 If there's one person who's associated with great-looking bishoujo character designs, it's Keiji Gotoh (most recently known for Kiddy Grade), so I was quite looking forward to his most recent creation - Uta~Kata...
1 - Early Summer's Encounter
For Ichika, the summer break is just beginning - and it's a summer that
will change her life. Ichika's been dreaming of another girl - she
doesn't know who she is, but she's saying goodbye, and Ichika's puzzled
as to the meaning of it - although you get the distinct feeling that
those around her know something is about to happen. When Ichika leaves
her cellphone in school, she has to go back to get it - and finds it in
the hands of Manatsu-chan, the girl from her dreams. When the phone is
handed back to her, a transformation comes over her...
2 - The Approaching Sky
Manatsu's initial explanation for what's happened to Ichika is that
it's her way of getting her summer assignment done easily, but there's
more to it than that. Summer life continues, though - inbetween dealing
with Ryo's advances, Ichika tries to get some studying done. Seems Ryo
not's as nice as he makes himself out to be - giving Ichika reason to
call on the powers of the deities again...
This being Keiji Gotoh's latest work probably explains why the two
leads here bear more than a passing resemblance to Eclair & Lumiere
from Kiddy Grade. It also has a misleading trailer - if you've
seen it, you'll know it has the feel of a 'slice of life' show, which I
have to admit I've pretty much had my fill of lately. The OP sequence
dispelled that idea pretty quickly, though, with a thoroughly mahou
shoujo transformation right up front. I should've known Gotoh wouldn't
be working on anything straightforward...
The reasoning behind the transformations at this stage seems to be linked to moments of high emotion (giving me memories of Princess Tutu,
although that's a tenuous connection), and Manatsu's reactions when
Ichika's not looking would seem to suggest that there's something
darker going on than simply working on Manatsu's school assignment. At
this stage, though, you're left guessing.
It's a wonderfully well-presented show - the animation leaves
nothing to pick at - but if I had to gripe about something, it would be
that Ichika's maybe a tad too young for the level of fanservice she
presents. ^^; Nothing too serious, though.
Uta~Kata so far is a fun, easy-to-watch and low-maintenance
show, with a definite feel-good factor about it. Here's hoping Gotoh
has learned from Kiddy Grade's mistakes (particularly in the plot department) - if so, this will be well worth sticking with. |
