Is it worth the wait?

If there are thoughts that came into my mind after watching this episode, it would be confusion. Confused on the purpose of this episode and with the story contained of this special. Still, after watching this my mind got filled with “what if-s”. Like, “what if this episode was 1 hour and contained brief clues on some characters backstory” and “what if this one-episode OVA was a n-episode OVA instead?” etc. Despite my raves and high ratings of Angel Beats, I can honestly say Key disappointed me in two ways. One is they didn’t bother to release character songs or voice actor singles of the three main characters, despite two of the three seiyuus being known to be great singers in their own; and the second would be this special episode. Okay, lack of voice actor singles are not really needed but that could have been a plus.

(Simple) Story

If there’s one significant thing that lacks in this special, it would be the involving and nice story present in the series’ episodes. This special is about the SSS performing “Operation High Tension Syndrome”, an operation that would fake tension, acting like having a fulfilling school life, among the students enough for Kanade to report to ‘God’ about the misbehaviour in the students.

The story, while simple, has several inconsistencies. In this episode, there’s no Takeyama (‘Christ’) and Yui was the Girls Dead Monster’s lead vocals. Why was Yurippe and the SSS still thinking about ‘God’ when it was cofirmed in the end of episode three there’s no God in the world they’re in? Also in the third episode, Takeyama was introduced for the Operation Tenshi Area Invasion. Iwasawa disappeared and moved on also on that episode. Yui was only inaugurated as the lead vocals AFTER Iwasawa disappeared.

Watching experience

This OVA still have the funny moments, gorgeous animation, excellent voice acting despite this OVA’s story having chockfull of flaws. I had a good laugh on seeing them trying to ‘increase the tension’. Probably two of the daaaaaaaaaaaaawwwww moments here are; Kanade calling the tulips ‘cute’; and Shiina along with her toys. The funniest moment here Yurippe making ALL of the SSS members eat nothing. It’s seconded by Yusa commenting “You do make the best villain after all, Yurippe-san.” If it was fully shown, Otonashi making the double facepalm during the world history class would be the funniest of all.

Conclusion

Despite having good and funny moments, this OVA won’t be good to hardcore fans who want a good story out of this due to inconsistencies pointed out earlier on this review. But for fans who want more comedy, this episode may be enough.

Story-wise, the series can stand alone even if this OVA didn’t exist. Now, let’s wait for the upcoming Angel Beats! game.

RATING

2.34 stars out of 5 + THIS

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