Diamond Daydreams 7/10
I'm not sure if this show is meant for guys or girls. The game on which DDD is based is meant for guys but the show doesn't seem not to be. Whatever.
Diamond Daydreams aired in 2004 and ran 12 episodes though there is a 13th episode that should have aired as episode 8 but wasn't. This is probably because the 7-8 arc for Suomi isn't much of a romantic story considering the feel of the rest of the series. This show had really nice animation and character designs and the whole thing is very well animated. I liked the OP though the 2 ED's didn't really jump out at me. I also liked the score but some of the pieces were WAY over used. The pan flute sad song was used in episode 12 about 10 times. Mix it up a little, this ain't Babel II! Considering that this show has 6 leads and an all unique cast every 2 episodes the VA's were great. Why ADV changed the title to Diamond Daydreams I don't know, it was a dumb move unless there's some REALLY good reason.
In the vein of Sentimental Journey and Seraphim Call, Diamond Daydreams cranks up the overall quality and boosts the episode count from 1 to 2 for each mini arc. Every 2 episodes we're introduced to a new girl who's got some romantic dilemma and things are dealt with by the end of the 2nd episode. There's no real finality to any of the stories, each girl simply makes a life decision and no real new romance really starts though a few times a romance ends.
The diamond dust drops from the title refer to the sparkling frozen water in the air when it gets really cold in the north of Japan (where all these stories take place). The idea is that the diamond dust drops have some magic power to grant true love to those who see it or other such nonsense. I don't but the girls in the show get off on it.
Diamond Daydreams aired in 2004 and ran 12 episodes though there is a 13th episode that should have aired as episode 8 but wasn't. This is probably because the 7-8 arc for Suomi isn't much of a romantic story considering the feel of the rest of the series. This show had really nice animation and character designs and the whole thing is very well animated. I liked the OP though the 2 ED's didn't really jump out at me. I also liked the score but some of the pieces were WAY over used. The pan flute sad song was used in episode 12 about 10 times. Mix it up a little, this ain't Babel II! Considering that this show has 6 leads and an all unique cast every 2 episodes the VA's were great. Why ADV changed the title to Diamond Daydreams I don't know, it was a dumb move unless there's some REALLY good reason.
In the vein of Sentimental Journey and Seraphim Call, Diamond Daydreams cranks up the overall quality and boosts the episode count from 1 to 2 for each mini arc. Every 2 episodes we're introduced to a new girl who's got some romantic dilemma and things are dealt with by the end of the 2nd episode. There's no real finality to any of the stories, each girl simply makes a life decision and no real new romance really starts though a few times a romance ends.
The diamond dust drops from the title refer to the sparkling frozen water in the air when it gets really cold in the north of Japan (where all these stories take place). The idea is that the diamond dust drops have some magic power to grant true love to those who see it or other such nonsense. I don't but the girls in the show get off on it.
Our cast of leads are as follows:
Atsuko - Lives and works at a fish shop with her mom. In order to escape bankruptcy she's agreed to marry a local rich boy but falls in love with another older guy. She of course ends up dumping the rich boy's ass for the quiet artiste.
Karin - A sickly girl too frightened to get an operation to save her life. She can't stand her new doctor at first but falls for him after thinking he's secretly posting comments on her blog (I won't fall for anyone who posts comments here, you can rest assured). It turns out not only it isn't the doctor but it's his nurse girlfriend that Karin considers a rival. She gets the operation and lives rather than dying a scared coward (Thank you Mike Tyson).
Atsuko - Lives and works at a fish shop with her mom. In order to escape bankruptcy she's agreed to marry a local rich boy but falls in love with another older guy. She of course ends up dumping the rich boy's ass for the quiet artiste.
Karin - A sickly girl too frightened to get an operation to save her life. She can't stand her new doctor at first but falls for him after thinking he's secretly posting comments on her blog (I won't fall for anyone who posts comments here, you can rest assured). It turns out not only it isn't the doctor but it's his nurse girlfriend that Karin considers a rival. She gets the operation and lives rather than dying a scared coward (Thank you Mike Tyson).
Kyoko - A college student in the film club who after winning a national prize has become too obsessed with winning the next one. With the other film club members starting to resent her perfectionist and bossy ways it's not long before her relationship with her boyfriend she lives with starts to suffer. She learns the hard way that a man will only take so much abuse.
Suomi - A Finnish figure skater who always considered the fun of skating with her friend Hanna more important than personal success until she was hurt when Hanna crashes into her before a competition. After quitting skating, Suomi meets a boy who inspires her to get back into skating and make up with her friend.
Suomi - A Finnish figure skater who always considered the fun of skating with her friend Hanna more important than personal success until she was hurt when Hanna crashes into her before a competition. After quitting skating, Suomi meets a boy who inspires her to get back into skating and make up with her friend.
Shoko - The host of a write-in romance advice radio show who's having an affair with a married man. She's upset because he won't see her often enough or take her calls and a concerned listener gives her the confidence to dump his ass.
Akari - A high school girl who's father spends more time drunk and panning for gold than working. When he's diagnosed with terminal brain cancer she must resolve her feelings towards her father before he dies.
I liked this show more than Sentimental Journey and Seraphim Call since it gives each arc 2 episodes to flesh out the story and characters rather than the one the other shows do. I also liked the fact that the creators decided to include a couple of older than average characters in a show like this. It's a nice change to see a mature character once in awhile as opposed to the constant barrage of high school girls. This also allows some more mature relationships rather than the "I can't even hold your hand" type in most shows. I'll recommend this show.
Akari - A high school girl who's father spends more time drunk and panning for gold than working. When he's diagnosed with terminal brain cancer she must resolve her feelings towards her father before he dies.
I liked this show more than Sentimental Journey and Seraphim Call since it gives each arc 2 episodes to flesh out the story and characters rather than the one the other shows do. I also liked the fact that the creators decided to include a couple of older than average characters in a show like this. It's a nice change to see a mature character once in awhile as opposed to the constant barrage of high school girls. This also allows some more mature relationships rather than the "I can't even hold your hand" type in most shows. I'll recommend this show.
posted by Zenith27 @ 8:12 PM
2 Comments:
I'm only four episodes into it on the Anime Network and from what I have saw, I would have to agree with your review.The one thing I hate about DD is that damn OP.
I LIKE that song. The beginning with the whole jump jump jump and the girls jumping makes me laugh.
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