Source: Pixiv by IsII
First off, I’d like to be totally honest and blunt about this: the OVA felt a little disappointing to me.
The OVA in itself is a strange mix of schoolgirl slice-of-life and hot-blooded action scenes which seem to have little correlation, that is, until you realize they’re not exactly following a chronological order. We’ll get back to this part in a bit.
Some of the scenes felt completely useless, too. STRength’s (as in the character) only purpose appears to be augmenting the Sequel Hook scene right after the credits. At least Black★Gold Saw was duking it out with the titular character.
There were also scenes done up to recreate the feel of the original PV, which is all well and good, except for the fact that they don’t add to the overall plot at all. Sure, Black★Rock Shooter’s standing on the end of the bridge. Why? You can’t even tell, especially since she doesn’t even have any internal dialogue during these scenes.
The slice-of-life scenes definitely dragged on for too long; the scenes in which Mato hung out with Yomi in particular. I know the writers are emphasizing the fact that they’re really close, but I think they could’ve cut that down a tad and still make it work.
I know criticizing the slice-of-life part is out of character for me, but Black★Rock Shooter isn’t supposed to be a slice-of-life show anyway. 
I’m not saying the OVA was horrible, though. The voice acting was pretty well done; the starring seiyuu fell into their roles perfectly. Kana Asumi did her job pretty well for genki girl Poplar Yuu, too.
The weapon metamorphosis bit was totally unexpected.
The action scenes were also very impressive and well-animated. The lack of speech lets you focus on the fighting on-screen, and since you don’t hear the usual internal monologue (i.e. “she’s just too strong!”) from either side, you can’t really predict the outcome, especially in the final battle. Oh god, that was epic.
Of course, this meant that Dead Master’s defeat seemed totally lame compared to the rest of the OVA. Meh.
Also, I wonder if anyone noticed how Black★Rock Shooter’s weapon reverted to its gun form before she ran down the stairs, and then turned back into its blade form in the corridor scene? Bad Ordet, bad! And we even let you have your one month delay, too!
As far as the soundtrack goes…I’m surprised the very song which the show is based on didn’t play during any of the fighting scenes, or during the opening and closing credits (though it did crop up as slow background music a couple of times).
The song playing during the closing credits was “Braveheart” by THE GOMBAND, though the song itself was composed by ryo. I’m addicted to the chorus, and the way the song picks up the pace right before it. Not to mention the rocking out.
Here’s the song and lyrics to sing along to, if you feel like it:
| Japanese (Romaji) | English |
|---|---|
| Hitotsu, jibun ni uso Futatsu, mune ga itande Dakara mittsume ni wa kizukanai furishita |
Firstly, I lied to myself Secondly, my chest ached So thirdly, I pretended not to notice it. |
| Kore de heiki Mou daijoubu da yo Boku wa boku de nakute ii kara |
I feel fine with this I’m all right now Because it’s okay that I’m not myself |
| Yowakute okubyou na Braveheart Kizutsuku no ga kowain da Aa waraeba iin darou |
The weak and timid Braveheart Is scared of getting hurt Ah, I think you should smile |
| Nakenashi no yuuki daite Me o tsuburi susumu shika nai Aa mubou to wakatte ite mo |
Embracing what little courage I have There’s nothing to do but shutting my eyes and moving on Ah, even if I know it’s reckless |
| Koukai ni oitsukare Hayaku hayaku nigenakya Dakara sutetetan da daiji ni shiteta mono |
Getting overtaken by regret I must run away quickly, quickly So I threw away the things I cherished |
| Ki ga tsuitara Tada ikiteru dake Boku no kachi nante sonna mon da kara |
When I realized it I was only simply living on Because my worth is that sort of thing |
| Mamae wa go-rippa da Braveheart Yaku ni tatanai kuse shite Abb sore de mo mada ugoku |
Your name is remarkable, Braveheart Despite that you’re of no use Ah, yet you still move |
| Inochi ni nani o negaeba ii Furueru kokoro ga sake Aa ikitakute shou ga nai y Mou takusan da |
What should I wish upon life? My trembling heart tears apart Ah, I can’t help that I want to live There’s already plenty |
| Kanashiku nanka nai no ni Namida ga afurete kuru Aa nande atatakain darou |
Even though I’m not sad My tears overflow Ah, I wonder why they are warm |
| Aa tsutaete kuretan da Braveheart Konna ni natte made mo Aa gomen boku no sei de |
Ah, you told me so, Braveheart Even to the point when it’s like this Ah, I’m sorry, it’s my fault |
| Arittake no yuuki hataite Me o ake mae o mirun da Aa konna ni mo sekai wa kagayaiteru |
Expending all of the courage I have I’ll open my eyes and look forward Ah, even when it’s like this, the world is shining |
| Saa mou waraeru darou Maketsuzukeru yuuki o mote Kizutsuku no o osorenna Saa sore koso ga boku no Braveheart |
C’mon, I wonder if you can laugh now Have the courage to keep losing Don’t fear getting hurt C’mon, indeed that is my Braveheart. |
Lyrics are ripped from courtesy of Words of Songs.
And now, back to the chronological order bit. I’ve been reading up some reviews and plot explanations here and there, and it seems the jumble of scenes got some scratching their heads.
So here’s my rough interpretation of the story’s chronology, assuming there are 4 antagonists (counting Insane Black★Rock Shooter):
- Mato befriends Yomi.
- Mato befriends Yuu, Yomi turns into Dead Master.
- Mato turns into Black★Rock Shooter to find Yomi.
- Mato defeats Dead Master and rescues Yomi.
- Yuu falls into depression, turns into STRength.
- Mato defeats STRength and rescues Yuu.
- ???
- Mato defeats Black★Gold Saw and rescues ???.
- Insane Black★Rock Shooter appears.
- ???
Expecting IB★RS to appear seems like a long stretch, but I just have the feeling she’ll show herself eventually.
So, overall, the OVA was a bit of a letdown thanks to the scene structure, but the action scenes certainly help to prevent the OVA being a total disappointment. That, and the promise of more to come.
In any case, I’ve already pre-ordered the Limited Edition set, so expect a second review on its contents when it arrives. Hopefully the animation quality will be much better by then.
I do have a lot more to say about the OVA, but due to time constraints (i.e. I can’t stay up too late since I’m booking in in 7 hours) I’ll have to cut myself short. Oh well. >_<
17 Responses to “Black★Rock Shooter OVA – My Impressions”
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I’m fine with the criss-crossing, non-chrono scenes (LOST fan), but the opening is still confusing.
,,I know criticizing the slice-of-life part is out of character for me, but Black★Rock Shooter isn’t supposed to be a slice-of-life show anyway. ”
No. Nobody said that BRS has to be an action animu. I like that they added something else than action/adventure gendre here.
And the easy defeat of Dead Master was unexpected which is good, since everybody expected her to be the main vilain?
And the time lapses were the thing I loved. Paralel time lines were the first thing that came to mind, not confusing at all.
It’s good that they threw some slice-of-life in to expand on the background behind the main characters, but they overdid it a bit methinks.
Yes, I have to agree that it’s a good thing Dead Master got overcome straight in the OVA; I would’ve hated for that not to resolve.
I got the time lapses part right too, but unfortunately quite a few don’t and take the order of the scenes chronologically (for example the Black Rock Shooter wikia) It actually gives the feeling of constant “flashbacks” on Mato’s part.
I share your disappointment, though I’m less forgiving of the dragged-out “slice of life” parts. I have no problem with the OVA being about life for middle school girls, but it was executed very poorly, with the set-up taking way too long, and the OVA failing to connect the fantasy world with the real world adequately.
My only hope is that this is the start of a series, because as it stands now, Black Rock Shooter is just 50 minutes of disappointment.
Except the music, which was excellent.
I’m really glad I wasn’t the only one disappointed.
The scenes from the “real world” were way too generic and well….boring. (not to mention the animation quality really slipped there, I guess they were saving it for the fight scenes lol)
I gave up half was through watching it because honestly, I couldn’t bring myself to get through another minute of the typical “let’s be friends” set up.
Although the fighting scenes were excellent, so props up to that!
this is similar to Avatar…. good graphic etc… but at the end of the day confusing storyline
i’m surprised people got confused by the out-of-order storyline. They should watch less anime and watch more good movies, or read some good books. It was obvious it was out of order, it’s like they didn’t even watch Haruhi xP
I agree with you that it was disappointing. I was really disappointed with DM’s defeat, I don’t think Yomi should have survived… That was how it was in Anomaro’s PV, and it was much awesomer that way =|
Ah, and your order is probably wrong. BRS fight with BGS comes before the fight with DM, since she didn’t have her scars yet when she was fighting BGS.
I was surprised as well, but I guess the main audience isn’t too well…educated. >_>
I thought Yomi surviving was alright, especially since it brings up the question of whether she’ll be involved later on. Who knows, maybe she’ll take on her DM form again – on the good side next time.
Also, sorry to burst your bubble, but BRS already had her scars prior to fighting BGS (or at least got them during the fight).
I kinda just threw my brain to the back seat and assumed this was the sole remaining video record of a free-for-all-royal-rumble for Mato’s lesbian heart.
:/
I think BGS is a stalker in real life. And the BRS world is a condensation of the important characters’ flag progress with one another.
You know what’s funny, a lot of people said IBRS wasn’t in the anime. But she “was” BRS’s super weapon is IBRS’s…
I don’t think you got the order right though… All the scenes with the real world were before the otherworld. What was weird was that BRS vs BGS was before all of this. I think that everyone in the real world has an otherworld character. i think they are all separate people, but once the anger or whatever the persons dealing with gets to them, they go to the other world and take down everything. (or something else.) Mato’s feelings were sad and upset that a friend was gone. So, When she came to BRS, she chose to get yomi back and save her. Be the hero. Yomi was angry and jealous so she became evil. Yuu, who appears as STR in some scenes, Might be watching Yomi and Mato, (DM and BRS) fight. In the end of the OVA, Yuu seems angry Yomi is alive and back. Maybe, Yuu went to the otherworld to search for mato. The rest is unclear.
Just watch the abridged version by gg. Only action scenes in the otherworld need apply.
With this a lot of disappointment -that I also found in some forum-, is there any chance for sequel of BRS?
I think that there might be a second one, based on the ending. Other than that, We will have to wait and see.
Disappointment would be the best way to describe this OVA. I like many others expect, or should I say hope, this isn’t the end
awsome stuff