ANIME

ANIME REVIEW . Shuffle!, vol. 2

Episodes: 5-8
Genre: romance, comedy, educational
Release Date: March 25, 2008

Those of you who read my review of the previous volume of Shuffle! will recall that I liked the series, but wasn’t able to put my finger on an exact reason why (If you haven’t already, check out my Shuffle! vol.1 Review). This time out, though, I think I’ve got it. We already know Shuffle!’s not the panty-flash sukebe dating harem show it would like you to think it is. However, what probably wasn’t as obvious is the fact that Shuffle! Is something of a wolf in sheep’s clothing, a subversive educational anime designed to teach boys how to be conscientious boyfriends, compromising within their relationships, and sympathetic and considerate toward women. A bait and switch, if you will.

The above assertion may have some of you scratching your heads in disbelief, but what else could the show’s intention be, what with episodes centering around understanding the hard work and self sacrifice involved in a devoted partner/friend’s acts of caring, preparing meals, cleaning house, and in general, putting other people’s interests before their own. Furthermore, the show emphasizes the importance of acknowledging these efforts and returning the favors in kind. Similarly there are episodes concerning a conscientiousness in noting what girls find pleasure in. These include standard hints that may seem nothing more than casual asides to a normal male (ie: one character’s expressing interest in a stuffed animal cat), but if picked up on, and subsequently acted upon, can make a world of difference in the long run. Finally, there’s even an episode that serves to educate either sex, showing males the reasons behind a female’s intense drive toward perfection in all relational facets (even going so far as to check horoscope listings for reassurance), and in turn showing the females that sometimes a little bit of disaster can prove a lot more fun than a flawless outing.

However, you still might ask, if the above evidence is true, what about the series’ insistence on the panty-flashes and general fanservice? Sure, the aforementioned naughty bits are in place, gratuitously inserted and impressively detailed (episode 8 being the first to actually merit an MA rating), but these are more akin to the efforts of a teacher attempting to wake a sleepy class up. In my own academic career I’ve known teachers to employ everything from periodic shouts to explanations involving sexual abstractions in order to wake up a class and get a point across. That said, there are a number of times in this disc where these indulgences became a bit stupid and off-putting. Case in point: two episodes centering around undergarments. The first involves the picking out of a first bra for Primula, with the entire Shuffle! Crew in attendance, while the second focuses on Lisianthus’s attempt toward picking out the perfect pair of panties for a date with Rin. I’m guessing these two episodes were intended to balance out the fairly dry and serious episodes 5 and 7, but they were, for me, fairly tedious in their juvenile obsessions. Still, with 6 out of 8 episodes fully supporting my above stance, I maintain that Shuffle! Is, in fact, a fairly educationally minded show.

Philosophizing aside, you probably want to know about what happens on this disc. Episodes 5 – 8 see a number of developments, including Kaede’s working herself into an unhealthy state, trying to please Rin and Primula; Nerine making more and more omelets; Asa coming to terms with her feminine side and affections for Rin, while at the same time deflecting the advances of a new suitor; and the aforementioned undergarment episodes. The surprising lack of conflict mentioned in the previous review still holds, but tensions are building, and feelings getting hurt. Oddly enough, these episodes prove at once more and less interesting than the previous set, and similarly, more rewarding and frustrating at the same time. In fact, two of the episodes had me sitting through them in their entirety, while the two undergarment episodes led me to seek out household chores (ie: folding laundry) until their stupidity completed. Take that for what you will.

In closing, I still think Shuffle! might have some interesting things to offer in future episodes, and I still maintain an overall “like” for the series, but were I to stop watching the series at the close of this disc, I probably wouldn’t miss it. Overall, this is an nice looking, pleasant show, with far more on its mind than simple titillation.

The DVD
Again, all criticisms and comments regarding the previous disc hold. This time around Funimation has included another anime “pin-up” depicting the female cast as lounge singers. It’s interesting enough, I guess, but not something I would ever put up on my wall. The DVD itself features only the textless songs and the usual Funimation trailer gallery.

All in all, a fairly bare bones disc for a surprisingly decent show. I’m not sure at this point if it’s really worth a purchase, but like I said, it’s a pleasant enough entertainment. Pick this up only if you’re sure you’re interested.

About the Author

Chris Nelson has been an off and on anime fan since the days of Streamline Pictures. A former film and English major, he is now a Software Engineer and contract Technical Writer living in the Silicon Valley.