Slow Start is a anime that I was skeptical going into. The premise is that Hana Ichinose is just starting her first year of highschool, but she has a secret, she has been held back for a year. My concern with this is this. If you are able to hide the fact that you've been held back by a year, then it doesn't make it seem like a problem.
The first scene introduces us to Hana's cousin, Shion Kyouzuka, and the very first thing they do is show her boobs bouncing. When this happens immediately when someone is introduced, it makes a statement about what sort of show the anime is going to be. It isn't even 30 seconds into the show and they're already pushing this in my face, I wanted to drop this so bad but for the sake of this blog I grudgingly continued.
So Hana comes off as a dandere, someone who doesn't say much, she seems very worried throughout the first episode. She is shy which I think compliments danderes very well, but to be honest she doesn't really make much of a presence for herself which might seem like a good idea consider her character archetype, but remember that Hana is the main character and therefore shouldn't leave a weak impression.
Tamate Momochi is a very genki, or hyperactive, character who loves to talk and can come off as a bit brash.
The other characters are Eiko Tokura who seems like the mature character who presents herself as kind but loves to tease others, and this is a good time to stop to talk about another flaw with the show, the character designs. More specifically, their height. Eiko is the tallest of the four girls, with Hana and Tamate being inbetween and Kamuri being the shortest and I will get to her in just a second. So not only does Hana looks like a first-year highschool, but Eiko looks like she is older than everyone else but remember that Hana is supposed to be the oldest.
Anyways, Kamuri Sengoku resembles a child, she desires is to eat a ton and says a lot about food. She comes off as drowsy and expresses her desire to sleep.
The show has a interesting concept but fails to utilize it. It has a sweet and innocent atmosphere but it needs to present less mundane problems, there was one scene which reminded me of Lucky Star in execution but that scene was the one which pushed Hana to the background so it's hard to say it was a good scene. Overall, it is disappointing because it could of been so much more, and yet again I have to say it's fine as a slice of life show. That's all for this post, but if you haven't already please check out my impressions on Gakuen Babysitters and Mitsuboshi Colors. On tuesday, I will return with more impressions. So with that, have a wonderful day.