Ranked #1723

Zettai Shounen

I don't write reviews, but this show only has one short review so I feel inclined to do my part.

Zettai Shonen is an anime that stays away from a lot of the normal conventions found in anime with the label of supernatural. The pace is much slower and more heavily focuses on the characters than the supernatural event itself.
Ultimately I would say that the focus is on how each character internalizes and acts on the odd things that are going on around them.

The story is broken down into two arcs. The first arc is the summer arc and the main character is a middle school boy named Aizawa Ayumu who is visiting the tiny town of Tana for the summer. The second arc called the winter arc,takes place in Yokohama and the story shifts ahead a year and a half. Also a new main character is introduced, Tanigawa Kisa. A girl who is considered an outsider among her peers. In both halves of the show, weird creatures have begun to show up and cause confusion and mild chaos.

STORY: 8

This story is heavily driven by character development, however the plot is there pushing the character's in a general direction. If you're looking for a story that delves deeply into the occult or the science of aliens than this is not the series for you. All of the supernatural events are shrouded in mystery and give off a feeling of long ago fairytale or folklore. Nothing is ever concretely explained what you are handed by the director is all that you will get.

The story moves slowly and things take awhile to develop. It doesn't necessarily take long for weird events to start occurring in the show, it's just that the development and progression of these events is not rushed. To find enjoyment in this show you have to like these characters, because outside of the characters there isn't much else for the viewer to grip onto. The upside is their are plenty of characters all of them vastly different from each other and playing out a different roll in the show.

It's not the most complicated or quickly paced story I've ever experienced, but if you give it enough time it grips you. With time you'll find yourself caring more for what is happening around the awesome cast, the story amps up the supernatural eventually until the plot seems nearly as important as the turmoil that the characters are facing.

CHARACTER: 9

The characters are the driving force of the show they are the breath by which this show breathes. Yes this is a story about odd occurences, but the important part of Zettai Shonen is how the individual characters react and change in concurrence with the strange things happening around them.

The characters in this show are strong and dynamic, they all change and grow and learn. The development of the individuals in this show feels more slice of life than anything. In fact it wouldn't be ridiculous to call this show a slice of life with a little mystery and supernatural events thrown in. There are many different people in both arcs and none of them completely abide by the typical anime stereotypes. The characters are the heart of this anime and where this story shines. You can see the motives and reasons for all of the characters actions, they don't do unnecessary things, and they react as you would expect normal people too.

I found myself falling in-love with many of the characters, especially with the residents of Tana, like Miyama Miku and Unno Shione. They were interesting and dynamic, so even as the plot dragged by slowly I could count on the interactions between the characters to keep me interested.

This is the show's strongest aspect by far, at least in the summer arc. In the winter arc I found that I was slightly more drawn to the supernatural events occurring around the cast.

ART: 7

The art style isn't exactly typical, but it isn't radical either. The way the characters are drawn is hard to put into words exactly, but it's very child like even kiddy, however I thought the style suited the show. The background scenes were nice, but didn't dwarf the characters or whatever events were occurring in the story. My only complaint is the CGI used for the creatures, it stuck out a lot in certain scenes where it was used. It could possibly have been done on purpose to highlight the other worldliness of the creatures that disrupt the town of Tana and Yokohama, but for me I would be engrossed in some scene when suddenly I'm pulled from the moment by a very harsh CGI image thrown into the mix. With time though it grew on me.

SOUND: 7

The music used for this show was appropriate, I really like the ending theme song too. They had this one repeating chorus that they used throughout the show, it helped build up a sense of familiarity and was usually placed in situations that were similar to each other or reminiscent to something else that had happened. As if the music is helping connect all the interrelated dots. The reused chorus is really light and unobtrusive so it doesn't get annoying after repeated use. At times I didn't even realize it was playing till it ended.

The music isn't epic, but then again neither is the show however it worked perfectly and never took away from the rest of the anime.

ENJOYMENT: 9

I enjoyed this show immensely by the time I finished it. However when I started I was only mildly interested, I had to keep going despite the slow pace, and eventually the characters caught my interest, and shortly afterward the plot did too. I loved the slow and dreamy pace and the overall lack of urgency despite the events that were occurring. It vaguely gives me the same feeling that Natsume Yuujinchou gives me, except it's not as melancholy and doesn't emphasize nature or the elements.

OVERALL: 8

I give this show a solid eight, I really liked it from top to bottom, the art style is a little young-looking, if I can describe it as such. At first glance it doesn't look like much, but it really delivers if you're willing to give it a real chance.

You have to be willing to sit down and watch three or four episodes before you can even begin to understand or appreciate this anime. It's not a show for those looking for action or even romance. Really I want to compare it to Haibane Renmei, in that there is a story, but the nitty gritty of the story isn't the most important aspect.

If you have time on your hands and want something that is very character driven almost slice of life like, but with a little more flesh, then Zettai Shonen is a great anime to pick up.

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I'm writing a review, yet again.

The story is pretty simple really, people got involve with the spirits sprites in the Summer Arc (Ayumu), and the evil sprites in the Winter Arc (Kisa).
If I got the information all wrong, sorry, because I didn't wacthed this on youtube. 8/10

The art is pretty good. Zettai Shounen's artwork is kinda like Kamichu, but with slight weaker animated thingimajig. Oh with 3-D. 9/10

Sound? Well, you get to hear a lot of it, and yet, I'm not impressed. For an anime that doesn't 'talk much', the backround music kinda irks me. The dub where i 've watched it? They've improve it. 7/10

The characters doesn't give themselves much histroy, but it's enought to understand. 9/10

Enjoyment, is really good, it ups points if you watch it at dawn, where the sky is dark (Not at night, that's a good way to watch horror series.)
BUT, I don't recommend you watching this anime by force. It's really broing unless you have nothing else to do. Those who wat to watch it, cannot stay for more than a few episodes, you should have a strong will of heart if your watching this online. (There's a big difference on your attention span between TV and Online, so if this is broadcasted on your local station. WATCH IT.) 9/10

Overall, well I have nothing to say except, the only real excitement here is on episode 17. (or was it 18?) 8/10 read more