RDG Red Data Girl

Although several episodes of “RDG Red Data Girl” had already aired online on Nico Nico Douga ahead of the televised run, waited for the latter to start before picking up this series.

Based on the “RDG レッドデータガール” light novels written by Ogiwara Noriko, must admit this show has not turned out how had initially expected it would be, it has somewhat of a shoujo romance vibe in a story with supernatural elements.

While am not especially a fan of shoujo or similarly styled series, am rather enjoying “RDG Red Data Girl” so far. Oddly, with those slight shoujo, spirits and Eastern wizardry elements it somehow reminds me a bit of shows like “Ayashi no Ceres” or “Wagaya no Oinari-sama”.

Animation by studio P.A. Works is very good, solid as usual like their work on “True Tears”, “Another” and “Tari Tari”. Artist Kishida Mel created some of the light novel’s original illustrations and studio P.A. Works has done a good job at merging their own signature style with that of Kishida Mel’s typical art style. Off course, the studio is no stranger to his work as he did the original character designs for “Hanasaku Iroha”.

The first four episodes form small story arc on their own, a prologue of sorts that set up Izumiko’s character, background, as well as her strained relationship with Miyuki all before they enroll into the Houjou academy. Seems that their time in high school and the awakening of the deity that Izumiko channels will the main story.

Shy, soft spoken Izumiko is voiced by Hayami Saori, she also voiced Sawa in “Tari Tari”, Sayo in “One Off” and this season she also voices Ayase in “Ore No Imouto Ga Konna Ni Kawaii Wake Ga Nai.” and Yukino in “Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Come wa Machigatteiru”.

Yonezawa Madoka voices Mayuru, she previously voiced Ui in “K-ON!” and Izumi in “Another”.

Although a male character, Wamiya is voiced by Kugimiya Rie who next to tsundere characters like Shana in “Shakuna no Shana” and Louise in “Zero no Tsukaima”, also voiced male characters such as Hasuta in “Haiyore! Nyaruko-san” or Alphonse in “Fullmetal Alchemist”.

Himegami, the deity that uses Izumiko’s body as a vessel is voiced by Tanaka Rie, she has tackled many roles like Yomi in “Azumanga Daioh”, Maria in “Hayate no Gotoku!”, Lacus in “Gundam Seed”, Minna in “Strike Witches” and Chizuru in “Shinryaku! Ika Musume”.

If you like shoujo style romance shows or series about Japanese mythology and the supernatural, then definitely give “RDG Red Data Girl” a try, you might like it.