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We follow the story of a human child girl named Hotaru that was lost in the forest and ends up being rescued by a youkai with human form, Gin.
Slight spoilers will follow.
On the very beginning we find out that Gin is not able to touch any human, otherwise he will disappear. Still, he helps and befriends Hotaru, the human girl who was never afraid of him.
The plot centers about the interaction between the two, and we see little Hotaru growing up. Its is fascinating to see how pure and natural their relationship is. Always together every summer, Gin and Hotaru walk on the woods and explore new places, meet other youkai, have fun in fields of flowers, rivers, go fishing. An endless peaceful feeling surround our protagonists while they talk, play or even sleep.
Its funny to see how a strong curiosity developed into a strong friendship, that later grew into something deeper.

The art is simple and beautiful. Its the same art than Natsume Yuujinchou, (and it makes sense since these are works from the same author). Colorful and beautiful scenery, soft drawings, while the sound brings relaxing melancholic melodies, specially piano ones creating a great atmosphere. You can feel the nature there.

The characters are the best in this movie. They dont show much of complexity or background, but you can see them struggling inside to be near each other, to be able to touch each other. I really loved the slow building of their bond. It was so innocent and so kind. Hotaru is a loving child and later, a loving teenager.
Gin is usually less talkative than Hotaru, mysterious, soft spoken, and can be so playful as Hotaru. He is very amiable and gentle and truly cares for her.
Hotaru is simple: she smiles when she is happy, she cries when she is sad. She was insanely happy when she met a youkai, and never feared Gin, Hotaru is very outgoing.
Both of them enjoy the daily life on the woods, playing together and little things make them happy. Its so relaxing watching them play and you feel such a warm feeling.They are always so close...yet so far, because the feeling of the unreachable is always present, which makes it even more beautiful. Melancholy and happiness blend together to create an unique emotion to this amazing piece.

I greatly enjoyed this, even if my only complaint is, the length of the movie(it was way too short). This is a must watch for all Natsume fans. Also if you didnt watch Natsume and if you´re looking for a light romance/slice-of-life, then give it a try, you wont regret it! read more

Once upon a time there was a ugly duckling unpopular goody two shoes girl at school. She met one of the most popular guys. The guy likes the naivety and cuteness of the girl and unlike the others he sees her true sweet self. The girl falls for his kindness. They fell in love for each other. They start dating each other. The guy changes for her because she is his true love and he stops being a playboy. You get that fuzzy feeling on the air. But then suddenly the evil bitchy rival who is a gorgeous girl, tries to steal the boy to the heroine. At the end of the manga and after millions of traps, attemptives, plans, made by the rival that were always all an epic fail, the couple finally gets to rest and live happily ever after and the rival is gone, or even becomes friends with them. Typical shoujo, replicated a thousand times. THE END.

But what if a manga chose to be told from the perspective of the…rival?
Welcome to Heroine Shikkaku! A cliché manga told in a non cliché way with a unique heroine.
So for the first time ever, we have the rival as the heroine of a shoujo. She is bitchy? Yeah. She is pretty? Yeah. She goes for looks? Yeah. She hates the goody girl and has a complex of superiority? Yeah.
Hatori is the typical girl that shoujo readers love to hate, that always gets on the middle of the main couple. The main couple is obviously in love and the main boy obviously does not love Hatori. But since the main guy is the male protagonist, he, of course, would have to possess typical male shoujo characteristics, like for instance the popular “ I don’t love you, but I do care about you, because iam a really nice guy”. But here, there´s not even a faint sparkle between them.
He does not feel jealous for her even if she is with other guy. Even after she tries to make him fall in love with her, he only has eyes for the goody girl. Even when she confesses and cries, he keeps his attitude unchangeable like any other shoujo leading guy rejecting the supporting character (aka, the rival of the heroine). And his relationship with the goody girl carries on filled with love and romance.
Now in most of shoujo, we love to see that happening. We always keep hope the rival will get lost and disappear. Because we hate her. And happiness fills us when we see the goody girl and the guy getting together after all the misunderstandings the rival created.

But what to do when you start to see “the other side”? The mangaka does an amazing job (at least until now) in portraying and conveying Hatori´s feelings, emotions and personality. Its so well done that its impossible for you not to like her, but you cant help to love her. She is more realistic than any heroine (she is not perfect!), and she is adorable in her own way, even being bitchy and selfish. You cant stop feeling terrible when you watch the main hero and his goody girlfriend in their own private dreamy world which the “villain” cannot break apart, and for the first time, you wish she would. The goody girl, Adachi, suddenly starts to annoy you (although you cant hate her because she is so kind). The main hero, Rita, starts to annoy you even more, because he is still the protagonist. And you start wishing he was replaced by another guy. But at the same time you secretly keep hope that someday somehow he will look at Hatori.

A manga filled with cliché situations? Yes. But all told from the perspective of the “looser” which makes it a breath of fresh air, truly refreshing I must say.
This manga made me certainly change my perspective of the “rival”. Perhaps next time I read another shoujo, I will look differently at the “villain”.

Im always looking forward to read new chapters of this manga. It is great comedy and plus romance. Who said a “villain” cannot be funny?! How said they don’t have feelings?! Hatori is a solid proof that even the “rival” deserves to be happy and to have her chance with the protagonist!

Overall this is great. I hope it keeps this quality. It would be such a waste if it doesn’t. It also has a cute art. I expect a good ending to this manga, and although it does not have hints that it might happen, iam still rooting for the rival to steal the protagonist´s heart and have her deserved happy end;D
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Sometimes you don’t need to watch many episodes to know you found a true hidden gem. It’s rare to find a second season in a anime that will surpass an epic first one. But its even more rare to find the next following seasons that surpasses both. This is Natsume Yuujinchou Shi, the deserved fourth season of the series that keeps following the adventures and daily life of a young teenager, Natsume Takashi, a boy who can see spirits (youkai) and is protected by a lazy funny fat cat that is a fox spirit. If in the end of the first season, the series got a legion of fans, in the second season, those same fans got wonderfully surprised, and if we thought that making better than that was impossible, then, the third season arrived just to prove us the contrary: Natsume yuujinchou san is the proof that a third season can surpass the previous ones, and now it’s the fourth season and continuation of one of the most popular slice of life series. This continuation seems promising, and everyone who followed the previous ones already missed it.
With an amazing Voice cast, wonderful soundtrack, and an awesome direction, the fourth installment of the series is even better animated, and with more interesting plot, since, although it keeps its episodic pace, it also focus more on Natsume´s life and friends than the previous ones, it continues what was left on the previous season.

Story: Following the line of the previous seasons, Natsume keeps helping the youkai and ayakashi, while he starts to open up his heart to his friends and family, always accompanied by Nyanko-sensei. Some other characters from other seasons return, too.

Art: It might not be the best art in anime, but its definitely unique, and you cannot imagine Natsume with other type of art, because this one is simple, colorful, soft one, its not detailed but its cute enough to become captivating.

Sound: Although in my opinion the previous soundtrack from the third season was better, this one is also wonderful. Not just the inserted melodies, but also the OP and ED, that leave you with a warm, relaxing happy feeling inside (or sad, depending on the perspective). The Voice actors do a splendid job in matching the characters personalities.

Character: The only thing that it remains unveiled until now and could be better explored is the story of Natsume´s grandmother, Reiko, but its not a plot hole and it doesn’t affect the main story yet. I expect more yet to come.

Enjoyment & Overall: a big 10, because this is outstanding. Even if this series gets labeled as overrated someday, I would say it’s actually still underrated. Because there is no score enough to express the enjoyment you have while watching it, it surpasses all expectations.
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Imagine watching an anime where you have problems in being awake, where a bunch of kiddos screams every episode "Lets search for Youkai!!!" and you get the feeling they are searching for pokemon. Where everyone is happy go lucky and the main guy gets emo several times because he is the typical "i just want to be a normal kiddo instead of being a super powerful hot adult demon". No blood, no violence, no sadness.
Well, that was the first season of this anime. So of course i hesitated in starting the second, but thank goodness, i spoiled myself with the manga to see if it was worth a watch. and i got so surprised.
Sennen Makyou almost seems like a CLAMP work. The happy kiddos disappear of the cast almost entirely. The main guy, Rikuo, finally decides to accept his true self and embrace his mission, so he stays in his adult form 90% of the time. Many blood, many violence and everyone is unhappy. New Supporting characters appear and they are simply amazing to the point you get to love them more than the protagonists, and most of them are adults, not kiddos. A lot of action, fights and you get some drama/tragedy mixed and hints of romance.

Art- The art was better than the first season. Great art.

Sound- The soundrack also surprised me with its dark tones. It differs greatly from the openings/endings which are addicting and ofc are not intrumental as the rest of the soundtrack. The Voice actors are epic.

Character- A huge developpment for all. This time we dont have Kana, but we have the spotlight on Yura, a omnyouji that actually gets useful this season. Rikuo matures not just in powers but in personality. Tsurara keeps the same cheerful personality but you dont mind her because she is adorable even like that.

Enjoyment- I had a great time watching this and im very pleased to see they followed the manga so closely.

Overall- I would rate this a 8.5. GREAT. The first season was like a shoujo, this one is a real shounen.
This season seems almost like an entire different dimension from the crappy first season. Its like comparing FSN with Fate/Zero: No comparison possible.
If you didnt enjoy the first season, try this one, you´ll love it. For those who didnt watch the first season and want to watch this dont worry, you´ll get flashbacks and you´ll understand everything that happened in the first season.
Inuyasha and Rurouni Kenshin fans might love this too^.^
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What if you died and were reborn and remembered all your memories of your former life when you were 10 years old? this is the story of an adorable 11 year old girl who happens to remember her former life, and fate reunites her with her former lover again, who is now 25 years old. Also, she remembers the promise she made to him. And our story begins. Small spoilers will follow.

Art- The art is adorable, cute, sweet. Its such a light, yet detailed art that suits the characters perfectly.

Character- Its impossible not to love the main protagonists. If you´re waiting for a tsundere unstoppable lolita, this is not the case. If you´re waiting for a quiet emo loli with a trauma, this is also not the case. Niina is simply adorable. What i enjoyed the most was the fact that she easily adapted to her current life, to her family, and mostly to herself, and she liked to be her current self, also, does not regret not being Chitose anymore (her past life), and she does not want to be Chitose, she wants to be Niina. Yet, she was incapable of letting go her former lover when she accidentally meets him again. But she does not imposes her feelings on him, she does not reveal him "I was Chitose". She simply wants to be with him and if its possible, making him falling in love with her again. This loli gained all my respect. period.

As for the male protagonist, we have a man tortured by the death of his girlfriend when both had 15 years old. 10 years have passed since her death and he was not able to move on. Still, he did not became a loner or a bitter person to others. He is still kind, and the best of all, he has a deep tenderness and respect for Niina that does not involve second intentions. He is no pedophile and even hangs out with Niina´s family.
I enjoyed a lot to see the protagonists relationship. An unbreakable bond of friendship, mutual respect and understanding, where both of them try their best to convey their thoughts and feelings to each other with honesty.

Enjoyment- I enjoyed this a lot. So cute. I havent read such a cute manga lately. It didnt have many comedy, nor many drama, although i felt so sad in the flashbacks of Niina´s former life and it broke my heart to see the main guy feeling guilty and still loving her even after her death.
But Niina´s healing power with cuteness overload was unique.
Also epic quotes. My favorite includes: " When the partner of a swan dies, the other stays alone forever".

Overall, a great read. It surprised me, really. I like this author a lot, she makes amazing stories that always leave me with a smile or a tear at the end.
If you enjoy light romance and drama plus slice of life with cuteeeee moments, then this is for you:) read more

Story- This a quite original story. It shows a solid historical and cultural background by adding as two main protagonists, a french boy and a japanese girl in the Victorian Era. This is the story of Yune, a 13 year old girl who arrives in Paris in order to stay with a family as a waitress, and at the same time, to learn and study about the Occident.

Art- The art can be described as intricate and detailed in the sceneries, clothes and accessories. As for the characters, the art is very cute being the general trademark.

Character- The characters are the best in the manga: we have a big contrast between cultures in characters while they try to adapt themselves to each other.
Yune is a delicate, polite, joyful and curious little girl who shows quite well the japanese habits while Claude, carefree, and at first, a typical individualist that later opens his heart to little Yune and both start to learn everything/understanding each other, developing an unbreakable bond.

Enjoyment- You will enjoy this manga a lot if you´re a fan of cute stories with well developed characters, accurate facts, great art.
This plot is mainly about friendship, bonds, family, affection, but you will find too some romance hints.

Overall, a great manga, with very cute moments and interesting characters. read more

Are you tired of reading always shoujo in school settings with a tsundere girl or a fragile whinny protagonist divided between her childhood friend and the most popular guy at school? Well, then this is for you. At first glance it might be mistaken for just another shojo manga, but its definitely not.

Story- Etou Kizuna was a girl driven by money and her group. She ends up meeting two people who will change her life, Yusei and Yuki. A nice pacing and a story that will make you feel divided of which guy you want to end up with her.

Character- The characters are the best. Kizuna is not a girl with a trauma, she is not enraged with life, does not have a mother or father complex. She accepts her loneliness without being too emo. She is not a crybaby and she is not a tsundere. Just a plain normal girl without being clumsy that has very realistic characteristics on her personality. you will love her straightforwardness at times, and she shows a very common type of person nowadays, which is, a person that desires money, yet, her good nature balances her character, making her not superficial, but a realistic protagonist. Admitting her mistakes, makes her very unique. Also, not the type of girl to fall in love at first sight, and does not show the"delicacy" of the typical japanese women. Not the cliché usual shoujo protagonist.
To accompany her, you have two other protagonists, Yuki and Yusei, two cousins that bear each one, a secret.
Yusei is the typical serious hardworking bishie with a cold/ironic attitude most of times, yet he is not the typical cliche tidy perfect guy. He actually does not care about his appearance and most of times lives in his own world. A messy guy who expresses and drowns himself into his paintings.
Yuki is to me, the most interesting character. the opposite of his cousin, Yuki enjoys dressing "herself" in elegant and cute clothes. It is hard to know her true self, yet, you´ll find her sweet:) She also has a little secret, and I love how her character becomes even more adorable when its revealed.

Enjoyment- Great. It gives you a josei-ish feeling even being a shoujo, due the fact that the guys are all young adults while only the girl is a teenager (but she doesn't go to school!!!). Great setting.

Overall- A nice and refreshing love triangle. A well developed story with some mysteries to unveil. As a shoujo fan, i must say this one has became one of my favorites. read more

Ok, first of all, i must say that, i read about 500 mangas, and this was probably the worst shoujo ive ever read. (and I read all the themes you can possible imagine). Second, i never wrote a review for something i disliked, only for anime and manga i really like, but this manga made me write my first hate review.

Story: Got a 7, because although it was hugely cliché, i like the theme of Teacher x Student, so it had potential to be another cliché forbidden love where the teacher struggles for his feelings. Unfortunately this was different.

Art- Honestly, it was the only positive thing here. i gave it a 8 because the drawings are actually pretty.

Character- and here we begin. This was probably the worst characters in a shojo manga i ever saw. Pathetic. The teacher was strong willed and at first she had so much potential to keep it that way. But she choose to loose all of her dignity by accepting a guy who stalked her in a very horror movie way. The guy is absolutely psycho and im not kidding. He took pictures of her, stalked her outside her house, inside her house, in school and in every place she was. His devil look, which usually is hot in manga charas, was totally SCARY and lifeless almost like a serial killer. He used psychological games to convince her of his love. Abducted her, arrested her, had sex with another girl in front of her and asked her to hear him. The guy cut himself several times to make her pity him. Kept repeating the same words on a sick aggressive way. Ive seen many villains, and the guy is supposed not to be a villain but the hero, but he is the scariest hero ever. Ive met pretty good villains which I loved but this Hero is...NO.Just NO.

Enjoyment- Ive read many mangas with aggressive and even violent males with girls. I read mangas where stalkers get their chance. Ive read sex scenes in smut or even hard yaoi that are not gentle at all. Ive read many teacher x student mangas, incest ones, every genre and taboo possible. But i never read such a creepy manga in my whole life. This was psychological horror, not a shoujo romance.

Overall- This was very bad. Like a nightmare. The girl is forced to stay with him and that´s it. Its not love, but rather a forceful pity followed by fear and carnal desire.
Do not read this unless you love psychos and sick relationships. read more

I was hesitating to start this manga, still for the beautiful art i decided to try it and got addicted to the intriguing plot and mostly to the characters. It became one of my favorites. And it has originality (starting by the name, Karneval), all the universe of Karneval its quite charming.

Story- Karneval is about a kid named Nai who seems to be searching for his lost "brother" Karoku. In his journey he eventually finds a teenage named Gareki and they end up in the Organization Circus, where they develop a friendship with two young Circus agents. The four start living together as a group and they form a bond. As the story goes, we get to find out more about the past of the characters, but some mysteries remain and the key to solve them seems to be Karoku. The story might seem cliché, but its not, its a breath of fresh air.

Art- The art is absolutely adorable. An eye candy. The sceneries are great and the characters designs whether in looks or costumes, fits them perfectly.

Character- Its impossible not to love every character on Karneval. You have 3 main boys and 1 girl, but they all have an unique personality and each one of them is different from another. Nai, the cute and kind kid, Gareki the rebel antisocial with some past issues, Yogi the funny, childish and optimistic and Tsukumo, a quiet, skilled beautiful girl. Together they make an outstanding group.Other good point is that the supporting characters are really good and needed for the plot, they are not just to fill the spaces.

Enjoyment- You will smile and you will get sad on some scenes. Although this manga is exquisite precisely because it doesn't overreact in drama neither in comedy, there´s a perfect balance between the two genres. Also it adds fights, mystery and fantasy.

Overall- Awesome! if you´re looking for romance, this is not one. You might find some hints of it, but this is mostly a shounen/fantasy with a touch of shoujo.
If you´re a BL fan you will like it, although let me say this clearly, this is not Shounen-ai. But it has a lot of bishies and lets you imagination flow, so you might want to give it a try ;D
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Shiki is based on a novel by the same name published in 1998 by Fuyumi Ono. Although most of the story is almost the same, there are some differences. The main difference is that one of the supporting characters on the novel, becomes a main one in the manga (Natsuno Yuuki).

STORY- Shiki starts as a horror/mystery slow pace story about sudden unexplainable deaths occurring in one small village, Sotoba. The deaths seem to have started since the Kirishiki family moved to the village. Our protagonists are Muroi Seishin the monk, Ozaki Toshio the doctor and Natsuno Yuuki a student and the little mysterious Kanemasa girl named Sunako Kirishiki. While the supernatural events occur, later the drama starts and that´s when you get addicted. The bonds, the friendship, betrayal and pain. You cannot stop reflecting about the nature of humans and vampires, and who of them is right or wrong.

ART- Considered as ugly by many because of the weird hairstyles and colors, i personally find it unique. The hairstyles sure are weird and so are the outifts, but once you´ll get used to it, you cannot imagine them with normal hair or clothes. You´ll even start to adore them. They´re fashionable. The art must be unique because its a unique manga.

CHARACTER- All characters in Shiki universe have name even the ones who almost do not appear. Many of the supporting charas had full chapters dedicated to them. Some people may find it boring because that way the main characters have much less "screen-time", and it certainly leads to a bit of anxiety waiting to see the main characters, because their chapters end always in a cliffhanger and you want to see what´s next, not the story of a random supporting character. But that keeps you even more excited.
The main characters are extremely well constructed and with a very detailed personality. You´ll love them or you´ll hate them, there´s no "middle" here.

ENJOYMENT- A great one. Once you´ll get through the slow plot of the first chapters, later the story takes a twist and everything starts to happen fast and in a twist. You will get hooked, you´ll be cheering for your favourite characters and cursing the ones you hate, because this manga gives you a mountain of emotions.

OVERALL- Outstanding. And here you´ll get the chance to see the "continuation" of the characters you saw in the anime or novel version. read more