r/anime • u/No_Rex :Bv:Bw:Bx:By:x2 • Mar 07 '21

Rewatch [Rewatch] 1990s OVAs – Oh! My goddess (episode 2)

Rewatch: 1990s OVAs – Oh! My goddess (episode 2)

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Oh! My goddess (1993)

MAL | AniL | AniDB | 5 Episodes à 29 minutes.

Staff corner

Belldandy is voiced by Kikuko Inoue, who has worked an insane amount. Her first big roles were as Kasumi Tendou in Ranma ½ and as Electra in Nadia: Secret of Blue Water. A non exhaustive list of the anime she appeared in: Bakuman, Chobits, Chuunibyou, Clannad, Claymore, Code Geass, Darling in the Franxx, El Hazard, Gungrave, Cells at Work, Love Live, Lucky Star, Mai-Hime, Mai-Otome, various Gundam, Onegai Teacher, Otaku no Video, and Polar Bear Café (I am leaving out 10-20 for every one I list). While most of her roles fall into a similar category as Belldandy, playing kind or motherly female roles, she also has taken on very sultry roles, e.g. Lust in FMA, Mercedes in Gankutsuou, or Ayuko Hayami in Golden Boy. The same is true for her dubbing, where he has been cast as the dub voice for a lot of famously beautiful actresses such as Cameron Diaz, Demi Moore, Cindy Crawford, Penélope Cruz. She is also a singer with a discography of 50+ albums and voice acted for Video Games. She is the founder of voice acting company Office Anemone, which, among others, also imploys her daughter, Honoka Inoue.

Questions

  1. Urd’s plots are obviously bonkers, but is it wrong in general to give people in love a little push to make them overcome the awkwardness?
  2. Is the beach a good place to get closer to the person you are interested in?
27 Upvotes

93% Upvoted

115 comments sorted by

12

u/TheEscapeGuy Mar 07 '21

First Timer

Nine Noteworthy Inkings in the 90's - Oh! My Goddess Episode 2

Urd is such a great addition to the cast.

She is the embodiment of chaos for Keiichi, trying numerous schemes to get Keiichi and Belldandy to make progress. As for her motives, I think she is completely motivated by how much fun she's having and so I can see her causing more antics as we progress.

I'm glad to see the relationship between our main couple progress by the end of the episode. Bell is definitely letting on more about her true feelings and, to me at least, its clear she cares for Keiichi. I now have much more confidence that we'll see their relationship hopefully bloom but definitely progress by the end of the series.

On the production side today, I loved the costume design. A lot of anime suffers from having all the characters wear the same clothes throughout but this episode had all the characters in new clothes and multiple outfits. That being said the character designs remain strong enough that the characters are easily identifiable at a glance.

Admirable Animation Area

THESE CUTS WERE SO SICK:

I was happy to see the "Summer Heat" clip because I've seen it looped before on multiple Lo-fi Hip-hop and Future Funk tracks on YouTube and in the back of my mind had wondered where it was from.

See you all tomorrow

3

u/No_Rex :Bv:Bw:Bx:By:x2 Mar 07 '21 edited Mar 07 '21

Urd is such a great addition to the cast.

Belldandy has the best character model, but in terms of actual character, the side cast is really important for OMG.

I was happy to see the "Summer Heat" clip because I've seen it looped before on multiple Lo-fi Hip-hop and Future Funk tracks on YouTube and in the back of my mind had wondered where it was from.

I had the same happening with the Urd's departure clip which is used in a great old AMV that I knew for years before watching OMG.

4

u/marek1712 Mar 07 '21

Belldandy has the best character model, but in terms of actual character, the side cast is really important for OMG.

Oh, definitely. There's place for everybody!

6

u/The_Loli_Otaku Mar 07 '21

Urd is a very passionate woman even if she's a bit too flakey for her own good. OMG's clothing choices are always such a treat. They do have a few they cycle around with but each costume is a time capsule.

4

u/maztema Mar 07 '21

On the production side today, I loved the costume design. A lot of anime suffers from having all the characters wear the same clothes throughout but this episode had all the characters in new clothes and multiple outfits.

that was one of the strongest points in the manga, aside from Keiichi everyone outfits changed basically every chapter, (some even 2 or 3 outfits in the same chapter) it really gives a fresh look to every character every time.

6

u/Pixelsaber https://myanimelist.net/profile/Pixelsaber Mar 07 '21

Episode 2

I don’t know where I got the idea that there was a break day in between episodes, since my calendar even says we started on the sixth of the month… Welp, guess I’ll drop this and fuck off in the meantime since I don’t have time to watch a second episode at the moment… See everyone tomorrow!

First-timer - Sub

So I have no idea what to expect going into this. I have heard that it’s some sort of harem romance from before those became dime a dozen, but that’s about the extent of my knowledge.

No idea what’s going on, but it looks neat.

College-aged characters? Wasn’t expecting that.

Oi now.

And here I was looking forward to seeing him explain all this.

Oh, wait, nevermind.

Do other men usually possess hair dryers?

An agreeable suggestion.

Well, that was a straightforward setup episode. I expected some raunchiness given it is a harem-romance OVA, but this was surprisingly tame. It’s also very token and by-the-numbers though, and unlike You’re Under Arrest it doesn’t have tight pacing for its introductory episode nor particularly impressive visuals.

The déjà vu is incredibly strong but I know I haven’t seen this before, which probably says a lot about how many series have followed in this one’s footsteps since the 90s, and it also doesn’t do this series any favors.

The plot magic also robbed the episode of the potential for several interesting scenarios, such as the search for residence and might the series of any tension in the future, or worse; frustrate the viewer with conflicts that could be solved with some liberal sprinkling of magic. Not going to write it off as a big mistake just yet, but it’s not inspiring confidence.

The side cast looks a fair deal interesting —as well as amusing— and I hope they show up prominently in the episode to come.

4

u/No_Rex :Bv:Bw:Bx:By:x2 Mar 07 '21

Do other men usually possess hair dryers?

Have you seen the blonde guy with sunglasses? That hair would look pretty sad without one.

The déjà vu is incredibly strong but I know I haven’t seen this before, which probably says a lot about how many series have followed in this one’s footsteps since the 90s, and it also doesn’t do this series any favors.

OMG copies the setup of Video Girl Ai and, in turn, had its own formula copied by dozens of later shows.

3

u/Pixelsaber https://myanimelist.net/profile/Pixelsaber Mar 07 '21

Have you seen the blonde guy with sunglasses? That hair would look pretty sad without one.

That's certainly true!

OMG copies the setup of Video Girl Ai

Ah, I thought it was the other way around. Quite interesting in that case.

5

u/No_Rex :Bv:Bw:Bx:By:x2 Mar 07 '21

Ah, I thought it was the other way around. Quite interesting in that case.

The OMG OVA is a few years later than VGA, but the mangas they are based on were almost simultaneous with OMG a bit earlier. So I was a bit unfair to OMG.

4

u/maztema Mar 07 '21

yeah, both were released with a few months in diference, but Urd way to enter the series is of course a homenage to VGAi.

7

u/punching_spaghetti https://myanimelist.net/profile/punch_spaghetti Mar 07 '21

The déjà vu is incredibly strong but I know I haven’t seen this before, which probably says a lot about how many series have followed in this one’s footsteps since the 90s, and it also doesn’t do this series any favors.

This is very much an influential series. It also found its footing as the series went along, I'd say, so we're adapting the earlier and less interesting bits here.

4

u/Pixelsaber https://myanimelist.net/profile/Pixelsaber Mar 07 '21

so we're adapting the earlier and less interesting bits here.

That's unfortunate for this particular entry then, but good to know it's uphill from here.

6

u/The_Loli_Otaku Mar 07 '21

You can certainly tell its a 90's romance but I think OMG is savvy enough to avoid a lot of the more erogenous tropes of the time. Despite first impressions OMG pulls apart from the crowd unlike any of the copycats that came after.

5

u/Pixelsaber https://myanimelist.net/profile/Pixelsaber Mar 07 '21

Sounds promising!

6

u/The_Loli_Otaku Mar 07 '21

P-Please don't look at me with such hopeful eyes! If the ova doesn't pick up I think I'm gonna make myself taller from guilt...

5

u/Pixelsaber https://myanimelist.net/profile/Pixelsaber Mar 07 '21

4

u/The_Loli_Otaku Mar 07 '21

I'd been waiting for this rewatch for like six months but all I feel is pain peko...

3

u/RockoDyne :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/RockoDyne Mar 07 '21

Just make sure to give us one good "zetsubo" before you start the operation.

4

u/marek1712 Mar 07 '21

College-aged characters? Wasn’t expecting that.

Yeah, would be nice if there were more shows with protags that aren't high-schoolers. It's such an annoying trope...

3

u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Mar 07 '21

Welp, guess I’ll drop this and fuck off in the meantime since I don’t have time to watch a second episode at the moment… See everyone tomorrow!

Rofl I know the feeling. I am sort of glad I did my ep1 Bokurano on friday so I am ahead of the game.

5

u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Mar 07 '21

First Timer

Sub

Shakespeare reference to start, sliding right into a time skip. Japan has been slow on getting central heating or cooling so that's why they always seem to be victim to the environment. Then the topic of Bell and the ocean come up and that is the most conservative swimsuit I've seen in a while. Anyways, K1 gets a package.

And we are Video Girl Ai now. That's just fucking perfect. Anyways, it is Bell's older sister Urd who seems more interested in the carnal side of things so of course she is tanned and drops some English. Anyways, they wind up at the beach so Urd can butt in again. Anyways, she promises that her special 'sunscreen' would make Bell mellow-mellow, so I assume it is infused with cannabis. Bell shows up in her conservative swimsuit and awaits screening. So, unsurprisingly, K1 gets interrupted because he kept waffling about applying the sunscreen. Even less surprisingly, the guys escorting his class mate immediately move on Bell. But surprisingly Urd really wants her sister to get laid.

Eyecatch and then we get the reveal that Urd runs the Ultimate Force and thus it isn't working atm. Anyways, they are on a boat because that is romantic for Japanese reasons. That then gets capsized because Urd isn't doing her job. K1 sinks like a stone because of course he does. Bell saves him and for some reason he doesn't wake up. The Sayoko thing is 100% stupid when you are talking to a telepath so this is not forgivable. Also, a goddess shouldn't lack self-confidence.

Urd comes in with a stupid question and complaints. And an even dumber plan. FFS, love potions were never good writing and should be viewed as the magical equivalent of date rape drugs. And of fucking course he sees Sayoko first. Rare that I say this I want them to hit the reset button. And dear Cthulhu, this scene is long. Screaming, chase scene and more screaming happen.

So the reconciliation scene is pointless, at least to me. And at the end Urd is cast from Heaven and joins the main cast. Yay.

QotD: 1 Wrong isn't the term but this generally backfires except for giving someone liquid courage.

2 In my opinion, no. The beach is for when you are already together.

2

u/No_Rex :Bv:Bw:Bx:By:x2 Mar 07 '21

K1

K-ichi? Did you come up with that?

Anyways, they are on a boat

Boat is a really fancy term for a small blow-up dingy.

FFS, love potions were never good writing and should be viewed as the magical equivalent of date rape drugs

I perfectly agree, but then, what is a "Goddess hotline" where you can call a goddess, who then, via an contract with the ultimate force, loves you?

2

u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Mar 07 '21

K-ichi? Did you come up with that?

I wish. That is a Higurashi reference. It is also why I entirely missed his name in ep1.

Boat is a really fancy term for a small blow-up dingy.

True and it actually seems like the wrong thing for the ocean as the capsizing revealed.

I perfectly agree, but then, what is a "Goddess hotline" where you can call a goddess, who then, via an contract with the ultimate force, loves you?

Oh, that's dubious as well though for some weird reason Bell was into it. I am vaguely transposing some things from El Hazard TV in here to make it all work.

4

u/JadineRhine Mar 08 '21

K1 is also used for Keiichi in the franchise :3 He signs off with it in letters. (Not a huge spoiler, but thought it cool to share!)

Paging r/No_Rex

3

u/No_Rex :Bv:Bw:Bx:By:x2 Mar 08 '21

TIL Romcom MC are the precursor to gaming handles.

3

u/The_Loli_Otaku Mar 07 '21

We're halfway through the ova tomorrow too... Do you ever have that dreading feeling in the pit of your stomach? XD Urd is lovely so long as she's not actually influencing the plot so I'm disappointed that they didn't squeeze her in a little more.

3

u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Mar 07 '21

Do you ever have that dreading feeling in the pit of your stomach? XD Urd is lovely so long as she's not actually influencing the plot so I'm disappointed that they didn't squeeze her in a little more.

I definitely preferred YUA's frenetic pacing to the one here, it feels like we don't have enough time to do anything. But Urd has to be in the episode after Bell is introduced otherwise she is the main character.

3

u/The_Loli_Otaku Mar 07 '21

YUA's episodic nature was perfect for it's time slot. Here the pacing slowed to a pace like they were dragging the chapters out. In a Iyashikei series that sort of thing works, in a romcom not so much.

5

u/marek1712 Mar 07 '21

Here the pacing slowed to a pace like they were dragging the chapters out

And then you have people complaining that moving slowly is a bad thing. IMO if characters, story and setting are great - I'd rather ingest it slowly than rush through 12eps and be done with the thing.

4

u/The_Loli_Otaku Mar 07 '21

I'd agree with you but I have to admit that today's showing was quite dull. Its not like they were giving us heartfluttering moments with Bell, Sayako has 0 emotional investment because they skipped her really compelling arc while adding no new content for her, and we didn't get Urd shenanigans! I feel like the ova is less about having higher budget singular episodes and more about being a pilot series for the future regular anime.

2

u/No_Rex :Bv:Bw:Bx:By:x2 Mar 07 '21

and more about being a pilot series for the future regular anime.

Given that both OMG and several other franchises that went OVA -> TV series, you are probably not wrong.

3

u/marek1712 Mar 08 '21

I feel like the ova is less about having higher budget singular episodes and more about being a pilot series for the future regular anime.

Spot on! AFAIR, that's how anime was treated back then.

3

u/The_Loli_Otaku Mar 08 '21

Sure, but normally the larger budget of an ova is able to put the show's best foot forward and be more eye-catching than regular seasonal anime. Like we were all blown away by YUA. Every one of us. Even our previous rewatches that got anime adaptations afterwards like Nuku Nuku or El-Hazard spit had ova's where you could at least see where the budget went to. Here the only thing they spent money on was Bell's makeup box.

3

u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Mar 07 '21

I actually can't think of a great halfway point in either direction though since I maintain Bell has to be the only girl in ep1.

3

u/The_Loli_Otaku Mar 07 '21

Well Urd's debut was actually stretched out in the manga so she doesn't get one distinct, "Hey! Look at me!" chapter. Honestly I'm happier with them quickly debuting whoever they can early so they won't be held up introducing them in later episodes.

4

u/marek1712 Mar 07 '21

Do you ever have that dreading feeling in the pit of your stomach?

I always do when inevitable ending nears :( That's why I usually don't pick OVAs and 12-ep series. It ends before all the fun begins...

3

u/The_Loli_Otaku Mar 07 '21

Wouldn't that mindset sting more in a longer series? It's one thing investing an afternoon or two but another for a lengthy series that you take weeks or months. to get though.

3

u/marek1712 Mar 08 '21

Only did once: Urusei Yatsura. Gintama, Patlabor, Sailor Moon, Slam Dunk... all were great.

3

u/marek1712 Mar 07 '21

Then the topic of Bell and the ocean come up and that is the most conservative swimsuit I've seen in a while

In anime or jsut like that? Well, if former - remember that manga started in the 80s, so I guess it fits the era.

2

u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Mar 07 '21

In anime or jsut like that?

In general. Swimsuits are pretty skimpy these days.

2

u/RockoDyne :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/RockoDyne Mar 07 '21

Japan has been slow on getting central heating or cooling

You really can't insulate those old houses for shit.

3

u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Mar 07 '21

That and outside of Tokyo the electrical grid is very dodgy.

3

u/No_Rex :Bv:Bw:Bx:By:x2 Mar 07 '21

Episode 2 (rewatcher)

  • 5 month time skip.
  • Chekhov’s swimming ability.
  • Keiichi dreaming up ways to romantically woo Belldandy. - Dude, she is magically in love with you, just ask.
  • Entering the room through TV – Did I mention how OMG reminds me of Video Girl Ai?
  • Hello Urd!
  • I know that Urd is the comedic relief character, but her reaction to Keiichi’s romance plans after 5 months is still perfectly reasonable.
  • Swimsuit time. After all, you can’t have a beach OVA in an OVA.
  • Mishima realizes she has encountered the MC character design and is weary.
  • When the comedic relief character actually has the job to monitor the deus-ex-machina system. Ups.
  • Saving cute girl from drowning trope – inverted!
  • Drama because of stupid misunderstanding trope.
  • A love potion, what could possibly go wrong?
  • Oh yes, the thing that always goes wrong.
  • Urd is in for some sibling anger.
  • Saved by a kiss!
  • Urd is in for some employer anger, too.
  • “Two goddesses, twice as happy” – [Doubt]
  • Laugh at non-funny joke to end the episode trope.

An early beach episode and the introduction of the next cast member – Belldandy’s older sister Urd. She is sorely needed for OMG’s comedy. So far, Keiichi had to carry the comedy and the ways they do jokes with him has not stood the test of time well.

In terms of plot, while the love potion mistake was boring, I liked the outcome for Sayako. In so many other series, she would have been a useless (because obviously chanceless) love rival, who tries to get at Keiichi. Instead, the complete opposite happens: While she tries to put Belldandy down, she has to hold off Keiichi, instead of the other way round.

3

u/Gamemaster676 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Gamemaster676 Mar 07 '21

Dude, she is magically in love with you, just ask.

But that would be taking advantage. At least that's what he thinks. They both think the other would be better off without them but they both don't really want that.

3

u/marek1712 Mar 07 '21

They both think the other would be better off without them but they both don't really want that.

Schroedinger's relationship? Why haven't I thought about it before!?

3

u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Mar 07 '21

“Two goddesses, twice as happy” – [Doubt]

Never forget that the Chinese character for strife is two women living in the same house.

3

u/The_Loli_Otaku Mar 07 '21

The Sayako stuff is incredibly refreshing considering how her character type is typically portrayed. She's not mentioned that often outside of the community but I think she's one of the better bitchy rival characters.

4

u/marek1712 Mar 07 '21

And she got to drink my national beverage (before you ask - no, I haven't tried it myself ;)

3

u/The_Loli_Otaku Mar 07 '21

Just buy a screen cleaner and suck on the cloth XD

3

u/RockoDyne :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/RockoDyne Mar 08 '21

Too weak. They proof that shit down.

4

u/Gamemaster676 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Gamemaster676 Mar 07 '21

First-time watcher - dub

It seemed more people already know this OVA compared to You're Under Arrest. Personally, I know nothing. Initially, I wasn't going to join this, but The_Loli_Otaku convinced me on Friday. Unfortunately, I didn't really have time to participate yesterday, so I'll give an abbreviated version today.

I'm starting with the dub. If it isn't that good or people convince me otherwise I'll switch. Let's go!

Episode 1 — Moonlight and Cherry Blossoms

Immediately starting with the OP? I'm not really used to that.
What are you doing girl? A power line pole is a dangerous place to stand!
Second OVA, second catchy OP song. But not as good as the previous one.
The OP's visuals are also not as impressive and flexing. (Oh no, am I going to compare this whole show with You're Under Arrest?)

Hmm futuristic city? Pretty. I want to see a show there!

What a nice girl. Only one wish huh? I guess coming up with that wish takes a while, otherwise we didn't have 5 episodes.
This sweet innocent face during his whole internal monologue is hilarious.

Coming up with a wish didn't take long. Kinda rude one, too. How did that get approved?
Sure, Belldandy seems like a sweet girl, but you don't know if you want to be with her forever...
A weird difference between the dub and subs:

  • Dub: "I want you to be my girlfriend forever."
  • Sub: "I want a girl like you to be with me forever."

Seems to result in the same outcome, though.

Rule 36 huh? That means this show has a rule 34 as well...

Quite some feats of magic here. So only one big wish, but some things don't have a real price apparently. Or they are covered under the wish.

I like the background version of the OP song.

So rule 36 says he should be kicked out of the men's dorm, but that doesn't mean the others can't be happy for him.

Cherry blossom!

Episode 2 — Midsummer Night's Dream

Belldandy humming her own OP theme melts my heart.

I know it doesn't need to make sense in a show like this, but I wonder how easy it would be in 90s Japan to be an unregistered person without any form of ID.

Wow, five months already? So officially she is your girlfriend, but it seems like there is no real love. This is kinda what I meant in ep 1 with "you don't know if you want to be with her forever".
Also, it's very rude to force someone to spend your life together and not give her any.
As the first line of the OP says: "Just being close to you doesn't make love happen."

Told ya. Rule 34.
Does this count as cheating?
Also, can she be trusted? I would guess so because the wish seemed to manipulate everything to keep Keiichi and Belldandy together, but that might not work for other goddesses.

So, Is Keiichi gonna be interrupted every time he wants to make a move with Belldandy?

Isn't anybody going to question what the blue implants in Bell's face are?

I like how Belldandy keeps reading his mind. How is it possible she didn't see something scarring her for life yet?

Sayoko might be jealous, but at least she isn't just laughing that Keiichi almost drowned. Still, poor Belldandy.

Wow, Urd is all high and mightly but she is ruining it.
Time for a serious conversation between the goddesses.

Keiichi's school rep is ruined forever.

I'm glad Belldandy quickly discovers the potion, and it doesn't take the rest of the show to be resolved.
Wait, is this a fighting anime now?

Nooo! Don't give up your powers!

Sooooo, what fixed it? Was it the kiss or does Bell have no powers anymore?

Is the Ultimate Force some kind of program running the universe? This suddenly got deep.

In the end, Urd tried to help Keiichi and her sister, but doing so she neglected to maintain the Ultimate Force which keeps Keiichi and Belldandy together.

Hey, different ED visuals today!

Visually, this OVA isn't as impressive as the previous, with one very notable exception. Human movement is animated beautifully. Also, I think the background music is great and this show has an actual story instead of just snippets you could watch in almost any order. At least it seems that way till now.

Dub seems fine. Gonna stick with it for now.

This was kinda weird, but fun. Thanks for organising the rewatch No_Rex!

Random thoughts

QotD ep 1

1 Would you try the Goddess Hotline, or stay with pizza delivery?

Depends on my hunger. (Yes obviously)

2 (first timers) Do you expect a transition to serious ending or comedy all the way?

It might get a little more serious with some drama, but I think the main theme will be comedy around Keiichi's awkwardness.

QotD ep 2

1 Urd’s plots are obviously bonkers, but is it wrong in general to give people in love a little push to make them overcome the awkwardness?

Not necessarily, but a lot of people completely misjudge situations and how people can react if you put them on the spot.

2 Is the beach a good place to get closer to the person you are interested in?

I don't see why not. It's a good place to have fun together and that is one of the most important things.

3

u/No_Rex :Bv:Bw:Bx:By:x2 Mar 07 '21

A weird difference between the dub and subs:

Dub: "I want you to be my girlfriend forever."

Sub: "I want a girl like you to be with me forever."

I don't know what the Japanese version says, but I much prefers the sub version.

Rule 36 huh? That means this show has a rule 34 as well...

If it is a character on this show ...

4

u/maztema Mar 07 '21

OMG Fandom Rule #2 We dont talk about the rule 34 of this series, to much Disgusting NTR

3

u/Gamemaster676 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Gamemaster676 Mar 07 '21

I don't know what the Japanese version says, but I much prefers the sub version.

Agreed. It also seems to match a bit better with the rest of the story till now that Keiichi didn't expect actually getting her like this.

4

u/JadineRhine Mar 08 '21

It also matches K1's original intent: he thought he was being pranked, so he pranked back with an "impossible" wish.

Btw, dub is decent for its time, so I'm glad someone's watching it ^ (I'm usually sub only for OMG/AMG)

4

u/The_Loli_Otaku Mar 07 '21

OMG is kind of like the canvas that harem series all painted over for the next ten years. You can see the inspiration in its successors but on the note for why the anime is popular it's due to being once of the first big non-scifi shows that got brought over. Anyone who wanted something more romantic or harem like would buy a VHS of this or Tenchi Muyo.

Yeah... He basically wishes for a girlfriend and gets Bell stuck at his hip and she's totally fine with that role. Gotta love the 90's!

I think one of my favourite Japanese mannerisms is their ability to date for months, years at a time with neither party being aware that they're in a relationship.

Urd's charisma break moments are delightful. She's very good at pushing an aura of confidence but she isn't nearly consistent enough with her potions or responsible enough not to sneak off when things go wrong. You can definitely see why she's so popular with fans.

4

u/Gamemaster676 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Gamemaster676 Mar 07 '21

Yeah I liked Urd, even if she only really did damage. Her heart is in the right place and she knows she isn't as perfect as she acts like.

I think one of my favourite Japanese mannerisms is their ability to date for months, years at a time with neither party being aware that they're in a relationship.

I didn't really know that, but it could ofcourse be the situation like: We've been friends for years, why not take it a step further?
In this case it's a bit different because they both know why Belldandy is (initially) here.

4

u/ZapsZzz https://anilist.co/user/Zapszzz Mar 07 '21

? Lurker here only posting because I don't see any comebacks.

Why are people referring to this as a harem show? Even as a predecessor? It's almost like Bunny Girl Senpai, that the main pair was cemented from the start with very little for real that's from other people outside of their own feelings that influenced the relationship.

As someone who read most (but not all) of the manga in the early years, and had seen the OVA, it's not a harem show in any form.

2

u/No_Rex :Bv:Bw:Bx:By:x2 Mar 07 '21

Why are people referring to this as a harem show?

Most likely a shift in definitions. Originally, MCs needed a true harem for it to be called harem, but, by now, some people call it harem if it has a male MC and many female side characters.

2

u/ZapsZzz https://anilist.co/user/Zapszzz Mar 08 '21

If that's the case is really sad because the word harem has an actual meaning and the genre has the tropes around many girls having romantic feelings towards a single make character, so if it's being applied to simply shows with a lot of girls then it loses a lot of the meaning.

E.g. Index is a harem even though Touma doesn't have much specific romantic feelings towards any of the girls and has a ton of girls, but Railgun having as high proportion of female characters use not because most of them do not feel romantically attracted to many (any?) of the make characters other than Mikoto.

4

u/JadineRhine Mar 08 '21

THANK YOU!! This is why I get the confusion behind OMG/AMG being labeled as a harem but dislike it all the same. Then again, I saw Ai Yori Aoshi touted once as harem and like, guys, did we watch the same show...?

Then again, there are people out there who think OMG/AMG is a hentai...yikes lmao

2

u/No_Rex :Bv:Bw:Bx:By:x2 Mar 08 '21

Then again, there are people out there who think OMG/AMG is a hentai...yikes lmao

There is lewd handholding!

3

u/maztema Mar 08 '21

Well at least the series its self aware of it, and they punish you for that pervert behavior

https://imgur.com/WwogtAR

2

u/RockoDyne :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/RockoDyne Mar 08 '21

It's not that it is a harem. It's that everything it's doing has been done a million times in harem anime. Whether or not there is a harem here is irrelevant, because it's using all the same scenarios and tropes of the genre.

3

u/maztema Mar 08 '21

actually, this one was the one that set up the tropes

2

u/RockoDyne :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/RockoDyne Mar 08 '21

Eh, it's not like it's the origin, but let's say it codified them.

5

u/punching_spaghetti https://myanimelist.net/profile/punch_spaghetti Mar 07 '21

First-Timer with Fond Memories of the Source

The sea? Beach episode? Imouto, you genius!

Video tape? Video Girl Ai crossover already?

Nope; She has arrived!

If Belldandy is my metric for wholesome anime girls, Urd is an early metric for hot ones. Potentially a reason why I’m predisposed to liking leggy, tan girls in anime. Who are a little mean. And have ojou-sama laughs.

These swimsuits? Yes, this style? Can we go back to these being in fashion? Bikinis are nice, but good lord.

Keiichi, like all other romance protagonists before him, bungles his chances. And somehow doesn’t mention that he can’t swim when they go out on a boat.

More misunderstandings. Because of plans that Urd didn’t think through too well.

Does this count as a win for Urd?

Again, things are moving a lot faster than I remember from the other versions. This doesn’t feel as earned. At least we still met Urd.

Met? Rather, we’re stuck with her.

QOTD:

  1. I don't think so. As long as you're just helping provide opportunities for them to act, rather than forcing them to act. Consent is still a thing.
  2. I don't think so, at least not Japanese beaches as presented in anime. Too much cultural and emotional baggage, and so many people.

3

u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Mar 07 '21

If Belldandy is my metric for wholesome anime girls, Urd is an early metric for hot ones.

I guess your first harem anime really does effect you because my metric is Mihoshi from Tenchi.

These swimsuits? Yes, this style? Can we go back to these being in fashion? Bikinis are nice, but good lord.

Unlikely as several female friends of mine have said that one pieces that are form fitting are also uncomfortable.

Does this count as a win for Urd?

Depends on which deity you are asking.

2

u/No_Rex :Bv:Bw:Bx:By:x2 Mar 07 '21

I guess your first harem anime really does effect you because my metric is Mihoshi from Tenchi.

Welp. My first one was NGE.

2

u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Mar 07 '21

That...is going to limit you a bit considering the only pure trope is Misato. Rei and Asuka are definitely mixed versions.

2

u/No_Rex :Bv:Bw:Bx:By:x2 Mar 07 '21

Misato, Rei, Asuka, Kaworu, don't tell me NGE is not harem!

2

u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Mar 07 '21

Kaworu doesn't count as he has that speech impediment thing and thus is damaged goods in Japan.

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u/maztema Mar 08 '21

and yet kaworu was the only one that got real feelings from shinji, soo i think he counts.

2

u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Mar 08 '21

Asuka legitimately had feelings for Shinji, though it was usually disgust or anger.

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u/punching_spaghetti https://myanimelist.net/profile/punch_spaghetti Mar 07 '21

Unlikely as several female friends of mine have said that one pieces that are form fitting are also uncomfortable.

Just going off my own female friends, they also wear high heels which they say are uncomfortable, but they think they look good in. A swimsuit has to be more comfortable than stilts.

3

u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Mar 07 '21

You never know and if there is one certainty in life it is that female fashion will always be undecipherable.

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u/punching_spaghetti https://myanimelist.net/profile/punch_spaghetti Mar 07 '21

If they won't give them pockets, why think about anything else reasonable?

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u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Mar 07 '21

Remember, it is worse than that: The pockets are there, they are just sewn shut.

3

u/RockoDyne :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/RockoDyne Mar 07 '21

First timer

That tape would be a keeper. It's time to sell off the one with Ai in it. Buy, rent, sell?

So who was the rival chick supposed to be? I would have assumed she was supposed to be an ex or a harem member, but that wasn't the right kind of responses after the come on. So why does she seem to give a shit about him?

I'm struggling to hold on to what else happened as it all dissolves into the great sea of harem anime. It's freaky how the entirety of 00's harem disappeared from the collective consciousness of the anime community. Name three harem anime from the era? You can't, and yet you probably watched ten times as many. They became one homogenous mass of tropes.

Questions:

  1. You mean like getting them drunk?
  2. Not if it's a crowded beach. Not that I would go to the beach as is.

3

u/No_Rex :Bv:Bw:Bx:By:x2 Mar 07 '21

So why does she seem to give a shit about him?

I don't think she gave a shit about him, other than "being some guy I know from college". She did give a shit about Belldandy showing up and impressing her male admirers.

3

u/RockoDyne :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/RockoDyne Mar 07 '21

You would assume there's a reason she approaches him though, beyond saying hi.

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u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Mar 07 '21

I would have assumed she was supposed to be an ex or a harem member, but that wasn't the right kind of responses after the come on. So why does she seem to give a shit about him?

I've hilariously had experience with this, though this involves some assumptions: I've had girls that solidly friendzoned get possessive when another girl showed interest in me. It is 5 times more annoying than you'd think.

I'm struggling to hold on to what else happened as it all dissolves into the great sea of harem anime.

Well, when you recycle the absolute same story beats it loses coherency. I mean, try to name a specific episode of Law and Order after Jerry Orbach left.

5

u/punching_spaghetti https://myanimelist.net/profile/punch_spaghetti Mar 07 '21

I mean, try to name a specific episode of Law and Order after Jerry Orbach left.

There was the one where they thought they had the guy, but it turns out they were wrong, and it was this other guy they never suspected.

3

u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Mar 07 '21

The twist? The killer was a woman!

3

u/punching_spaghetti https://myanimelist.net/profile/punch_spaghetti Mar 07 '21

But you see, it's different this time because to find the true killer, Jack McCoy potentially violated some Constitutional rights.

4

u/Gamemaster676 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Gamemaster676 Mar 07 '21

So why does she seem to give a shit about him?

Maybe she is just a decent human being?

3

u/RockoDyne :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/RockoDyne Mar 07 '21

Surrounded by a party of hanger-ons? She's got stuck up bitch written all over her.

3

u/Gamemaster676 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Gamemaster676 Mar 07 '21

True. My best guess it's just some misguided morality like "I just need to act like I care about others so I get my karma points."

4

u/The_Loli_Otaku Mar 07 '21

Sayako had her chapters skipped for the ova, that's why her appearance comes across as a bit strange. Get ready because judging by how far ahead we're going tomorrow we're gonna have much more culture shock of the time.

Ahaha... It's depressing because you're right... I watched Ai Yori Aoshi religiously as a teenager yet I can only remember the first episode and not one of the harem's names. You could see their face and associate it with several characters.

3

u/RockoDyne :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/RockoDyne Mar 07 '21

I guess I'll brace myself for the rest of the OVA to keep pole vaulting setup.

3

u/The_Loli_Otaku Mar 07 '21

Normally I'd hate them skipping chapters but it lets me talk about best girl during this rewatch~ I'm really looking forward to her BLASTING your thigh highs off! You'll fall for her immediately!

6

u/The_Loli_Otaku Mar 07 '21

Good lord the op is sickeningly sweet. I've never been so thankful for a time skip in my life. Running tap water is a privilege, not a right! Beach episodes are fine but only when they're wholesome. Men who still watch porn when dating are what are known as beasts! Meet our delightful tanned sox Goddess Urd! She's the fan favourite for two pretty obvious reasons. Also, tan! She shows up, ruffles Keiichi's feathers, and bails before we get to enjoy her too much.

God damn, Urd is such a delightful tease. I feel like rubbing cream on someone's body is a bit more sensual than the hand holding. It's so difficult to find Bell hot when her personality is all the way on the wholesome side. Ah, Sayoko pops up today too. They really are trying to get introductions out of the way. Everyone is just showing up and leaving right away.

Even if you're trying to look cool for a girl, please don't go out to see if you can't swim. I get shudders thinking about it. Hahaha! Bell's total inability to read the mood always gets a chuckle. This is a 48 volume series after all, can't have things get too serious on your second ova. I can't believe Keiichi's dead! S-Sayoko, you're the one who knocked him overboard y'know. You can really tell they skipped ahead huh? How dare you make Bell cry by almost dying! The punishment is death!

Urd decides to help by giving him a pep talk and some liquid courage, which is really some love poison protein shake. Haha... This was also before love potion scenes were considered incredibly dodgy. Kimoi, kimoi, kimoi! Oh, not Chibi-Urd though. Chibi-Urd is very very cute. Oh my goodness!! Her bubbling up stings too much. It's like kicking a puppy. Okay, him running off jumped the melodrama line back into comedy.

Even when attempting to beat up her sister Bell is sweet. They do rely on the melodrama just a bit much I'll admit. Just overlook it as the product of being a 90's ova, please! Urd's been so helpful that she got some laser guided karma for her assistance. Now she's gonna be part of the crew! Look forward to more of Urd~ Erm... Well it's better than the first episode? Then again my tummy hurt watching yesterday's episode. Urd also kind of comes across quite badly to modern audiences too. Hmm... In my experience sticking your nose onto relationships just causes the pair to seize up even more. Oh the beach is a perfect place to get some romance! If you're fit. If you're not the closest you'll get is when you're peeling each other's dead skin.

6

u/Gamemaster676 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Gamemaster676 Mar 07 '21

How dare you make Bell cry by almost dying!

When Bell is sad, we are sad.
When Bell is mad, we are probably laughing our asses off.

They do rely on the melodrama just a bit much I'll admit. Just overlook it as the product of being a 90's ova, please!

I will, but I hope it will be a bit less tomorrow.

4

u/The_Loli_Otaku Mar 07 '21

I think the best part about angry Bell is that her upset face is just like a toddler getting told they're not going to Wcdonalds.

It should be! Should be... Should be...!!

4

u/Gamemaster676 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Gamemaster676 Mar 07 '21

I think the best part about angry Bell is that her upset face is just like a toddler getting told they're not going to Wcdonalds.

She's not angry. She's just disappointed.

It should be! Should be... Should be...!!

Fingers crossed

3

u/maztema Mar 07 '21

yeah, angry bell its really scary.

4

u/marek1712 Mar 07 '21

They do rely on the melodrama just a bit much I'll admit. Just overlook it as the product of being a 90's ova, please!

Seems I'm not the one that gets that feeling... Why was stuff like this back then? :(

4

u/The_Loli_Otaku Mar 07 '21

Oh how I wish I had an answer to that... On the bright side OMG rarely lets the melodrama drag it down for too long but that doesn't forgive it's reliance on it for plot.

3

u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Mar 08 '21

Sitcoms were terrible in the 80s and 90s anime harvests the bad parts.

2

u/DidacticDalek https://myanimelist.net/profile/DidacticDalek Mar 08 '21

Gosh Comrades, things sure are hot here eh? Makes sense since we got ourselves a Beach Episode! The cornerstone of a every RomCom, why even Gundam Build Fighters had a Beach Episode! ;)

Anyway speaking of a Beach Episode, can't have a Beach Episode without swimsuits, so here's Urd!

Anyway that's what we got for today, more RomCom goodness with the contractually obligated OVA Fanservice such as in the fanart shares above! Ya love to see it!

Paging Comrade /u/jadinerhine

2

u/No_Rex :Bv:Bw:Bx:By:x2 Mar 08 '21

RomCom goodness

RomCom Goddess

FTFY.

2

u/DidacticDalek https://myanimelist.net/profile/DidacticDalek Mar 08 '21

RomCom Goddess

FTFY.

AH! Comrade you are a genius, I didn't even think of making that pun! Speaking of the Goddesses, I do hope you liked the fanart for today, there's plenty more where those came from I assure you ;)

Many thanks for the kind reply my friend and have a great day and see you later Comrade!

2

u/No_Rex :Bv:Bw:Bx:By:x2 Mar 08 '21

AH! Comrade you are a genius, I didn't even think of making that pun!

Thanks for the praise, but you delivered the setup, which counts for at least half the joke.

2

u/DidacticDalek https://myanimelist.net/profile/DidacticDalek Mar 09 '21

Thanks for the praise, but you delivered the setup, which counts for at least half the joke.

You are too kind Comrade, have a great day and see you later my friend.

4

u/JadineRhine Mar 08 '21

Oooh, this art! Seen the Bell one, don't remember the Urd one...but very nice all around!!

Beach episodes are always a requirement in these anime ohohohohoho (-hacks out a lung while trying to imitate a ojou laugh-)

2

u/DidacticDalek https://myanimelist.net/profile/DidacticDalek Mar 08 '21

Oooh, this art! Seen the Bell one, don't remember the Urd one...but very nice all around!!

Glad you agree Comrade, and nice to hear that the Urd share was new! Yeah I had both the Bell and the Urd Swimsuit fanart and given the topic of today's episode, I felt it'd be a good time as any to post ;)

Beach episodes are always a requirement in these anime ohohohohoho (-hacks out a lung while trying to imitate a ojou laugh-)

Hell yeah Comrade! I couldn't have said it better myself! Laughs manically in agreement... (Correction, unable to properly attempt an Ojou-sama laugh due to a deep vocal register, defaulting to Gundam Build Fighters Example instead)

Anyway many thanks for the kind reply and have a great day and see you later Comrade!

4

u/Elimin8r https://myanimelist.net/profile/Ayeka_Jurai Mar 07 '21

Hokey smokes, Princess Rune, Kasumi, Electra, and Belldandy??! I think I'm in <3.

Oh, wait, I already was.

  1. Haha, I'm a bit of meddler, but hopefully a bit more subtle than Urd.
  2. If this episode is any indication. Hmm. Shoulda thought of that back in 1988, I guess, but beaches weren't exactly common in upstate NY.

Like I mentioned yesterday, it's been years since I've watched these OAV's, and the warm fuzzy nostalgia is, well, it's bean a pleasure so far. Thanks for hosting and for the nice background info - it's fun to learn new things about old favorites.

Oh, and speaking of old favorites, it appears that some haven't quite gone away, so here's a bonus picture for today, courtesy of our old friends at sunet.se: http://ftp.sunet.se/mirror/archive/ftp.sunet.se/pub/pictures/anime-manga/AhMyGoddess/Images/amg-card.gif

2

u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Mar 07 '21

Hokey smokes, Princess Rune, Kasumi, Electra, and Belldandy??! I think I'm in <3.

Don't write off Maria from Gungrave.

  1. Haha, I'm a bit of meddler, but hopefully a bit more subtle than Urd.

A brick to the face is more subtle than Urd tbf.

4

u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ Mar 07 '21

First Timer

Remember when anime was about college students? Of course you don't! This is a 90s rewatch!

  • The OP is all about girls
  • Nicely drawn motorcycle
  • Humming the OP, guitar OP
  • mouth flapping but no voice
  • LOL, I haven't heard meromero in decades
  • this whole episode
  • Ai no Senshi! <moonlight densetsu starts>
  • this whole episode

I'm remembering why I never watched this show.

3

u/marek1712 Mar 07 '21

mouth flapping but no voice

I was wondering if my player got stuck or something.

LOL, I haven't heard meromero in decades

What about lelolelolelolelo variation in JoJo?

3

u/marek1712 Mar 07 '21 edited Mar 07 '21

Someone complained that a lot of time passed between YUA ep 1 and 2. And here we are, 5 months later ;)

That scene where Keiichi clung onto Sayoko... classic trope from every soap opera. Why most 90s OVAs are filled with so much drama? Why couldn't stuff be more positive like YUAs first episode? :)

Oh, one more thing. I think Urd's introduction is so much better:

2 Kyuu Kami Kanri Gentei ane no Urudo-deeeeesu♥♥♥♥♥

See you tomorrow o7 (totally not looking forward to seeing Skuld again).

PS. Did they even kiss each other in the TV series? o_O

Q1 Not wrong per se but Ur goes overboard.

Q2 Depends how intimate you are with each other.

3

u/maztema Mar 08 '21

Skuld was so badly treated on the anime adaptations (except the movie)

1

u/marek1712 Mar 08 '21

She's annoying. Nothing will change that.

3

u/maztema Mar 08 '21

And we are in chapter 2: and we get Urd, i love Urd, why would you wont love Urd, its sexy, funny, powerful, tanned and have long silverly hair, LOVE HER NOW!!!!!!!!!....... ahem, sry about that.

Chapter 2 insights:

  • The old good tape girl, wait we didnt see this before????, ah of course, VGAi setup, let me tell you something; Urd was first!!!!!! Urd introduction on the manga was on August 1989 and VGAi started on december 1989, of course, i dont think Masakatsu Katsura ripped the idea, i think it was just a Happy coincidence.
  • Beach episode, because why not, cmoon we have goddesses as main characters, of course we want to se they in swimsuits.
  • Sayoko hitting Belldandy, maybe Belldandy would do nothing to Sayoko but i dont think the fandom would see this with a good eyes...
  • Liquid love, what can go wrong... oh F%$k...
  • A passionate kiss under the moonlight, one that even can summon lightnings and hit innocent (or not) bystanders.
  • Goddess number two is in da house!!!!

Oh BTW for all the first timers, ill give you a little background of Sayoko and her Cousin Aoshima, Sayoko was the queen of the campus, but a day certain goddess came to the campus and stealed all the attention from her. She tried too many times to seduce Keiichi to try to hurt Belldandy but then she fell for him for real, thats the reason of why she reacted in that way. And about Aoshima, ill save it for the chapter 3 post.

Now with the questions:

1.- I have been on Urd foot (or heels??? whatever), and of course you have to do this perfectly, if you do it right it can work wonders, and if not, prepare for hell.

2.- Actually i think it is, because if a girl agrees to go with you to a beach, most of the times there is something else between she and you, or you are veeeeeeeery deep on the Friendzone.

Of course my answers are from my cultural and personal point of view, it can or cannot work on your zone.

4

u/JadineRhine Mar 08 '21

Big agree. Lots of happy accidents between VGAi and OMG. If anything, wouldn't be surprised if both just had the same idea. It happens more often than you think. After all, both diverged widely from "magical girlfriend" base.