As I wait for my money to arrive so I can finish paying my bill and buy some clothes for Hana R on Pangya Wiki, I quietly reflect on what looks like the first season of KanColle. A second season is in development (can't be an April Fools Joke because it's not on April Fools Day and it was announced after the final scene in the anime), and it received sharp amounts of criticism for the scriptwriting, series direction and the choice of character.
First off, the real-life Admiral of this show, Kensuke Tanaka, is, like the main character Fubuki, a rookie when it comes to working in the anime business. If this was under the direction of Akiyuki Shinbo or Gen Urobuchi or even Mari Okada, we would see a far more convincing series based on experience and track record. Second, there is a reason Fubuki, a generic-based starter/destroyer, is the main character. If a well-known shipgirl like Kongou or Kaga or Tenryuu (who did not appear in the anime at all) or even Shimakaze was the main character, it would divide the fanbase further than it did.
That's why Junya Oota, a.k.a. ZUN of Team Shanghai Alice, does not want to do a Touhou Project anime, even though it would have a Naruto/ONE PIECE length with plenty of arcs and would have a Saimoe leverage stronger than Madoka and Saki combined. There's too many good characters in that series with strong, loyal followings to have it based around Reimu Hakurei and Marisa Kirisame, which would be the case by default. Fans will say, "Flandre should be the main!" or "What about Sakuya!" or "Patchouli's not the MC? Blasphemy!" and so on and so forth. Sooner or later, ZUN's gotta realize that making an anime of Touhou will keep the series relevant for a long time and it's already been around for a while.
But enough of that, let's talk about KanColle. Ah, Fubuki. I am starting to have a soft side for Fubuki, even though I prefer Shimakaze and Kongou. Indeed, those two were my badge art for what is currently my most recent Anime Expo staffed to date. But Fubuki has her charms. She refers the Admiral as "Commander," which is a far more intimate, more casual drop of formalities. It's almost like Fubuki treats the admiral like a big brother, and that's fine.
The anime did not improve Fubuki's popularity much; in fact, the fan support for the other characters also remained the same. In Kantai Collection (and this is coming from someone that can't play the game due to geoblock restrictions and having to win a lottery; get a global server going already!), admirals have their ship that they adore, and it affects them if it gets sunk while on event duty or doing some sortie mission because you can't get that ship back.
But it doesn't hurt to see the beauty of the ordinary. I see Fubuki as the Akari Akaza of KanColle. Ready salted, simple and delicious. She doesn't have to go over the top or what not to be awesome. To appreciate Fubuki is like appreciating a good bag of ready salted, kettle-cooked crisps or brown rice without anything placed on it. Or, a bowl of three scoops of vanilla ice cream without any toppings.
The way Fubuki was portrayed in the anime was noteworthy, except for one thing: her second remodel wasn't shown, just her first. Thus, my speculation is that the second season will introduce the second remodel with the black uniform with red trim and the green eyes. I am torn as to which Fubuki I like. Do I go for the first remodel? Or the second remodel?
It's a massive dilemma that will be resolved when the second season rolls around and the remodel is portrayed. I hope the eyes are just palette-swapped for Fubuki's Kai Ni. It's better that way. I don't like them in the style of Yamato, Yuudachi or the Big Seven NagaMutsu combo. So for now, the jury is still out. But it's temporary and unlike some gamers who are calling out the anime in general in an attempt to convince the 2ch Saimoe voters that the race is open now that Saki and Madoka are gone, I liked the KanColle anime and am eagerly awaiting the second season.
Dammit, Commander Izumi, stop staring at me and get back to work RIGHT NOW!
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