Sci-Fi Harry - Does exactly what it says on the tin
September 15th, 2006, 3 responses
Uneducated and ignorant, my first taste of this most leafy of seasons is the earnestly dubbed “Sci-Fi Harry”. I knew absolutely nothing of this show before today and the only reason I figured I’d give it a try is because of the wonderfully unprentious name. It is literally what it says on the tin - a science fiction anime with a main character called Harry. Mirroring this complete lack of hype, there is nothing outright exciting or colourful about this show, between its typically bullied protagonist and a depressed colour scheme, this is an intentionally serious and down to earth stab at high school psychic horror.
I could describe Harry as frustrating and unpleasant - after all, he is a beaten, bullied and weak teenager and we take no pleasure in his treatment at the hands of his yobbish school mates. At the same time, he is an under dog worth supporting and provided he doesn’t collapse in a pool of [his own] piss, his development as a brave hero will rouse my heart.
Perhaps the best - or at least the most striking element of Sci-Fi Harry is its artistic approach. The surreal and completely unsettling opening theme aside (it truly is an abstract sight to behold), I was impressed by the angular facial features - the eyes are particularly detailed, beaming and jerking from side to side, and it’s been a while since I saw an anime character with a proper nose. No doubt imagining a view of life from the perspective of a jaded kid, Sci-Fi Harry evokes a lifeless and drab atmosphere just waiting to explode, and for this reason it won’t be for the excitable harem otaku.
Ultimately it’s hard to know which way this 20 episode series will eventually head - given the original manga series was scribed by the same author of Night Head Genesis, I’m half expecting an influx of gay bishounen, yet I can’t deny that this first episode of Sci-Fi Harry is striking and interesting, hardly chilling but edgy and moody, wollowing in dank modern suburbia with a curiously ambiguous and confused lead character.
3 Responses to “Sci-Fi Harry - Does exactly what it says on the tin”
Dave B Says:
September 15th, 2006 at 5:33 pm
I picked up the R2s for Sci-Fi Harry several years ago and it was a very good and entertaining decision for me. There are some very fascinating characters in it, and a shocker of an ending (with no gay bishis that I can remember…)
bateszi Says:
September 16th, 2006 at 8:54 am
Sounds promising Dave. I’m impressed you lumped for the R2s as well, it must have something special.
Decay Says:
September 17th, 2006 at 7:33 pm
I watched a portion of the show, and I must say the story is very interesting, the only thing that irks me is the main charactere who is only capable of making strange grunts and sighs. But aside from this, there are nice visuals, fantastic voice acting from a certain character and oh! the story line just keeps on getting better and better, it’s well worth watching.