2015-09-24

Rin-ne - Season 1

Rin-ne (境界のRINNE) is a supernatural comedy based on the manga of the same name by Takahashi Rumiko.  The first season aired on Japanese TV in 2015.


    Mamiya Sakura ended up in the afterlife as a small child.  A kindly woman helped her return to the living world, but before then Sakura ate some food while in there.  Ever since she has been able to see spirits.  A new transfer student catches her attention when she realizes she is the only one who can see him.  In reality he assumes a spirit form while wearing a colorful haori (overcoat).  After being marked absent for the first few days of school he finally shows up wearing his middle school gym uniform.  The odd transfer student is Rokudo Rinne is desperately poor, living in an abandoned apartment building near the school and unable to afford the proper uniform.  The reason Sakura is the only one who can see him while donning his haori is due to him partially being a shinigami.  His grandmother, the same person who helped Sakura as a child, married a mortal man.  Rinne however is cursed with having to work as a shinigami in order to pay for not only his grandmothers indiscretions with his grandfather but also to pay off the debts accrued to him by his father.  Spirits are attracted to Sakura and Rinne feels partially responsible, helping her to combat them.  Unfortunately for her, Rinne also attracts his own supernatural problems.  All Sakura want's to do is live a normal life, free of the afterlife's influences.


    After a long long time it is fantastic to have a comedic series from Takahashi-sensei.   Rinne has all of the best parts of the humor she has displayed over her 30+ year career.  The series doesn't take it's self very seriously and the frequent announcer voice over works wonders to tone down any drama that crops up.  The animation is true to her styling and isn't flashy by any stretch of the word.  Much of the series shares commonalities with Rama 1/2 in regards to comedic styling and set up.  A number of Ranma 1/2 characters make brief cameo's in the show as well.  In many ways this is the best comedic series from her.


    The story is episodic with no real overall goal or destination.  Characters and situations are introduced through out that recur afterwards but there is no real forward progression with the series.  Near the end of the run some of the episodes became a bit bland with the story and delivery.  But ultimately, the final segment of episode 25 where Rinne and Sakura open a letter in the offering box at the school, the letter makes the announcement that season 2 will being in the Spring of 2016.  That is fantastic news to me.  This is one show, for now, of her's that should continue.  There is word of more characters and situations being introduced, which is good as this show needs a larger cast to keep fresh.  If it does keep going for a few more season hopefully it doesn't fall prey to the uselessness of Ranma 1/2 after season 3.


    The series was simulcast on Crunchyroll and Viz has been releasing the manga.  Sentai Filmworks has licensed the series for future disc release.


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