So recently I took in the first four episodes of the new dub of DATE A LIVE out from FUNimation Entertainment. It’s certainly pretty to look at, but going by the first four episodes, this series sticks to all the usual, expected otaku pandering Anime tropes.
The quickest mash-up analogy I could give to describe DATE A LIVE would be to take equal parts UFO Ultramaiden Valkyrie and both seasons of The World Only God Knows and voila, you have DATE A LIVE, more or less. It’s not offensively bad, it’s just pretty to look at but ultimately very dull and predictable. It’s the sort of show that might be fun to watch stoned on the couch with wisecracking friends. It won’t blow or expand your mind. It might get around to tugging your heartstrings if you stay with it long enough, but there are much better shows you could be watching than this one if that is what you crave.
Of course there are worse shows you could watch besides DATE A LIVE (Those who hunt Elves comes to mind, or Queen’s Blade Rebellion). As for me, I’m going to give this one a pass. It’s not worth buying the DVDs, it’s not even worth my time to stream it on Roku from my FUNI subscription…there are seemingly always unwatched episodes of Fairy Tail I could be watching instead.
It is probably perfect to the completely novice Anime fan who is new to the medium and just doesn't know any better. To a more experienced Anime fan, it's just a little trite and groan worthy.
Heck, Upotte! from Sentai Filmworks was more interesting than this for its first four episodes; Ditto Girls Und Panzer.
This series just feels like a cash-grab for FUNimation, just something to pay the bills along the lines of Sekirei, say, or High School DxD. Another harem boob show, *yawn*.
