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May 14, 2014
One thing about anime adapted from a VN, they usually tend to be one sided to just one character and leave the other side characters to just be there. This would then give rise to an imbalance to the overall character development.
But White Album 2 (WA2) is a totally different thing.
When I watched WA2. my first impression would be, 'it must be just like any other VN adaptation where there will be one winner'. but certainly that was proven wrong during the last episode. There were no winners, only three people who were broken.
The story itself is about Kitahara Haruki, Touma Kazusa and Ogiso
...
Setsuna. Haruki, the main male lead was just a decent guitar player. Had always been the second guitarist. When the school festival was just around the corner, plus with the members pulling out from his club, he was on the verge pulling his club out of the festival itself. For him that time, nothing else mattered to him. Only practicing his guitar.
Although practising alone, someone from the music room 2 always accompanied her, which is Kazusa. But he didn't know that. When these two were playing, Setsuna heard them and started singing along with it. And this was the start of the story.
From the first moment of the anime, it had stated, the happiest moment was halfway of the story. Which is in fact true.
All the characters showed almost realistic emotion in each situation. And for me, the one character that developed the most, was Setsuna. Yes she was the school idol and people would die to be her boyfriend. Haruki managed to get her. As an anime character, she was actually very realistic in the way she talked to Haruki and all. But then again, everything is not what it seems.
Kazusa is basically an anti-social girl who just wants to play piano. At first you would definitely think that she won't get Haruki. because not much was shown about her, but you know that there are more to it because how she acted and talked with Haruki felt more comfortable. You can feel that Haruki was more comfortable with Kazusa.
At first you would never had guessed which one will be the main girl. You don't even know. But the anime itself made you feel Haruki's choice. And why he chose that person.
After a certain episode, you would then see how little things could give you a huge impact, like they said, the little things matter the most. and you would start asking yourself, is she the one?
This anime explores the depth of ones friendship and ones desire. How three friends who seemingly formed a love triangle with friendship on the line. And how evil can a person become when they are being selfish. All of this aspects were introduced in this anime.
And as the result of that, everything crumbles to tiny pieces and can't be fixed. The beautiful friendship, now lost. For an anime adapted from a VN, this particular ending is very unique, and the fact that they managed to pull it off and the emotions made it through to the audience. It was brilliant. I could never ask for anything more that that.
The music accompanying each scenes were executed perfectly and hit on the spot with the emotions. Even the H-scene was actually for me very emotional. They knew they can't be together forever, but for just one night, please let them be.
The story, from episode 1 till 13 build up consistently. Towards the end, i can only say that the episodes were all solid episodes.
If you love watching romance, and is trying to find something different, you can try watching WA2. If you are a Key fan, you should try this because i think, WA2 is on par with some Key animes. Sometimes, in life, not everything will go according to plan. and that was what the anime tried to convey.
And it is true.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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May 10, 2014
Golden Time, a story focusing on just the main couple. In comparison to other's JC Staff's works, Golden Time explores another aspect which we have not yet been exposed to.
Real life couples.
The reason why i said that was that, throughout the series, we can actually see the progress of their relationship. I would like to separate the series itself to three parts. The first part of the series showed how they met and the circumstances of each character. Mainly Banri and Kouko. The second part would be the honeymoon period of the relationship where most of the person who had been into a
...
relationship would know. The clinginess and the 'forever want to text you' feeling. Yes, that actually happens in real life. And the third part would be the trust.
They always say that honeymoon period is round three months and in the anime, the transition from the honeymoon to comfortable and trust was around that time too. Which makes it even more realistic.
People always compared GT with other works by JC, but that just wrong, because GT is unlike others. It's a work by its own. People might want a closure in the sub-plots of the side character, but the way i feel the story, it didn't even matter because GT is about Banri and Kouko.
And i do think that the writer of GT had done a very good job with the transitions and plotting of the story. There were a few solid scenes. While some might not like it, i think it's very interesting. When you're in a relationship, sometimes, even just a dream will make you feel insecure about your parter. It does happen.
As far as the story, it's a solid 8/10
For characters. Kaga Kouko. A person who thought she knows what is love but in fact knows nothing. She thought by being there with the person she loves is the key for 'love' itself. it was shown by her clinginess and endless text, but after a certain episode, where she knew about Linda, and accept it, she began to trust Banri. By far, Kouko's character development was brilliant. Magnificent. She trusts Banri to remember him till the end.
Tada Banri. A guy who after a particular accident, forgets everything before the accident. Forgetting even his old personality. Because of that, because of fear he tried to run away from his past self and history and creating a new personality all together. This later created a dual personality. his past personality and present personality. When the past tried to take over, he forget the present. and vice versa. The character itself from the start had developed, but throughout the series, we can see the depth of his character. He loves Kouko, but he doesn't want to forget her. the dilemma drove him into a corner. He was afraid.
Linda is another main character which played a big part alongside Banri. She was very close with Banri. And was in love with the past Banri. Throughout the series, we can see how she finally confronts her true feelings towards him. She knew that she doesn't love the current Banri. But she still cares for Banri. Not as lovers, as bestfriends. Her development as a character was pretty good.
Mitsuo, Kouko's 'first' love. Was just a bro. his character developed well around with 2D and Chinami. These three characters all showed real life action to each situation. how they cope and solved it.
So, characters, 8/10
Art 8/10 and Sound 10/10
OMG, the art style had JC written all over it. Kouko looked a lot like Taiga, but don't be fooled, she's not. I love the art style. Everything was smooth and the character movements was not that awkward either. The expressions given by characters was spot on. Both the OP and the ED were very good indeed. I was hooked with the songs. It was so good. And might i say that the second OP was pretty vague at first, both the lyrics and the scenes, but after the last episode, i kinda get what they meant. and yeah, it was beautiful. very beautiful.
So, If you love Rom-Com, you should try Golden Time because it will open your mind to another aspect. The real deal. And if you're an avid reader of a Young Adult genre novels, Golden Time is the anime for you. Because as a reader myself, watching Golden Time was just like reading a novel. The feeling of enjoyment. The satisfaction. It just made you want to say, "That's Golden Time and that's enough."
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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May 2, 2013
"Ore Kanojo to Osananajimi ga Shuraba Sugiru" Quite a long and complicated name. As the name states it, yes, it's a warzone between a childhood friend and the girlfriend with the addition of another two comic relief character.
Story, 6/10:
For the story, well, people may thought, 'Hey, this must be another simple harem show again. whatever, i'll just watch it for fun'. Yeah, at first, i was like that, then, after a certain episode, the story was getting even more exciting. And to think that each and every one of the girls were given fair chances in getting the guy.
One thing that i really like
...
about this show is that, it didn't feel rush. Everything went smoothly with the flow. Although there were moments where you would be like, ' whuh?' but it was still good.
I gave it a 6/10 score because the story didn't reached the climax where it should have been. And a few other scenes that should be so powerful, but ended up with a 'meh'
Art, 8/10:
One good thing about this anime is the art style. Some people might be disturbed by the light coloured theme, but for me, i loved it! It was so refreshing and so cheerful. God, the opening was so full of colours, i was caught by the colours myself.
The character design was okay i guess. Although there were some scenes where the character's face was a bit weird.
Sound, 7/10:
I would say that the Sound in the anime played a not-so-much part in most of the massive scenes, where it should be. So yeah, maybe that's one of the reason why i feel the climax didn't reach the peak where i think it should have been.
The OP and ED played a major role in setting up the cheerful atmosphere. I love the OP. Hahaha.
For the second last episode, the ED played a major role in setting the mood for the last episode. I can't tell you what it's about, but it was aweesome.
Character, 8/10:
So in this harem, we have the genki girl, Harusaki Chiwa, the tsundere, Fuyuumi Ai, the chuunibyou, Akishino Himeka and the beauty, Natsukawa Masuzu.
Usually, in a harem anime, the main guy would be a total clueless dumbass that didn't even notice a girl likes him even after that girl confessed to him. But Eita, is not like that. he may be clueless at times, not because he is dumb, it's because of the family affairs which made him not to trust love.
And yes, i would believe that kind of reasoning, family problems could turn a person into anything.
Then, there's Chiwa, the childhood friend, fell in love with him after a certain incident(I won't spoil it). Also, has a bulletproof reason to love him.
Masuzu in the other hand, doesn't have any reason to love Eita, but she develops feelings for him later on. and i must say, watching Masuzu grew from the beginning to the end is really fun and sweet at times. although she can be a jerk.
Himeke and Ai, were practically the comic relief love interest. But even so, their reasoning to fell in love with Eita were both solid rock. Yes, even for a side character, i was rooting for Ai at some point.
A bunch of 'the usual' harem character but with interesting backgrounds and solid reason to why they like the same guy. Trust me, you won't get bored with any one of these characters, ever.
If only, every harem makes sense like this one...
Enjoyment, 8/10:
When the episode is getting dull, or the start of a new mission, behold! The Burning Fighting Fighter Notebook of Darkness!
HAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!
YES, It was so embarrassing, i can't stop laughing.
Anyway, besides that, watching every singe one of the characters(including the aunt) developed at a same rate was really enjoying. every single one of them had a fair chance, even Kaoru. Yes, Kaoru. If only Kaoru was in the harem circle....
Overall. 7/10:
Like it's title, 'My girlfriend and childhood friend fight too much'. i agreed on that 100% percent. Because, it was all about a childhood friend and his gilrfriend. Ai and Himeka were just there. One of my favourite thing about the anime was watching Masuzu and Chiwa fought.
*cough* *cough* the last scene in the final episode, yup. i love that scene. eventhough there were no sparks between them, i swear i saw them inside my head.
it was so intense that it was so good.
Credits to the huge character developments in Masuzu. And yes, now i'm stuck between both of them.
If the harem is bad, you'll like every characters in the harem circle, if the harem is okay, you would like only one of them but if the harem is good, you would stuck in choosing which one is the best.
Yes, even now, i didn't see any winners yet. Not common for an anime but it's OreShura, where everything were for a reason.
P/s:
I am rooting for second season!! No notebook, less comic relief, more love pentagon. Instead of being 80% comedy 20% romance, my guess, it would be 25% comedy, 25% serious and 50% romance for the next season. I wanna know more about Masuzu's family.
If you really like something refreshing to watch, watch OreShura. But if you think too much and more towards serious stuffs, don't watch it.
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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Mar 16, 2013
Since this is my first review, i'll try and make it as simple as possible.
Story: 10/10
Gosick was highly recommended as a to-watch anime after i watched Kamisama no Memochou. Inside my head, i was like, "This must be some kind of a detective/mystery anime". I was expecting a full blast mystery, but what i didn't expect was the way they made the mystery revolves around a romance story. And i must say, it was a damn good love story.
There were a few mysterious death and mystery cases and after each one was solved, a hint of the real and final mystery was revealed. basically,
...
this anime really will make you feel curious about this and that which will be resolved in the end. And you know what, IT MAKES SENSE!
There were no major plotholes. everything was explained without any rush. the pacing of the story was so good, you won't even feel you already watched a 20 minute show. The ending of the story was perfectly executed. Seriously, towards the end, it was getting darker and darker and at one point, you will have this fear of how the heck are they going to end this marvelous love story.
but fear not! It was beautiful
Art: 8/10
The art style was very good and it wasn't stiff at all. Everything flowed smoothly. the expression of the characters while conversing or when they were doing something was portrayed very well. It'll make the viewers to understand the mood surrounding the characters very well. I must say, the details, especially in Victoriques dress was very well made.
Sound: 9/10
The soundtrack really does creates the mood of the current event. And the first ending song was so good, it creates this excitement of wanting to know about what will happen in the next episode. The oping song was not that catchy, but didn't create a mystery atmosphere as well, since it was actually not mainly about mystery. It's the story of two characters in love.
Character: 10/10
So, the main characters are Victorique, a small petite girl that has the appearance of a Golden Fairy and a very sharp mind, and Kazuya, a student from Japan who studies in Saubure, a boy who has troubles adapting to new environment and has no friends. So they met. and secrets were unveiled.
From the first few episode, I concluded that Kazuya is not any typical anime guy character since he was not that stupid. Kazuya was actually pretty interesting. He knows what he wants and he is reliable. Victorique who is smarter tends to bully him...
Both are a teaser. they teased each other. From episode to episode, you can see the development of the characters, from "I will protect you" to "I want to be with you".
Kazuya and Victorique relationship really is from stranger to friends to bestfriends and finally to lovers. and heck, they didn't even tell they love each other. Love can't be express by words, that is what the characters were saying.
Besides both of them, there're few others characters and each one is a strong character. each one is interesting in their own way.
Enjoyment; 9/10
The enjoyment, frankly speaking is not just about how they solved the mystery or what the mystery is bout. but the enjoyment comes from seeing how the love story develops. It's hard to write a mystery story. It's harder to write a mystery story which revolves around a love story. This anime uses each mystery as a stepping stone for the character development. seeing that happen smoothly and without any abrupt pacing, it was really truly fullfilling.
Overall: 9/10
I watched lots of romance based anime and Gosick was one of the top in my list of best romance anime i watched. Just watching them developed into a couple was enough to express the love they have towards each other. no need of the word 'Love' anywhere because it's not the thing you say, it's the thing you feel. This anime showed that to me.
The mysteries inside this anime was top-notched. People might say that Victorique suddenly knew everything, and they would hate her for being so unrealistic but, I will tell you to watch it again, because all the clues were there from the start, you just need to think to understand why and how Victorique got her answer.
Usually in a romance story, it's either the girl is too stupid, or the guy is too stupid to know they love each other, but Gosick is not a usual love story. Both character develops feeling towards each other and they didn't even try to deny that fact.
If you love mystery, watch Gosick
If you love romance, watch Gosick
If you love both, Gosick is the best anime for you
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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