Solid Comedy But Could Use Some Work: Blend S

Synopsis

Maika Sakuranomiya wants nothing more than to be able to travel and study abroad. But due to a certain issue in how she handles her facial expression, not many jobs are willing to hire her. One day as questions what she can do to change in front of a cafe window. She attracts the attention of the cafe manager and ends up being hired as a maid. Things aren’t that simple as it seems however, as the cafe calls for each maid to be a certain type of character. For the meek and innocent Maika, she was chosen to be a Sadist.

The Good

Here is one thing that isn’t really noted as a high point of a series very much, the palette work. Most often when it comes to pastel tones or light colors, it’s mostly to emphasis more light-hearted scenes, but here the way that the pastel color worked with the character designs and clothing. Basically, the series knew how to work out its art and designs in terms of tones and in placing a distinction on the characters not just in appearances but the characters’ personality as well.

On the note of the characters, the way that they were developed and explored throughout the series was rather well done for the most part. For one thing, the way that the characters’ relationships were built up in certain scenes while mixed with the comedy was rather solid. Still though, the comedy of the series is one of the higher points next to the art style and design of the series.

The Bad

For one thing, it just seemed like the entire series teased the viewer when it came to the romance between the characters. There were moments when it seemed like something would happen or something would develop but at the end of the day it dropped short and focused more on the comedy and other light-hearted themes. Don’t get me wrong, the series did a great job on these aspects, it would be have been nicer however, to see some character development rather than development on how the characters bounce off each other for the comedy.

On the other hand, there are moments when the comedy doesn’t hit that well, for this writer at least. Those moments are when the comedy is at the expense of the manager and how he lands himself in a misunderstanding. It started off pretty ok but after a while it can get kind of old.

Conclusion

Comedy wise and friendship wise, this was a great series that held some solid moments that left a smile and good laugh. However, the way that the series dealt with the relationships of the characters that held a romantic potential to them was rather lacking and a downright tease. What’s more there were moments when the comedy hits a repetitive tone. Overall this is a light-hearted series that banks a lot on its comedy and twist in character dynamics.

Rating: 7.5/10