Otakuism

I had been thinking about watching Gift~eternal rainbow~ since I saw some nice pictures of it, but I’ve never really had the time. However, after reading Jason’s review and with the slow release of other shows I’m watching, now I can try it out. And ,damn, I’m glad I have.

So far I’ve watched the first four episodes, and the basic plot is pretty simple. Amami Haruhiko is our main guy living in Narasakicho, which for some reason has an eternal rainbow. Who would’ve guessed that? Somehow true lovers can wish on this rainbow to get a miracle, or something like that. It’s only been used once so far. But of course this is a harem series, so who’s all the hot girls? Let’s introduce them.

Fukumine Riko is the main, perfect girl, moe, good cook, playful, pink hair, etc. The twist is that she’s also Haruhiko’s younger sister (actually their the same age and Haruhiko just has a complex about being called Onii-chan. Yeah he’s weird), though not by blood. She was just raised with him when they were young and had to leave when Haruhiko’s dad’s business went under. Now she’s back for her onii-chan. Or Kirino. I can’t tell yet, but there’s some weird subtext between them.

After Riko there’s Haruhiko’s other loli-sister type, Konosaka Kirino, the childhood friend who wakes him up every morning. She’s a pretty shy character who seems to say she’s sorry a lot. Also clearly loves Haruhiko but is too shy to tell him. Her and Riko seem to have had some weird relationship in the past, as Riko mentions a promise to Kirino, about Haruhiko I guess. Seems they’ve fought over him before.

Totally not the same person!

Now begins the periphery characters, who clearly won’t win at all but are just nice to look at. First is Fujimiya Chisa, Kirina’s friend who is also secretly a mahou shoujo that grants false wishes. Also carries around an annoying crow. Chisa proves all the other characters are stupid, as none of them can tell that her and the witch are the same person, even though her only disguise is a hat. She even has the same crow! She’ll probably be important to the plot later, as it seems she goes insane or something. Can’t wait for that.

Next is Kamishiro Yukari, Chisa’s maid. I have no idea why she needs a maid, or how that maid is also in school with her, especially when she looks a lot older. The sweet, mature girl who gets no screentime at all, which is a terrible crime. Also has the biggest breasts, which is why she needs more screentime.

Lesbian stalker is hated by all.

Finally is Hokazono Rinka, the badass sword wielding babe. Since when did every eroge feature a sword wielding girl? Thankfully she’s more talkative than Mai. Also suffers from severe lack of screentime. Comes with her own lesbian stalker accessory, Sato Nami, who even Rinka thinks is annoying.

Drama

The reason I’m liking Gift so far is it’s the first harem series since Shuffle (that I can remember) that’s had such drama between the characters. First, Haruhiko actually realizes he likes Riko (in ep. 3 amazingly) and confesses to her, just to be shot down by Riko who starts crying and saying she’s sorry, babbling about some promise to Kirino. This of course sours Haruhiko and Riko’s relationship, leading to Haruhiko’s friend Maki trying to get the two back to together through some fear trial in the woods, involving some wacky magic no less. However, things go wrong, and it’s Kirino who ends up in Haruhiko’s arms, in front of Riko no less! That whole segment of events just amazed me. The whole presentation just makes for good drama. Maybe I just haven’t watched a romance series in awhile, but it’s nice to see actual conflict between the girls, or at least emotional damage. Whole show so far reminds me of Shana and Yoshida. Now that was some great drama. Can’t wait to see where the bumpy road between Haruhiko, Riko, and Kirino leads.

Best animation so far. Seriously.

On the animation front Gift is pretty mediocre. Let’s just say it’s not Kanon material. It’s done by Oriental Light and Magic, and the whole animation seems like a mix between Shuffle and Studio Deen. Characters seem a little too skinny for their own good, and the fanservice isn’t that great or plentiful, though that doesn’t matter. Backgrounds could be better, as everything looks so drab and ugly. Fortunately the character designs are pretty cute, with Rinka’s being my favorite.

Gift isn’t something I originally thought of watching, but now that I’ve started I can’t get enough of it. If your tired of your Happiness, Otoboku, or ,godforbid, Kanon, give this a try. Not much worse you can do.