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May 15, 2018
For those skimming through reviews to decide if they are going to watch I will say this: "Violet Evergarden is a sight to behold and a must watch. Easily a 10/10".
Violet Evergarden takes its time drawing you into it's fictional, post-war world. It invests you in almost all of its characters. It earns each and every emotional character moment and doesn't hold back tugging at your heart strings.
If you ask what the central theme of the show is, it would have to be "loss". 80% of the episodes deal with loss and how individuals cope with it. Other themes could include "self discovery", "love", and
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even "PTSD". There's a lot to swallow when you watch this show, so prepare your heart for a good tuggin'.
When it comes to storytelling, and how the showrunners move the plot along, there's really no better studio than Kyoto Animation to handle this. They, over the years, have become masters of the art of "Show Don't Tell." There are so many significant character moments that aren't explicitly stated, but are understood by the viewer without a single word being spoken. They take their time to show us the important things, and they do so in a way that ensures you will understand. Occasionally they play mean tricks on us by making us assume one thing only to turn the tables and subvert our expectations. This anime is a marvel of storytelling and is worth studying for anyone aspiring to be a writer.
Music is the force that drives any good show, movie, or anime forward. Without music a show says less than it could. Violet Evergarden has one of the best accompanying compositions I've heard in an anime since Akagami no Shirayuki Hime (Snow White with the Red Hair). Just a orchestral masterpiece that not only builds upon the world, but packs a serious emotional punch when played at just the right moment. The moment I finished the show I IMMEDIATELY purchased the soundtrack - this was a no brainer and a worthwhile purchase that will enrich my musical library.
Characters and pacing was handled superbly, as we have come to expect from KyoAni. The progression of our protagonist (Violet) is apparent as the show rolls on from episode to episode. We see her overcome numerous hurdles and learn to cope with her complex emotions -- and of course deal with loss. Even side characters are given plenty of attention. Each episode has a nice arc with a pleasant payoff by the ending credits.
Overall this show gets a solid 10/10 from me. I plan to purchase the Blu Ray of this - I want a physical copy by all means necessary! I cannot recommend this show enough. Bring tissues, watch on the highest resolution display you own, and prepare for one of the best shows of the past few years.
This show gave me that feeling -- you know the feeling. That void. The "I'll never experience anything quite like it again" feeling. Yeah, it's that good.
--- EDIT ---
I wanted to append this to the end of my review. I've been reading a lot of the other reviews, and I think there's a silly trend. One thing that I never do when I look at an anime, is I never compare it to its source material (if it's an adaptation). I judge it on its own merits -- i want the anime to stand on its own two feet. To me, there's no sense in taking a perfectly fine anime and saying "well it's not the visual novel". Of course its not the visual novel. If that's what you want then just read that. I came to see an anime, and when I wrote my review I judged the ANIME. It honestly upsets me when I see someone discredit an otherwise good anime because it's not 100% loyal to whatever source it came from. But hey, to each his own am i right? Everyone's got their opinions, and now you know mine.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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Jun 7, 2017
Quan Zhi Gao Shou is a rare series that delves into a subject that many of us are familiar with; e-sports. Gaming and anime have gone hand-in-hand for decades, so it makes sense that an anime should exist that represents that eternal bond.
I went into the series with high hopes, and I wasn't immediately disappointed. However about half-way through the series takes a steep dip and as of episode 10 it has yet to recover.
Let's start with the big one; story. The story follows an e-sports "god" Ye Xiu who's recently "retired" the popular team Excellent Era (spoiler: he was kicked off the team). He
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takes up residence at an internet cafe and this is where the story begins. At the onset of the first 3 or so episodes you catch a glimpse of a "rise to glory" story, but it falters at some point. It's hard to pinpoint, but somewhere along the way the story just falls apart. It becomes difficult to follow, characters are being introduced left and right, an entire team of players is shown to us with almost no background or context, and events occur at an odd pace. Each episode doesn't wrap itself up neatly, but instead just...ends, and the ending theme makes the transition even more odd. It's weird.
Art is pretty good, though it seems a bit too computer generated. If I were to compare the art (not necessarily the contents) to a show like "Hibike: Euphonium!" you'll see that the seasoned veterans at Kyoto Animation have a clear leg up in the art and animation department. However, the show does look good, and is pleasing to watch. Its color palette may be a bit too flat and could use a bit of variety.
Audio I give a solid 6. Not spectacular, not entirely mediocre, and just good enough to get by. The music seems tacked on like it was a last-minute decision - "hory shit we need a sound track! Quick pull up your Spotify playlist!" The ending theme must be the worst thing I've ever heard. I mentioned earlier how the episodes just end in a odd and uncomfortable way, right? This ending theme just serves to unsettle you even more. Just an odd choice, and a hideous song.
Characters. Well, I suppose they count as characters. Let's just start with the MC. He's about as deep as a wet paper bag. No real motivation, never really changes his facial expression (a constant shit-eating grin), he's a huge douche, and is basically invincible. He's practically omnipotent, and omniscient in almost every scenario. A character who's always got this "I know exactly what’s going to happen" look on his face, and it totally ruins any suspense or buildup. I get that he's a veteran player, but c'mon - I can only suspend so much disbelief. The side characters seem to be on a revolving door except for 2 or 3. New ones are constantly introduced and none of them get really fleshed out. We spend so little time with the static side characters, and often forget they exist. The "antagonists", and I use that term lightly, are cartoonish at best, and aren't touched on much so I have no reason to care. They hardly register as a threat to the demi-god MC.
Overall, I stopped watching around episode 10. The story wasn't moving anywhere and was incoherent. The ending was predictable - MC will face off against cartoonish villain #1 and win because he's invincible and protected by plot armor, a helm of omniscience, and a buster sword. He'll probably never lose a duel or a competition, and will always be a badass. If you're looking for an e-sports underdog triumph, rags to riches, or rise to glory anime then look elsewhere. This show looks pretty on the surface but is barebones.
Reviewer’s Rating: 6
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Aug 21, 2016
Arslan Senki captivated me from the moment I began watching. From its music to its diverse and loveable cast of characters, this anime has so much to offer to its viewer that it merits two play-throughs to get the full benefit. There’s already a pretty good synopsis written above so I’ll spare you that and jump right into the review.
Art: 8
While the vast majority of the art is fantastic the CGI is rather noticeable and jarring at times. Though, I do completely understand the reasons for utilizing this technique. They needed to animate massive armies numbering in the tens of thousands. To do so by
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hand or traditional methods would be tedious and a waste of time/resources. Everything else was spectacular – from the set pieces to the characters themselves. You can easily ascertain the tone of a particular scene by the art alone. When telling a story art, sound, and characters all have to work together to illustrate the plot, and this anime succeeded in that regard.
Sound: 10
Let me just say that the soundtrack is PHENOMINAL. It’s so damn good that I play it on repeat while I’m gaming. It’s different from most soundtracks that you’ll hear in other anime, and fits the tone and setting extremely well. As far as audio/sound effects are concerned – they are expertly done. Something as simple as the swing of a sword sounds full and believable. When a powerful character enters the scene your ears are greeted by heroic (or menacing) fanfare and a specialized soundboard. When the iconic characters, such as Daryun, swing their weapons about its something akin to a hurricane. When they make contact you can almost feel the impact. Everything about these characters sounds powerful and epic.
Characters: 10
It’s been a long time since I’ve fallen in love with a cast of characters. Arslan Senki presents us with what I like to call a “Hero Themepark.” Basically this is a show that centers around a set of heroes who are, aside from a few bumps and bruises, seemingly invincible. Though this concept applies to the villains as well. So what happens when these epic, near-invincible characters collide? Some of the highest octane, nail-biting action you’ve ever seen in an anime. When a character is defeated or dies it feels like a god has been slain, and it changes your perception of the victor entirely. “He/she is far more powerful than I thought.” You’ll see these heroes take out entire waves of enemies all by themselves. Daryun’s name alone strikes fear into the hearts of enemies.
Overall: 9
The series is a MUST WATCH, and is severely undervalued. You can find it on Hulu or Gogoanime. The story, characters, and music are all on point and work together to bring one of the best series of 2015. If only season 2 wasn’t 8 episodes long…wtf man.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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Jan 24, 2014
So there are very few anime in this world that can satisfy you completely. They give you everything you want and then some delivered in a neatly wrapped box with a bow. This anime does nothing but deliver from the very first episode up until the last few seconds of the series. But let me be frank; If you're looking for a cutesy series that sugar coats all of its drama in anime cliches then get out and don't let the door hit you on your way out. This anime is not for you! With that said let's move on.
Paradise Kiss accomplishes so many things
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in just 12 episodes that it can almost leave you thirsting for more but deep down you know that there can be no more. The story itself is the centerpiece of everything and drives itself forward with meaningful interactions and tense drama that thickens the plot as it unfolds. What is most notable about the series is it's realistic approach to drama and how it refuses to sugar coat things and drag out emotions across all 12 episodes. If I recall the main characters quickly start their relationship by about the 2nd or 3rd episode. This anime may seem impatient, but in reality it's just not going to wait around for the fun to start. The show steps into deep waters and treads where most others would not. It goes much farther than I had anticipated and shows how much its characters develop over the course of the series.
The main character goes from being this tense study bug to being a care-free fashion model. Her transformation isn't this instantaneous change that happens at 15 minutes into episode 6 or something; but rather it takes place over time. The first thing that happens is a hair cut. I actually commented out loud as I was watching and said "she actually doesn't look all THAT pretty here..." But I stuck it out and to my surprise she seemed to get prettier every episode. Her style changed, her hair changed, her personality blossomed into something new and exciting, and she becomes someone who is definitely worth watching.
The show tackles a handful of sub plots but doesn't loose control of them or allow them to impede on the main story's progress. the majority of the side characters have stories of their own and are all expertly told in a very short amount of time. In some cases characters stories aren't discussed in the show but rather in the manga and there's even a scene where a character tells you that you can "read more about him" in a particular manga.
The art and sound weave together to create this tapestry of pop-art that seamlessly mixes with the characters. The opening and closing theme were chosen so expertly and serve only to set the mood for the show. The ending theme is even mixed in with the last 10-15 seconds of the show so that it seamlessly transitions into the credits.
This anime is quite possibly the most enjoyable anime I've ever seen with an ending that didn't disappoint. Instead of having this storybook happily ever after ending you are quickly faced with reality. Sure the characters kind of succeeded in what they were trying to do, but reality has to set in at some point and the show reminds us that we live in the real world. The ending however does tie up any and all loose ends and leaves almost nothing to the imagination. It also doesn't leave room for a second season so there's no chance of a spin-off brought on by money grubbing producers. Never have I been faced with an anime that literally left me in a daze after its credits rolled on episode 12.
Overall this anime is a masterpiece in its own genre. It masterfully and skillfully tells a straight forward, but complex story complete with sub plots, exciting drama, and cool music to boot. I also liked that characters didn't spend 10 minutes arguing in tense situations. Example: man is holding a gun pointing it at another character(lets call him teppei kun). Teppei kun gives this long monologue about his life and how he's always been alone and blah blah blah. In reality the guy would've just shot him for talking way too much.
ok. I've talked for far too long now. This anime is a masterpiece. Watch it!
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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Oct 3, 2013
Every now and then a show, doesn't particularly have to be an anime, comes along that sweeps you off your feet and engrosses you in another world. The Last Air Bender, Le Chevalier d'Eon, Tetsuwan Birdy Decode, So Ra No Wo To, and now Gosick. I personally have always been a fan of movies and shows that take you from one place and drop you at another by then end of it. Especially if that place is time itself. Shows and movies that follow a character or a set of characters across several years are hard to find, but almost all of them are executed
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brilliantly. A few examples would be Forrest Gump, Rin, and this anime falls among them.
Story
I'll admit I did not expect this story to go where it went or to reach as far as it did. You start the series feeling one way and by the time it's over you have a completely different feeling in the pit of your stomach that won't go away. The story centers around Victorique and Kujo; two characters who are bound to one another by a very strong bond that is near unbreakable even with the interference of some side characters. The two spend the majority of their time solving individual mysteries that at first seem unconnected or random, and can lead you to believe that the entire series will resemble this. In fact I half expected them to solve small mysteries up until the final 6 or 7 episodes and then suddenly there's this larger plot that they have to take on. I also expected it to have a cliche, cookie cutter, happy ending with a long speech given by Kujo about his morals and ideals. Fortunately this is not the case. The overarching story is ever present even though you might not notice at first. But slowly as they solve more mysteries the pieces are put together. Everything in the series happens for a reason and the reasons are generally quite profound. When all is said and done you will think that you started watching Gosick, but somehow ended up watching grave of the fireflies. The last remaining piece of the story that really drove me to keep watching was it's constant tie to history. Not just putting the characters in some fantasy universe created solely for this show, but tying them to the real world as well. Similar techniques can be seen in the aforementioned examples (Forrest Gump, Rin).
Art
The landscapes were breathtaking in almost every scene. The characters fit into each panel so well you would think they were painted in. Everything was fluidly animated and didn't stretch the boundaries of the imagination. There wasn't much action, but when it did arise it was very well done.
Sound
A great soundtrack that moves you at every turn and does a fantastic job of driving the story and the minimal action and suspense forward.
Character
Though I pretty much already summed this up I'll give a quick overview and fill in some points I hadn't mentioned before. The characters were very well developed and seemed to have deeper connections to this fabricated world than merely existing there. Each character had some small story to tell. Whether it be Sophie and the slightly dim-witted teacher who had been friends for 10 years or Avril who wanted to become an adventurer like her grandfather and who was also in love with Kujo. All of the characters recieved attention even if they only appeared for an episode or two.
Enjoyment
Every person will enjoy this to a different degree, but I can wholeheartedly say that every person will enjoy this series. It's almost impossible not to.
Overall
A great series that will leave you begging for more by the end. I love the style, the era, the characters, the art; Everything drives me to wonder if there will be a second season. Though another season would be nonsensical.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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Aug 21, 2012
I'd love nothing more than to sit here and give a long-winded, informative, and detailed review of this anime, but sadly I can't. It's not that I can't it's that there's just so little to go off of to really say anything of value. The best that I can tell you is that is the worst thing I have ever viewed in my entire life...Even more heartbreakingly terrible than The Last Air Bender(Movie) by M. Night Shamalamadingdong( I honestly cant spell his name but he makes terrible movies).
I guess I can give a brief breakdown.
Art:
Was horrid. It was like watching something from 1995
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or watching Dragon Ball Z before they hired more artists. So at the time of release it was already dated.
Music:
Music did a horrible job of moving the story in any direction; as if the story was going anywhere(?) Sound effects were mediocre at best and really didn't fit the environment or even into the context that was being shown in some cases.
characters:
Characters? What characters? Oh you mean the collection of people that were on screen for a few minutes at a time and had no real importance other than the fact that they were in the movie? Honestly half of them were just perverted. There was no nudity per se, but there were things hinted at "Manly woman sitting in a room covered in women smiles as the doors close and random sounds are made"...type of thing.
Enjoyment:
Nein!
Story:
There was no story, only a very good premise that failed to deliver.
Overall...
well i think the review kind of speaks for itself.
Reviewer’s Rating: 2
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