Jex
Member
Wherein I once again try and persuade people that some old show they haven't heard of totally sweet and that they must check it out.
Introduction
I assume most people know and enjoy the stuff Naoki Urasawa has done (Yawara, Monster, 20th Century Boys) so hopefully this show wont be a hard sell. If by some strange fluke you've ventured into this anime thread without having experienced any of his excellent works, I urge you to go check out his most recent anime, Monster, immediately (although there exists debate about whether to go with the manga or anime, see : Manga or Anime?).
If you've already enjoyed Monster, you're probably the kind of person hoping that another one of his works will get made into an anime. I'd personally love for his newer stories, such as Pluto, to be made into anime. Sadly, that probably won't happen any time soon. Considering that his most epic (in the non-clichéd sense) and complex work, 20th Century Boys, just got made into a series of rather poor movies, I'm not holding out hope for any new anime shows. While this sucks, there are other options.
An oldie, but a goodie
You can still enjoy some more of that Urasawa goodness from the world of anime, you just have to go back to some of his earlier projects. One of those might Yawara! A Fashionable Judo Girl, but it's more of a sports/comedy show, which probably isn't what you've come to expect from Urasawa. It's still good, but I personally prefer the detective/thriller works that he puts put.
If those genres appeal, if you like good characters, and if you find Urasawa's work to be engaging, then you should check out Master Keaton. But what is the show about?
Master Keaton in summary
Helen McCarthy said:
You may not be sold based on that premise alone, but the real strength of the show lies in the execution and sophistication of the stories that are told.
Why is this show worth watching?
Unlike Monster, Master Keaton is as an episodic show, which means it lacks one big storyline. Instead, we get (mostly) a different story every episode. This may be a turn-off for some, who enjoy grand and complex plots with lots of twits, but I'd argue you should still give this show a chance.
Like Mushi-Shi, this show really takes manages to cram an intriguing plot, believable characters and good pacing all into roughly twenty minutes. That's no mean feat, especially when Keaton himself is the only real constant throughout the series(although there exist a few recurring characters).
Taichi Keaton
If you're going to do an episodic show, it is essential to have a great main character. Luckily, Keaton is a hugely watchable character - he's laidback, quirky, quiet, clumsy and at the same time, he's highly intelligent and extremely competent. In other words, he's contains all the necessary elements to be a great investigator :
Helen McCarthy said:
One of the best parts of the show is that Keaton will act in ways that may surprise you, because of his diverse background. He may have the guise of a slightly dull academic, but he's also had serious military training. It's a testament to the quality of the shows writing that such a wide variety of characteristics are crafted into one believable person.
A mature approach
Another impressive part of the show is that it's 'mature'. This doesn't mean that its 18+ rated, instead it treats it's audience like their adults. It assumes that maybe we can sit through a whole episode without an action set piece, or that a whole episode devoted to investigating an archaeological site won't bore us to death.
Which isn't to say that the show is dry, or without excitement. Instead, we get to experience a wide variety of scenarios. One episodes will be action/suspense, while another might just explore the lives of certain characters and another might just be about Keaton's family. This variety stops the show from getting stale or formulaic, and is one of the many reasons that I love the show.
Yet maybe you've watched the first couple of episodes and you aren't that into it. Considering that my job here is to try and get people to watch this show, I've briefly discussed some of my favourite episodes below. If you still don't want to watch the show, then I guess there's no hope for you.
For obvious reasons these synopses contain minor spoilers.
A few choice episodes
Episode 15 - Long Hot Day
Keaton has been sent to track down a man hiding out in Spain so that he can be served papers by an insurance company. However, after Keaton has tracked down his target he's confronted with a peculiar threat - a dog that follows him wherever he goes.
What soon follows is an extremely singular and tense episode where Keaton is hunted by the deadly canine, which has been dispatched by his master to hunt kill Keaton. There's a palpable sense of fear as Keaton struggles to use whatever he has at hand in attempt to escape his determined pursuer, who proved to be more cunning then you might imagine.
That may sound silly in concept, but it turns in to an excellent and strangely believable episode.
Kalihman of the Desert
It's easy enough to forget that Keaton is actually a kick-ass, ex-military professional, epseically when he goes around being so meek. This episode just serves as a reminder of how awesome Keaton. Keaton, and a group of workers, are rudely deposited in the middle of a desert with no water, no transport, and no hope of survival.
Luckily for everyone involved, Keaton is prepared for every situation.
The Red Wind
Yet there are also places Keaton doesn't want to de, especially if that place is located between a KGB agent and his target. Because this is Master Keaton we aren't simply treated to a bout of thrilling spy action (although we do get that) but also to the complex motivations that lie behind some extraordinary people.
Conclusion
That's just a small taster of what Master Keaton has to offer, and I don't know what else to say except : go check out the show!
For those who've already seen the show, did you like it, what are you favourite episodes etc.?
Also, has anyone checked out the manga? I assume it's good, but how is it different then the anime?
