Compared to recent episodes, I have relatively little things to complain about this time around. Things were less ridiculous in episode 29, though the series seems to have lost its old “oompf” (I just don’t think I can ever get excited for Mello and Near). I’ll even pay the production team a compliment: they have done a decent job of making Light look older. Even if he does look sort of lopsided in most scenes, like his head isn’t entirely symmetrical.

OK, so it was a qualified compliment, but whatever. I tried.

In this episode, Daddy Yagami finally bites it. Oh, sorry, did that spoil anything for anyone? Probably not, considering the damn thing is titled “Father.”

We meet a new Shinigami this time around and, surprise, I think it was done pretty badly. They played this really goofy music every time he was on screen. It reminded me of penguins bobbling around on the ice or something silly like that. I kept waiting for him and Ryuk to do some kind of routine. (So, a Shinigami walks into a bar…)

A bit more fanservice gets tossed to the rabid audience, as well. (Wait, wasn’t this supposed to be a sad episode?) The camera pans up Light’s naked abs/chest as he tucks the Death Note into his pants. My eyes got rolled. Misa’s thong got wet.

Speaking of wet, is it just me or is there more sweat in Death Note now than there ever has been before? Every freaking scene, they’re sweaty. OK, I get it, it’s a tense job. For Christ’s sake, turn on the air conditioning. Figure out a different way to get the point across, maybe something less boring and over-used.

I can’t believe I even have to point this next bit out in a series that’s supposedly of such high caliber. It feels like someone discovered the fisheye effect while they were making this episode. Note to production team: it looks stupid. There’s no need to use it once and especially not twice. Ever.

I did really like the infiltration scene in this episode, I’m not gonna lie. I felt like the animation and the music meshed perfectly. It wasn’t overdone, it wasn’t hinged on some stupid metaphor, it just happened and I believed it and I was pumped. The conversation between Yagami Sr and Mello was OK, too, though Yagami’s face looked different than it has ever before.

And then…he died. Light’s seiyuu did a wonderful job with this scene (go Tama!) and the animation was decent. Afterwards, they go out on the roof (what is up with these people and rooftops?) and give Shinigoofy back his Note. And, in a shocking twist from his usual character design, Light looks very dark.

Next time: Light and Near pull out the rulers.

Posted on Monday, May 7th, 2007 at 11:33 am in Death Note SUCKS. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.