Now that Lucky Star has run its course, I figure that it might be a good time to rewatch the series one more time, and pointing out the individual scenes which have made me a fan of the show, despite nay-sayers and anti-fans. (I am one of those unfortunates greatly affected by the actions and words of others. I try not to be, with inconsistent success.) Think of it as a sort of distillation of the portions of each episode which bring me back for more: the "bits which worked", so to speak. Quite obviously, these are my opinions and mine alone, except for whoever shares them.

Now, it's not as though I would support simply deleting those scenes not chosen, as though they were dross to be discarded at first opportunity. For example, the "influenza is a levelled-up cold" bit is still a pleasure to watch and relax to, but it is not, as such, something that would keep me coming back for more. Like a D&D session, there are many highlights of quotable quotes and "you had to be there", but the more mundane dice-rolling and rules-checking are still very much part of the game.

Perhaps after all this I may hack together a more proper retrospective. Knowing my procrascinating tendencies, though, probably not.

Subs are used for my screenshots, partly because I find it more helpful to have some indication of what is being said, dialogue being such an important part of the anime, but mostly because I don't have the raws anymore.

Episode 1

CHECK!Flags: Punchline

After Kagami comments on the increase in cases of kidnap-and-imprisonment, Konata mentions that this sort of thing happens a lot in ero-games, which is a probable influence, upon which Kagami retorts on how Konata is still technically underage to buy these games, much less know their contents.

Here we have Kagami's first appearance, and fittingly her first tsukkomi line. She naturally fills the role of the character who recognizes all the lingo of the "odd one", but is still relatively normal (by the standards of common society, anyway) herself, and this plus her cynicism and pragmatism pretty much dooms her to the Straight Man role of whatever comedy team she inadvertantly finds herself with.

CHECK!Flags: Moe

Konata asks if Miyuki has any weaknesses, and Miyuki abashedly recounts her moments of clumsiness. Konata promptly labels these as advantages instead, specifically of the dojikko subtrope of moe.

I kind of agree with her.

In addition, this is where my absolute favourite BGM in the show first appears. I believe it's listed on the soundtrack as "Ran Ran Ran dayo, Lucky Star", although what it stands for I cannot say. I'm a sucker for simple, happy tunes one can hum.

CHECK!Flags: Moe, I Know What You Mean

Miyuki confesses that she is unable to use contact lenses because she's afraid of putting things into her eyes. This is exactly my problem with contacts, which is why I remain bespectacled.

Miyuki obviously does the whole meganekko thing far better than I ever could, even assuming, for that briefest of moments before our brains implode with horror, a gender change on my part.

Episode 2

Oddly enough, nothing really stands out. There's the "yeah, I know what you mean" of Konata's and Tsukasa's inability to stick to a homework schedule, but while rewatching the episode, I realized that it was pretty much a series of faint amusements. I wouldn't mind watching it again if it came around when I have time, but it's not something I'd pop in the DVD for.

Except for Taiko Master "Hare Hare Yukai", perhaps.

Episode 3

CHECK!Flags: Punchline, Moe

Kagami changes to her summer uniform, and notes that there's always someone who forgets. This someone turns out to be Tsukasa. You can see the punchline coming from a long distance away, and yet the cuteness of the characters somehow makes it forgiveable.

I've not done anything like this myself, but I've known a (very) few people who accidentally forgot all about Daylight Savings. One never laughs at them for long, because It Could Be You.

CHECK!Flags: Reference

Konata notes that in manga, a stupid character often goes to the same school as a smart one. Cue Cromartie High reference. Kagami mentions another trend of teachers being younger than their students, seen in cases like Negima, and, for the reference, Pani Poni Dash.

CHECK!Flag: Punchline

Kagami: "I'm amazed that you managed to get into the same school as us, Konata. Did you cram for the entrance exam or something?"
Konata: "… *evil grin*"

Actually she didn't, but it's that "hehe, little do you know" reaction to a comment made in jest that makes it all worthwhile.

CHECK!Flag: Moe

Konata points out that the 7th of July (the Hiiragi twins' birthday as well as the Japanese festival of Tanabata) is National Ponytail Day, as proclaimed by the Japanese Ponytail Association. (Anyone who immediately thought of a) Kyon from Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, or b) a pony-head mask, please raise your hands.) Kagami says that anyone would look good in a ponytail, and Konata decides to test that theory. The presence of a comb and rubber bands in her bag either signifies ever-readiness, or that she brought the conversation round to this topic deliberately.

Tsukasa's hair just about barely manages to form a ponytail. Konata is fine with hers, and Kagami… apparently looks "manly" (to be precise, "otoko-moe", or "manly moe"). You know, I disagree with Konata in this case; I think it looks just fine.

I suppose, like the standard explanation for the immense number of hair colours in anime, individual hairstyles are helpful in identifying and differentiating between characters. To further illustrate this point, and as a parting screenshot until the next entry in this series, here's a variation of Kagami that may or may not count as cosplay.

This entry was posted on Saturday, September 22nd, 2007 at 11:58 pm and is filed under lucky star. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.