Shuffle: Complete Collection (S.A.V.E.)

Ten years ago the portals of heaven and the gates of the abyss open, releasing their hosts. But they are not here with swords and armor, no they are here with suitcases and cameras. Welcome to your new neighborhood where humans, gods (who have elf ears), and demons (their ears look like Ryoko of Tenchii fame) all live in peace. Hoever for Rin, who is the target of a group of people because he lives with the most desirable girl in girl (Kaede) known as the KKK (knights to kiss Kaede, not the ones in hoods), does not care. But when two transfer students arrive things get interesting. Not only are they the daughters of the Kings for gods (Sia)and demons (Nerine), but both say they are engaged to Rin. Then add to the fact that they are his neighbors really throws things loopy, as the fathers try to force Rin to choose between them. Add another cute demoness (Naru) and his childhood friend (Aya), can Rin actually make a decision on who he loves, or will he go mad in the process.

I bought all the disks when they first came out and this is one of my favorite shows. It is more adult (light to mid Ecchii (partial nudity, topless scenes, panty shots galore)) then most harem comedies, but it does have a very good story which needed the full 24 episodes. The characters are well developed and well liked, and each one has a story and a dark secret that when you watch it compells you to keep watching (especially Naru and Kaede's). When you get to the end, there is no plot lines hanging, but it did leave an opening that could bring out a new season or series (though after all these years it might not happen), but of course the end choice could have you yelling at Rin. Buy it and add it to your collection, you will not be disappointed.

Here we have an anime about Rin, who is a less than stellar student that one day ends up getting the god and demon kings daughters in love with him, and they want him to choose one of them to marry. What follows is a typical anime story about a guy all of a sudden having a bunch of girls liking him, but turns into a bunch of crazy events at the end.

While the main story is about the girl the main character has to choose in the end, it's also about the side adventures they get into. A lot of the characters in this series have more than meets the eye quality to them, and it's fun to try and figure out what's going on with each of them.

The animation is nicely drawn with attention paid to their surroundings, and it's kind of cool to see the types of ears "Demons" and "Gods" have. I like the detail they gave to each character; it really shows off their personality. The music fits the anime well, and I like it.

This is another Anime that Netflix provided streamers to watch, and while its average at the start, the crazy plot twists and the choices the main character makes at the end make this well worth watching. If you don't watch it on Netflix it's usually pretty cheap and would be a nice addition to any Anime collection. It also ends on a great note.

~ Written: January, 2012

Positive:
* Nicely done animation
* Crazy later half
* Good ending
* Lots of back-story to the main characters.
Negative:
* Some people may not like his choice at the end

I have been very impressed with a number of anime series I have seen lately (Kanon, Love Hina, Chobits, K-On!, Strike Witches, Angel Beats, Clannad and especially Ah! My Goddess!), but Shuffle! rates up there with the best of them! It is lovable, heart-warming, cute, sad at times, funny (with mostly embarrassing humour involving underwear!) and just leaves you wanting more. It has some fanservice (panty shots etc.,) but not too much.

The story follows 17 year old student Rin Tsuchimi, who lives with friend Kaede Fuyou and her father (who is almost always away on business) since the death 8 years earlier of both his parents and her mother in the same car crash. They are like brother and sister, and Kaede loves looking after Rin, whom she is secretly in love with. They are both in the same class at high school, along with friends Lisianthus, aka Sia, Nerine (also known as Rina), Asa Shigure (who is known by her tendency to slap Rin hard on the back in greeting, much to his chagrin), Mayumi Thyme, who is noted for her flat chest, although she is very pretty; she is very self-conscious about this, and not unknown for beating to a pulp any male who comments on the fact! Also part of the story are pretty youngster Primula (known as Rimu, or Rimu-chan), who turns up looking for her 'big sis' Nerine, and Eustoma and Forbesii, the fathers of Sia and Nerine, who both regularly embarrass the daylights out of their respective daughters, Sia particularly tending to get violent and hit her dad over the head with a chair when that happens! Last of the girls is Kareha, who has a tendency to sigh and go gooey-eyed whenever she sees anything she thinks is 'cute'! The only other male character in the proceedings is Rin's friend Itsuki Midoriba, who is an idiot, and tries to get the girls to go out with him using the most preposterous methods, which always fail. Only once in the entire series does he have anything wise or worthwhile to say. Last of all is their home-room teacher Nadeshiko Benibara, who is single, very attractive, and totally fed up with most men's attempts to pick her up (in one episode she confides in one of the girls, saying to her 'Where are all the good guys? They are mostly already taken, and I get left with the idiots!).

The actual storyline comes down to the fact that most of the girls (who are all gorgeous, and mostly kind and intelligent) are in love with Rin, who is a kind, caring guy, and known for going out of his way to help anyone, often to his own hurt. Each of them wants to 'land' him, and he dates each of them over time. The backgrounds (some of which are extremely sad and heartbreaking) of each are covered in flashback, and the resulting events vary from cute, funny and awkward to very painful. I won't say any more in case I spoil things, but suffice it to say I was totally riveted from beginning to end; I'm just sorry it finished! You totally get to feel like you know and love these guys; I felt a real wrench when it was over, but it is a lovely story, and the feelings it stirred in me stayed with me for ages. You must see this!

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