Da Capo (2003) User Reviews

Quite interesting, really

[llamalord0280 · 7/10 · 6 April 2007]

After watching a number of anime series, I actually found Da Capo to be quite interesting. It works on several levels, if one chooses to watch closely enough to notice some of what its trying to do.

Just a few examples: The title (Da Capo - a baroque musical form) is reflected not only in the overall design of the plot, but is also part of the theme, message, and the vast majority of the atmospheric music is baroque in origins to reinforce the point (though the title song is a more pop style to appeal to casual watchers). The girls, seemingly random character stereotypes, are actually designed to represent specific figures of the Juunishi (zodiac), which again ties into both title and themes. Answers about the side episodes involving "Mr. Mysterious" (the "Cat Man") are not handed to the viewer, but aside from the artistic and comedic values they may have, there's a number of hidden allusions in the sections, as well as allowing the viewer to apply some of their own meaning, much like an abstract painting.

Yet on face value, the show is largely a romantic comedy / drama. The comedy had me laughing aloud in some sections, but as with most anime (as compared to many American cartoons), you won't have joke after joke tossed at you. Much more buildup to the comedy, as well as jokes built into situations/ characters that are likely not noticeable if you haven't seen a number of other anime. The drama does feel a bit drawn out, especially in the last few episodes, though with most good anime, you're never quite sure how it might end. At the least, the ending doesn't feel out of the blue.

In the end, I'd probably only rate the anime as a 4 or 5 on the base plot and comedy/drama portion. Good, but there are many anime that do more on that level. Yet, Da Capo is probably one of the deeper animes I've seen (and in a rarity, it does not hand the depth to the viewer on a platter). It is built artistically, reinforcing its themes in a variety of ways, and as you pick up on the "extra" levels, it really makes the viewer think, and even desire to watch it again, seeing it in a bit different way.

Watch it for the laughs, or for the romance, or drama if you like. Its fine to simply enjoy and leave it at that. But there's beauty in there too, for those who would reveal it slowly and carefully.

Don't waste your time

[muffytaxie · 1/10 · 17 September 2006]

I found this show unsatisfying for a number of reasons.

The plot (or "plot") was nonexistent. After each episode I wondered what it was that I'd just watched. In the last eight episodes, a sort of "plot" was thrown in--sort of--but it really was just a poor excuse to justify producing this show. I did watch the entire thing, because I kept thinking "It has to get better than this". By the time I realized that Da Capo would never get any better, I was already almost done with the show and decided to finish it off. I wish I hadn't. If you're into shows that feature dull, non-action, no-point episodes strung together on a clothesline, then this just might be the one for you.

The character designs were very regular, often too regular, especially in the case of the main character, who's skin literally was the same color as his hair, only watered down a bit. And all the girls were pretty much the same except with different hair styles.

The music was as basic and bubbly as background music can be.

Then there were times where I'd just wonder what the heck the producers were thinking when they made this show. For example, the character Cat Man--a man with a giant cat head who wanders around after the gaggle of high school girls in a rather pedophile way. I mean, what were they thinking? "You know, this show's missing something...what we need is a new character, like...a man with a giant cat head...yeah, perfect!" And that's just one example. There are so many things wrong with this show, and the ending hardly tied up the loose ends. In fact, it wasn't really a conclusion considering that the show was lacking the plot department.

Basically, I don't recommend it. It's not even fun to make fun of. This show bored the heck out of me. Don't follow my example.

An awesome anime in the romantic genre

[alexandrur-65739 · 9/10 · 19 March 2021]

First of all I want to say that i am new in the anime genre so maybe my opinion is not the best At the start i was doubting my choose and God i was wrong Let's start with the characters All of them have unique character traits,traits that aren't forgettable like telepathy or seeing people's dreams etc Although some of the characters didn't have much screen time like Kotori's friends although this thing didn't bothered me that much The anime doesn't have a story until the last 8 episodes although I won't say that there isn't a continuity The animation is what made the animes famous and i will not say that i didn't enjoyed it The balance between comedy and drama is very good The humour isn't a gross one which is good Sure there are some cliches like that one girl likes the boy that other girl likes but it didn't bothered me The music is very catchy especially the intro music and the people that made the soundtrack knew what they were going for because the music hits right in the heart The action that is showed in the anime makes you didn't pay attention to other things and be really invested into the story a story that is sad, humorous, dramatic and a lot of other emotions Overall i will give da capo a 9 out of ten