Monday 27 April 2009

Natsu no Arashi - Episode 4

Given the vast improvement in quality across the first three episodes of Natsu no Arashi, episode four of the series should probably be some kind of magnum opus. Of course, this isn't the case, but it does turn out to be a respectable little instalment.


After Arashi was invited to join a group trying to film their own movie in the last episode, so in this episode that offer is taken up, albeit not be Arashi herself but by the cafe's owner, who clearly sees an opportunity for a little fame and fortune (well, mostly fortune) for herself. It has to be said that Jun in particular looks rather striking wearing an Arashi-esque wig - He'd make for a good girl... Anyhow, the story being filmed just happens to be set in wartime, and filming also just happens to be located at Arashi's old school, giving her time to reminisce (while also getting to prove without any doubt that she is a ghost to a skeptical Jun) while also reveal that she isn't the only ghost in town.

While the last episode really thrived upon its jump back in time to World War II (which was excellently realised), this time around the time travel feels like something of an afterthough, with the mainstay of this episode really acting to prove that Arashi is in fact a ghost (as if proof were needed) while also introducing Kaja to the proceedings. Thus, the episode is unspectacular all things considered, getting by on account of being reasonably entertaining to watch while building up to more interesting things in future instalments on a number of counts. Regardless, it remains an improvement over those first two episodes, which is good enough for me for the time being.

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