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I'm currently rewatching this series as I prepare to get caught up on the second season. And without giving too much away, I figured I would share some of my personal thoughts on it and whether I would recommend it to others. I will provide a little bit of info regarding early series events and character arcs, but nothing specific that would spoil the story.

Mahoutsukai no Yome is nothing short of a magical experience. If you're a fan of fairytales, fantasy, and folklore, I can't recommend it enough thanks to its beautiful soundtrack, gorgeous visuals, and wealth magical creatures and lore that the characters come ... across over the course of the series. I think the show does a nice job combining both cute/whimsical and darker elements of fantasy, so you never quite know from moment to moment whether something is going to make you laugh, cry, or just stare in awe and wonder. And I think this is a big part of why the series has become a fairly popular favorite since its release.

However, whether or not you can truly enjoy this series likely depends on your ability to look past its premise. For all its beauty and magic whimsy, the story centers around a teenager, Chise, who is so traumatized and lonely that she's given up on life and sold herself into slavery. Her buyer, Elias, is an ancient being with immense magical power who essentially takes her in out of curiosity due to the mysterious power she herself possesses, but doesn't yet fully understand. He claims to want to make her not only his apprentice, but also his "bride" (although due to his lack of understanding of humans, there's some debate about whether he truly knows what that means). Despite Chise's initial wariness, the two bond, and their relationship and the things she learns while a part of his world set her on a path to growth and eventually, remembering how to love life again.

It's creepy. I'm not even gonna try to dance around that. No matter how you look at it, it's creepy. Although the Mahoutsukai no Yome does not entirely ignore the unhealthy nature of this relationship and its skewed power dynamics over the course of the series, it's clear that it's intended to head in a romantic direction... and I can definitely see why that would turn some people off. The relationship between the two leads appears to be problematic by design, but at the same time, it's romanticized in a way that most sane people would certainly not condone in real life.

At the same time, I also believe its possible to suspend one's disbelief enough to enjoy this series, despite some of its more problematic elements. Many of the characters Chise meets along her journey are truly enchanting, and watching her personal growth from beginning to end is a treat to watch. The good news is that while Chise's twisted relationship to Elias is a central part of the story, it is still HER story. And she becomes far more fierce and independent as that story goes on.

I'm saying all this because, while I think there's a lot to love in Mahoutsukai no Yome, from the amazing storytelling to Chise's character growth and the dazzling visuals, the foundation it builds from shouldn't be ignored and needs to be part of the discussion. Only you can decide whether this series is for you, but at the end of the day, I think it's possible to enjoy a series without necessarily loving everything about it. For my part, I would definitely recommend any fantasy lover watch at least three or four episodes before deciding whether it's worth their time. The first episode, in my opinion, doesn't do the rest of the series justice.

Okay, so after months of waffling in and out of this show, I finally completed the entire thing. And this is what I have to say:

It was good. Overall, I think I enjoyed the first season better than the second, though, since by the second season I found myself getting annoyed with the characters and wishing that the main characters Sawako and Kazehaya would just give it up and confess their love already. For an already relatively slow-moving series, this became frustrating now and again. That said, the inevitable but adorable and mostly satisfying ending brought my score up for this season.

Kimi ni Todoke is ... a fairly typical high school romance anime. Nothing all that special about the characters or the art style, and at the same time a sort of light-hearted sweetness that always brings you back for more. Sure, sometimes you stare at the screen and wonder how a character could possibly be so stupid and there are plenty of coincidences and overly dramatic misunderstandings for the sake of drawing out the plot, but isn't that what makes it fun in the end? Honestly, even though I was gritting my teeth in annoyance at times, I could never find it in my heart to stay angry at Sawako for too long. Her shyness often became the culprit behind many misunderstandings in the show, but I would be lying if I said I couldn't relate to that. Unlike in some Shoujo anime, the guy Kazehaya isn't rude or over-confident. While he is the popular guy, he has the title not just because of his looks, but because he is genuinely kind and warm-hearted as a person, which I can appreciate. Sawako's friends are loving and supportive, and even most of the characters who initially come of as antagonists have some redeemable qualities. So although I wouldn't say I put any of the characters in my top ten list, I didn't outright dislike anyone.

Overall, it was a sweet story and I recommend it to romance fans who like a fluffy, slow-paced good time. Not bad at all.

Although I absolutely adored the first season of Shirayuki, I must admit for the first few episodes of season 2 I couldn't decide whether I liked it as much. At first, I felt a little bit like the show had lost some of its magic... and maybe it was because Zen and Shirayuki were apart for a while, maybe I just didn't enjoy the plot arc quite as much... I don't really know. But, it didn't really take away from my score too much, as it seemed to pick up for me again after I made it through the first 5 episodes or so, and ... once again I fell in love with this sweet story <3

Firstly, I have to comment on the art again. I just love it. I think it might be the most beautiful style of anime art that I've seen. It's so colorful and detailed without being over the top, and it really adds to the magical, fairytale feel of the show.

As for the story, like the first season, it's really nothing original. But to me, fairytale romance almost never gets old, unless it's just blatantly cheesy to a ludicrous extent. Starting off with this season I was not a huge fan of the whole thing with Obi and Raj suddenly showing feelings for Shirayuki. Not that I necessarily have a problem with harem or reverse harem or whatever, but for this show the idea wasn't working for me. Luckily, that whole fiasco wasn't shoved down my throat or anything, and ultimately didn't become a main plot device. Thank heaven.

Character-wise, I like just about all of them. Shirayuki and Zen are both great in my opinion. Like last season, Shirayuki is kind and gentle, but also intelligent, resourceful, and strong-willed. I've always thought she was quite a human character, one with different sides to her, but nothing drastic like a sudden fit of violent anger as shown in a lot of anime. She experiences many emotions, happiness, sadness, frustration, etc... and I like that about her. Zen is also pretty awesome. He's like the ultimate prince charming, but better, because he has a personality. He tries to act smooth and confident, but even he gets flustered or upset at times. And his love and devotion for Shirayuki... simply swoon-worthy. Speaking of their relationship, I just thought I'd mention that I appreciate how the two of them actually talk about things. Any time there is an issue, they actually discuss it like normal people in a relationship are supposed to do, which is something I don't see all that often in anime. Usually, misunderstandings build up until someone explodes for no reason and then there's unnecessary conflict that could have been avoided... luckily, Shirayuki and Zen are mature enough to handle the bumps in the road with grace and dignity.

I also liked the other characters, many of whom got some more development this season. I like both Kiki and Mitsuhide, who are both awesome and very loyal friends. Obi's an interesting character as well, and I thought it was cool to get a glimpse of his past. I'm hoping to see more of that in the future, perhaps if I read the manga. And even Prince Raj, holy snap... he was such a scum bag in the first season, and yet he somehow grew on me. Amazed.

I think the only character I don't like is Zen's brother... partially because I don't get what his deal is. I find him a little disturbing at times, and it almost seems like he just, for no reason, finds some kind of enjoyment out of messing with Zen and Shirayuki in twisted ways. He just... creeps me out.

In any case, I really loved this show. The whole thing, both season 1 and 2. Even if this one took me a couple episodes to get into it, I'm still glad I watched it and I think this series will forever have a place in my heart. It will definitely be my go-to in the future for days when I'm feeling sad. Sigh... don't we all wish we had our own fairytale romance?

I avoided this anime for several years because I was worried it would be too dark for me. However, as I got older the more I heard about how great it was, and I decided to give it a shot.

And, wow, I was not disappointed.

Death Note is a truly interesting and engaging anime that asks some of humanity's most unanswerable questions. Who decides what is right, and how do we as human beings make that choice? What makes a person good or evil? Is there even such a thing as that kind of black and white concept in this world?

I'm not sure, but Death ... Note certainly made me think about it. The main protagonist, Light, is not exactly your average hero. In fact, one could argue that, while the main character, he was more of a villain than a hero. While I could sympathize with some of his ideas, ambitious genius quickly changed and grew more corrupt as he continued to kill people with the Death Note. He was selfish and cruel, and while he may or may not have truly thought of humanity's best interest in the beginning, he ultimately proved that he didn't care about much of anything or anyone but achieving his goals and playing God. It was quite tragic.

That said, Light was a very well-written character and I enjoyed watching him, even if I wouldn't want to meet such a person in real life. I liked some of the other characters too, such as Light's father, who always kept on the path of justice, and Matsuda, a younger member of the police force with good intentions but a habit of klutzy behavior. I wasn't a huge fan of Light's "love interest" Misa, but it wasn't so much because of her attitude and actions as it was the fact that the writers basically just used her as a tool throughout the series to further Light's agenda. As one of the only female characters in the entire show, it just kind of felt like a waste. I did feel a little sorry for her though, since she really did love Light despite that she was so blinded by it that she couldn't see his true intentions.

On the other hand, the one other character who really stood out to me was the antagonist, L. L is the world's greatest detective, and the force that works against Light for the majority of the series to try to catch the one responsible for the Death Note killings. Although he isn't exactly a saint himself, I think he is my favorite character mainly because of his quirky personality and his little habits that become apparent as you watch him. His relationship to Light is particularly engaging, and perhaps the best part of the show, as they play cat and mouse trying to bring the other down.

Some people think the show goes downhill after a certain character death two thirds of the way through the show, but I enjoyed the last part of the series. Some new characters were introduced, and at first I couldn't decide how I felt about them, but overall my interest stuck and I was every bit as satisfied by the ending as I was saddened and slightly disturbed by it.

All in all, Death Note is a wonderful anime that I would recommend to anyone, even non-anime fans!

So, it seems to me that this is the type of anime that you may love or hate depending on your ability to relate to the main character's problems. Our main protagonist is a young girl named Tomoko who suffers from very severe social anxiety. The plot revolves around all of her attempts (and usually failures) to make friends in school and get people to notice her.

During the first couple of episodes I laughed my head off, and yet couldn't decide whether or not I was actually supposed to be laughing. In truth, while a very comedic show with hilariously awkward moments, Watamote is so ... tragic. And I guess the reason I decided it was okay to laugh was because I can relate to Tomoko on so many levels: how she struggles to talk to strangers and hold a conversation, how she overanalyzes situations and what people will think, how much more comfortable she is on her own than with other people, yet she still gets lonely... I totally get it. The only difference is, I've always had a loving support system, while Tomoko is mostly on her own to come up with crazy, messed up ideas in her head of how to get popular. But I knew where she was coming from, and therefore I could laugh while still rooting for her and hoping just maybe something good would happen to her in the next episode. Luckily, a few times the writers gave us a treat and I felt myself welling up with tears when I saw Tomoko successfully talk to someone or get treated with kindness.

The ending, while fitting in my opinion, certainly wasn't what I wished it could be. Yet, I suppose that's what makes it kind of realistic. My only hope is that eventually she'll come out of her shell a little and make some new friends. Maybe I'll have to read the manga sometime :)

Anyway, I thought this was an excellent anime, albeit not for everyone. To me, it was clever how the writer made the series into a comedy without toning down or truly making light of the struggles associated with social anxiety. Really a lot of fun to watch.

I have only seen a handful of Studio Ghibli films to date, although there are still several I plan to watch in the future. The first I saw was Spirited Away, which I loved, and then much later I watched Howl's Moving Castle. And it has remained my favorite, even as I have watched others over the course of the last two years.

I know a lot of people have some hate for this movie because of its flaws and eyebrow raising plot holes. HOWEVER... that didn't take away from my enjoyment in the beginning, nor has it taken away from my enjoyment during each time ... I have watched it since.

First of all, as with most Ghibli films, the animation is lovely. The detail and variation of colors takes my breath away. Its music doesn't disappoint... fitting and beautiful as always.

And the characters... well, they were probably what made the movie for me. Both of the leads, Sophie and Howl, were likeable I thought. Sophie, although lacking in self-esteem at first, really came through and I thought her way of dealing with her situation was actually really cute. And the way her relationships to the other characters changes her and helps her to gain confidence over the course of the movie was quite touching. I like Howl and how he develops as a character through knowing Sophie, and how he slowly learns that outer beauty isn't everything. All of the other characters were interesting as well, especially Calcifer. I think he was my favorite.

Anyway, I just thought the movie was a lot of fun, despite its issues. I also have a soft spot for fantasy and romance, so I guess that probably helped. But I mean, if you think about it, the plot is actually really cool. It could probably use to be cleaned up a little, but... overall, wonderful movie. I give it a ten out of ten for my emotional attachment. :)

The Steins;Gate series was one of the most epic anime shows I ever had the pleasure of watching, so I was quite excited to delve into its movie. And I must say that I was not disappointed with this lovely epilogue to the Steins;Gate world line ending.

Granted, it didn't have as many darker tones as the series did, and it didn't focus quite as much on Okabe's character. However, these did not take away from my enjoyment in the least.

This movie centered mainly on the female protagonist, Kurisu, as she struggles to save Okabe from being wiped out of existence after his jumping between ... world lines starts to take its toll on him. Even though Okabe does not get as much screen time in the movie as he did in the series, there are still plenty of fun character antics, including banter between Okabe and Kurisu during the first half hour. After that, the plot gets more serious and we find out what the movie is truly about. Kurisu coming to terms with her feelings and Okabe's claims about time travel.

Overall, it was a great movie to end the series. And although some people may disagree, I think this movie was quite relevant, in that it did an excellent job of developing Kurisu's character and delved further into the relationship between her and Okabe, both of whom I adore so much :)

I must say, I have been itching to write a Noragami review since the second season of the anime started, but ultimately I decided to go with the manga since I'm currently reading it, and I personally just think it's better.

I LOVE Noragami. I have been slightly obsessed with it ever since I first saw it. I really don't read much manga. The only time I do for the most part is if I love an anime enough that I want to continue on with the story. And I just couldn't get away from Noragami.

I've enjoyed it a lot more than I originally thought I ... would. At first it really doesn't seem like there's anything particularly unique about the story, but I found out soon enough that, despite a seemingly generic plot and cast of characters upon first glance, there is sooo much more. And I think what really had me above all was the characters.

Yato: Main character, and my favorite character in the show. He's a god (not a very good one) who starts out the series going around granting little wishes for five yen. He's goofy and self-absorbed, determined to have a shrine and people who look up to him like all the other gods. While he seems to be kind of a bumbling idiot at first who can't even keep a Regalia or a place to sleep at night, it's made clear as the series progresses that he has his own super screwed up set of issues and a lot of different sides to his personality when the situation calls for it. The way his character changes and develops upon his interactions with Hiyori and Yukine touches my heart.

Yukine: Yato's Regalia, who actually frustrated me a lot at first for various reasons, including being a selfish brat. I guess that's not too abnormal for a teenager, though. But perhaps even more so than Yato, he really develops later on and becomes a character very dear to me. I felt like his growth was really well done, as well as the development of his relationship with Yato.

Hiyori: The female lead and a half-phantom who wants Yato to return her to her normal human state. She is kind and selfless, often seeming to take on something of a motherly like role for Yato and Yukine. I like Hiyori, although not as much as the former two. I feel like she, above all the characters, could have had more development; however, she's still far from being the typical female protagonist who is useless and just exists to be saved or for fanservice. Just does actually have a significant purpose to the story line, and she has this interesting way of using her love of sumo wrestling to her advantage :)

I also like the supporting characters, such as Bishamon and Kazuma... Nora is really the kind of villain you love to hate. All of her scenes leave me chilled to the bone and her frustrating, complicated relationship with Yato makes me want to tear my hair out. Just... awesome stuff.

As for the art, it's nice. I have no complaints.

Anyway, Noragami's a great manga and I would recommend it to anyone who has either seen the anime or who is looking for an interesting read. Even if it doesn't grip you in the first few chapters, I implore you not to give up. It's a seriously epic story.

Maid-sama is a really fun show with a ridiculous sounding premise. I mean, it's about a high school girl who secretly works as a maid and gets discovered by a devilishly handsome guy who decides he wants to spend every waking moment causing her problems and invading her personal space. Honestly, that's all the anime is. Except that there is something charming enough about it that I couldn't help finding enjoyment in it. Actually, for a while I was crazy about it. It was funny and light-hearted and just something I could watch on a relaxing afternoon without having to get too serious. I think ... I've seen the show at least three or four times now.

I like the art... no complaints there. Nothing really unique or exciting about the music, but I didn't dislike it.

None of the characters really had much significance to the plot other than the main characters, Misaki and Usui. I guess that's because Misaki and Usui ARE the plot... but anyway, I guess that makes it pretty easy to follow.

Misaki is all right. She's just your average high school President with a hatred for men and practically superhuman strength (for whatever reason). And Usui is the typical cool guy whom all the girls adore but he just happens to choose the one who insists through almost the whole series that she doesn't want him. But actually, I kind of like Usui. He has a couple of different sides to him, so you never really know which one you'll get: his gentle, vulnerable side, or his dark and manipulative side. Although he does come off as a bit of a jerk much of the time, it's interesting to watch how his character interacts with Misaki.

However, this is my main issue with the show: Misaki's inconsistent personality.

Before she met Usui she was a tough, no-nonsense type of girl who would kick your butt if you stepped out of line. She was more than capable of taking care of herself.

Now, I know what you might say: Don't read into it so much. It's just an anime series.

True, but I had a hard time getting past this. Misaki is strong, stronger than most men it seems. Except for Usui. And all of the sudden, after she meets him it seems like she keeps getting herself into situations where she needs him to rescue her. Honestly, you would think that she's smart and strong enough to be able to come to his rescue at least once or twice, but Usui, being the hot, awesome male protagonist that he is, he apparently can do no wrong.

What I picture when I think of two characters like Misaki and Usui is a pair that fights like crows but makes an epic team and might even fall in love after bringing each other down to size a little bit. I really think that would make an interesting story.

However, the entire show all I see is Usui manipulating Misaki to get what he wants, while Misaki ultimately submits and lets him have the last say. Now, Usui is a dominating type of character which is totally okay. He's consistent. But Misaki... as tough as she is, you would think she could hold her ground against Usui more firmly. Yes, despite the fact that she tries to deny it, she has feelings for him, and they say that you are at your most vulnerable with the one you love. But at the same time, if you can't stand your ground when you have to, I just don't think that's a very equal or healthy relationship. I think I would have had a better opinion of this show if there was even one or two times when Misaki said, "No!" or, "That's not acceptable," and actually meant it. I would have found it interesting to see Usui learn a few boundaries.

But... oh, well. It wasn't meant to be, I guess. I still enjoyed the show. That's just my take on their relationship and my problem with it. Maybe if you watch it, you'll disagree with me. Either way, I still think it's worth watching, enough so that I'm even reading the manga!

Just based on the premise, I had really low expectations for Akatsuki no Yona when I started it. But those expectations were greatly exceeded within a fairly short amount of time, especially after about episode 6 or 7. It's not a particularly unique plot, but it definitely has its own identity and interesting characters, beautiful animation, and epic music.

Yona rocks. I love her, because really the majority of the series focuses on her development and growth... and she grows beautifully. She starts out as an innocent princess with no knowledge of the outside world and a little bit of a spoiled attitude, but this series ... really changes her and develops her into a strong, dependable young woman. I cannot describe how much her character development pleased me. Other than her, my favorite character is actually Ik-Su, the priest. He may be a minor character, but he's just the sweetest, most hopeless case ever and I adore him.

But I wasn't a huge fan of the dragons or Hak. I liked Shin-ah well enough but, otherwise... I guess I just felt a bit irritated because it seemed to me that they all (especially Hak) were conspiring to hold Yona back from finding her strength. I know that's the time period they live in, but it just made me grit my teeth. In a way, I saw Hak as more of an antagonist than Soo-won, who I actually thought was an interesting and complex character by the way. Just because I so badly wanted to see Yona succeed, I found myself glaring intensely at the majority of the characters who kept Yona's company when they would try too hard to shelter her from danger.

But despite that, I really loved Akatsuki no Yona. An overall great story about resilience and empowerment and growth, with just a hint of romance sprinkled on the side. I'm also reading the manga, so I can't wait to find out what happens later in the story!