Year: January 11, 2013 - March 15, 2013 | Directed by Yasutaka Yamamoto | Episodes: 10
Written by Noboru Kimura | Based on the Light Novel by Tarou Tatsunoko, Illustrated by Yuo Amano |
Roundup Rating: A-
Not Your Ordinary Guy
The anime universe has produced male leads that is usually depicted as dense, pathetic, and is mostly humiliated by their female counterparts. For quite some time there are no interesting male character that could stand up and wave the men's flag proudly until Izayoi (and Kai, Mahiro and Yoshino). He is a bad ass. A doer kind of guy - who prefers action over silly futile conversations. But most importantly, he is confident. Never in the entire ten episodes that he even doubted himself or his ability. Though it may come off as arrogant, but in my opinion if you have it then flaunt it - that's what Izayoi does. What I also like about him is his outspokenness about appreciating a girl's body, especially that of Kurousagi. He flirts with her openly and does not feel any sort of remorse for doing it so. We are tired of guy's being dense all the time, we need to see some action, and Izayoi is surely taking that initiative.
Love Boat
Although there are no real "love thing" that happened during the first season (and hopefully, there will be a second season, I am crossing my fingers) between Izayoi and Kurousagi. It did not stop all the shippers from online forums to read between the lines and just ship the two as a possible couple. Come on, we see all the innuendoes and the flirting, we want some more. There are so many female characters in "Mondaiji" but none of them can carry the same spark that Kurousagi brings when paired with Izayoi. She is the only one in Little Garden that can match up to his powers (watch episode 6) even the Gods are too weak for him. He said it himself, he will never get tired messing up with Kurousagi.
Kick Ass Villains
Since "Mondaiji" is infused with stories and characters from fairy tales and Greek mythology most of the Gods that Izayoi and company try to beat are prominent figures already in the literature world. There is the likes of Perseus and the Pied Piper as an example. To see their stories and powers turn into a different angle, and the hillarity that they can be defeated - like it was a game of pie by these problem children is totally amusing. I am sold.
The Other Problem Children and Wanting More
Asuka and You are the female problem children gifted with powers. Of course they do not have the same abilities as Izayoi, but their roles in protecting the "No-Names" are equally vital. Because the series is too short their characters were not given much emphasis. We see a lot of gift games occur but less character explorations. I want to know more about their backgrounds prior to their life in the Little Garden, I want to know why Kurousagi has strong powers but cannot compete, there are so many questions in my mind that could only be answered if the series is granted with a second season. Mondaiji is based on a currently running series of Light Novels which means there are plenty of rooms for an anime adaptation in the future. The only problem is the interest of the studio depending on the outcome of the BD/DVD and LN sales.
