Coming from a viewer that has played both Arcana Famiglia games, I had a high expectation for this anime, but at the same time I prepared a cushion for myself so if the anime fall short of the game (which happens often for adaptations) I wouldn't be so thoroughly disappointed.
After watching the first episode, I can finally throw the cushion away and thoroughly enjoy this amazing show.
Many ...
Coming from a viewer that has played both Arcana Famiglia games, I had a high expectation for this anime, but at the same time I prepared a cushion for myself so if the anime fall short of the game (which happens often for adaptations) I wouldn't be so thoroughly disappointed.
After watching the first episode, I can finally throw the cushion away and thoroughly enjoy this amazing show.
Many people commented that AF reminds them a lot of Katekyo Hitman Reborn. It's hard to hide that fact that AF seemed to jumped in the KHR bandwagon, especially since the first AF game came out when KHR was at the peak of their popularity.
However, AF stayed true to their shoujo/otome game root and focused more on the heroine relationship with the eligible bachelors instead of focusing on battles the way KHR is directed. Also, instead of the 'weakling turned powerful' plot focus, AF focus more towards Felicita struggles in strengthening her power (the Lovers arcana grow with her relationship with other people) in order to save the family and her father.
I think it's important to point out again, that Arcana Famiglia is an anime based on otome game, just like Hakuouki, Uta no Prince-sama, and La Corda d'Oro. Thus the focus is not the action. If you go in this anime thinking that this is some sort of Katekyo Hitman or Naruto, you're going to be disappointed. There are action scenes, and it's done really well, but it's not the main focus so there's not going to be a lot.
The target audience for the game and the anime is about the same target audience for shoujo and josei manga who also likes shounen.
Arcana Famiglia
Arcana Famiglia takes place in a small trade island called Regalo (or Legaro in the latest AF game sequel) about a mafia family (the namesake Arcana Famiglia) that works like a self-sustaining government. The family is divided into departments called Serie, each serie is named after the tarot minor arcana, and each serie is lead by an executive that bears the major arcana. The major arcanas all bear a special power in return for a 'price' that's different for each arcana.
Anime
Arcana Famiglia anime has the burden of matching with the massive success and popularity of the original game. The game is directed very nicely, with a beautifully stylized art and action direction. The story for each character is well written and nicely personified. I'm excited to see how they will adapt each route's particular story to the anime, although with only 12 episodes I'm keeping my expectations low.
In the first episode, I'm relieved to say that the actions and animation are done very well. The seiyuus are doing a really good job even though at first I thought Noto Mamiko's voice is too delicate for the strong and fierce Felicita. The episode is a little bit rushed to introduce all the characters and their arcana, but each snippet works to highlight a special feature and traits of that person (for example, Pace and his undying love for Lasagna, Dante and his old man puns and gag, Debito and his womanizing comments). I thought the way they did the Cocoaru (Fel's power to read hearts) was pretty good. The comedy is also done well and not too over the top.
The game illustrator Sarachi Yomi (Steins;Gate) gave a shonen manga vibe to an otome game which was a very genius move to expand to both niche market and mainstream otome and shonen manga fans.
The story seems to follow a little bit of each routes but I think the main route is Liberta's and the main plot will follow the Famiglia ending.
Overall I have a very high expectation for AF and so far I love what I see. I'm looking forward to more of it.
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