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Apr 3, 2011
Star Driver is... an interesting experience. It's a formulaic "villain of the week" mech show, but also a very ambitious and unique one. Though it definitely had a set pattern to it, it tried to go somewhere different within that pattern. I went into the show expecting to be indifferent towards it, but that's not the effect I got. Star Driver is at the very least worth a glance; here's why.
Story - 7/10
The story is pretty good. It's ambitious and certainly quirky. It starts off strong and gets weak nearer to the end, but the ending makes up for it. Admittedly, Star Driver's story has
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definite flaws. In many instances, the viewer is left to figure things out on their own. We're never really told why many of the events in the show are happening, or even why they matter. As I said, it follows a "villain of the week" format; each week, the protagonist fights a new enemy and beats them (with a few episodes not fitting this pattern). The show is reminiscent of Revolutionary Girl Utena in this aspect. Many of the episodes have their own side plot, usually relating to the enemy for that week. We get a lot of info we don't need, but not a lot that we do. Even in the end there are a resounding number of questions left unanswered. If bones wanted to, they could probably make a season two. They don't need to, as the ending is a very good example of an ending that makes up for the flaws in a series.
Art - 10/10
The characters are drawn in a very fluid (if not anorexic) manner. The show's animation never looks bad. What stands out are the mech fights. The battles are GORGEOUS. No two ways about it. Part of me thinks that Star Driver was just made so that bones could show off their skill in the field of animation. If that's the case, well played. All the fights are a definite treat to watch. The mech designs are reminiscent of Mamoru Nagano's work (Five Star Stories, Heavy Metal L Gaim) and they ARE out there.
Sound - 7/10
The soundtrack is pretty nice and fits the general mood of the show. The insert songs playing during the battles is a very nice touch. The openings and endings are fine. Nothing too noteworthy, though check out the insert song "Monochrome". It's fantastic.
Character - 7/10
While Star Driver has issues with its story, character development is handled rather nicely in this show. If anything, it focuses so much on character development that it neglects the story. We know why each of the characters are motivated, from protagonist to antagonist. Though at first it leaves us in suspense, we gradually learn about each of the important characters, maybe more than we needed to. Still, there's a bit left out, likely for suspense. THAT BEING SAID; the cousins arc is one of the most pointless things ever. Why? This arc has characters that were literally brought in, given no backstory, and filled up space. This is the best example of bad character development in this show.
Enjoyment - 9/10
GINGA! BISHOUNEN! Star Driver is indeed a fun watch; it's humorous, intense, and witty. The fights are great and the jokes are pretty funny. For all its flaws I was anxious each week for what the next episode would have. Personally, I love Star Driver for what it is. Is it a masterpiece? No, but it's certainly a fun shonen series.
Overall - 8/10
Averaging all previous factors, the score is a decent 8, mostly due to enjoyment. It's hardly the best show in recent years (that would be Madoka Magica), but it's definitely an enjoyable one. Even with all it's problems I'd still recommend it as an enjoyable shonen mech series. Light to decent 8.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Dec 31, 2010
Honestly, I hate short, simple reviews. But I don't see any reason to give PSG too much of a long one. So here we are. This will be my shortest review on MAL because quite frankly, there's not a lot to go into.
To begin with, this series is far from controversial. DIVISIVE perhaps, but not controversial. I've seen worse from Aqua Teen Hunger Force for the love of god.
There is no animation like PSG. It's a fresh, new face in a medium where the norm is so much of the same. There's no moe characteristics here. No "pure and innocent" girls, made for the
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viewer to fall in love with. Quite frankly, Panty and Stocking are pretty much just hardcore bitches and to many a self-proclaimed "otaku", that must seem very threatening. At the same time, its western style (the show has more in common with western series like "Venture Bros" and "Archer" than any japanese animation I've seen) turns off many people who are devoted to japanese animation.
PSG is either for you, or not. If it's NOT for you, then I think there's something wrong with YOU and not the series, but I digress. How do you decide which it is? Well, you could try watching it, but for your convenience, here's little guide.
Are you not easily offended? Do you like animation regardless of where it's from? (again, PSG turns off many with its western style) Are you able to just sit back and ENJOY something every once in awhile? Are you tired of more of the same from your japanese animation? Most importantly: do you like to have a little something called FUN? Then PSG is for you.
Are you very easily offended? Do you watch japanese animation because you feel that it is "superior" in some way to western animation? Do you watch japanese animation so that you can pretend you're into a superior medium than others? Does everything you watch need to be, or pretend to be "deep"? Then PSG is not for you.
As previously stated though, watch it yourself and form your own opinion. Or be easily offended and click "not helpful" on this review. All the same, really.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Dec 29, 2010
Let me begin this review by saying that I'm a big fan of the works of Alexandre Dumas. Naturally, when I'd heard that Gonzo was working on an adaptation back in 2005, I brushed it off. Only recently however, did a relative of mine strongly advocate this series to me. I managed to find a box set for $25 at a local Best Buy, and got to watching. Suffice to say, I was not disappointed in the least.
Story: 10/10
The Count of Monte Cristo. One of the greatest literary works in history, and arguably the greatest revenge tale ever printed. It's clear that so much care
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went into the story for this adaptation. Everything is so different, and yet still the same. The attention to detail is astounding. Granted, since I knew the end of the original work, I'd gone into Gankutsuou knowing full well how it would end. Despite this knowledge, nearly each episode had me on edge. Gankutsuou starts very differently than the source material, and places the role of the protagonist into the character of Albert. In doing so it transitions the story from the classic revenge story into a Bildungsroman, a coming of age tale. The Count, on the other hand is portrayed as the anti-hero. As opposed to the novel, which has him as the clear protagonist and begins with his story, his rhyme and reason are gradually revealed as the series goes on. Rather than take away from the story, this adds an entirely new dynamic, making it a fresh experience to both fans of the novel and to those who've never read it.
Art: 10/10
I guarantee you, you've never seen any japanese animation depicted in this style. The animation style is nothing if not original. It may take some getting accustomed to, but the art is absolutely mind-blowing at times. Quite frankly, Gonzo tried something new here, and they succeeded wonderfully as far as I'm concerned. That's all I'll say on the subject.
Sound: 10/10
Nothing short of beautiful. Along with a few classical excerpts, the soundtrack is handled wonderfully by Jean-Jacques Burnel of the legendary British punk band The Stranglers, as well as Kasamatsu Kouji (who doesn't seem to have worked on any other soundtracks besides this one). Burnel also contributes to the opening theme and the ending theme. The opening is an amazing and somber song, whereas the ending undoubtedly was written for the character of The Count. Every song fits perfectly.
Enjoyment: 10/10
The suspense, the drama, the romance, the characterization... I can't recall a single episode of this series that I did not enjoy. In many aspects, I actually preferred what Gankutsuou did with the story rather than the source material. There were moments where I was literally shaking with anticipation. So much from this series will stand out in my mind for years to come. I'm not at all ashamed to admit I cried in the last episode.
Overall: 10/10
A perfect score across the board. There is absolutely no reason not to watch this masterpiece. There is nothing wrong with Gankutsuou, and so much right with it. I honestly walked away from it thinking it was an improvement on Dumas' original novel. Whether or not you agree is up to you, but at the very least, give it a glance. If you can appreciate art, you will not be disappointed.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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May 27, 2009
Ah... Gundam X. How long I had waited to see you.
It's a damn shame that After War Gundam X is the least popular of all the Gundam shows, because it really is an impressive piece of work and probably one of, if not the best of Gundam spinoffs. It has the realism that Wing does not, the maturity missing from SEED, and the extra kick lacking in 00. The only Gundam since the original to be cancelled, and to be honest that's the biggest fault X has. You can't help but wonder what could've been if only that episode count reached 50.
Story: 10/10
At the start
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of the show we meet Garrod Ran, a young mercenary of only 15 years of age and lets just say, he does some pretty amazing stuff for a guy his age. After taking a rescue job he meets the target, Tiffa Adill, a mysterious young newtype girl. However, upon learning that his employer would only exploit her for her abilities, Garrod turns on him and joins the very group he "rescued" her from, the mercenary ship "Freeden". With the help of Tiffa's abilities, the crew of the Freeden continues their search to help any newtypes who are being unjustly used by others.
Gundam X has one very crucial element that no other Gundam spinoff does. It feels like a U.C. show. In the world of Gundam X, the colonists have seemingly dropped all of the colonies down to the Earth as opposed to just one, and the human population is relatively miniscule. Because of this, many people consider the After War universe to be an alternate reality to the Universal Century, as opposed to a standalone universe such as the Cosmic Era from SEED or the Future Century from G Gundam.
Without spoiling anything I have to point out again that Gundam X ended 11 episodes early at episode 39 as opposed to 50. Because of this a lot of people feel the ending is rushed. I have to disagree to an extent. Although the ending moves very fast(quite a bit happens in those last 8 episodes in very little time) it wraps things up quite nicely and I can't but feel that's almost exactly how the original ending would've gone. Still, I'd love to see those missing 11 episodes.
Art: 7/10
The art style is good, but let's just say the animation could've had a better budget for its time. Roughly the same quality as Wing. Definitely the biggest negative to X in the aesthetics department, but it's more good than bad. The gundam designs are pretty outlandish, but for how badass they look, they aren't invincible, unlike the SEED and Wing gundams, which is great. The Freeden pilots have an uphill battle ahead of them.
Sound: 10/10
Great voice acting and one hell of a score. The Gundam X openings (by the amazing group Romantic Mode) are some of my favorite openings in all the anime I've seen, and in regards to the ending credits, I rarely sit through ending credits but for this show I made an exception. The three ending themes(two of them are different language versions of the same song) are some the best that I've ever heard used in anything, anime or otherwise. As for the score, I'm always humming one or two tracks here and there. Great soundtracks.
Character: 8/10
At first I thought this was the biggest weakness Gundam X had. A few episodes later and I was proved wrong. All I can say without spoiling you is that it's definitely enough character development. At first the show seems to be only about Tiffa and Garrod, but over time it focuses on other characters well enough. Tiffa and Garrod are still the most important characters, but it doesn't terribly overshadow the anyone else. There are still flaws, such as expanding on a few bit characters who don't show up for more than 10 minutes of screen time, and the Frost Brothers up until the last arc, but overall it's all good.
Enjoyment: 10/10
Gundam X is definitely not the best Gundam show, but damn if it isn't the most likeable. It's hard to hate this show. It may not be a masterpiece, but it's one hell of a ride from start to finish. Garrod in particular is just an amazingly well done protagonist. He's impossible to hate, and he's always believable. He's extremely street smart, but not a genius; very skilled in battle but not exactly soldier by any sense of the word. From the very first episode, he is kicking things in gear and you just want to strap yourself in for the roller coaster ride he's going to deliver.
Overall: 9/10
I like to refer to Gundam X as the Daft Punk of Gundam. Anyone who's experienced it can't hate it in the least. I give it a 9 because hell, I can't deny how much fun I had. I enjoyed this more than G Gundam, and that's saying a hell of a lot. A great balance of the always enjoyable shonen heroism while still keeping that tomino-esque reality that the original gundams had. You can even find some parallels between X and Tomino's own Crossbone Gundam graphic novel, strangely enough. If you can watch After War Gundam X, then do so. Chances are you won't be disappointed.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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Apr 24, 2009
Elfen Lied is an anime that many consider controversial. It's bloody, gory, perverted and just plain fucked up. Now I've seen some messed up animations in the past and I'm usually not against the stuff when it's in good taste. That is the biggest flaw Elfen Lied has: it's never in good taste. I'm sure someone at some point has implored you to watch this work. If that is the case, and you have not yet watched it then I beg you: DON'T.
Story: 1/10 (If I could give this a 0, I would)
What good can be said of Elfen Lied's story? It's a story. That's
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it. It's overtly complicated, totally unbelievable, and tries way too hard. Two people find a girl with horns and take her in. She can only say her name and gets naked too often. Then she goes nuts and kills people. All because it's her nature. And it's full of plot holes that once you realize, you can't forget. I'd point them out, but they could be spoilers.
Art: 3/10
The art is just mediocre as all hell. Everyone has the same face unless they're an adult apparently. The animation is also pretty bad and that's not a good combination. The "vectors" are the dumbest looking power I've ever seen in an animation. I laughed every time I saw them used. Maybe it's just the way they were drawn.
Sound: 6/10
The composer did his job. The opening is great, and probably the only good thing about the animated work. The score is nice and consistent. The voice acting on the other hand, japanese or english, is just bad.
Character: 1/10 (again, 0)
By far the largest offense of Elfen Lied is character development. It's either not there or it's much too forced. And what bothered me most is just the overall mood of the characters. To put it simply, if you are a bit character, YOU ARE A HORRIBLE PERSON. NO EXCEPTIONS. One example is a group of elementary school kids beating the ever-loving hell out of a dog with no remorse whatsoever. I went to elementary school and I don't remember that many serial killers in training. They acted like supervillians. Am I just supposed to believe these kids are all just pure evil at that early an age?
Enjoyment: 1/10 (AGAIN, 0)
None. I just felt awkward the whole time. I don't know why I finished it, probably because once I've started an anime I don't like to drop it. Regardless, the series is full of awkward moments that only made me uncomfortable. As much as this was supposed to make me care, all it did was isolate me further. Not because it shocked me, trust me I've seen worse. It was just... awkward.
Overall: 1
The worst and most overrated anime I have ever seen. I don't understand how anyone could enjoy this piece of crap show. I apologize if I'm offending anyone, but you'd have to be a complete moron to actually like this irredeemable load of garbage.
No. You know what? I DON'T apologize. If you liked Elfen Lied, you have no taste and you need to be institutionalized.
Reviewer’s Rating: 1
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