Ojamajo Doremi 34
Pretty good episode breaking up the usual pace and focusing a bit more on Aiko's family situation. To be honest, I feel a bit of the emotional impact is lost on me due to a couple of things:
-The directing and animation weren't the strongest. They weren't the weakest, either, but if Sato or Igarashi had directed this one it would've been so much more. As it is, it felt a bit like it was going through the motions. Yoshihiro Oka's episodes have been generally above par, but he isn't infallible and he certainly doesn't have the raw talent of the lead directors. He also made episode 23, the one with the wood-chopping, which I rather liked but not necessarily for the emotional reasons.
-The throughline of the episode has to do with the dynamics within Aiko's family, and how they were broken up. As such, I feel like I got cheated out of a real payoff which they are probably saving off for later. Aiko just suffers a short case of ~anime~ misunderstandings, gets over it and makes up with her father like it's nothing -fits her character, undoubtedly, but y'know-, which feels underwhelming comparing to the great set-up made in the first half of the ep.
-Some weird dialogue choices. "The old folks need me!" Really?
There are some genuinely great bits, like Aiko's sudden hesitation when she has her mother right on front of her face. The overall structure is solid, despite my gripes, and I enjoyed the episode, so whatevs.
Ojamajo Doremi 35
Sato episode! The comedy is top-notch again. I like Onpu, she has a well-balanced personality and likes calling the fuck out of people.
Obvious jab at Toei's toy and marketing divisions. Consider yourselves called the fuck out!
Oh Doremi, you so crazy. Carrying the entire show like nobody's business. She's the heart, the spark and the comedic highlight almost every time. Such a good lead character.
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