Back to timerrabbit's Profile timerrabbit's Profile

"Show by Rock!! Mashumairesh!!" is unironically an anime (season) I am looking forward to the most. Coming from a background of my specific joy in anime, I aim to steer towards something that has to do with music, loud and vibrant colors, cute and/or handsome characters, a ton of gender variety of characters, AND is a VERY HUGE TIE IN to a rhythm game for the smartphone. (Ideally I prefer at the arcades, but i can't be picky.) Sanrio, the godfathers of "kawaii character" culture that bought all of us Hello Kitty, My Melody, Gudetama, etc. had soft rebooted "Show by Rock!!" as a whole, ... starting off with introducting newcomers and the veteran fans (like myself) a girl band that starts of by a mix of off-SB69 ("S"how "b"y "69" (Ro-Kuu)) of: A Sanrio AniStore mascot (Howan), a virtual Youtuber (Himeko Mashima), Delmin (a massive mobage crossover game character, name shorten from "Devil Mint"), and Ruhuyu (a new member to the roster, who end up being a (cosplayer) YouTuber). I was put off a little bit by this idea, but with Sanrio commissioning their character artist to do so much kemonomimi characters outside of Show By Rock!! really hints that the future of SB69 is coming to that soft reboot I think the series as a whole kind-of needs. And... I'm okay with this. Enter the unofficial "third" season to the anime franchise! While this is NOT the same traditional SB69 anime I know, it also had to do some self-control in order to attract the new audience while still keeping it charms. (Like the strange Myumon system and why the main characters and other Myumons are all in their human/enhanced forms. There are sooo many fan headcanons for this...) I loved it when I force myself (in a good way cause I wan tto continue to remain that dedicated fan) to watch this first as priority over other anime and it paid off.

STORY: My grip here is that its a slow burner. There are two arching stories into one anime: a story about a country fox girl named Howan who was recruited for a audition to be in a gig but missed her chance at MIDI CITY, only to have a faithful encounter with a struggling indie girl band with no name. The other story involves high school boys in a delinquent boys school that NEEDS to graduate high school but circumstances back them down and the only (ridiculous) way to push onwards to graduating is to form a boy band and get their name to the big stage! While the slow burner takes place for the first half of the season, the comical additions (DOKONJOFINGER antics, featuring a cameo of ShinganCrimsomz in one episode) and the soft drama bits between the "unofficial ships" (Howan x Himeko and Delmin x Ruhuyu) makes up for the fluffy fanservice (with a exception of a shirtless Yasu... I was off guard!), and adding with some plot and a "unofficial" antagonist group (and girl band) REJINSIGNAL who are a solely independent J-Pop-esque kind of crowd that works independently to achieve a "#1 goal" and is in need of a rival group, so Rararin (their leader) took interest in Howan after she won a lotto to have a "night" with the girls. Overall, its nothing special to you all, but for me its a matter of the "bits" the anime delivers are more than good enough to satisfy my thirst for this series!

CHARACTERS: While the soft girl drama between members of Mashumairesh!! are all alright, each character showcases their talents, flaws, and what it means to accept their "quirks" for who they are! (Ruhuyu copes with her delusional acts to feel "special" for herself and admires Delmin, while Delmin wants to fit in like every other Myumon cause she is a outcast from her Devil Mint Clan (and fled to MIDI CITY). Those two make up for each other and admire and love (in a friendship way) to each other back.) What the anime did win me over even more is the comedy content and character build up for DOKONJOMEMBERS, especially Yasu. He ended up becoming my favorite for this season (and the new Show by Rock game, while waiting for Criticrista content to come over...) for his slow yet noticeable development of apprecating music, the fans he gained and wanting his band to also take this gig seriously so they can get out of the slump while also having their fun time performing! He is kind of like a tsundere in my thought, but he has a reason for it: At least a couple o fhis band mates (mainly Hacchin and Soujoun) show little interest on the surface, but deep inside they do care while the lesson applies: don't assume sudden judgement just by how they act on publlic because delusions and aggressive boy-fights are just a shield to keep their personal struggles and true feelings inside their minds.

ANIMATION: The key art style had a subtle make over if you do notice, especially of how the character eyes are designed. In the past, the Show by Rock!! game has a lot of variety of hired artists into the SB69 team and the studio that formerly did the first two seasons and the shorts had to make what do to match the key features of each character into the anime. The new game all now had a consistent "eye style" which are probably resulted to having one key character artist doing all of the shots, thus affecting the Mashumairesh!! anime. I was put off at first, but when going onward watching the anime, the quality control and animation has improved a ton thanks to Kinema Citrus (oh, I did not know they worked on Shield Hero, good to know!), and Polygon Pictures for the 3D CG scenes. Show by Rock is (in)famous within the anime community for using "monster encounter" and "stage performing" moments in full 3D animation for the Myumon models. While 3DCG is not everyone's cup of tea, SB69 wouldn't have a visual appeal that makes what this franchise is fully known for without these over the top animated moments. In this season, Polygon Pictures renders the models and setting to look as close to the feel of the new mobile game's Live2D appeal for the Myumon art which to me felt like a nice touch to a well defined soft reboot.

OST, OP and ED: I have to combine all of this into one category because the songs performed for the OP and ED are also performed by the fictional band Mashumairesh(!!). If you are a seasoned SB69 fan and did see the first two seasons (and shorts) for the anime, the OG fictional girl band Plasmagica had a high-paced and high-energy girly touch to their songs, which probably explains the foundation of the band and the overall franchise. For Mashumairesh(!!), their style is more toned down and adding a touch of emotional feelings to their songs and lyrics, even for a OP and ED song. "Hiromenesu" (the OP) ended up becoming my fave Mashu-Mashu song that I end up looping the full track (which you can purchase at the iTunes store) at a certain grim time of my life (if you all know the events happen in early 2020, then you get it why it means a lot!). For the other bands, DOKONJOFINGER are also what made the show pretty fun due to their music! "Ido Shudan wa Bike Desu" and "Kaban niwa Tepan Desu" are... Strange picks for song titles, but their songs have this fiery hype energy that sets apart from ShinganCrimsomz, and I think I would rather root for them over the OG visual kei band! REJINSIGNAL is a new kind of addition and define their "take" of a band. They are a EDM-fusion pop band with a variety of genres they tackle (including a "emotional" song to trump down Mashu-Mashu on the band battle...) and it takes a bit to appreciate their style. (This ain't the first time SB69 had at least slap one EDM band into their game...) Finally, the general background OST for this season recycles elements from the previous season's back log of tracks, as well churning a new OST for this specific season, which again was a nice addition coming from a anime that is now going beyond Season 3! (As of writing this review, SB69 Twitter announces a new 4th season for the franchise!) Overall, their music collection helps contributing to this anime and script/story and I have encountered no issues when it comes to the sound track! (Though agian, this is a mere opinionated review, so don't take mines fully for granted...)

"Would I recommend it?": Yes and no...? THe "no" part coming from your own behalf. If you are into music, comedy, some Sanrio cuteness (or their take of ikemen like Sanrio Danshi), some slow burner development and MUSIC (again had to say that), then I say pick it up...! If you are not into any of theses categories, then I say don't. However, in terms of the previous seasons: You may not have to watch the first two! Mashumairesh(!!) is a fresh restart after all! It also helps decompress band focus to just three, so it makes room for them to develop and get to know them! However, if you are that one person that actually saw the grim trailer for the first season and hoping for some "Dark Monster" encounters: You are NOT getting those in this season! If you are new and wanted to see that stuff, go back track to the first season! If you need a anime to cope at some dark times but do not want some intense drama, I thik this season handles it pretty well! if you do love SB69 as a whole but are on a budget, the best you can do is to support the global release of the band singles on any digital format! You can also play them on Spotify as well!

For me, I think 2015 and onward helped me a lot with personal cope through Show by Rock and its tiny community of fans. I am also a sucker for "kawaii culture" but also in need of mixing with "anime culture", and this anime rounds up into one package with "music culture" as a bonus! I hope this review is helpful, because I really want to put this up just after finishing Episode 12 and needing to share my feelings and love into one review, while also being honest in a opinionated matter! I hope your future is bright like Mashu-Mashu!

Hear me out: I am a sucker for "mature" (or "seinen"?) mahou shoujo anime and stories. Thanks to Puella Magi Madoka Magica for boosting its sub-genre popularity, plenty of successors and failures after Madoka quickly or slowly show up, and a ton can be a hit and miss! For Mahou Shoujo Tokushusen Asuka: This one is a mix-tier, and you will see why for my overall opinion and recommendation call.

STORY - These 12 episodes sums up of one arc, and leave room for a potential second season. Its world takes place three years after a war against the Netherworld's Disas: the typical monster-of-the-week beasts ... that take form of stuffed animals... Only more nightmare fuel. It takes what Precure looks dotting and innocent (but girls do still get physical damage), and crank up the "edge" level to the point that death and visions of them go to the top! The heroines are working in-part of the military force, taking down terrorist after terrorist. There was a organization called the Babel Brigade that plans to wage war against the magical girls: using magical girls (and other magical sources)! The anime so-far covers most of what I skimmed in the manga, but it is till an on-going project with even more chapters and spoilers. In short: the final episode is a peaceful one, but also one to leave you more with a LOT of questions than answers! I can't say the story is all good, but I think it flowed well and paces different than the standard childhood "monster of the week" scenario, because well... Everyday is a war for these magical girls! The anime felt incomplete, in other words.

CHARACTER - I think my favorite girl is Tamara for several reasons. However, each and every girl has their own personality that reflects their civilian life and as a magical girl. While the colorful-ish and themed costumes are still visible in this world (Asuka: maid, Kurumi: nurse, Mia: Cowgirl/western, Tamara: formal military, Pei Pei: Chinese style), the uniforms they have do carry some proper military accessory like pouches, pockets and some decent armor in camo-green to reflect the gritty military-style life these girls have to fight for! The styles for each girl design is nearly different to each other, which was nice. What won the MVP of this anime was Sachuu: A mouse-like fairy that had the body and build similar to a certain electric mouse, and even says "chu" at the end of its sentence! Sachuu is actually a helpful ally to the girls and even deliver comic relief with the "Kero's Corner" type of cut scenes! I also have a low key girl-crush for Tabira, the General of the Spirit Realm. Her design shows more skin than the other girls, but I do forgive her because her character is NOT what I expect from a powerful General! Overall: their designs are a pretty strong point and handled muted yet "cute' colors pretty well for a anime about war and terrorism!

ANIMATION - I see nothing wrong in the animation department and I do enjoy the mix of comedic moments, as well handling the sensitive and gross scenes in this anime! Some moments can get meme-level, but that' snot a bad thing, of course!

OST - I get HYPED when that one song plays when Asuka or the magical girls make their move! The other bops does the job well. Otherwise I don't pay attention too much to its OST.

OP - Will I play this in loop if I can? Yes. The song fits with Asuka's pretty well, and I like the narrative in its animation.

ED - I'll be honest: I probably forgot that it had a ED. The OP had a much stronger band arrangement and theme going on, that I forgot that the ED exist. (That, and I was just finished watching Shield Hero. That had a better ending at least.)

Would I recommend it? If you like military drama and atmosphere with a magical girl kick, then go for it! If not, then there are many other military or magical girl anime/media you can consume. I think to me Asuka will become forgotten in the next few years, but it makes get material to talk about or even role play about it! I do still want a Season 2 because S1 does not feel complete in my book, and I already spoiled myself at some scenes from said manga with Pei Pei... Plus: We need more Sachuu and their guns!

P.S. If you do plan to watch it, please be aware that there are a lot of weird and even mentally uncomfortable death scenes, including decapitation. If you can't handle that stuff, then please DO NOT watch this. Even Mami Tomoe's grave looks more "clean" than the many magical girls and victims have to face...

Pastel Memories is one hell of a cheese ride. It caught my attention when I got a used issue of Megumi magazine (only because it had a BanDori insert, but I gave that to my friend), I found Pastel Memories being promo'd as both a mobile game and a anime-spin off. Its art for that game is much nicer in a sense, but the premise is ratter "standard". At least the colors stand out and probaly live up to its "pastel" from the title name.

STORY - Not the grandest. If anything it borrowed the "world/monster of the week" formula from typical child-friendly anime like ... Precure or Pokemon. It is interesting to see the girls interact with worlds inspired by other beloved anime/manga/light novel/games, without having the IP to being shoved in... Due to possible copyright I guess. From 1 to 12, it is honestly underwhelming. But, I won't diss to much because this anime serves as cheese fuel to be enjoyed without over-thinking to much.

CHARACTER - Each girl is a archetype (dere switch, quiet loli, gun hobbyist(?), etc. etc.) that has been done in many of the "moe blob fuel" anime I have seen so far. There are some girls that I do honestly like and would be happy to scout them (or their costumes) if I do ever play the game. The only girls that I somehow like/relate are Machiya (damn cat puns and that cat-like personality...) and Komachi (future avatar girl? Maybe?). The costume designs to me are probably the strong point of Pastel Memories. I am a sucker for the mahou-shoujo steampunk aesthetic and I think that's their initial selling point.

ANIMATION - Its not bad, nor good. And on the Chutaro episode, I feel like it intentionally went downgrade due to a lot of children's' anime had mixed quality (to a laughable level), so I guess that's a plus? I'm not to nit picky at that department, because I have seen worse on specific episodes of Precure that makes Pastel Memories look tolerable.

OST - Not as memorable? But I think I herd a few tints of a OST that do sound good and helps amcompanying the mood of the anime. I'm not a OST buff since I do have specific tastes, but once again: it gets the job done.

OP - I like the lineless animation, which I think its a nod to a specific movie director, but I can be wrong. Its not the most catchiest song to the point I would play on loop, but it had that right "pastel" feel to its name.

ED - DAT FANSERVICE. Okay the art for the girls' and their beach bods are a eye popper! The song feels like a typical beach moe song, and not one I would listen in repeat. But it did capture that said-beach look for the bikini girls, so I guess it got its job done. Otherwise: I am genre nit-picky and my own picks would probably ruin Pastel Memories before the virus affects them! xD

I don't know what other points I should mention, but if anyone wants to toss me questions or opinions, feel free too! Otherwise, I think its an okay anime with a easy story to follow if you have a tired day.

Would I recommended it? Yes and no? Yes if you like junk food anime, but "no" if you can't stand repetition of plot formula like the classic Pokemon or Precure episode. If you like to view for the memes (because I am sure there are some), then go for it! I do wish I can play the mobile game (in English) to judge and compare to the anime...