This is both a review and also a rather detailed synopsis of the episode, with my commentary mixed in. As a result, it has spoilers. If you have not seen Weiss Kreuz and don't want to be spoiled, don't click the cut. Otherwise, proceed ahead.
(There will also be screencaps because I am awesome like that.)
( We're all trapped in the end. )
Dear god this took FOREVER.
Anyway.
Lockvogel as an episode is kind of strange as the
first episode. If it were the second or third episode, I'd be less confused, but it's the first episode and the focus isn't on our main characters--the majority of the episode was about Michiru and her quest to figure out the mystery surrounding her boyfriend's death. Weiss were in it, yes, but it seemed like they were secondary to Michiru, and for a show about these four undercover-as-florists-assassins, it's a little confusing, especially since there's no reference to Michiru in subsequent episodes. On the one hand, it makes you go, "Oh hey, these guys seem pretty cool, I want to keep watching to learn more about them." On the other hand, it makes you scratch your head and go, "Well, that's weird, this episode wasn't about the main characters at all!"
The other thing about Weiss Kreuz is that, though there is a
somewhat cohesive storyline, you can watch the episodes individually and nothing of value is lost. I have seen Weiss Kreuz all the way through probably twice. I printed out a short episode summary, watched the series all the way through, and highlighted the episodes I was interested in--the ones with Schwarz--and skipped out on the 'unnecessary' ones. I still know the storyline because Schwarz are kind of important, especially after the Takatori arc is completed. The only things that get lost are the expositional episodes concerning Weiss, but all of those happen towards the beginning to you can start skipping things after episode four.
I will probably say this in my overview of the last episode for
Kapitel, but Weiss Kreuz is a story with flaws and holes you can drive a semi-truck through. It's not really well-written by any stretch. Is it enjoyable? I feel so. Is it worth watching at least once? I think so--my brother did not. I think it depends on what your expectations are. You shouldn't expect this to be the greatest anime in the world, because it isn't. If it were to be remade, it'd have to be redone, and everything would have to be rewritten and plot holes filled up.
You also have to take into consideration as to
why Koyasu created Weiss Kreuz in the first place. He pitched it as a show where he and his buddies could showcase their talent. He wanted a show wherein he could show the world I AM AWESOME AND SO ARE MY BUDDIES HIRE US PLEASE. Obviously you need a story, so he created a story about four guys who were florists by day and assassins by night, gave them some angsty backstories and gave us some interesting villains. It's a shallow series.
Do I think it's worth going beyond
Lockvogel? Yes. Why? Because I know there are some good episodes coming up. Weiss meets a bodyguard team. Whoopee, right? We're talking
psychic bodyguards. Oh, that's interesting. And while I could easily just tell you what episodes Schwarz show up in and you can squee with me, that's not exactly fair. Even I realise that, and I am Team Schwarz all the way. Experience the whole package once or twice, and then start sampling your favourites later on.
Besides, I
could have just originally watched all the Schwarz episodes, because I only watch my anime for Midorikawa Hikaru anyway. I watched the whole thing so I could say, "Yeah, I watched Weiss Kreuz," instead of saying, "Yeah, I only watched the episodes with Midorikawa in them." And I ended up loving the show anyway.
What's in store for episode two?
We are introduced to the reason why Aya is apart of Weiss--well some of the reason--and we are introduced to the reason why the first half of
Kapitel is called the "Takatori Reiji Arc", and get to meet one of Takatori's specialist bodyguards. He wears a suit and glasses and he can see the future. And also kick Aya's ass.
Episode two is rather interesting because it creates a parallel between a boy named Jun and Aya. Jun has a sick sister who spends all her time in a hospital due to her illness. He visits her every day because he is an extremely doting older brother. Naturally her being in the hospital all the time means lots of money, and he can't pay her hospital bills. So he turns to Fight Club-esque places where he earns money to kill other people. It doesn't go so well for him. Aya both sees himself in Jun and hopes he doesn't become him, because, like Jun, he cannot afford to lose.
Unfortunately for Jun, he loses, because he didn't think
what would happen to my sister?
What else?
Animation snarking.
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