Red Data Girl

[Kraco]

http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/6711/reddatagirlss01.jpg
Nice TV. Could be a 46-incher.

"A modern fantasy based on Japanese Shinto legends. Suzuhara Izumiko is a 15-year-old girl, who has been raised and protected in a shrine deep in the Kumano mountains. She is quite shy and destroys all the electric devices she touches. When she begins to think about going out of the mountains and moving to the city, her guardian Sagara Yukimasa recommends her to enter a high school in Tokyo and forces his son Miyuki to serve Izumiko for life. Miyuki and Izumiko repel each other but their relationship begins to change when a terrifying accident occurs on the school excursion. Izumiko learns her fate as the last representative (yorishiro) of a Himegami goddess and Miyuki learns of his duty as a guardian Yamabushi of Izumiko." -MAL


Genre: Contemporary fantasy, novel, religion, school life, seinen, thriller
Episodes: 12
Links: AniDB (http://anidb.net/perl-bin/animedb.pl?show=anime&aid=9328), ANN (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=14862), Official (http://rdg-anime.jp/)

DL: Episode 1: FFF (http://www.nyaa.eu/?page=download&tid=420289) | Kaylith-Oni (http://www.nyaa.eu/?page=download&tid=419954) (Both TV versions, not web rip)
There are some differences between these translations, so pick whichever you want. I'll stick to FFF from now on.








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The mystery in the description caught my attention when reading about this season's shows. Mystery and fatalism. This first episode only strenghtened that feeling, even though surprisingly little was revealed so far, but it gave me a positive impression, nonetheless. I admit I must be partial in the sense that if the roles were switched and the weak-willed main character was a dude and the strong-willed a girl, I would be far more displeased than now. I'm still bothered the girl shows so little backbone, but I have no doubt that will change. Since it seems very much like they are a fated couple, one way or another, the dude will probably do his everything to whip her into a better condition, even if he has troubles understanding her position due to his own totally different background.

The female main character, Izumiko, is voiced by Hayami Saori (http://anidb.net/perl-bin/animedb.pl?show=creator&creatorid=2296), who immediately connected to Tari Tari's Okita Sawa in my mind, for obvious reasons. She was very good portraying this role so far. The main dude is voiced by Uchiyama Kouki (http://anidb.net/perl-bin/animedb.pl?show=creator&creatorid=2588), whose role last season was Yoshino of Tempest, yet in this show his personality is a mix of Yoshino and Mahiro, which is quite funny.

I'll keep watching for sure unless this unexpectedly turns bad.

[David75]

Watched ep 1 last week or maybe earlier.
Was not really caught, I guess the male lead was a turnoff. Male tsun, no thanks :D
I'll reand comments if they come and will think watching this again.

[MFauli]

The production value is there, but the plot itself didn´t grab me, neither did any of the characters. Will give this at least another shot before deciding.

[Buffalobiian]

The OP rubbed me the wrong way from the get-go, and it carried through to the end of the episode.

"Helpless shrine maiden who needs to be protected + surrounding spiritual male guardians (main one being a Tsun)" -> immediately thinks of Hiiro no Kakera (it flopped).

I'll hang on for a few more episodes, but I feel like I can readily drop this at any time. A pity too, since I was looking forward to this.

[Buffalobiian]

Commie - Episode 02 (http://www.nyaa.eu/?page=download&tid=422361)

[Kraco]

Episode 2 - FFF (http://www.nyaa.eu/?page=download&tid=422382)
As long as there's an alternative to Commie, I'll go for it. Better dead than red, you know.




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I'm beginning to see the misgivings everybody else readily reserved for this show. I though the mystery would get heavier and Miyuki would kick ass, but neither really happened. Sure, there's some mystery (actually there's little else so far), but it hasn't been particularly captivating. It's highly likely due to the first episode failing to build any significant gravity or feeling of real seriousness or foreboding. To be honest I'm looking much less forward to the third ep than this second. I guess I'll still keep watching, if only hoping to see Izumiko with the loose hime cut again, because it looks so much more better than those stupid braids.

[MFauli]

This should have been ep1. I cant even remember what happened in the actually ep1.

Still: Too little

No character development, no interesting character introductions, no action, no interesting mystery (stop teasing "them", and don´t give me this princess-bs).

If other anime don´t occupy my time, I´ll keep watching. But definitely no must-watch so far.

[Buffalobiian]

Izumiko is the future vessel for some divine spirit, but she is still incompetent and other people are after her. The story revolves around Izumiko coming to terms with her identity and new power, and her relationship with the various bishounen body guards who protect her with their own elemental/spiritual power.

(Generic description of any spirit+useless female+male babysitter story)

FFF - Episode 03 (http://www.nyaa.eu/?page=download&tid=424804)

[Kraco]

Miyuki got friendly with Izumiko surprisingly fast. But then again, I guess it even makes sense that a boy of that age, especially with such a background, would turn his coat promptly when he actually witnesses something supernatural. No doubt until now (until the happenings covered by this show) all he had ever had were lectures, speeches, and training disrupting his normal life, with no rewards to speak of.

Still, Miyuki is far weaker both physically and mentally than I expected. But I guess this isn't the sort of show where he would need to fight like a shounen hero.

[Ryllharu]

I don't know what to make of this show. I'm certainly watching it, but it is pretty dull, even at the exciting moments. Even after three episodes, we really have no idea what is going on or what the conflict will be.

Her roommate is kinda creepy. She's way too overly friendly. Makes her super-suspicious.

[Kraco]

Her roommate is kinda creepy. She's way too overly friendly. Makes her super-suspicious.

Yeah. Who knows if she was specifically picked to be Izumiko's roommate (and is a fan) or if she's just some airhead who always dreamed of having a roommate but until now was living alone. Or maybe she's both, and will be Kuroko v2...

[Buffalobiian]

Her roommate is kinda creepy. She's way too overly friendly. Makes her super-suspicious.

I thought the room mate was alright, actually. She had this older-sister vibe and thought Suzuhara was cute (like a pet, almost). When I first read your post before watching the episode I thought she was going to be a submissive, serving type of character with the obvious I'll-do-whatever-you-ask-to-get-on-your-good-side act.

The Wamiya episode was pretty enjoyable, but now that we're at school again (a Tokyo one no less), my fears of a boring-reverse-harem-plot creep up again.

[Buffalobiian]

Episode 04 - FFF (http://www.nyaa.eu/?page=download&tid=427054), Commie (http://www.nyaa.eu/?page=download&tid=426989)


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Well, good to know that there's be focus on more than just one girl and a whole bunch of guys. The whole spirit thing is actually warming up to me now, especially since Izumiko isn't some latent all-powerful ancient person who rules over everybody else. She's merely one such being.

[Kraco]

Indeed it's good to know that. This episode was fairly entertaining already. Quite Izumiko centric, and I doubt that will change, but the more opponents, and allies, with faces we get, the better. Blobs of darkness will only last so long as interesting enemies. Another good thing is that powers are starting to take shape as well. Earlier they seemed to be all talk and no visible effect.

[Buffalobiian]

Episode 05 - Commie (http://www.nyaa.eu/?page=download&tid=429422), FFF (http://www.nyaa.eu/?page=download&tid=429495)

[Kraco]

Both Sagaras, the father and the son, are really childish, the old man even more so because due to his power nothing curbs him. Yet Miyuki is more petty by redirecting his ire onto Izumiko as he would get his ass kicked or worse if he really tried to go against Yukimasa. So, Miyuki makes Izumiko suffer instead and probably hopes that something will happen to her to teach Yukimasa a lesson. In fact I have to admit I was also hoping something would happen and the playboy would notice he's not as much of a knight as he thought. Yet I'm still happier Miyuki ended up going after Izumiko. Now that he heard such a grim prophecy I can only hope he will finally start to completely ignore Yukimasa and concentrate on himself and Izumiko instead. No doubt that would piss off an egoistic douche like Yukimasa far more than anything else (aside from getting beaten by Miyuki in a fight, but I doubt that's going to happen any time soon).

It's a damn shame Izumiko doesn't keep her hair free all the time. But I guess that makes her look all the better during the rare times she does.

[Buffalobiian]

What a conveniently timed make-up session. That was pretty cool. I'm rather glad I ended up keeping up with this show, since it certainly wasn't as generic, boring and formulaic as I was expecting it to be. Yukimasa doesn't necessarily have to be a bad guy, that really depends on his stance. I can see the mountain monks siding with Sagara once they're convinced that allowing Izumiko to be the vessel would be detrimental to mankind, so Yukimasa's stance would depend on whether he selfishly wishes to see the descent of a god.

[Buffalobiian]

Episode 06 - Commie (http://www.nyaa.eu/?page=download&tid=431720), FFF (http://www.nyaa.eu/?page=download&tid=431755)



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Drunk Izumiko >> Sober Izumiko. I need to spike a fruit salad one day.

[Kraco]

I need to spike a fruit salad one day.

It's not fruit salad. It's punch. The fruit pieces and berries are just floating on the surface to serve as decorations, mainly.

I was surprised by the amount and depth of politics at the academy. And I never realised Mayura aims to be such a big shot in those politics (and already is to a degree). I thought they were only fooling around, kind of like the Tokiwadai students in Railgun. Mayura challenging Miyuki and thus trying to force his hand is also quite interesting. I guess she never was like Miyuki who wanted to run away from all of it but rather embraces the whole mess. I'm looking forward to what he can actually do, naturally, unless he somehow manages to weasel his way out of it.

[Buffalobiian]

I was surprised by the amount and depth of politics at the academy. And I never realised Mayura aims to be such a big shot in those politics (and already is to a degree). I thought they were only fooling around, kind of like the Tokiwadai students in Railgun. Mayura challenging Miyuki and thus trying to force his hand is also quite interesting. I guess she never was like Miyuki who wanted to run away from all of it but rather embraces the whole mess. I'm looking forward to what he can actually do, naturally, unless he somehow manages to weasel his way out of it.

I was confused at why Miyuki was trying so hard to stay low even in front of Mayura, but this episode showed that he saw her much more clearly than we all did. I suppose he knew about the "goal" of the academy while the rest of us audiences and Izumiko didn't though, so it's also an unfair advantage.

Fruit punch aye? Interesting.. never saw it served in a bowl before, though the internet tells me it's widely done if not the default.

[MFauli]

oh god , just watched ep 5. putting the make-up on in front of these people made her appear like some sort of sex doll. ugh

[Buffalobiian]

Episode 07 - FFF (http://www.nyaa.eu/?page=download&tid=433968), Commie (http://www.nyaa.eu/?page=download&tid=433959)

[ASL]_Annabel_-_Red_Data_Girl_OP_-_Small_worldrop_[FLAC].rar (http://www.nyaa.eu/?page=download&tid=433840)
[ASL]_Annabel_-_Red_Data_Girl_OP_-_Small_worldrop_[MP3].rar (http://www.nyaa.eu/?page=download&tid=433841)

[ASL]_Itou_Masumi_-_Red_Data_Girl_ED_-_Yakon_[FLAC].rar (http://www.nyaa.eu/?page=download&tid=431575)
[ASL]_Itou_Masumi_-_Red_Data_Girl_ED_-_Yakon_[MP3].rar (http://www.nyaa.eu/?page=download&tid=431576)


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No idea what happened.. but looking good.

[Kraco]

Suddenly the circles felt a lot smaller again. I thought it was going to be some spectacular show of strange powers, but it turned out to be a fan club cosplaying... I guess the chances are getting low, but I still hope Miyuki saw through it and he does have some power he's hiding, and decided not to reveal it here. Because otherwise he'd be quite miserable. It'll be Izumiko protecting him, not the other way around.

In any case it was much ado about a dead horse.

[Buffalobiian]

I'm hoping Miyuki isn't useless. The preview shows him with wings and a staff, but black wings would suggest help from Wamiya because I don't associate Miyuki with animal spirits.

[Ryllharu]

Caught up.

Izumiko is a lot stronger than she realizes, or most others for that matter. She, her father, Miyuki, and his father mostly think of her as a vessel for Himegami, who can occasionally break electronics or dance and make flowers bloom. They think of her as a magnet. But once she loses control (either in a state of panic, stress or drunk) she reveals more of her true abilities. She got panicked about class and talked to her father through computer screens, that's straight up divination sorcery. She got drunk and can astrally teleport. I'd love to see what she does when she thinks one of her friends are truly at risk. Mayura and Manatsu keep focusing on Miyuki, thinking he is the stronger one secretly hiding strength (and he definitely is), but Izumiko is strong enough without Himegami. Her meekness is what makes her weak, not her capabilities.

Same really goes for Mayura. She got hurt the first time and we saw Manatsu/Masumi doing their stuff while Takayanagi the Chosen One did his parlor tricks. But considering Mayura is the real candidate, it went without saying that she is actually much, much stronger than he is, and knows how to play the political games. I don't think we've scratched the surface of what she's capable of, but the three siblings are so casual about their summoning skills, it's like breathing to them, where Takayanagi put a lot of effort into it.

I guess you can see why the school is scheming to place Takayanagi at the top, with the Not-so-Neutral Executive Committee calling the shots. Maybe they believe they can manipulate or control him better? Kisaragi is hiding a lot of her own abilities, and the two of them trying to put Mayura in her place revealed a bit more than either of them intended. If they were really as neutral as they claim, they wouldn't have been interfering with Mayura at all. Takayanagi is allowed to do what he wants, enrolling his own homunculus into the school as students, and even planting lethal level traps, yet they swat Mayura down? Something stinks about this whole thing.

Kisaragi's weaker than Masumi on his "home" territory, but the way she throws her weight around while pretending she's merely a judge and policy setter is a little unnerving.

[Buffalobiian]

Episode 08 - FFF (http://www.nyaa.eu/?page=download&tid=436038), Commie (http://www.nyaa.eu/?page=download&tid=436005)

[Kraco]

Pretty good episode. Izumiko being proactive was nice, that much I readily agree with Miyuki. It was especially nice since it meant she spent a significant portion of the episode with straight hair! She's so much more cute but also cool that way. But more seriously the dynamics between her and Miyuki get much better the more she speaks out her own mind and does what she wants. After all, Miyuki is just like that as well, even though for him it has led to many a bruise due to his scumbag old man. It will also grow respect both ways between them. I'm somewhat divided about what to think of Miyuki's sudden source of power. While it's always wise to use whatever power available, it's kind of sad it's ultimately Izumiko's power he's using if it's from her familiar. Well, at the very least it resulted in Miyuki asking Izumiko about her preferences concerning guys...

Izumiko's mom is cool. Of course it's sad she can't spend more time with her daughter, but it can't be helped. Clearly she wants to, though, because obviously she was right there to meet her. It was no coincidence she was able to save those two.

[Buffalobiian]

Episode 09 - FFF (http://www.nyaa.eu/?page=download&tid=438202), Commie (http://www.nyaa.eu/?page=download&tid=438185)

[Kraco]

Miyuki complains far too much. It got especially annoying in this episode. Izumiko is finally finding more and more ways to be herself and try out new things, challenging her limits and to be something else than just a vessel, but the dude is always there to shoot down everything she tries. That's some contradiction to the first episode when he complained he disliked the most people who didn't think for themselves and chose to be passive and ignorant. I'm happy he doesn't worship the ground under Himegami's feet, but he surely would benefit from a more relaxed and positive attitude.

[Buffalobiian]

He wants her to think, but he also thinks that she can't weigh the risks properly based on her actions. He did teach her the protection spell for unbraiding, but didn't expect her to to be dressed up and put on stage as well - so it's fair to say that the risks were outside of his calculations.

Izumiko's pouting is cute to watch, so I hope he doesn't stop doing so.

[Buffalobiian]

Commie - Episode 10 (http://www.nyaa.eu/?page=download&tid=440271)

[Kraco]

Episode 10 - FFF (http://www.nyaa.eu/?page=download&tid=440872)




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Miyuki has such a distasteful old man. Despite all the girls flocking to him, I bet he couldn't keep any of them with a personality like that. Well, except for some women as rotten as he is.

Quite a lot happened in this episode, but somehow I feel like there's a disparity between the fact Himegami can supposedly destroy the world and how the circles are basically only as wide as the school right now. It felt more grand before they entered this school.

[Buffalobiian]

Commie - Episode 11 (http://www.nyaa.eu/?page=download&tid=442406)


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Woah, this show ends next episode? It can work for something temporary, but don't tell me this is the end-all for the entire thing. I love both the art and characters here with Sagara and Mayuri forming a "fake" relationship and all (even though I said at the start that I'd hate for this to turn into a harem)..

[Kraco]

I love both the art and characters here with Sagara and Mayuri forming a "fake" relationship and all (even though I said at the start that I'd hate for this to turn into a harem)..

I hate that whole fake relationship plot element. It's always used as a cheap road to unnecessary drama. Plus it always feels so forced, especially when one or both of the people involved have real romantic interests elsewhere. As if it was such a great idea to appear as a couple with some other girl/guy in front of your love interest. Who the hell would really do it?

Sometimes this show feels like it's about a pack of monkeys given assault rifles and machine guns. Maybe if Miyuki's old man wasn't such a useless womanizer and had a positive influence on the youth around him, some of that might be avoided, but now it's juveniles waving powers around, some of them able to control the power but not the aftereffects, some of them not even in control of the powers themselves. Yet nobody gives a damn.

[Buffalobiian]

I hate that whole fake relationship plot element. It's always used as a cheap road to unnecessary drama. Plus it always feels so forced, especially when one or both of the people involved have real romantic interests elsewhere. As if it was such a great idea to appear as a couple with some other girl/guy in front of your love interest. Who the hell would really do it?

No one, unless you're in the same situation they're in (having to put up a fake relationship such that you're never suspected of having an "affair" with someone you're not supposed to love). Honestly though, I don't know. Someone trying to get citizenship via marriage might do something similar, but that's not comparable.

As for monkey/assault rifle, that seems to be the whole point of the school - see which monkey is the best in a non-combat sort of way. I don't know what to think of this either. On one hand people are trying to preserve the supernatural by pooling them all here, but they don't seem to be taking care of them either.

[Buffalobiian]

Commie - Episode 12 (http://www.nyaa.eu/?page=download&tid=444451)

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Quite a sweet ending, even if I ultimately don't know what is going on in this show. Izumiko turned from a weak and somewhat annoying to watch character to a slightly less weak and much more enjoyable character. Well done to PA-works for keeping the visuals consistently beautiful.

[Kraco]

Yeah, this was a pretty ambiguous story, if you consider the anime only. I guess the novels must continue the story. But at the very least Izumiko and Miyuki got closer and took steps to recognize their feelings. Like you said, Izumiko growing some character was essential to the success.