Kokoro Connect 2

As the switching becomes more frequent and the confusion increases, the source behind all the soul swapping steps on the stage and it looks like it isn't going to let the five off the hook just yet. As the process continues, deeper problems and questions begin to surface. Just how will these five friends deal with their situation.

Episode two gets deep and philosophical really fast. Though the super being who can control souls comes off as a clunky narrative trick, the stage it sets is very interesting. How will the group deal with Yui's possible history of sexual harassment? What about the feelings that some of the members have for each other while they are swapping bodies? And what about Iori's question: how do you mark an identity when the two most common markers - the body and the "soul" - are being mixed and matched?

I still have some misgivings about the art at a few points - it just doesn't appear as polished as Tari Tari or Sword Art - but the show itself looks interesting enough to follow.

Rating: A-

Assessment: Watch

Kokoro Connect 1

Five friends and fellow clubs members suddenly find themselves caught in the strangest of situations: their souls keep switching place! But how do you react to the ultimate in out of body experiences? And what really is going on?

Great intro episode. We get to know the characters and the situation, the scenes are fluid, and the mystery builds to the point that you want to know what on earth is going on. The art is K-ON! styled, but I honestly thought the quality was a little off. Not enough to make a big difference, but a number of scenes felt sloppy.

What was I doing again?

Don't answer. Do not.

So far, so good. But there are a number of ways this can be screwed up or become pure cliche.

Already nursing a Inaba crush...

Rating: B+