I've finally come to realize something: I can't stand Inoue Kikuko. Her "doting mother" voice drives me up the wall.

Anyway, with the recent licensing of Ah! My Goddess for domestic release, I figure this is a good point at which to cease watching. The story hasn't progressed much, Urd and Skuld have yet to appear, and, for all I know, the show will run for a kajillion episodes. It's been relatively enjoyable thus far, but I'm not enough of a fan to continue watching the show untranslated.

Belldandy's battle with the dude from Pretty Cure was an instant reminder the show is working on a TV budget - and not a very large one, it seems. Lame.

Anyway, at least Megumi has finally made her first appearance. She's my favorite character from the Ah! My Goddess universe (sorry, Skuld), so I'm hoping she gets a fair amount of attention in coming episodes. I can only stand so much of Belldandy and Keichi acting like, well, themselves.

I don't recall this being in the manga.

I love Noto Mamiko as much as, well, every other Noto Mamiko fan, but I have to admit she seems a strange choice to play the role of Sayako. Sexy, yes, but perhaps a bit too gentle.

I never realized Century 21 did business in Japan. Learn something new every day.

The story continues to move along at a nice, leisurely pace. I'm really digging the detailed background work in the city scenes. The temple, on the other hand, is a bit dull. That's suburbia for you. Time to trade in the motorcycle for a minivan, Keichi.

I find myself enjoying the story a little more at this slower pace. Belldandy seems a little more human this time around, and Keichi comes off as less of a dork. In the OAV, the chemistry between the two always seemed forced. I'm assuming the TV series will give them more time to get to know each other, making for a more natural relationship. That's my hope, at least.

Belldandy still looks weird, though. She shouldn't have gone to the Matsubara Rhinoplasty Clinic. You'd think Heaven would have a better HMO.

Ah, this brings back memories. With the story starting over once again from the very beginning, however, I can't help but feel a touch of "been there, done that". I was never a big fan of Ah! My Goddess to begin with (both manga and OAV series), so I guess you could say I intend to watch this more out of curiosity than anything else. Hopefully, the story will prove a little more interesting this time around.

The animation isn't particularly flashy, and the mechanical designs are lacking some of the fine detail I expect to see in a Fujishima Kosuke adaptation, but all in all, this looks to be a fine production. As for the music, I usually find Ishida Yoko a little hit-or-miss, but the OP is pretty good. The background music is typical fare.

For now, I'll continue watching. There's nostalgia value, at least.