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Sep 22, 2020
I am amused by Tsubana sensei's creativity. In Mikake no Nijuusei, Tsubana-sensei used time machine to create a story of alternative reality that seems common, yet she didn't go to the direction as of what most of author go to. In Babel no Toshokan, she used word and library of Babel instead. And now in this series, she used another different alternative, lucid dream.
Despite the the fact that Wakusei closet's main character didn't find herself struck by a Truck-kun and reincarnated to a medieval fantasy, it can also be classified as an isekai manga. One day, the main character, Aimi, found herself on an unknown
...
place where she saw a girl warned her to run away from a monster but it turned out that it was just a bad dream. But that dream felt so real she puts her thought to it. On the way to school with her classmates, she and friends saw a weird creature, of which they later call as "snake". And then one of his classmates, Tamura-kun, seems losing his consciousness and eaten by the snake and disappeared. When she fell asleep after school, she found herself on the same strange planet again and saw Tamura-kun's body with multiplied face that tried to attack her. But Flare - the girl she met before- managed to save her and later, they try to escape this strange planet in the dream. As the story progress, mysteries are revealed one by one and everything becomes clear on the last volume.
The interesting thing is that this simple appearing manga turns into a darker, more thrilling and more of a survival journey than most (if not all) isekai and "into game" story.
Similar to other Tsubana sensei's works, this manga has very few important characters -only Aimi and Flare.From the start of the series, we can know all about Aimi through presentation of the events and her psychology -her confusion and desperation- are also well explored. On the other hand, Flare is a part of the mystery of the manga. She at first could not remember anything except the fact that she was in hospital before finding herself alone in this planet. Little by little, her past life revealed and brought the mystery comes into light and you could start to understand about this world. The mysteries also create horror and it makes you constantly worried about Aimi and Flare.
But as it is Tsubana sensei's work, you will find a blank to fill. So if you are new to her works, you may be left confused.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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Sep 21, 2020
Started off as an indies manga in 2014 posted by Kunirou-sensei in Manga Box Indies along with RULE~Crime Boy, Ijime no Jikan officially got serialized by Manga Box in 2016 after it gained its popularity.
If you haven't read the manga, this review may contain a minor SPOILER!
The story of this manga started off with a strong opening. As Ayumu, the main character, muttered in his heart "May I never be born again", he attempted to commit suicide by jumping from the school's rooftop. The first four volumes of the manga take us back to six months before the event. They tell us the story behind
...
Ayumu's decision of killing himself.
In these four volumes, the painful experience of the main character was told in detail, started from the starting point of him bullied, the struggle he faced to understand the situation he was currently in, the blame he put to himself after (unintentionally) involving others into his problem, and the loss of hope after being trapped in a series of bullying game set by his own classmates. He was physically abused, but what's more is, he was tortured psychologically which is actually the common form of bullying in Japan.
In fact, bullying isn't special to Japan, but it is seen as one of major problems in Japan Education System where Japanese officials have put attention to. The nature of bullying in Japan isn't physical bullying according to Japanese researchers themselves. On the other hand, it's more about putting the bullied into the state of not belonging and helplessness, aka psychologically. This is portrayed really well in the first four volumes of this manga, and the author used many references in actual psychological theory to describe the changes of the main character.
But despite how well and detail it is in my personal opinion, some people may find these four volumes unbearable to read, especially the scene where Wa died. The bullying is also overkill, but I think it conveys the massage the author tries to deliver about how bullying is often just a game for the bullies and bystanders join laughing. The thought of the bullies are also rarely given in these volumes so they may feel one dimensional.
Actually, this manga provides many different perspectives, including the bullies. But it is barely presented before volume 6 after the MC finally took revenge.
While this manga may fall under "bullying-revenge" manga category, this is not a power fantasy manga to dominate bullies like most of "bullying-revenge" manga out there. There's no such thing as the MC suddenly becomes OP and beats everyone he hates. Instead, it takes time for the MC to gradually change psychologically and became desperate enough to finally decide to stand up and take weapon in order to get revenge. Doesn't it remind you to school shooting?. In addition, when the MC finally takes revenge, he slowly understands that even the bullies are just human after all. And the MC finally started to question whether what he is doing is right or wrong. But this scar the bullying is left is too big and hatred can be so scary it affects you not only emotionally, but also physically. Saying that, this manga takes a realistic approach to it's story telling which makes it stand out.
And I personally think that people who really care about bullying or practitioner at school -like myself as a teacher- should read this manga. Often, adults at school don't understand what's happening among the students until they are hit by a sudden bad news, that a student committing suicide or there's a school shooting as a revenge of bullied students for example (I never experienced such an extreme cases, though). We are supposed to be the place where students could rely on and yet we are often clueless of bullying and think that it is just a game between them. In other words, we passively join the bullies and make everything harder for the bullied student.
This manga presents three characters as perspective of teachers. Aoki sensei, a teacher who let bullying happen because he is afraid of the bully student's family influence. The female teacher who understands that there's a possibility of bullying incident happening unnoticed but won't try to do anything because she is afraid the students will be hurt if being accused, or the matter could end up being worse. And Shibasaki sensei who actively tries to help the students. The view of Shibasaki sensei is really rare to see being brought up in manga so this manga is really special to me as I share the same view as him as a teacher.
Tendo's mom also plays a big part in this manga. Research has shown that bullying is actually more common than we, adult, though. But we are not aware of it until the incident becomes more serious because many bullying victims don't seek for adult help in the first place.
Some readers may find that this manga's character as general is annoying. In fact, I can understand that view, but at the same time I don't share that sentiment. It's important to understand that people have different tendencies and trait. Reading this manga requires you at least to be able to be open minded to understand the character motives because they are actually presented and even explained in detail. But if you are easily projecting yourself into the main character or you are really clueless about bullying behavior, human personality and Japanese society, along with their collectivism then you are probably will be irritated.
Actually, I am amazed that what I find in this manga is actually supported by many research findings about bullying in Japan.
Bullying, justice, and revenge are the main subjects of this manga. And they are depicted in detail so it can be an uncomfortable read for some people. If you are easily offended by these topics then, I don't think you should continue to read after reading the first chapter because it will just get even worse until the last few chapters where everything sorted out and becomes clear.
You may think that this manga is full of negativity. While I agree that this manga depicts many negative things, this is a really well thought manga and true to reality for some bad bullying cases. More importantly, this manga actually delivers a strong massage about self-reflection. In the end, every character including minor character realized that bullying or revenge will bring only sadness. Bullying is terrible. It brings misfortunes to everyone involved and those around them and the parents are the ones more responsible to bullying behavior of their kids. That's such a strong massage from this manga.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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Feb 20, 2019
Originality in modern world is nothing but a fantasy.
Talking about fantasy, there are many fantasy settings out there, but this is the first time this person finds a setting where time has no boundaries, with the building looks like medieval western to the nano tech where hologram feels real. This is a brilliant idea and experimentation from an author named Hiro Mashima who write one of the most famous shounen anime in this modern time, which could remain you of his previous works and Yuuzo Takada' Little Jumper. In this new series, Hiro Mashima combine his previous works such Fairy Tail, Rave Master, and
...
the niche Monster Hunter Orage.
It has been ten years since Monster Hunter Orage ended but "Shiki" is still a crybaby over friends. His personality still reflects the previous Shiki with his curiosity and easily getting exited over new and strange things. But despite the similarity they have, the Ryuuhou has changed to Granbell, the wind has changed to gravity, and the new Shiki also seems like a fusion of Natsu and Gray who is actually not the only fusion version of Fairy Tail's characters. What do you get when Lucy and Juvia do a fusion? Yes, you get Rebecca. Erza Scarlet and Kagura ? you get Homura. It doesn't end there, you'll still can see some Fairy Tail characters in the background and as a new character here with a different personality and name, even Let from Rave Master is here. Though Let has his hair a bit down to the front now. Does design matter?, yeah sure. But what distinguish a character from the others is not limit to the outlook but also their inner, personality.
While Shiki remains similar, Irie Jescar changed when it comes to her introduction in this new series. If Monster Hunter Orage portrays her as hating the term "friend" at first, Edens Zero does the other way. She is portrayed as valuing friend much, named Rebecca now with an appearance of the fusion of Lucy and Juvia. Well, she is actually the most modificated one among the refined characters so far. Her strength remain the same which is good, even though Shiki is still the one who save her day mostly.
Mahima's affection of online game, such as Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy, and Mythical and fantasy creatures, especially dragon, is described stronger here compared to Fairy Tail, Rave Master, or Monster Hunter Orage. The new version of Miogaruna, Acnologia and the moving headed horse are all gather here. Not mention the Cat and Dog companion. The pupuun dog rarely make an appearance though, which is sad.
The concept of Mashima sensei brings in this new series is nothing new but a combination of his previous work so far. But this brand new world is really interesting and complex compare to all of his previous works. It seems like Mashima uses his "wild" imagination in this new series. He can be rewarded "The Mad Mashima" for this new work.
Let's see where it goes from now on.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Feb 19, 2019
A journey of looking for truth isn't an easy one. On the other hand, it's the riskiest journey to go through as it challenges the believe system one has that has been built for years since childhood. But as a natural thing, for some people it's an avoidable journey. Some people refer it as philosophy, others call it the second puberty, while some others call it as a form of 20s something. Well, looking for the truth is something common in 20s, so I myself like to call it the latter.
When one has something to believe, often we value it as a way of life.
...
But as we grow, we often meet something challenging our belief and bringing doubt the the pure heart. The pure heart slowly turns to a black one and disbelief starts to grow as time passes. Some people can self-comfort themselves by thinking that God has something more beautiful for us while some others lose of control and start to do sin after sin. More extreme, someone can go so far to challenge God, either it's about His existence or the tenet one used to hold. Nimrod built the tower of Babel and Darwin introduces us the theory of evolution, are few example. It's actually more common that we have ever thought that someone throws his former religion after a certain event in his life.
Tenshi no Tamago presents to us the process of how the pure heart lose its light, one big egg turns to many small eggs, and an innocent child with her innocence turns to a man who full of question and skepticism. In the end, the locked man has finally free. But the free man is now lonely in a long road, feeling of being abandoned in an abandoned place.
Tenshi no Tamago is an anime that could make people confuse as hell. It's because people tend to see it from east or west and abandon the thing that it actually can be seen from north and south also. I am not saying that it's bad, but 'often' we lost our way to solve the puzzle. Tenshi no Tamago is a puzzle made as an expression of one's feeling. Rationality sometimes won't work.You need to feel it to understand what hurt is, or what happy is. That's how it is as I am experiencing it. I am not saying everyone should though.
Finally, the journey to look for the truth will lead us to only one of the two. Hold still or Leave it.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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Oct 22, 2018
Ok ok, this was pretty cliche that I laughed so hard. Now, I am not trying to making fun of this manga but I just couldn't help but laughing. Ha ha ha ha!
So, I am gonna talking about Seishun Panda, yes Sheishun panda. First, I don't understand why this manga titled Seishun Panda!. I expected some Panda symbolism or maybe real panda involved in this story. But I was a bit surprised how limited the panda's scene here that I forgot the Panda thingy in the titles when reading it while it has only four chapters. No, this is not about Panda, nor it does
...
have anything to do with Panda.
--Story--
Lol. Enough with my joke. So what is this manga about?
This is a pretty cliche types of shoujo manga. This is a pretty much typical shoujo love triangle between two males and one female, and an additional female character to add more triangle shape so that the main female character could realize her true feeling and be honest about it. This is pretty shoujo-ish and I believe shoujo reader has been reading this type of manga pretty often. If you're into it then it could be enjoyable.
To me personally, this is not the type I am into. When I am reading genre or type of story which aren't really my cup of tea, I kinda prefer to read something far from cliche or at least has something new to offer. Or else, I couldn't help but laugh at it even if it's supposed to be a drama. On the other hand, the more dramatic it is the harder my laugh. The good thing about this manga is it didn't try to be more over-dramatic. It's actually pretty light, the drama, and easy to read.
Seishun panda is about four students' friendship and love story, four students that consist of two females and two males. Two of them, a female and a male, are neighbourhoods who have spent most their time since childhood but have love-hate relationship. You can guess from here that they need someone else to come interrupting them to make one of them realize his/her true feeling. Since this is a shoujo one, yes it's true, it's from the female stand point. The drama comes when the person that interrupting them is actually the love interest of the main female's best friend who have been friend with her for about one year. The misunderstanding from the first male character is also presented there to give him more chance to show up and more spice into the dish.
--Art--
When it comes to art, it's also pretty typical. Once you see the character you can already guess that this manga falls under the shoujo umbrella; big eyes, lack of background detail, sparkling tone, and blushing characters. One thing that I find annoying in shoujo manga is the blushing characters and this is really presented here. Whenever the female character talks to the opposite sex you'll see her blushing, I mean what the fak?. Does she fall in love to everyone she meets? What is this blushing supposed to mean if that's not for that reason?.
--Character--
Our main character here is pretty typical. She is clumsy, stupid (low grade), oblivious, nice, and good at cooking. She is the type that wants to please everyone even if it means sacrificing herself, but her oblivious and nice side makes her indecisive that she couldn't say her true feeling she hurts everyone in the end including herself. If this is not short, I guess I would have dropped it on the first or second chapter because this type of character is really annoying to see.
--Enjoyment--
Well, despite the harsh words I say about this manga, it is not really frustrating to read. I can't say I enjoy it either though, since I was kinda expecting more looking at the title. But it was a nice read during my break from checking my students' homework.
--Overall--
This is a pretty typical shoujo manga with stupid and oblivious main female characters.
Reviewer’s Rating: 5
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Oct 19, 2018
Ashita e free kick is one of very few anime that I watched years back and still fresh in my mind (around 2007). It left a really good memory of my youth and I don't deny that my eager to re-watch it some years ago was due to it.
--Story--
Ashite e free kick may not be your typical sport anime. Despite it has one unique technique which is the main character's special move it's not really a football anime. Well, it may, but not your typical sport anime. If I would conclude the story in Ashita e free kick it's more about Godai Shun and his
...
friends.
Ashita e free kick started of with Shun and Roberto come to Shun's grandfather's island. In the island, Shun meets people from football youth club which is actually his family's football club. After meeting them, Shun becomes interested in football and tries to learn playing it despite some of his family members forbid him to or don't approve Shun's decision. One of them is his uncle who wants Shun to focus studying economics and continue the family's business instead. The sport club that's being a focus of this anime isn't only Shun's new football club. Aritaka Mizuho's (the female main character) volley club is also received much focus on some episodes, especially in the middle of the stories.
This anime can be divided into some parts based on its stories. Some first episodes focus on Shun's interest to play football and his introduction to new friends of his, how the relationship he builds between them and also Shun's family circumstances. Started from episodes 10s, the story shifted focus more on other characters, especially Mizuho. This is the part I like the most, where Mizuho started to get close with Shun and they give romantic vibe especially from Mizuho. This part also opens more chances of screen time from Mizuho's volleyball team which is truely a fresh air. Though this part is also showing Shun playing football, it's barely being a focus. The third part, the last part, started out around episodes 40s where the football and shun's family drama get more attention again.
That being said, this is not a good anime if you want an exciting football or volleyball which push you to keep watch and want to know what club wins next. This is more about daily life of characters who engage in sport and their relationship.
--Art--
The art of this anime is the weakest part. Well, I actually like the art style since it gives a vibe of old anime which is so charming and atmospheric. The character is also very well designed that the female characters are so beautiful.
But the lazy part of the animators are seen in the later episodes where the character seems drawn by different people from the first episode. There's an obvious inconsistency in how the character drawn in some episodes of the middle part. The character from other football club (Jaldan Youth) are also similar except the captain which make them are like ten person triplets. I don't know why they draw them that way. Maybe it was for comedy purpose, though it isn't that funny to feel so.
--Sound--
Sound, especially the background music, is the best part of this anime similar to other 80s or 90s anime. The music usage is also pretty well in evoking the intended emotion. a 90s type of rock guitarist gives an exciting vibe when the character having fun and such while a relaxing music plays when the scene shows the character relaxing and enjoying the regular day with normal activities (like watching the sunset and such).
--Character--
This anime has a big cast when it comes to its character, as expected from anime that involves sport team but only two of them that are stayed as focus from the start to the end which are Shun and Mizuho.
Shun is actually a typical shounen MC but not in sport anime. Shun is calm, oblivious, naive and a nice guy. He doesn't show emotion often but sometimes he shows empathy towards others. He is somehow childish but can be mature at some points.
Mizuho on the other hand is a typical easy going female main character. She is so spirited and easily distracted by her emotion. She loses focus when something bugs her especially if it's related to Shun. It's implied that she is deeply in love with Shun but somehow tries not to think about it but enjoys the moment she shares with Shun. This affection of Mizuho might be annoying to see since it makes her shout Shun's name many times and she can be over-dramatic. But I personally like her and don't think so about her.
--Enjoyment--
I really like how the relationship between her and Shun developed in the middle of the story and kinda disappointed that the staff worked in this anime don't make their relationship canon. But the platonic love between Shun and Mizuho (even though it seems more like one-sided since Shun is oblivious about her and his own feeling) is really interesting to see and one of the best parts of the show.
--Overall--
Ashita e free kick falls under slice of life genre. It may present sport clubs but it's more a slice of life than a sport anime. This is not an exciting sport, this is a relaxing slice of life.
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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Oct 18, 2018
In 1941, an infamous Argentine author and librarian named Jorge Luis Borges wrote a short story titled Library of Babel of which translated to Japanese as Babel no Toshokan, about an infinite library which resembles universe. In this library, you can find every permutation of words, which means you can find any words and sentences. This has an implication that all truth and lie are also there.
--Story--
Babel no Toshokan manga used this concept of infinite library to convey a romantic short story that's so unique and strange that could be hard to understand. I personally can't say that I could grasp everything in this manga
...
completely. There's certainly some disconnection between events in this manga and unexplained event that will make readers wonder, thinking if the author may leave the interpretation up to the readers.
The story started off with the two main characters writing the same exact 400 words essay which make their teacher angry at them. This leaves the one of them thinking that it could be a miracle, fate and/or a work of angel since the possibility of two people write the same exact 400 words with the same arrangement is almost zero and beyond common sense. Later, a twist and the answer come a long with a drama which turns the cute lovey dovey story into a dark one.
Despite how short this manga is, it does talk a lot. The short conversation and monologues presented here are impactful and meaningful, mostly about time-space, fate, reality and dream.
The theme were conveyed in the typical style of Tsubana, poetic and natural.
--Art--
If you've read many seinen manga, you may recognize that good amount of them have realistic character design, which tend to be used in dark/mature story, or really cute characters, which often be used in lighthearted and fun story. This manga can be classified into the latter with simplicity background and panel management even though the story itself falls in between.
The art style is so "straight" and "to the point", completely different with the story and conversations which are symbolic and poetic. This is one of Tsubana's charm that I find so interesting and leave me unsatisfied, wanting more.
--Character--
I can't say that I care that much about the character when it comes to their personality. They are reasonable that I think it would be so unfair to judge them. I also see what they choose as a part of fate which discard every reason that comes to mind to dislike or angry at them. This may relate to the nature of the work itself that it's pretty symbolic I chose to see all elements in this story to be symbols including the character.
What I love about the character in this manga is about how lovey dovey they are. As someone who hates love triangle and harem, I hardly find anything romantic and lovey dovey not having annoying scenes at some points. But this manga really answers my need, it did make me smile every time I saw the two characters walking together or simply meeting up.
--Enjoyment--
This manga may not have something that can be considered as new to deliver to me despite it's philosophical. But it certainly is clever to use the concept of infinite library and "word is frozen in time" as a gateway in explaining the concept of fate. Character's confusion of reality and dream is also interesting to see. Not mention despite it seems like having pessimism views of reality at first, it does deliver a positive-idealistic massage that's far from exaggerating.
--Overall--
I enjoy pretty much all that are presented in this manga.
--My Interpretation of Babel no Toshokan (SPOILER ALERT!)--
Babel no Toshokan is a romantic story, a unique kind of romance. This is not something about supernatural. The supernatural element here is only to present the idea of fate.
In the earlier chapter, Aiba is described as having a pessimism views of world. She believed that the reality is so scary to live in. "This world must be a lie" is what she believed. And after meeting Watase in a strange way (they write the exact same 400 words essay with the same exact arrangement of words), she believed it must be fate for them to meet and Watase might be the gateway to the "real world", a secret path of Angel.
As a way to escape the harsh reality, she escaped to her diary, writing a poetic short story that resembles the real event she experienced. Watase who has the "library of babel" ability could read everything Aiba's writing. It led them to sending letter very often and made Aiba even more convinced that it's really a fate to meet Watase after all. She trusted Watase so much and was really happy for being with Watase since Watase was the gateway to "real world" she had been looking for and there were strange phenomena around her which she believed to be massages from the Ange that affirmed itl. Until later, she found out that Watase lied to her. Everything she believed was torn apart and drove her insane, which made her believe that Watase is the Devil that prevent her from discovering the "real world".
The last chapter is somehow disconnected from the previous chapters, but I believe it's not the case. This chapter explains that Watase and Aiba fatefully met when they were kids. Before they met, Watase who was struggling in writing the essay task suddenly realized that his paper wrote words by itself and he could see the projection of Aiba. I have read Tsubana's other works and seems this is some kind of alternative reality. In Mikake no Nijuusei, Tsubana plays with time to present the idea of alternative reality. In this manga, she seems using word instead as this manga is referenced to Bourges' Library of Babel which describes the universe as an infinite hexagonal library. Tsubana may use one library as Aiba's world while Watase is the gateway from one room to the other room.
After they met as a child. Watase thinks that he met an Angel which seems more likely refer to Aiba. And this is their actual fateful encounter. The event in this alternative reality seems different to the other alternative reality where Aiba stabbed Watase with dagger. It turns out that Watase is really the gateway to Aiba's "happines", "the secret path of Angel", or you may say "the real world that Aiba is usually looking for". The knife turned out to be flower means the hatred turn out to be love.
Aiba is like a reader in the Library of Babel (Watase). There are all possibles written books in the library, sad story or happy story.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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Sep 17, 2018
There's a sad thing I feel about how bad the reception this short animation gets. Not only most people just see it simply as a shit show for presenting shit, but also most people who praise it are also being sarcastic and making fun of it. But it's not that surprising since most Koji Yamamura's and Yoji Kuri's works, also other experimental works, have received the similar treatment. This has left an impression on me that most people just can't appreciate an "ugly" work or something that try to be unique and out from the comfort zone.
The thing is people too much focus on the
...
thing that's presented instead of the main point of this short animation. But they are not to blame when the "unique thing" presented here surely is really something unpredictable and could evoke negative emotion. Well, that's Takena for you.
Takena has been called as GOD sarcastically by many people. The main reason is because his works tend to be crazy and crazily unpredictable. He is known for making short clay animation with a lot of blood, but at the same time most his works end up being funny for some scenes despite of it. I mean just look when the husband in Chainsaw Maid suddenly drinking tea when he sees his wife dead. If you follow its story from the start that scene is really pretty random, but it's not for the sake of being random. It's just Takena's style presenting humor.
Takena is really good at playing his audience's emotion and that's where the source of his comedy. This contradiction in Takena's works, or you may call it as a sudden change in the tone and atmosphere for a moment, is what makes his story interesting, unpredictable and funny. But too bad, this strong point of him tends to be seen negatively and is the reason why most people find his works as stupid.
Talking about Shitcom, people who too focus on the disgusting/uncomfortable part of it surely will abandon the rest and couldn't get the comedy (funny side of it) well. They couldn't follow the sudden change in tone well because they spend their time being disgusted instead. On the other hand, people who are fine with those uncomfortable things could enjoy the comedy, as like watching "dark version" of Nichijou or K-On. And no, I am not joking.
The main criticism this short animation tends to get is something along this line: "it's just about a couple vomiting shit".
I told you, it isn't. Surely, from the surface it is. But that's how Takena's comedy style. As I said before, the source of Takena's comedy is by the way he plays with audience emotion. In this short animation, He was making you believe that something beautiful would happen, but soon after there's a sign of the good thing would happen, he is throwing its contradiction and make you think how silly you were for believing something beautiful would happen. This technique of comedy presentation also is used in his other works; especially in Chainsaw Maid, like when the Maid suddenly changes the situation using her Chainsaw despite how desperate she was at first and in Maid of the Dead when one of the maids eating a customer's brain after the situation handled by the head of maid.
Shitcom isn't only about a couple vomiting shit. If Takena wanted to make something like that, he would just make two clay characters vomiting shit from the start like how he made Crazy Clay Wrestling where two characters fight each other from the very start. But he wasn't, because this short animation is supposed to be a comedy one. A comedy about two lovey dovey couple.
If you try to look it from a different angle, it's about the meaning of love. What's the meaning to love someone? and when do you know that you truly in love with someone?. Love means accepting, and you know that you love someone when you already don't feel disgusted doing something disgusting together.
Yes, doing disgusting things together. Do you think kissing is beautiful? Imagine you do it with someone you aren't interested to, how is it like? it's disgusting, isn't it?. Only when you love someone, don't you feel disgusted by such an activity. Takena only put exaggeration on that part by using shit as the contradiction of the beautiful moments of the couple share at first moments and thanks to it, it really works well in evoking the emotion it supposed to evoke, which makes this short animation funny.
As someone who loves something unique, this surely is something I'd praise and appreciate.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Aug 17, 2018
Sport - Romance has been a combination I usually seek for in anime and manga since way back. Despite it's actually not that hard to find, something suitable for me is kinda rare. When the two genres combined, I prefer them to be balanced and that's what makes it hard to find. So I was really glad that I finally found this manga some years ago.
Get! is a short manga that tries to explore soccer, friendship and romance at the same time. In result, it fails to be either a sport manga, a manga about friendship or romance manga. But it doesn't mean the manga
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fails to be entertaining.
When it comes to soccer, this manga doesn't deliver any special shoots or techniques that would make it interesting. But still, soccer plays a big part in the story and a medium to create drama.
The strongest point of this manga is on its successful attempt to build the chemistry between its characters especially between Mai and Harumi. The romance between them is really sweat that you can't help but to root for them. You may find Mai annoying though, because sometimes she gets angry and punches Harumi. She is a typical heroin of manga after all. But she is more developed than Harumi which is great.
One should be noted that this manga has an old style and shoujo-ish when it comes to its character design. But a long leg isn't that disturbing to see.
Reviewer’s Rating: 6
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Aug 16, 2018
If there's one manga that should be considered as "the most realistic manga ever made" then Mustard Chocolate deserves the title.
When it comes to a romance story, people often use "realistic" to refer to the story where the main character doesn't end up with his first love or to a depressing romantic story in general. Some also refer it to a complex romantic love story. But often, a depressing story in manga is too depressing to be realistic and a complex relationship in manga is too complex to be realistic that it makes some viewer cringy. Exaggeration is a thing in most manga but I
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don't mean it as a negative thing. On the contrary, it makes the story more interesting to follow but sometimes it makes the story looks stupid when its too much.
Mustard Chocolate avoids to take in any exaggeration. It's a pretty simple story about a young loner girl named Rinko in the cram school as a preparation for her to attend an arts college. Along the way, she finds few friends and experiences a new experience for her called love. But as realistic as it can be, it's not usually easy for her.
Mustard Chocolate is a realistic portrayal of a quite young girl's growing up phase. And when I said realistic, I really mean it. Imagine one of your quite girl classmates who sits in the corner of the classroom and never starts a conversation with others except few friends of her suddenly tells you her love story when you coincidentally meet her in college. That's how realistic Mustard Chocolate is. Rinko experienced joy and also sadness, but none of them exaggerated.
I don't say the absence of exaggeration in Mustard Chocolate is something positive though. It made the character easy to understand but at the same time makes the story less interesting to follow.
For the quite young girls in high school though, or those who used to be, may find this manga relatable and interesting.
Reviewer’s Rating: 6
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