includes comedy during the course of cooking meals, waking up early for school, and seeking out love.

Opinion: Like Lucky Star, this is pretty light-hearted but Minami-ke has the advantage in that it will click with a far wider audience because the jokes do not revolve around otaku culture. Even though it's only one episode in, I'm already digging the characters and their personalities. All signs point to this series being full of win.

Character profiles:

Haruka - the oldest of the three sisters, she's probably the most normal out of the sisters and the most well-balanced in terms of her skills. She cooks well, is fairly reliable and responsible in taking care of her sisters, particularly with Chiaki, and has a pleasant personality.


Chiaki - while Chiaki is the youngest of the three sisters, she's also got quite a lip, especially when dealing with Kana's antics. Whenever a situation calls for a sarcastic remark, Chiaki is usually the one to deliver such the line. Because of this, she also has no problems in taking advantage of Kana's naivete by playing pranks on her which helps bring on the comedy. Easily identifiable from Haruka from her age as well as her ahoge. She reminds me a lot of Alice from ARIA the Animation.


Kana - she's the problem child with an overly enthusiastic/energetic personality that's similar to Miu's from Ichigo Mashimaro. She's probably the worst student of the lot, tends to spend her time terrorizing Chiaki, and is a horrible cook, messing up even the simplest dishes by making mistakes in her enthusiastic bouts. However, because of this, she provides a lot of energy for the show and her antics are what keeps it interesting.

Links:
Episode 1 - [Ayako] [Wallsub/Anon] [A-E Saizen]
Episode 2 - [Wallsub/Anon]

This series is very amusing. I like that each sister is able to hold her own during a scene (though I find that the interactions between any two of them or all of them make for the most comedic ones). A good job has also been done in creating good supporting characters.

I watched the first episode today, and it was quite funny, it's not often that an anime will actually make me laugh out loud.

My only issue so far is that Kana is coming on way too hard for barely knowing her personality. I feel like they should have given Kana a more modest entry instead of putting me right into the get-go and making me feel like I should have known Kana all along.

Ah, on an animation standpoint, the animation is quite superb, and the style is perfect to my liking. I have quite a bit of hope for this series down the road, as I get to understand the characters more.

The series has its ups and downs and although it is enjoyable, the humor isn't nearly as consistent as I'd like it to be. Still, when you're looking for various types of humor (high school, middle school, and elementary school situations) this series can't be beat.

At the very least, each episode will contain a rather memorable part. Episode 6 bars special mention for having one of the more hilarious antics that I've seen in quite some time.

Spoiler:

I found it great at how Makoto was willing to go through the lengths he did just so that he could come over to the Minami residence. His obsession with Haruka and being able to see more of her hit the marks perfectly.

I can't believe this thread hasn't been getting attention at all. While I praise the likes of Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei and Lucky Star, Minami-ke's comedy is lighthearted and doesn't require a perculiar sense of humour or in-depth knowledge to appreciate.

I haven't lol'd so hard since Seto no Hanayome. Man, this show is epic. I still need to watch another 6+ episodes...

Episode 8

Spoiler:

The lack of a Ninomiya-kun gag doesn't make it any less awesome, and that's just because of Hosaka alone. His monologues and hyperactive imagination involving situations with him and Haruka are just downright hilarious. Always over the top, but certainly brilliantly done by taking a few lines from dating sims as well as an obscure Eva reference (so I'm told anyways).

Also, the whole bubblegum sequence had me grinning like an idiot. Kana's effort and facial expressions during that segment was just hilarious.

Either way, this show is somewhat of a hit or miss at times and its comedy isn't quite as consistent as I'd like it to be. There are a few factors in this show that gets me to come back though. Any segment that involves the Ninomiya-kun gag is bound to be awesome and hilarious. Same thing can be said for Hosaka who shows that you can be hilarious and creepy at the same time.

It's still worth pursuing, but it's certainly not the best comedy ever. Looks like Azumanga Daioh will still remain the crowning champion of schoolgirl comedies.

Ahh, I'm really hooked on this show. I especially enjoy the Makoto --> Mako-chan scenes, episode 10 was especially amusing, along with episode 6 I think it was.

@zzeroparticle: Ah, another Shinkai fan! Have you seen his latest short 1min animation called "Gathering of the Cats"? Quite amusing.

giving it a download as it sounds like my type of anime, jeez the torrents for the show are slow.

edit: gave the first episode a watch and i liked what i saw
that kissing scene seemed like came straight from ichigo marshmallow which isn't a bad thing just i notice how alike it is

now off to find the rest.

Minami-ke, for reasons unfathomable, is getting a second season: Minami-ke: Okawari.

Not that a series like that doesn't deserve the sequel treatment, but instead of providing new material it appears this second season is an "alternate retelling." Huh? New production company, but luckily the same vocal cast.

I AM BOSSU v2 lands January.

lolwatewat

but why

I mean, not that Minami-ke is bad, but why is this pulling a Negima!??

That's not really a fair comparison, because Negima! was kind of ehhhhhh but Negima!? was awesome.

This is like, reverse. Maybe.

This anime is brilliant. I especially love the Sensei!!! Nonimiya-kun!! segments.

Here's the infamous game scene.
YouTube - SENSEI! NINOMIYA-KUN!

As for Okawari, I'm not too excited about it. The character designs make it look like it'll be ecchi. - _ -.

It seems like Okawari will be akin to Futakoi Alternative: same characters and cast, but with different a different story and studio. I was shocked to discover this new series so early into the run.

Episode 9

Spoiler:

It was sort of funny, just not as funny as some of the episodes that preceded it. Most of the jokes came up as being predictable with the high points coming from Kana exploiting Chiaki's love and devotion to Haruka.

The segment in which Kana wakes up Chiaki to talk about each other was also pretty hilarious, especially when Chiaki makes a speech regarding her thoughts for Kana and I laughed at the method in which she conveyed her feelings. Her tone of voice and her facial expressions were definitely crucial to the comedic aspects of this.

Still, I think we can agree that Hosaka and/or Ninomiya-kun is needed to make the episode be truly awesome.

As for the second season, I just have to raise a question at this point as I don't see it going too far before they use up their well of gags, even if it's a different retelling. Unless Minami-ke is to Okawari as Idolm@ster is to Xenoglossia, I'm not sure it can deliver. But that hardly matters as everyone will be looking forwards to another season of Hidamari Sketch to get their moe slice of life fix.

This show becomes increasingly awesome for me. Episode 11 probably made me laugh the most. The introduction of Touma's family added a nice twist :3.

Love what I watched so far. Its one on those series that definitely need more attention due to its awesomeness. Only thing that prevents me from getting caught up on this series is my damn hard drive failing on me.

Originally Posted by Sakabadger

Minami-ke, for reasons unfathomable, is getting a second season: Minami-ke: Okawari.

I think it had something to do with the two directors each wanting to do Minami-ke, and rather than choosing one they just told each one they'd get to make their own version.

Betting on the first season being better than the second.

I as well. What was with that preview though? Total style revamp, the eyes definitely creep me out too.

As for the finale of the first season, it was good, nothing special like what I was hoping for. I felt as if it didn't follow any actual story and was all over the place though and hard to follow........ more so than usual haha :P