Ranked #625

REC

REC only spans ten episodes (counting the DVD special) and those episodes aren't even full-length, yet it manages to be more heartwarming and entertaining than many longer series. It isn't groundbreaking at all, but if you don't hate predictable romance anime, it is a perfect way to cheer you up when you're feeling a little down.

Onda Aka is a rookie voice actress who one day encounters the salary man Matsumaru Fumihiko, who's been stood up by his date, in front of the cinema. Long story short, Aka makes Matsumaru watch the movie together with her and the flames of love are ignited. Later the same night, Aka's apartment catches fire and she is taken in by Matsumaru. Romantic events ensue, but when waking up the next day, neither of them regards themselves as a real couple. Incidentally, they end up working together with the marketing of Matsumaru's latest invention: a leaf-shaped crisp. Aka is - of course - voicing the product's mascot, Neko-ki - a tree with a cat's head.

The focal point of the story is, not surprisingly, the development of the two main characters' relationship and how it is affected by Aka's rise in popularity; is it right for her to prioritize her career even though it leads to her not being able to spend time with Matsumaru? Though the story is far from original, I still really cared about Aka and Matsumaru. Because REC is, unlike most other anime belonging in this genre, not full of unnecessary melodrama or supernatural elements - it is realistic, and that makes it so much more engaging.

Animation studio SHAFT, of Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei and ef - a tale of memories fame, is responsible for the animation. REC's visuals don't impress at all, but they suffice; Aka is heart-wrenchingly cute and Matsumaru is... well... ordinary. Backgrounds and the like are good as well.

The seiyuu (voice actors) did a great job with all the characters, including the minor ones, enhancing the warm atmosphere of the anime greatly. Music was always fitting though far from memorable. The opening wasn't my cup of tea, but, then again, I couldn't care less.

To summarize, REC isn't the most innovative romance anime around, but it's realistic approach to the genre makes it refreshing and the chemistry between the characters (who are the series' greatest strength) is wonderful and Aka and Matsumaru's feelings toward each other feel genuine. I would not have complained had it been longer, but it's shortness may also be a strength; it never got even close to boring, even though I watched it all in one sitting.

A highly recommended anime to all romance fans. read more

Well, I watched REC, and I think that it was quite a good storyline, for a short series! 9 episodes, spanning 12 minutes each. It’s a shame there wasn’t more.

But hey, onto 1st my review!

I’ll split this into 5 secions, rating each section, then give an overall x/10 rating!

Story 8/10

I enjoyed the story, some good twists in it, and it was good ’slice of life’, in my opinion. I wish that there was more anime for this series. It was a good start to the series, and the ending was quite good also, a little more wouldn’t have gone a miss though!

Animation 9/10

I like the animation, there were some really good bits, some weren’t that great, but it did the job! I think that most of it borderlines on amazing, but after recently seeing the AIR movie, I’m not sure anything’s going to beat that!

Sound 7/10

The voices fit the characters, I think. I think that they were good at the roles, and nothing was out of place… Well, nothing except the ‘REC’ bits, that randomly appear throughout the episodes… There are some strange noises >,<… Never mind though.

Character 8/10

I enjoyed the development of the characters in this series, however short lived it was. You got minimal detail about the history of the characters, learned what they wanted, or what their dreams were, and then followed Aka as she fulfilled hers. Mind you, Matsumaru had his fair share of achievements!

Enjoyment 9/10

Overall, I really enjoyed this anime, even when it was so short. I mean, short series’ are okay, but sometimes I think the longer, the better. This one proves that theory wrong!

My overall rating…

Drumroll, please!

8/10

*Off topic*

Haha, I was reading about this anime on other sites, and I found out that, liek a lot of other anime, there is a manga for it, so I’ll be off to buy that one when I get paid! xD
But then, considering the Manga is, if I am correct, still being written, maybe they will go ahead and make more anime from it?

That is all! read more

REC,

Story:
REC, incorporates real life problems with a warm feel. This story is basically life, while trying to understand your feelings with a cute spin here and there, but serious when it needs to be.

Art:
Art is good, borderline amazing.

Sound:
Soundtrack is good, character voices were cute, well portraying of the characters.

Character:
Character development is great, you end up liking the characters and somewhat can relate to their problems as time goes on.

Why did I like this anime?
It was pretty damn cute, life problems mixed in with a 'I love you, but wait do I really?' type of feel. It relates to life problems and is somewhat humorous and serious when needed. Very good anime, feeling of satisfaction I must say. read more

Cute. Wish there were more. The character's were beautifully written, as was the plot. The relationship between the two main characers were perfect, as they explored the growth their personal and work lives.

The female Onda, Aka played the cute, happy, but vulnerable role quite well. At times you really wanted to strangle Matsumaru, Fumihiko ; who appears to be more crass than other sensitive male leading roles.

Perhaps it is truthfulness like this which mirrors real life; that adds to the beauty of this series. Now I"ll have to look to see if there are any Manga out for this.

(PS there is and it is ongoing. The anime touches volume one and they are currently into Volume 5)

Enjoy. read more

Story:
The story of this anime is really unique... love between a seiyu and a business man (how messy can that be? LOL)
Ehem... well the series did a really GOOD JOB on making series, from what ive seen the series made me fall in love again! (most of my friends seconded on this one)

Art:
One of the series that really has amazing art... the theme look different when its sunrise (the shiny white theme were amazing)... and good artworks were viewed at ending (which really makes me watch more LOL)

Sound:
Opening was great... i was like "WOW that was really cute" every time the aka says Uwwww... in the opening theme song XD BGM music was also good cause they seem to fit in the series also...

Enjoyment:
I was shaking while watching this one (oh... pure enjoyment)... it is really a heart warming series for everyone! Uber cuteness + Stupid love = OWNAGE!

Overall:
i told myself after watching this anime "that was great i want more" then after some time i find myself reading REC manga... so this series is really a TOP PRIORITY for everyone
~Watch and be amaze~ read more

I first stumbled on this anime when I was looking through a list of anime that had already been completely aired, and therefore found REC, I looked at the brief summary which said "A romantic comedy about a boy and a girl, one who is a marketer and the other a voice actor, due to a tragic iccident the girl had to stay with the boy at his apartment, as each day passed they began to develop a relationship."

This brief summary caught my attention, and therefore I decided to spare it some of my time, since they were only 12 minutes long, excluding the intro it was 10 minutes long.

What suprised me was how well structured it was, because it was only 10 minutes per episode and only 9 episodes all together. so in 90 minutes, there was a decent introduction to the characters, and then a good 8 episodes filled with development of all the characters and their feelings, it shows how each one gains confidence and how they begin to find themselves reliant on each other, how the guy grows to need her to be by his side, to live with him.

Though there is all these feelings, it is expressed through a series of well placed comedy acts.

To me it was a 1 and a half hour well spent.

Because the emotions in the voice acting, was there, and it made me feel good hearing it.

So yes I would recommend this to any one no matter what you prefer to watch. read more

This anime is really enjoyable with much romance. The real world relations really tug at the viewers heart strings. The drama in here is crazy deep, but crazy short and makes the series feel lacking.

PLUS the whole sleep with the girl before you get to know here is kind of funny and surreal.

8/10, Just too short X(

This is actually a good series despite the obviously short and few episodes. It actually developed this simple story about how two people came to like each other and even had this tiny issues aside. I must say, I'm kinda reminded of Just my Luck by Lindsay Lohan and Chris Pine as the idea of the story is quite similar.

The short episodes worked for me because it is not hassle to watch. It only takes about 15 minutes of your time. Add to that the simplicity of the story, making it easy to watch in between work.

On the other hand, the story may be too simple that it can be skipped to watch.
read more

REC is a moderately-paced Anime that is interesting and quite fun to watch. Although it is 9 episodes and 12 mins per ep I still suggest you give this a go if you have nothing to watch.

Summary: Fumihiko Matsumaru is an average salaryman with no girlfriend. He invited his colleague Miss Tanaka to a movie but was stood up. Right at the time he was about to toss tickets into a trash can, a cute girl appeared and asked him not to waste those two tickets. After movie and dinner, he escorted her home and found they live in the same neighborhood, yet unfortunately her apartment caught on fire hours later. Having nowhere else to stay, rookie seiyuu Aka Onda moved to Matsumaru's place, and the two had started a "more than friend but not yet lovers" relationship under the same roof while keeping this secret from their employers.

The plot is quite interesting and nice to watch. Although I would have been more satisfied if they made more Eps or longer time in Eps etc. The ending is kind of conclusive but not really, the reason is that the Anime adaptation of the Manga book REC only covers around 3/4 of the first Volume. The ending will have you wanting to read the manga as well, which I did and have not regretted. If you love comedic and romantic drama, why not give REC a go? read more

Story ~
Very interesting plot, story is overall very enjoyable, however, there is always a feeling that I have seen anime with same plot before. Lack some uniqueness

Art~
What killed this serie...
for an anime aired in 2006... the graphic is... very bad...
need improvment

Sound~
Same goes for sound

Character Designs~
lack uniqueness, every character look just like character from any other anime...

Enjoyment~
Suprisingly, this serie is very enjoyable, the short episodes are a very refreshing experience

Overall~
Very enjoyable romance anime, refreshing experience
i recommand every1 at least try watching it
You just might fall in love with it