Akane-Iro ni Somaru Saka (TV)

Title:Akane-Iro ni Somaru Saka (TV)
Akasaka (nickname)
あかね色に染まる坂 (TV)
Overall:Rent
Keywords: , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Notables: Animation - Shaft
HATANO Wataru
HIRANO Aya
KUGIMIYA Rie
One day, Junichi Nagase the 'Geno Killer' saves a girl from getting accosted by 2 thugs. Walking away from her, he curses himself for acting 'too cool'. The next day his classroom gets a new transfer student, Yuuhi Katagiri. She turns out to be the girl that he saved. She walks up to him and asks him out. After having many fantasies about her, the next day when she talks to him he bends over and gives her a kiss on the mouth. She screams about stealing her first kiss and proceeds to beat him black and blue. Later that evening he gets a visit from Yuuhi and it turns out that she is to live in his house as his fiancee.

Animation by TNK.
Series first aired on Oct 2nd, '08.
12 TV Episodes.

Also see OVA episode - Akane-Iro ni Somaru Saka (OVA)

Character List: Blue->Shima, Pink->? , Blonde->Karen , Grey->Yuuhi, Brown->Minato, Orange->Tsukasa, Red->? Note : The character designs MOSTLY made it from the game intact except for Tsukasa (Right middle) who had a hair color change and a breast reduction (G->C)

1:30min Series Opening - YouTube Video
OverallArtAnimationCharacter Design MusicSeries StoryEpisode StoryReviewer
Watch 7 7 6 7 7 7 Dreamer [series:1957#2279]
Various elements of this series has been done a million times over, but still, this series does entertain somewhat.

Art, Animation & Character Designs
Artwork seemed a bit lower than average. It was mostly bland with dull colors. Character designs were equally as bland and a bit cheap looking really. Most the girls were pretty ugly looking. It wasn't a total turnoff however.

Music
The OP was your typical pop piece with female vocals. Nothing really worth mentioning. The soundtrack was pretty light and hardly noticeable. Mostly elevator music and a few light xylophones and similar instruments.

Series and Episode Story
For the most part, we have a series that is episodic. Each episode is pretty light hearted with hardly anything much to mention. Of course, we have the typical cast of stereotypical characters, and typical episode settings. Although this is episodic, we get a sprinkle of a potential plot here and there in various episodes. Unfortunately, by the end of the series we get nothing. Still, we get some good laughs here and there, as well as some of the characters were entertaining.

However, one thing that had be curious is how the series hints at a few things. Take for example the OP sequence. If you pay attention, you'll notice a UFO. With that in mind, if you catch the final episode dialogue between Junichi's parents, and the burning of the "File X" by Shiraishi and the quick UFO flying off right above her, it makes you wonder a few things. Like, possibly Junichi is an "alien" or even his sis? Another curious note was the mention of "subjects" in the final episode. Hmmm?

Overall, this series was a very mild entertainment. It attempts to create a plot near the end of the series but somehow fails horribly. Too many loose ends and too many things unanswered. But aside from that, we still get a fairly entertaining series overall.

Last updated Wednesday, January 26 2011. Created Wednesday, January 26 2011.
Watch 8 8 7 8 6 7 Devil Doll [series:1957#752]
[Score: 72% = Watch+; Ninomiya-kun-type scenario with Yuuhi as Louise-type aristocratic tsundere loli brat (but improving over time) and Minako as Nemu-type attractive dedicated imouto - just replace all the fantasy elements by a nonsensical background story. Four decent episodes (8-11) don't warrant a "Rent" rating here; I liked Tsuyokiss better.]

Last updated Sunday, September 27 2009. Created Sunday, September 27 2009.
Unevaluated chibi [series:1957#2380]
I'm a sucker for 'instant girlfriend' plots, and I liked the setup for this one. But the show doesn't seem to be doing anything with the premise, and so far it's just been the usual school hijinx stories (and not very well done at that), and I'm getting a little tired of Yuuhi beating the stuffing out of Junichi at the slightest provocation. I hope it changes soon, but with 4 episodes seen it's been a disappointment.

Last updated Saturday, October 25 2008. Created Saturday, October 25 2008.
Rent Stretch [series:1957#628]
(All episodes watched):

I guess Akane-iro was another show with a fairly common plot--the girl who suddenly shows up and declares herself to be the guy's fiance. What was unusual was that for once such a show managed to be seriously funny--at times, at least--and even cracked me up a couple times. The humor was handled in such a matter of fact manner--namely, absurd things happening almost without anybody blinking an eye--that I felt that some genuine comic talent had been at work here, something which is all to rare in shows of this sort.

This show took several common anime plot elements and recombined them in a fairly fresh and original manner, which by itself was enough to make it exceptional and highly entertaining. At first glance this seemed much like Toradora, what with the guy with an undeserved bad reputation. Apparently, Junichi's parents are secret agents; the unconventional lead-in was encouraging but also left me wondering if this was really the guy-gets-kicked-in-the-nuts show I had heard it would be (it was). Yuuhi declaring herself Junichi's fiance was titilating and left me eager for the next episode. Episode one left me guardedly optimistic about this series.

Akane-iro wasted no time moving on to the usual haunted abandoned schoolhouse episode. But the characters of this show had such flamboyant, outlandish personalities which was expressed in witty dialogue, that it was great fun. So, I found myself liking it and Akane-iro became one of my favorites of the season. Call it, perhaps, a generic romance-comedy which made the effort to be a few steps ahead of the pack.

Episode four seemed a bit too wild to conform to the estabished premise, so I didn't enjoy it as much as the others, but it was still fun. I can't help liking this show. I noticed that the bright colors and general silliness of the first scene of episode five quickly put a smirk on my face. The plot is semi-predictable (this one was about the pair's first date) but the jokes are pretty good and there seemed to be a credible long term plot developing as well. As a result I always looked forward to new episodes of Akane-iro.

Episode six was great fun, which was all the more surprising given it's tired trip-to-a-hot-spring premise. As one critic once said, if you can't be original take an established premise and stretch the envelope. In fact, this episode contained one of the biggest laughs of the series. This seems a goofy show in which lots of witty "little" jokes combine to make the episodes as a whole highly entertaining . During the wild Fall '08 season I would try to watch all of one week's episodes of various anime series before I began the next one, and when I did Akane-iro tended to be the very first show I would watch.

Episode seven featured a rare visual joke which cracked me up and forced me to pause until I finishd laughing (the topic was the effect of Yuuhi's cooking). The climactic scene cracked me up yet again--the basic premise was so absurd yet hilarious (a parody of a common anime genre) that I couldn't hep laughing, even if the way it worked out wasn't quite as amusing. Episodes six and seven cemented my image of Akane-iro as unusually funny. In this show sometimes a mega gag just comes out of left field--which is another reason why I love it.

Uh...what? This was my response to the final episode. I didn't really get it, but for once we have an unusual, unexpected match-up; or was it a "let's just keep things the way they are for now" cop-out? I was surprised and intrigued to learn who the only serious rival Yuuhi had for Juunichi turned out to be. Aliens--and twin aliens--seemed to be added as an afterthought. I wonder if this series might have been based on an incomplete manga, because you would think that the secret agent parents would play a major part sooner or later. It certainly didn't spoil the series by any means, though I wish it had ended with the sort of humor it displayed around the midpoint. At any rate, Akane-iro was a pleasant surprise, a comedy romance which seemed to stop and think that maybe some extra effort devoted to the comedy would be a good idea.

My favorite line: "Oh no, you're dripping snot" --Yuuhi

Also: "Awaken, legendary warrior!"


Last updated Sunday, January 11 2009. Created Monday, October 06 2008.
Buy 9 10 9 4 8 7 Xenoknight [series:1957#2967]
final review soon...

The main lead is called the "Geno-Killer" in the first 5 minutes of the show! What else is there to say... He also has a pink Xbox 360!!! Only a "G" could pull that off and make it look cool! LOL. I think i'm in big trouble with this title...

Yep! Oh CRAP! Jeez, that was fast! I never stood a chance! LOL. I'm finished! Stick a fork in me, i'm done! Damn, I didn't even make it past the first ep (LOL)! I can't begin to describe what that was like... wait, actually I can. It was Shuffle! all over again (YES!!!). I saw a bunch of the Shuffle! girls reincarnated. I saw Asa-senpai, Kaede, and Sia all in their new character forms! It was great and the main lead is no joke either. I can't wait until they explain just what the hell that little episode he had in his head was (though I already can figure it's the "REAL" Geno-Killer). This title is going to be amazing...

Ep 2 was perfect! We got some explanations about Yuuhi, more about the main lead's parents with the lives of their children, and some solid laughs. Great stuff...

Ep 3 was boring as hell (yeah, I said it) but had some foreshadowing and it was enough to keep me awake to the end of the episode. The harem element will begin to grow from here on and I wish my favorite girl the best of luck. Let us see if the main lead here will choose the wrong girl like the main lead in Shuffle! did. I still haven't completely recovered from the shock of that upset.

Ep 4 had another little inner episode as Jun is caught in a sudden dilemma. It seems that Cupid himself is preparing to fire his love arrows at the main players of this little harem game we have going here. This particular episode is Cupid taking aim and readying his bowstring. The previews will explain what I mean...

Ep 5 is the blessing/beginning of this title. It all begins with the events of this episode: how the Geno-Killer is linked with Jun in stressful situations, a secret mentioned by Minato that "hits the start button" on the harem aspect of the show, and the realization of a certain person's true feelings at last becomes apparent. This episode was funny/serious/emotional and had a solid amount of foreshadowing for things to come... ^_^

Ep 6: Hot spring episode! No progress in story but this ep had good laughs and focused on teasing Jun and us (the viewers).

Ep 7 was no different than ep 6. No progress but was kind of funny at certain parts. Its time for the school festival and the girls resort to wearing "anything" in order to attract customers. Jun goes missing for the entire ep and finally appears at the end to give a "giant" show to the school.

Ep 8 was a regular ep with a sudden focus on Tsukasa's assets (I never knew they were that big until I saw this ep). Anyway, she tries the whole voice actor thing and returns with negative results. The only three things to mention in this ep was the massive bounces from her chest (all of a sudden after 7 eps of not being able to notice), and how she (kind of) falls for Jun as his charm begins to reach out beyond Yuuhi to the other girls. The last thing was the great fantasy he had with Tsukasa (perfect), Minato (workable), and Yuuhi (too small) in their school swimsuits. Like I said, it was a regular ep with no story progress. Episode 5 is still the "bread-winner" for this title so far!

Ep 9 It's Jun's birthday and Yuuhi goes through hell trying to think of something to give him. She sneaks in his room for ideas and finds "the darker side of a teenage boys fantasies". Minato comes in and shows Yuuhi his "real" hidden stash of mags and Yuuhi learns the dark side of adulthood (it was funny as hell and I couldn't stop laughing). Later, everyone gives him presents (Nago offered herself as a present!) and Yuuhi made a cake for him (with her cooking skills...) and he tells her it was delicious while everyone is disgusted with it. He scores big points with Yuuhi while Minato can't shake this feeling of jealousy (that has become my favorite word when it comes to anime it seems). The last moments of the episode shows just what the essence of time can do to a person. Blessed episode...

Ep 10: The anime begins now!!! Be careful when watching this episode as things escalate with exponential results (almost like they skipped a few episodes or something). The events of this ep fall right into place (so suddenly that it seemed rushed or forced if you will) and just like that, Jun has multiple girls fighting over him. The main female leads both become serious competitors for his love! Yuuhi's role was believable but Minato's "confession" was ridiculously forced! It's like they packed several episodes into one for no reason (like they are running out of time to finish the series or something along those lines). I don't know what the problem is but the story is going to get more enjoyable with each new ep and that's for damn sure!!!!!!!!!! I say this ep is worth watching at least twice! Forced ep but incredible none the less...

Ep 11: I was shocked for 90% of this episode (10% was wasted with the all girl meeting). This ep had us see just how intuitive Yuuhi really is when it comes to her new man. She gets home and instantly suspects something is wrong with the siblings (they were pretty normal if you ask me)! She wants answers but can't find anyone to give her any straight to her face. The usual awkward atmosphere pursues and the girls have a (only downside of the ep) meeting to determine what happened to the new couple with laughter and just being gossip tramps but Yuuhi quickly dispels their intentions and makes them drop the matter entirely (but both Yuuhia and Minato suspect each other of acting fishy with sudden eye stares and glances - it was fun imagining what they were thinking in their heads). Jun gets taken (kidnapped) to meet his parents (!) and he is against it but goes along anyway to see those "neglectful bastards" (LOL, he hates them a lot). Yuuhi and Minato have the house to themselves for the night and .... lets just say Yuuhi plays the guilt card and forces Minato to spill the beans about her feelings for Jun (she is a smart a** chick). She had Minato on her knees (no pun intended) crying for forgiveness (in her own house, LOL). They have a serious discussion and Yuuhi forgives Minato (like a saint) and blames the whole thing on Jun (it's always the guy's fault ins't it). They now await his arrival (and his final decision) but Jun has other pressing matters to contend with... Great ep as I watched it 3 times over...

Ep 12: That ending was rushed like you wouldn't believe. He makes his final choice but the story isn't over. They tease the viewer with the whole "Geno-killer" stuff even though he never appears again until now (how typical). The Geno-killer and Jun have it out in a fierce discussion about what is in Jun's heart and he finds his answer. The other girl stays with him anyway and the parents are a total failure in explaining anything about what the hell they have been doing all this time. It seems that Jun and the girls are deeply involved with what the parents are working on and we have to wait for a second season to know the truth.

Check out my award list to see some of the best anime titles in the world!

Never forget Xenosaga.

Last updated Monday, January 26 2009. Created Sunday, October 05 2008.
Unevaluated Forbin [series:1957#1573]
3 Episodes Watched

  • Drama : Low
  • Action : Low
  • SciFi : None (Maybe)
  • Comedy : Med
  • Ecchi : Low
Not bad but I'm getting Final Approach vibes. I had to watch it twice to realize the connection between the shounen starting and the ending (see the name of the 'hero')

This is probably the first anime since Love Hina where the Protagonist gets kicked in the family jewels by the main love interest.

Last updated Wednesday, October 22 2008. Created Sunday, October 05 2008.
Unevaluated Jan-Chan [series:1957#967]
(one episode watched)

Junichi Nagase's father works as some kind of secret agent and is always away at work, so Junichi and his younger sister, Minato live alone and look after each other. His father has made arrangements for Katagiri to be Junichi's fiance and she will be staying at their house, not that he bothered to mention this to his kids.

The character of Junichi reminds me of Ninomiya Shungo from My Heartfelt Sympathy, Ninomiya-kun, so we can probably expect this to be another one of those cutsie fated-to-be-together high school romance stories.

I will put this on my watch list for the moment, but to be honest - I think that Toradora! will probably prove to be more entertaining.

Last updated Sunday, October 05 2008. Created Saturday, October 04 2008.

Other Sites
NameURL
Official Japanese Series Web Site http://www.mmv.co.jp/special/akasaka/
English Wiki http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akaneiro_ni_Somaru_Saka

Community Anime Reviews

anime mikomi org