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- BirthdaySep 22, 1991
- LocationHelsinge, Denmark
- JoinedJun 4, 2013
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Mar 28, 2015
It set up really well to then leave the scene, and give the spotlight to the angsty pizza boy.
The show started out looking promising but failed to keep a good pacing. It gave one of the most forced and painfully pretentious protagonists I've seen.
It keeps trying to convince you you should like him, although his timid and naive nature is just too unconvincing. The show then wants you to believe his Jesus transformation syndrome, which is a thing that's always really corny but it's done really poorly here by not even having the story events really arc into this transformation and character development. Which
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comes off as (a thing very common in anime) the creator's self-insertion. When you can't mistake the feeling, of the artist trying very hard to live out his fantasy through a fictional character in their own personal project. Usually this character will come off as lacking depth or any sort of realistic reaction to what happens around them. Which leaves the viewer with a feeling that they're just looking at someone's personal ego boosting. This protagonist is the big problem, but sadly not the only problem.
Tokyo Ghoul started out really well. It had an interesting idea and a first episode that really paced itself well. It was shrouded in mystery that gave you the sense of "All will soon be revealed to you". All was indeed revealed. With little to no fanfare whatsoever. It was explained in a manner as if what is going on here is as normal as drinking your morning coffee. And it comes off with the message that they're just different, and you shouldn't hate others for being different. Insert a whiney "Don't judge me!" here. The show really hammers in how pretentious it is, and I'm pretty sure the writers are completely unaware of it.
There was something of potential here, there really was. But it casts away society and the general public view on this problem of ghouls living in the city. After the first episodes it all shrinks into this really small world. Just a couple of small groups of people, and gives the spotlight completely to characters that are frankly not strong enough to carry the show home. It would really have been nice if the show had kept consistent for one thing, but even more importantly, treated its premise with care. It starts out like it should, addressing the existence of ghouls as a problem to society. But it shrugs it off and just becomes small gang skirmishes... and barely even. We don't get any reason to why the ghouls even exist. There's no endeavor to make the viewer actually care about what's happening. This should've had a bigger plot. It's just a series of small forgettable events, and no plot.
Its art style is pretty nice... the animation is pretty good too. Nothing amazing but it's good enough. What I really think is done well in Tokyo Ghoul is lighting. Lighting, shading and character outlines. The voice acting isn't really anything to critize either.
The opening sequence was decent with a decent song, but the real feast, is the ending sequence, that sets a tone the show in general should've tried to mimic. The songs fit the aesthetic really well.
So to sum it up. Tokyo Ghoul had something going for it. If it had just treated its premise with better care. But the main problem is an extremely lacking protagonist that steals the show, but has nothing to show for it.
Reviewer’s Rating: 3
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Jul 22, 2014
Top 5 all-time favorite anime. No question about it.
How to best talk about this one without making a too long review?...
I'm pretty sure this is an epic piece. Going by what epic actually is.
The story is so incredibly great yet so simple.
You probably have already heard how this show seems cuddly at first but turns incredibly dark later. I knew that starting it up, and it didn't ruin anything... It's not a surprise you're being spoiled. I wanna say that even though you know the change in tone will come, it still happens so well and gradually creeps up, that the transition becomes smooth and
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yet sudden as a guillotine dropping the blade (pun intended).
Actually even when it hasn't really set off to become a dark atmosphere, there's a very creepy eerie tone. It's almost like with all the cutesy stuff going on there's always a ghost sitting on everyone's shoulder, staring them down with a malevolent smile. (Insert your "Soon" memes here.)
What could seriously be a drawback, is all the cutesy stuff maybe seeming out of place, and possibly a bit over the top. But I guess it's possibly what creates the extreme contrast and personally it didn't bother me at all.
The plot along with the tones and atmosphere thoughout the show takes alot of turns, some more expected than others. Even when the explanation is on the table, there are questions and speculations the viewer can make still.
The atmosphere is really selling itself so well. It's backed up by some really interesting art design choices, with something that could almost look like fabric sewn onto the animation. It makes these creatures and setting look distinctively twisted, and there's never any doubt that it's something unfriendly.
This art design at times though, also fails and sometimes doesnt blend into the rest of the picture quite like it did in other scenes. I guess what I'm saying is that while it's really great, it doesn't stay consistent all the way.
What does stay incredibly consistent though... and this will become unforgettable to anyone who's experienced it. Atleast definitely to anyone who enjoyed this anime immensely. (Just look above)
And let it be written in bold letters!
Sound- 10/10 "Outstanding" ...
Yuki Kajiura made something really astonishing here. It's an absolutely amazing soundtrack, and probably my favorite soundtrack yet.
Try and look up "Credens Justiam", "Decretum" or "Symposium Magarum" right now.
This soundtrack has the right set of emotions for every scene. Each track perfectly fitting, every time.
It has some of the most cheerful tones and the most tragic. There's a time for everything, as the saying goes... and the timing of the soundtrack is undeniably good.
Following the soundtrack's example the lincensed songs are up to par.
Kalafina's "Magia" is just so iconic and grandiose. The song plays fairly early, in a scene that sets the show off to a great start, and which personally gave me shivers. The song becomes the ending credits theme for most of the episodes, while still playing in some scenes now and then.
"and I'm Home" by Eri Kitamura and Ai Nonaka. This one comes into the show later and at the perfect time. I'd tell you not to look it up and first hear it in the show. It's a great song and really a favorite of mine.
The opening song "Connect" by Claris is a tricky one. Seems perfectly normal and mundane. While it's good, don't get me wrong, it just seems like a typical anime song. It seems really natural and fitting at first, but the further into the show you get, it just seems more and more unfitting. It's almost great how it becomes "the odd man out" you could say. The way that the song like a person oblivious to the change in tone in the show, just further cements the contrast that the changes have made. It's also a nice reminder that there were happier times before despair.
As for characters. Some characters seem to have less development than others. That's mostly supporting acts of course, but this good. Well no, not really... Let me explain.
Some characters that fall off the wayside you genuinely start to miss. And others almost disappearing makes you grow distant to them in a way just like the main characters do. As the main characters spiral ever further into a constricting future, and things that they knew disappear. It feels real and relatable, because us, the viewer, actually experience the same feeling of growing distance to their lives and the characters. We feel their world becoming bleak, the same way as the main characters do.
This is either smart directing or really lucky coincidence. I can't tell.
The best character development probably lies with Kyoko and Sayaka. I won't get into too much detail on that, but they go through quite the change.
The others also have good character development, but those two stand out to me as the cherry on the cake.
Talk about cherries... Many seem to think there's alot of lesbian undertones in the show, and I can honestly see where they get that from...
Well. The problem isn't really that it might be lesbian, but more that it seems like it's there to cater to a certain yuri fetish crowd. It's most of the time harmless though and kinda funny. But there are a couple of moments where it just seems a little much. It's a shame that, those couple of times it is really immersion breaking. One of them is near the ending, which is rough, but thankfully doesn't ruin the ending.
Personally it didn't bother me much, but I can definitely see why it could be a serious problem to some.
I overall really enjoyed this anime alot. I already feel nostalgic hearing tunes from the soundtrack. Offer me an apple, I'll remember Kyoko.
I can understand one of the big otaku fanbases revolves around this anime, but I really couldn't give a damn. I'm not part of that fanbase, but I really did love this anime. If anything I can see why there would be a diehard fanbase for it, but I don't think it's healthy to go to extremes.
There is a real sense of magic to this anime (who'd have guessed. No, but really...), and also real sense of despair and hopelessness. I enjoy alot of gothic stuff, and this fits right in there.
The show captures the feeling of something otherworldly and epic really well, with and intricate plot and great atmosphere. You can question its aesthetic, but think this show relies much more on atmosphere and it has that in spades.
Normally I need to think a bit about whether a show is a top favorite of mine. But like Hellsing Ultimate there was no doubt on this decision
I can't guarrantee it's an anime for everyone, but don't discard it or underestimate it at first glance.
I'd like to give it a perfect 10 out of 10. But keeping realistic and critical I have to keep it a 9.
I definitely love and recommend this show to anyone though.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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Jul 21, 2014
All the colours of the rainbow!!!
The best thing to say about the show is it's really colourful in a fresh way. This supplements the opening and endings really well.
Next to that there's not much to this show.
There's some really cool character designs, though it's just a shame they weren't given real character. Any character development is outshined by it's plot development. Which is funny 'cause... it's pretty awful.
Just as it seems like knows what direction it wants to go, it takes a very confusing turn everytime. Don't mistake this for plot twists 'cause it's nothing more than bad writing.
There's potential here, with the cool character
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designs and a chance to make a good story, asking questions on what is morally correct in this world.
The show gives you this sensation. It's like you can feel everyone viewing this, cheering it on. Saying something like "Come on you can do it". But it gets shut down in a manner in which the show makes a joke on that very trope in anime. (Gotta give it props for that. That was kinda funny.)
There's not really any build-up to anything and the ending is just god awful.
My personal greatest problem with this show is the character Hajime.
One of my first reactions was "Hajime seems like a really cool character". Seemed like she'd become something great, not disappointing on the badass factor either. All the way through though, she's just someone in the background. When she finally gets a moment in the spotlight it's so incredibly weak, it's unbelievable. Such a cool character design, not put to its full potential is a damn shame.
I guess you could say that for just about any of the characters, really.
I namely liked the character called Birthday... Until everything that made the character seem interesting got brushed aside.
There was potential here. There really was. But oh well...
From what I can understand, there's a video game coming out too. I feel like this show was just to promote that, really. And for that, the art style delivers. This show could make for a great game. Though that's no excuse. It won't save this anime from getting harsh critique.
Hamatora: The Animation is visually appealing, but completely forgettable and avoidable.
Reviewer’s Rating: 3
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May 15, 2014
Huge disappointment, possibly the biggest of the year.
I'd previously written a more positive review of this one as I was about 6 episodes in. Even then I'd seen troubling signs that it could turn out terrible, but I thought it could fix itself before the problems grew to become excruciating. It took a 100% dive.
The first episode leads off nicely, and the second one stirs up even more suspense and seems to get some character progression going.
From here it seems to really lose all direction.
There are some nice elements setting up for alot of possibilities but it's like the writer didn't know
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what to do with it or realized the plot wouldn't be able to fit in just 13 episodes.
It's actually not easy to point out exactly where we run off track with the story and the story just ends up following the characters' random ways of life. Characters which are stereotypes to the core, and the main character comes off as this pretentious image that the writer tries to glorify themself in. The only real character traits you can say he has, are that he's got photographic memory and he just wants to selflessly protect and save these girls. A forced white knight protagonist, devoid of any shade of identity. Oh, and important to mention, is that all his crying moments are so cringeworthy, your toe nails could dive into your skin and grow out in-between your teeth. These characters and especially the protagonist are so painfully pretentious and one-dimensional.
The girls... Besides that they're obvious stereotypes, the real offender is their interaction with eachother, and namely while the protagonist is in the room.
I'd tell you to pay attention to the way they talk, and notice how it feels like looking at otaku's in a small chat trying to establish themselves as these stereotypes IRL.
"I think I'm more like X character, 'cause in my mind, my daily life just like that. I'm totally like this character. That is until I watch another anime and think I'm like Y character in that one."
Basically everyone goes; "I can out-otaku you any day".
I do kinda still commend it for at two instances breaking an old and grating tease so often seen in anime... But then again, in hindsight, that might also just be to please the writer's ego.
It's a shame, 'cause it actually led off with an interesting start but it just became more like a bad fan fic.
Watching it, I so often feel like I'm actually just looking at the writer masturbate profusely while spouting their self-proclaimed excellence.
And what supports this, is the fact that this short anime has two openings, with the second one feeling very rushed and ill fitting. It's really crammed in with the last episodes.
The best thing about this anime is the first opening theme, which is quite interesting. It also feels like this was written, inspired by said theme. Especially with the soundtrack within the show seeming to rip it off.
And talk about ripping off... The first opening sequence really feels like it's taking alot from Mirai Nikki, and the main 'love interest' of the show, is really by design just a blue haired Makise from Steins;Gate, in an outfit that looks like it's borrow from Homura from Puella Magi. But it might just be me imagining things.
There's really not much good to point out in this one. You can safely skip it.
Reviewer’s Rating: 2
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Dec 28, 2013
First time I write an anime review, let's get bitter! *sips Jägermeister* (Get it?)
This is probably one of the most hyped up animes to come across, and it becomes easy to see why with an anlytical mindset.
With it's story being quite frankly piss poor and its characters not really memorable. What you remember after watching is the image of Eren standing on the wall above, saluting with his unshakable determination painted all over his face.
"I swear I will kill all the titans!"
At alot of points this show is painfully bad, especially the dreadful and drawn out story arc with the female titan (no spoiler). You'll
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go through alot of yelling screaming and misery watching this show. It often seems like they cant speak their sentences without it being at the top of their lungs.
Alot of the criticism of this show is pointing out that it's just depressing and nothing but misery at every turn. They're absolutely right. And witht hat being maybe the show's greatest weakness it's its strength, as victories become incredibly sweet! It's motivating in every fiber when tables turn and our heroes quite literally punch back.
The art style is unique but kind of hit & miss, and oh I hope you like brown... The colour scheme is not particularly varied.
The best thing though, is the phenomenal soundtrack. This soundtrack is some interesting mix of rock, orchestration and actually dubstep-like beats with occasional aesthetics of German folk music. It is REALLY unique. It's sometimes utilized awkwardly for some scenes, but I do think the soundtrack is what impacts fans so heavily even if they don't realize it.
Just watch the first opening and tell me you don't get shivers. It's so incredibly empowering.
There's alot of flashback scenes and re-used frames, with filler on top of that, and the actual progression lies in the cliffhanger of every episode's ending. But it's all worth it for that ending fight. Trust me. If you've ever felt like you had alot of aggressions to unleash, you'll relate to the absolute fury that is the ending fight.
That's what this show does. It breaks you down and builds you up again with such great motivation.
So all in all the premise is so simple, the story redundant, characters meh. Sounds like it must suck then right? No.
This show is strongest in visual and auditorial aspects and most importantly its almost symbolic nature. It captures the very essence of honor in a salute, and standing strong with your fellow soldier.
It's all about amplifying your understanding of strength, determination and spirit. I do believe there's significant value in that, and as such I most definitely can recommend Shingeki no Kyojin.
"Keep your weapons aimed. Here comes the chilling face pushing down your fear" ~Track 08 "DOA" of the official soundtrack.
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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