Saki episode 1, or, Even a Monkey Can Create Anime

Well, now I know Gonzo must be a green company, because I don't think I saw one moment or character that wasn't completely recycled material from some other series' waste bin. It's been a loooong time since I saw something this cynically, thoroughly formulaic.

I should just get around to watching more Akagi instead, shouldn't I? At least that distracted the mahjong-illiterate with insane melodrama instead of loli buttcheeks. The lightning strike of tile-theft at the end was a nice touch, but too little too late guys.

The difference between optimism and delusion.

... Well, Shangri-la has some nice backgrounds, at least.

But, damn, you can really tell this is the director's debut.  Lot of very awkward editing and compositionally dull scenes.  Even the action scenes are hit-or-miss.

Doesn't help when the story isn't any better.  Two lolis with pandering, loud voices (no, Hojo is not 18, and no amount of "b-but the youth of Asian women" is going to say otherwise)?  Check.  Stereotyped transvestite?  Check.  Outrageous hair style and colors (seriously, what the hell is with that commander?)?  Check.  The Evil Character introduced by Evil Music as she does Evil Things with Evil Make-Up on a generic Evil Expression that the director cuts to because we must know that she's an Evil Leader? Check.  Exposition about a ludicrous concept poorly shoe-horned in?  Check.  Another one of countless, failed attempts for an anime to attempt to balance playfulness and a Serious Plot with Serious Themes?  Check.

And then we get the soldiers running away from the stereotyped transvestite instead of shooting him, because, well, you cannot have competent soldiers actually killing a main character.  And I'm not even starting on the fucking boomerang.

Not that Gonzo has made anything that I've given a damn about in over a half-decade, but I sort of deluded myself that they would succeed here with Shangri-la.  I just give up.

The above screenshot says it all, really.