Ping Pong 1:
The visuals for this show are just amazing. I absolutely love the art style they've come up with, and the animation is obviously top notch. There were so many moments in the episode that were just expertly handled. Aside from just the animation, the direction in general is superb, with the use of panels in a variety of shots to show action happening on a small scale, and the way the timing of every little move is handled in detail, this is really a show with a high level of craft on display. The main characters are also pretty interesting the way they're set up, particularly because they don't really fall into typical lead character type roles. Peco is kind of obnoxious, but the show also seems fully aware of that. I was really impressed with pretty much every aspect of the first episode, and I'm looking forward to watching the whole season. It's always really nice to see a unique show with a very specific vision, and that's what Ping Pong is promising.
You can get attached to a character in under a minute if the writers do their jobs right. The idea that you need a 50 episode series or a multi-volume series in order to have enough time to get attached is kind of silly.
Kyouko's backstory was for me, highly emotional, and it was played perfectly because it wasn't just a sad moment, but it also explained everything about the character and why she acted the way that she did. Sayaka's tragic fall from a bright eyed optimist to having nothing to live for and having to confront the reality of having sold her soul was also a really harsh moment. For me, the reveal about the soul gems is far less about it being a 'shocking reveal', and more about how it effects Kyouko and Sayaka (and Madoka to a lesser extent). That's what Madoka has going for it. It's not about shocking moments and the brutality of them; it's about how the characters respond to those moments.
And there were other really emotional moments, too. Madoka and her mom's conversation at the table about how to help a friend and what growing up means was pitch perfect, and the scene with Madoka's brother playing at the end of the show is also a very emotional moment. It's bittersweet, because her family doesn't remember her, but there's also the idea of the slightest memory of her living on just beneath the surface. I think you can form more of an emotional attachment to Madoka's mom in about 15 minutes of total screen time than you can to many other characters across long series.
