Nothing Special   »   [go: up one dir, main page]

Master Keaton (1998–2000)
3/10
The Master of Failure
22 December 2014
Warning: Spoilers
Monster before Monster. That's what I thought as I bought Master Keaton, another anime of Naoki Urasawa, the show invented before his 2004 masterpiece. I checked out the main theme on YouTube, which was random, bland, and dull, but I still decided to watch the show because of what I mentioned before and because all the Master Keaton reviews were profoundly positive. I bought the first volume of the series for a dollar but, somehow, I ended up with the second. With that, I was introduced to this outrageously overrated, woefully written anime (and that's an understatement). The fact that I was ripped off has nothing to do with how I will review this show. Without further delay, here's my episode-by-episode analysis of volume 2 of Master Keaton.

Ep.6 – "White Goddess"

"White Goddess" begins with Master Keaton borrowing a sheet from a stranger. Here I learn that this show's protagonist has one of the blandest and dullest voices imaginable. Not a great way to get viewers. Keaton then runs into his friend Anna, who is protecting an archaeological site from destruction. They reminisce on their college days (and mention Keaton's divorced wife) before confronting the antagonist of "White Goddess", an arrogant and undersized businessman with plans to destroy the site. Next, Keaton and Anna meet the antagonist's mother, who accompanies them on their excavation on the site. As the three explore further into this tomb, Anna reflects on her deceased mother, who used to inspire her daughter with heroic stories. The next day, Keaton shows Anna a technique involving water and soap, using this to stop the businessman's construction plans. The antagonist then receives a slap across the face from his mother, Keaton returns the sheet to the stranger, and he walks away, the "case" closed.

(My thoughts: From what I've seen so far, Keaton has an overwhelming resemblance to Kenzo Tenma, the protagonist of Monster. Keaton is this exceptionally nice person but is a bit distant and mysterious, just like Tenma. The difference is that Tenma has more emotion and depth, making him a more likable person, someone you'd root for, and I don't think Keaton has that. And another thing, a mystery should have suspense, plot twists, and a cunning villain. "White Goddess" didn't have any of that. So far, I don't think Master Keaton is a mystery. I don't know what it is.)

Ep.8 – "Negotiator's Rule"

(I skipped Ep.7 because the title "Memories of Summer Pudding" sounds like nothing but more disappointment. Don't worry; I'll get back to Ep.7 later.)

"Negotiator's Rule" kicks off with a bang, with this elderly woman called in the middle of the night, informed that her husband is kidnapped and demanded to pay an absurd amount of money to the kidnapper, the caller. Master Keaton is summoned to help free the woman's husband, a wealthy electronics manager, by negotiating with the kidnapper. The kidnapper codenames himself "Apollo" and calls the woman "Achilles" before demanding even more money (Keaton notes this and realizes the kidnapper is knowledgeable of Greek mythology. This point is never discussed or mentioned again in this episode.). The climatic moment of "Negotiator's Rule" is when Keaton persuades the woman to pretend to break down while talking to the kidnapper. The purpose is to make the kidnapper feel guilty and release the husband. Master Keaton saves the day (shocker), the husband is freed, and Keaton walks away, another case closed.

(My thoughts: I'm happy that Master Keaton is becoming somewhat interesting but I'm extremely frustrated that the kidnapper's identity was never revealed. There was, however, a really obvious suspect. It was this grumpy employee of the husband, always noticeably nervous when conversing with Keaton. The suspect and the woman were both much better actors than Keaton. That's not saying much.)

Ep.7 – "Memories of Summer Pudding"

This episode is about Keaton's daughter forcing our perfect protagonist to get over his divorce and to get along with his womanizing dirtbag of a father. Neighbors re-unite, Keaton and his dad reminisce, and I can't make it halfway through the episode. You know how I said "Memories of Summer Pudding" sounds like disappointment? I was right.

Conclusion

The anime's knight in shining armor, Master Keaton, is a man of many occupations: an archaeologist, an adventurer, an investigator, and a father (I think I'm missing some). While this makes Keaton a well-rounded person, it also makes him a flawed character. Taichi Keaton is the extremely one-dimensional, unbelievably boring, do-the-right-thing protagonist of a show with plot holes galore, of a mystery show devoid of acting, action, and mystery. What happened to that second volume of Master Keaton? That waste of a dollar is where it belongs, where it deserves to be – in the trash.
0 out of 8 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

Recently Viewed