Since Episode 13 is finally subbed, it’s safe to assume that Allison’s part of the story has ended. I figure that a short little review/reflection is in order for the first half. I also want to use the introduction of Lillia (whom I’ve always thought of as completely unrelated to Allison and Will but actually turned out to be their daughter) to speculate a little on what’s to come.
The first half:
There isn’t much re-watch value in the series because the plot is so linear. Then again, no other genre aside from slice of life has re-watch value. Too much attention was devoted to developing the plot as opposed to the characters themselves. What makes this disregard for characters disappointing is the failure of the plot to provide substance in the story. (If one is to ditch a particular aspect of a series, supplement it by making the other parts shine.) I’m not asking for mystery and adventure which can rival the works of Agatha Christie or Edgar Allen Poe, but at least provide me a story a little bit of depth and some intrigue. Twelve to thirteen episodes is a short time frame which ought to be used to weave various mini-subplots together; it’s not long enough to build up and conclude three separate stories.
The plot is being hung out to dry because Allison & Lillia is an adventure series, so I can forgive a lack of character development. But when adventures start to become ho-hum, red flags should be popping up.
The second half:
Lillia may look like her father, but she takes after her mother. The same seiyuu helps in that respect. I’m alright with an auburn Allison though – I’ll settle for imitations with her vivacious and upbeat attitude any day; 13 episodes of staring at Will’s deadpan expression is enough for me. Unlike everyone else, who felt their heart strings being tugged at because a pregnant Allison was being left to fend for herself, I was more concerned that Allison would become melancholic. I’m thankful that Lillia turned out to be just like her, and I’m definitely interested in the tangles that she’ll be getting herself into.
A couple highlights from Episode 13 (quite literally a couple):
Will makes for a horrible spy (like the Brits featured in the 4th round of Brain Food). Also, I’d like to reiterate how thankful I am that Lillia has her mother’s personality.
Filed under: Halfway Point | Tagged: Adventure, Allison, Allison & Lillia, Anime, Lillia, Madhouse, Will
i put this series on hold, and i might pick it back up if lillia’s story is good
For some odd reason, the fuzzy wtf romance development of episode 13 totally blew away all the shortcomings of the adventure plot of the first 12 episodes away. Or maybe I’m just real glad that I get to hear Mizuki nana for the rest of the series as well
Episode 13 was a bit of a surprise for me. It came out of nowhere, and seemed like a desperate appeal to emotions.
It sort of worked.
I was just finally glad that Will had realized Allison’s feelings for him, as well as stating his own for her. That took way too damn long.