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Jan 14, 2014
High school sucks. But I bet that's puberty talking.
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
I haven't put out a review for some time so I guess I'm glad to be back. Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Comedy wa Machigatteiru (aka Oregairu) was an anime that was recommended to me as one of 2013's better romance/comedy/slice of life genre. Of course, I was instantly turned off just by the genre, but I've caught up with my weekly animes so I took my chance to run with it. First, I browsed through the reviews which were filled with praise as being a very clever, comedic anime about life, youth, and pessimistic analysis
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of high school life. Sounds enticing. Since I've just finished the anime, I will attempt to analyze this anime and give you the reason why it deserved the rating.
STORY (6/10):
Being a greenhorn to romcom/slice of life animes, I've come to a point where I will predict a vague, boring storyline, as the genre tends to stray far away from it. Actually, I was quite surprised how unpredictable it was. But that doesn't mean it will be a good storyline. In fact, due to its confusing and sudden change in character development, do we have a mess of an anime like Oregairu. Let's elaborate. At first, we see a underdeveloped and a quite negative character brooding in the shadows that defines high school as despicable and fake. With such a perverse attitude, his teacher introduces him to the Volunteer Club which only consist of another anti-social, in order to straighten his behavior. Hilarity ensues as the two students that refuses any social interaction, work together to help their fellow peers with issue that are questionable, and sometimes, completely unrelated to the plot. Another character decide to join in the fun and also becomes part of the club. The anime focuses on the trio as they live out their boring, lonely, and quite depressing lives as high school students. But wait a minute...when did the characters change their personalities so suddenly? What was the intervention? The cause and effect? During most of the anime, we see our main hero whining about how he's against society, then spontaneously, he has a change of heart in his own philosophy. Our main heroine(s) never get any chance to enhance their development until the last couple of episodes. It feels like the characters are doing whatever they want as the audiences sits there, thinking to themselves: I thought this was an anime about growing up so why is it so stagnant? In addition, the social and psychological concept behind the main character is quite elementary, nevertheless challenging. Social psychology? Nay, we are dealing with a self-conscious high school brat who decided to put walls around himself because of a few bad experiences.
Art (7/10):
Coming from Brains Base, whose producers have created imaginative animations in the past, the background and character designs are impressive. Each character has their own unique characteristics and it's not hard to tell who's who. But I can't ignore the obvious laziness within the drawings in some scenes that do require the extra-boost.
And their noses. No matter how detailed the creators have tried to make for each character, EVERYBODY HAS THE SAME, NON-EXISTING, FLAT NOSE.
SOUND (6/10):
"Yukitoki" by Yagi Yanagi is the OP and the EP is "Hello Alone" by Saori Hayami and Nao Tōyama. Both songs have a J-pop feel which is fluffy and positive. But to tell you the truth, I've heard them from the first episode and since then, I've just skipped them and went straight to the show. The vibes were not tantalizing enough for me to sit there and listen to the whole song(s).
CHARACTERS (7/10):
As many romcom/slice of life animes should provide, the characters are the most outstanding and prevalent. But with so many characters introduced in the anime, it was quite hard to really follow through which character development was the most powerful. I've sat and meditated on the characters and I've come to realize that within Oregairu, all of the characters are quite stationary, to the point where I question the past reviewers how they managed to give this anime a "10" or a "9". I will focus on the trios, as they are the main characters in the anime.
Hachiman Hikigaya is the ultra-straight man with a pessimistic personality. His aptitude as a social outcast allows him to be a cowardice figure that can only be pitied...so why is he complaining when his peers do? He loves to fly solo, bragging about his spirit animal: the bear, a solitary animal within the animal kingdom. He justifies his actions as someone who refuses to function in a society that wears masks, when in reality, his real intentions lie in helping others. Sorry, Hachiman: you can't help others if you can't help yourself. I just destroyed your flawed logic. At first, I was quite fond of his character, as he reflected me while I was in high school. But then, looking at him only reminded of how I acted and began to annoy me to a great extent. I really wanted to punch Hachiman (me) in the face. You see, I've been in Hachiman's shoes, literally. But as I grew older, I've learned that if you act in such a manner, you are not only destroying the relationships around you, but you're also destroying yourself. It is impossible for humans to survive alone. But to have sparked such a realization and emotion towards the audience, Hachiman can or cannot be one's favorite character in the anime.
Yukino Yukinoshita is our "Ice Queen" and the condescending beautiful tsundere. Quick with the tongue, Yukino's dialogue between Hachiman has a few hilarious moments, although the jokes quickly grows stale by each passing episode. Her personality is quite easy to identify: a self-conscious girl who has a inferiority complex and believes in hard work, rather than raw talent. Though I beg to differ, as Yukino seems to excel on everything that gets in her way. Many of her interpersonal problems syncs with Hachiman though she changes herself for the better. In my opinion, Yukino's character development was the strongest as her complex was triggered within her family, but gradually learns how to depend on others to solve her problems.
Yui Yuigahama is our typical fluffy, energetic heroine that annoyed me ever since she was introduced. Slow-witted and the clown of the trio, Yui is usually left out in the cold whenever Hachiman and Yukino battle out with words. Thinking carefully, Yui is the borderline between Yukino and Hachiman, the one who rides the fence. While assimilating into society, Yui is attracted by the solitude that her friends (?) share, as she gains more affection and trust from them. Ultimately, Yui is a third-party character that attempts to wiggle her way in a world (the loner world...) where they won't accept her.
OVERALL (6/10):
I'm serious. This anime is not a head-turner at all, and I could not make myself more clear. I flew past the episodes, surviving off the comedic standoffs alone. If the comedy was not there, I would not have recommended this anime since most of the characters have a strange knack for clinging onto cliches. The supporting characters do not reinforce the characters whatsoever, and I felt like I was watching a rip-off of the popular anime, "The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya". If you really want to know what this anime is about, I suggest you recall your high school days and think about those social outcast, who thought that the world was against them. Now imagine their pea-sized brains that cannot comprehend macro-societal issues and then imagine whining about how life sucks. Now proceed to the watch the anime. Maybe it will spice up the comedy effect. And to the person who recommended me this anime: "Ehh..."
Reviewer’s Rating: 6
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Dec 30, 2013
Love requires some blood, time travel, and future dairies.
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Mirai Nikki is not a predictable anime. I watched the anime without knowing a single thing except that there was a yandere involved, which interested me at first. My expectations for this anime has been far exceeded as I made my way to the final episode. It is recommended that you read the manga first before indulging in the anime, as it will surely bring more understanding to the nature of the plot. Hopefully, this review will give you a good sense of why it is recommended for those who love anime.
STORY (8/10):
Mirai Nikki begins
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as a battle royale for the crown of the god of time and space. Dues ex Machina, the supernatural being and his servant, Murmur brings 12 chosen players together to kill each other Super Smash Bros. Melee-style, with Sakurami City as the battlefield. It is revealed that this battle royale has been specifically decided in order to replace an aged and dying Dues ex Machina, to prevent universal catastrophe and destruction. Armed with their own unique future diaries, weapons that transcends time and space, the 12 "warriors" are commanded to face each other to their dying breaths, until one stands victorious. With blood and violence being the main assets to the anime, Mirai Nikki surprisingly does a great job with story development. Every character is important and has had some sort of influence to support the grand scheme, which allows the anime to be a formidable psychological-thriller of its own kind. The twists and turns in the anime are heavily disturbing and many times, eerie, as it deals with psychopaths, serial killers, terrorists, and masterminds.
Unfortunately, the anime is not perfect and merely matches up to the manga. If the anime was swiss cheese, it would be the most flavorful, as is its full of large plot holes that will confuse and belittle viewers if they are not aware of the manga. The characters seem to dodge unfortunate deaths with ease, until their "time" is up, and leaves the viewers out of the picture with no explanations. However, Mirai Nikki does paint the atmosphere of "thrill" quite well, revealing twists and cliffhangers at the end of each episode, so the audience will bound to be at the edge of their seats.
ART (7/10):
The animation is predictable, but it is fairly well-played. Explosions and actions scenes are reinforced with fluidity and viewers will never miss out on them. However, censorship seems to be a big issue, as there are quite a few of them, especially when dismemberment of limbs are involved which sometimes takes away the reality of the anime. Understandable, as the anime world is now entering the regulation era with garbage lobbyists trying to prevent "kids from being influenced by violent animations". It is also notable that CGI is largely used, which can indicate laziness, but with 26 episodes filled with chaos and violence, Mirai Nikki does a fairly decent job of keeping itself natural.
SOUND (9/10):
"Kūsō Mythology" by Yōsei Teikoku is one of the best OPs I've heard in anime. It begins as a sorrowful melody then quickly transitions into a violent gothic-metal sound that perfectly paints the nature of Mirai Nikki. With the animation adding to the mix, the OP blatantly describes to the audience that the anime will be a violent pandemonium, and without a doubt, it is. "Blood Teller" by Faylan also does its job extremely well, with a creepy sample in the beginning and the riffing of electric guitars to back it up. That sample never fails to bring some sort of chill down my spine. And that end card, with all 12 characters as silhouettes, it has become one of my favorite EPs in anime. Faylan's soulful and clear voice can only make the EP much more dark and epic at the same time.
The second OP, "Dead End" by Faylan surely targets the audience with an emotion that any psychological-thriller anime can only invoke. It has a pure metal-rock form and with Faylan's lyrics accurately describes what the audience will be indulging in. "Filament" by Yōsei Teikoku is the second EP and is a tragic song that brings Mirai Nikki to a tight close as the anime speeds towards the climax. The sound of Mirai Nikki is definitely the stronghold of the entire anime as it entices viewers and provides a psychological-thriller atmosphere that not many animes I've watch can rival.
CHARACTER (8/10):
Mirai Nikki's character development is profound and discerning. I won't go too much into details and will only cover the hero/heroine, as explaining more may give away spoilers. However, I will say that the support characters are extremely detailed and important to the story. They are all badasses in their own rights and are highly capable of being favorites compared to the main characters. Although we are forced to focus on the hero/heroine, the other characters have their own unique history and personalities that makes Mirai Nikki an imposing anime for those that thirst for a good storyline.
Our heroine (or should I say, anti-hero), Yuno Gasai is one of the sole pillars the holds the entire anime from crashing down to the ground. A complete insane psychopath, stalker, and murderer, I have realized that it is not an understatement when one claims Yuno is the "goddess of Yandere". Whenever I need to describe a yandere, I point to a female figure with pink hair with twin locks in her hair and a knife in her hand. Yuno's character development is dead-locked and has a convulsing twist that not many yandere characters have up their skirts. In addition to her perverse personality, she is also extremely intelligent, manipulative, observant, and a versatile fighter which makes her one, if not the most dangerous character in Mirai Nikki. Her feats will not only impress viewers but her devised plans, accompanied by her tragic history, makes her one of the most interesting anime characters that I've ever set my eyes on. Her distorted personality and actions are uncommonly unique but intensely likeable. It makes me want to PIN HER TO THE GROUND, RIP HER SKIRT OFF, AND RELENTLESSLY FUCK HER AND MAKE HER CRY OUT MY.....AHEM.....cough.....
.....
SHIKASHI.....!
The utter failure that is Yukiteru "Yuki" Amano makes me want to vomit piss and blood, then use my excrement and bodily fluids as an alternative to gasoline to burn Yuki with hellfire. Our hero is the mistake in Mirai Nikki, a defected, disposable product that the producers created. As the main character, Yuki is a boy who has strayed the social path of normalcy with his cellphone "diary" as his only escape. It is unknown to my knowledge why Dues ex Machina chose such a worthless piece of trash to be the "First". A complete coward and a baby at body, mind, and soul, it saddens me that Yuno has chosen to protect such a creature. When we think sheltered, Yuki is the best representation that I can come up with. Sure, Yuki does have some appreciative moments but his character development is arguably the most anti-climatic and disappointing. Throughout the anime, Yuki never fails to piss the viewers off with his ignorant and selfish actions which only makes us want to wish death upon our main character, even at the end of the anime. Too bad he's protected not only by the most badass character in the anime, but also by the plot holes.
OVERALL (9/10):
Mirai Nikki was definitely a thrill and I've enjoyed the anime until the very end, despite the plot holes and the unimpressive hero. The anime has a reminiscence of the Japanese cult-classic "Battle Royale" and it is also a love story that literally crosses dimensions, which can be a cliche, but still an interesting take, in addition, a well-deserved break, with the sudden increase of "slice of life" animes this year. I highly recommend the audience who are looking for something different (or violent) to pick up Mirai Nikki, as it foretells a fun, exciting, but perplexing story about an obsessive love gone wrong.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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Dec 26, 2013
Squid Girl, I want to eat you.
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
I picked up Shinryaku! Ika Musume after watching a particular .gif that made me laugh my ass off. At first, I was very hesitant in watching such a show due to its childish animation. It looks like a show for kids. I was wrong. Ika Musume's cover might look innocent on the outside, but it also has a very disturbing comedic undertone that many may look past on. I hope this review will give you a inkling of what I'm talking about, de geso.
STORY (7/10):
Shinryaku! Ika Musume begins as environmental propaganda. When humans begin abusing their existence and
...
treat Mother Nature like trash, she tends to strike back with tremendous force. So, Mother Nature threw up Ika Musume from the sea to land, in order to set mankind straight. The mysterious creature that ascended from the depths arrives to Japan and initiates an invasion that will enslave all land dwellers. However, our tentacled cephalopod realizes that an invasion would be impossible when she encounters friends, thus hilarity ensues. Pretty simple storyline, isn't? Borrowing from the popular Nickelodeon cartoon, Invader Zim, Ika Musume attempts to invade Earth, though ignorant to the fact that the Earth is a bigger place than she had initially thought. Nevertheless, the storyline transforms into a story about a innocent girl with sinister plans that lives in a world that is not of her own. She is forced to play the "rules" (social norms) and is slowly introduced to the world of mankind, starting from the very bottom. Certainly, Ika Musume does in fact "invade" our world, but in a totally different way. Instead of conquering the land, she ends up conquering the hearts of the characters and viewers alike.
ART (7/10):
Quite colorful and spontaneous, the anime doesn't let the viewers peel their eyes away for a second. From episode one to the final episode, the background moves with the characters. Every emotion that is felt from a character is noticeable. Although the animation does not stimulates your eyes with exquisite visuals, viewers will not be interrupted and confused. Many of the characters have similar facial designs and eyes, but due to their unique personalities, each animated face give a refreshing quality depending on their character.
SOUND (7/10):
The OP "Shinryaku no Susume" by Ultra-Prism has a fiery sound, much like a superhero theme song. On the contrary, the fast-paced melody is quite fitting to the anime. The EP "Metamerism" by Kanae Itō sets a lullaby that becomes a tranquilizer for all the comedy and ridiculousness that this anime tosses at the viewers. Slow, yet catchy, it is a satisfying end for any action-packed anime that wants to bring the curtain down to a close.
CHARACTERS (9/10):
This is where it gets really weird. I swear every ounce of comedy, whether it is dark or light-hearted, is squeezed out of the characters. It is interesting to note, that every character have their own unique comedy effect towards viewers, due to their salient personalities. Ika Musume, is our anti-hero/heroine, who has come from the sea to invade Earth. Her innocence, curiosity, and many times, her ignorance becomes a staple comedy factor to the anime which can only be satisfied through irony. The anime is also split into "mini-fillers" which stars a chibi Squid Girl, who entertains our viewers with outrageous adventures that is both hilarious and moe. The Aizawa family (from oldest to youngest), Chizuru, Eiko, and Takeru, are the caretakers and victims to Ika Musume's menace. Their relationship with Ika Musume is a cycle of heart-warming comedic scenes as they learn from each other what it means to be a lost child in a foreign world, and what it means to have a loving, caring family. Sanae Nagatsuki fills the disturbing comedy void that this anime shamelessly exposes, which is one reason why Shinryaku! Ika Musume is NOT an anime for kids. At first, Sanae is a friend and classmate of Eiko who has a mutual relationship with her pet dog. Until Sanae is introduced to Ika Musume, the girl turns into a creepy stalker and a obsessed pursuer for Squid Girl's love, and don't ask me if she's into yuri or has a plain rapist mentality. Sanae engrosses the viewers using dark comedy with her "M" personality.
The supporting characters also have their own unique personalities that I wish to delve on, but I don't think I want to go on any further. It doesn't mean they are garbage characters, as they fulfill their duties quite well and turns the spice of the comedy to high, depending on their screen time they get in the anime. You just have to watch the anime yourself.
OVERALL (8/10):
Honestly, I've enjoyed Ika Musume to the fullest. It is difficult for me to say this anime is a revolutionary work in the making, but I do encourage you to take a stab at it. I must admit that Ika Musume is slapstick comedy at its finest, ranging from plain ridiculousness to classical. I definitely had some moments where I could not stop laughing at how ludicrous some scenes were and would feel really guilty at how fucked up it was. Anyhow, I highly recommend anyone with a sense of humor to entangle their tentacles into this anime and enjoy it as much as I have.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Dec 25, 2013
The escape to the countryside!
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
After watching Non Non Biyori (NNB), it was very reminiscent for me because my grandparents live on the countryside back in Korea. As a youngster that visited the countryside, I hated the fact that there was a lack of technology. I hated the fact that you have to dig a hole in order to use the restroom. I hated that there were chickens in the backyard. I hated how the next gas station or the nearest marketplace was 10 miles away. Now that I'm grown, I've forgotten the beauty of the hills and the mountains. I've forgotten drinking fresh, cold
...
spring water that flowed out of a small crevice beside the roads. I've forgotten swimming in the lakes and catching fish in the rivers. Non Non Biyori took me right back.
STORY (6/10):
The story mainly focuses on Hotaru Ichijo, a city girl who had recently moved to the countryside. Hoping to assimilate into the foreign environment, she becomes involved with three other girls that live there and creates childhood memories with them. It's quite a simple storyline. The low score doesn't negatively affect the viewers because it's a "slice of life" genre, so don't think I'm fooling you. Although the storyline is lacking, NNB draws the viewers away from the busy, fast life of a city commoner and places them in a peaceful environment where you can just sit back, relax, and enjoy some moe moments.
ART (9/10):
Ecstatic, fluid, colorful. Natural. There is rarely any CGIs in NNB and the viewers are given plenty of pleasant scenery of the countryside. The producers definitely wanted to bring the viewers in the moment. Like all "slice of life" genres, the seasonal change is most definitely the turning points of the characters in the anime, as they grow throughout the seasons. The art is ultimately NNB's strong-point and the pillar of the anime. From the smallest details, the background is splashed with color and mirrors the reality of nature, which is both astounding and mesmerizing. Just sitting back and watching the scenes in this anime made me want to travel back to the countryside.
SOUND (7/10):
"Nanairo Biyori" by Nano Ripe is the OP and the trajectory into the beautiful scenes that NNB benevolently provides the viewers with. With a melodic, hypnotizing tune, the song gets the viewers into the "mood". "Non Non Biyori" is sung by the characters in the anime, and the EP that concludes the episodes. The melody really plucks heartstrings as the animation behind the song moves with the anime. Both songs are not bad, but they did not really leave a big impression on me, like the artistic value.
CHARACTERS (8/10):
The characters brings the anime to life. Too much nature would be boring, so the producers cleverly inputted cute lolis, giving each of them unique personalities that rivals the gratifying animation and background art. From the youngest to oldest, we have Renge Miyauchi, who adores viewers with her imagination and personality. Hotaru Ichijo, the freshest member of the four girls and usually the straight-man, as she attempts to wiggle her way into her strange surroundings and friends. Natsumi Koshigaya, the tomboyish figure and also the comedy relief and finally Komari Koshigaya, the older sister to Natusmi, Hotaru's psuedo-yuri love interest, and the victim to many of the jokes in NNB, as she is the oldest girl in the group yet the shortest, next to Renge. With all of their personalities combined, the ordinary life of a countryside girl becomes a wonderland, full of fun imagination and simple life lessons. In addition, the supporting characters are not shadowed by the main characters and each have their own interesting personalities that the viewers may enjoy. The only character that I wished the producers would have worked on more is the oldest of the Koshigaya siblings, Suguru. His involvement in the anime is barely noticeable and is the silent figure that quietly stands out.
OVERALL (8/10):
As mentioned above, NNB brings soliloquy and a positive atmosphere to the round table of the "slice of life" genre. The countryside is a rare scenario that many animes do not focus on, but NNB clearly displays the life of a countryside citizen, and proves that it can be fun and beautiful at the same time. I felt as if NNB was a metaphorical journey to the countryside, a short break from all the intense, dramatic, romantic moments in "slice of life". Sometimes, you just have to get away and I'm glad that NNB is available for those that need it.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Dec 22, 2013
...what color do you want to be?
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
I've just finished Sakurasou no Pet na Kanojo (SNPNK) and would like to review it while it's still fresh in my mind. I did not know this anime even existed until I've read some reviews on MAL, and even though it received fairly high points, I was skeptical. The title just irked me. I feel like the synopsis needs to change because I was definitely not ready for SNPNK. So, I will attempt to write in detail on why SNPNK deserved such high ranking.
STORY (8/10):
Since SNPNK is a slice of life anime which connects comedy and romance together,
...
there isn't much storyline to follow. If anything, the story follows six residents that live in a run-down dorm called Sakurasou as they deal and cope with the unfair choices and conclusions that life throws at them. However, it does invoke real life situations and experiences, such as dealing with failure, hard work vs. prodigy, normal vs. unique, and even authoritative discrimination. Although you may think the anime is told in the first-person narrative, we are actually given multiple perspectives which is why it makes SNPNK such an ingenious anime. I've finally realized that this anime is not a complete romance-comedy. Although those genres are sugarcoated between the characters, SNPNK reveals a slice of life that is both refreshing and realistic. Despite the lack of a storyline, I've given it a fairly-high point, due to being true to its genre. SNPNK is the epitome of "slice of life".
ART (7/10):
At first, we are given pleasing animation but this doesn't last long as the anime progresses. Yes, SNPNK is easy on the eyes but the background is nothing grand, more mediocre. The characters are drawn very well which means the producers wanted to concentrate more on the characters, not the anime as a whole. Despite the anime introducing artistically gifted characters to the viewers, we only get high quality scenes only when necessary to the plot. I do have to give where the credit is due, as the anime shamelessly discloses parodies of video games which was reminiscent for me.
SOUND (8/10):
SNPNK allows the artists to really shine, which is a plus, as the anime do deal with the artistic world. I've identified at least 4 different OPs and 3 different EPs, plus other soundtracks during specific moments in the episodes. I will only concentrate on the OPs and EPs and you may judge the other musical treats the anime offers, if you end up watching it.
The first OP, "Kimi ga Yume o Tsuretekita" is poppy and filled with estrogen. Even now, I can imagine the fanboys and girls singing along in unison as their noses flare with excitement. It's a fairly good OP and the animation only strengthens it. The second OP "Yume no Tsuzuki" by Konomi Suzuki takes a dramatic, lite rock turn, though it wasn't anything special. The animation and sound synch well together. Personally, both OPs have not moved me too much, as their fast-tempo positive vibes did not mix well with the darker turns of this anime.
The first EP "Days of Dash" by Konomi Suzuki is picture-perfect. Sustained by the excellent use of animation, the first EP never fails to invoke emotions at the end of each episode. It has a hopeful, yet powerful melody to the song and the lyrics are compatible with the themes that are shown in the anime. The second OP "Prime Number (Kimi to Deaeru Hi)" Asuka Ookura has a catchy, yet childish-like vibe with cute animations to boot. Like the first EP, Asuka's voice and melody really integrates with the listeners/viewers' emotions.
CHARACTERS (10/10):
Goddamn. Where do I start? I would say that the character development and personalities in SNPNK is the heart and the reactor that assimilates all themes that are discussed in the anime. I have yet to figure out my favorite character because all of them are so well-versed. The good and bad qualities are in perfect balance for each character and it's difficult to say which is the main hero or heroine, as even the roles of supporting characters are just as important. Here, I will only introduce four characters that have consistently kept the anime together into a flawless mosaic.
Our main hero, Sorata Kanada is the straight man and the comedy relief, but is also the strangely observant and incredibly kind character, when necessary. Sorata can be represented as the "normal" teenager struggling to deal with the harsh world outside of high school life. His battles focuses on his own identity and fear of being left behind, although he tries to assimilate into the social norm. Nanami Aoyama can be also viewed the same way as Sorata and also the perfect model of a "hard-working civilian". All I could feel for Nanami was great pity as she dealt with overwhelming problems such as commitment to part-time jobs while in school, taking voice-acting classes, running away from home to pursue her dreams, and even the dilemma of giving up on her first love. Nanami is an amazing character that many viewers may empathize with, as her shy, kind, cute, pseudo-tsundere personality does not always help her cope with the conflicts she faces.
Mashiro Shiina, the unique character from start to finish, and the only character that I have yet to figure out how to dissect. She has an awkward but attractive personality that is not only responsible for comedy relief and memorable quotes (I believe in panties), but also personal and interpersonal growth for the characters around her. She is deliciously cute, naive, yet a genius prodigy as a painter. Observing her character closely, she may have suffered from autism as a child or have some sort of hyperfocus disability, as her artistic abilities are extremely high-class yet she utterly fails at basic life skills. Misaki Kamiigusa is the ultra-hyperactive upperclassman of the three students mentioned above. As a fellow prodigy, she may or may not have suffered as a bipolar child, if not still suffering, as a high school student. Her grandiosity and endless energetic personality easily allows her to be the perfect comedy relief and the cause of personal growth for those around her.
OVERALL (9/10):
I demand a second season! I really want to see if it can surpass the first season. SNPNK was phenomenal and an incredible roller-coaster ride through the game we call life. There are many realistic scenarios that viewers may have experienced and I applaud the producers for actually thinking about the audience, as that what a "slice of life" should be. With so much drama going on in the anime, I even wonder if SNPNK has the potential to make it into the live-action scene. The creators of this anime has definitely outdone themselves by bringing all the characters to life through the lite novel, and Hajime Kamoshida (the writer), is a genius for coming up with such intricate characters. SNPNK belongs in the top-shelf. I highly challenge anyone to watch SNPNK, if you want see how a "slice to life" anime should be made.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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Dec 16, 2013
The final spell is...! Explosion...again?
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
With 4 seasons under its belt, Zero no Tsukaima has quite the history of being a popular anime. I'm not a fan of magic/fantasy animes but the first season impressed me enough to continue watching the 2nd and 3rd season. The reason why I want to take the final season into account is to wrap Zero no Tsukaima up in a package and show you why it fell into oblivion in its final premise.
STORY (5/10):
It was expected. Before I even touched the first episode, I closed my eyes and used my clairvoyant magic to predict what this story would
...
be about. Miraculously, I was able to stay ten steps ahead of the anime, as it went on. An anime with such predictable plot can't be enjoyed, as viewers like twist and surprises (unless, you don't...?). I was able to hold my patience for the 1st season, but I had already grown tired of the repetitive storyline at the middle of the 2nd season. I had hoped at the final season, the writers would come up with a well-crafted ending. No, it was not a well-crafted ending, in fact, it left me sitting there unsatisfied and possibly annoyed. For the last season, the writers somehow mustered all of their powers to create as much plot holes as possible, in order to create their own disastrous ending. Even with two worlds they could play with (the real world vs the magic world), the writers could not handle such large responsibilities and decided to keep Japan out of the loop until the very end of the anime.
There is no storyline in the final season. In 12 episodes, many of them were fillers, while the real plot felt like Groundhog Day, cases of villainy acts which are outdone by the magical words: deux ex machina. This anime should have been re-titled: "Zero, the Duex ex Machina" because that's all you are going to see in the battles in Zero no Tsukaima F.
ART (5/10):
A lot of laziness. Since the final season mostly focuses on Halkeginia, we see copy and paste backgrounds and recycled animations. What were the production team thinking? I highly doubt the art will impress viewers, especially if you have been watching the previous seasons. It's the same old, same old. Dull and inexpensive, even the Academy, which looked detailed and beautiful in the first season now looks like a Barbie playhouse.
The action scenes aren't very moving either. And with half of the episodes being fillers, we don't get to see much action. In fact, the only notable scene in the final season is the final battle...though it's not impressive at all.
SOUND (8/10):
Ichiko and Rie Kugimiya must be amazing artists (they are), as they were featured in the OP and the EP for all four seasons. I've enjoyed all of the OPs and EPs in the Zero no Tsukaima series and was pleasantly surprised that they were all sung by these two wonderful artists. The OP "I'll Be There For You" by Ichiko has an adventurous melody which keeps the viewers interested and pumped up while the EP "Kiss Shite Agenai" sung by Kugimiya is catchy and bouncy, which brings the anime to a nice close. However, it does get awkward when the anime begins to take its cliffhangers to a darker turn. The EP seems to disturb whatever emotions the anime tried to display.
CHARACTERS (5/10):
Saito Hiraga has been our main hero of Zero no Tsukaima for four seasons. Throughout these years, I've tried to comprehend and analyze his personality and his growth. You want to know what I found out? He's a tortured boy, leashed and whipped by a girl who has a permanent, problematic personality called here in America...well, a bitch. Now, I know that may sound misogynistic but hear me out, ladies. I don't care how much you love your man, but if you have any of the personalities of the characters here in Zero no Tsukaima -- please get out of my face. That is extremely unattractive. And having to see Saito still fall for any of these characters is utterly baffling. Despite his mysterious charm towards Louise and the other weirdos in the anime, I applaud his loyalty and patience.
Louise Françoise Le Blanc de La Vallière is our main heroine. Despite her fancy, bourgeoisie, exaggerated name, her personality does not match to that caliber. If there was a game called "Tsundere", Louise would be the final boss. A complete super-ultra tsundere, she may become your favorite anime character (if you're an M) or you may want to slap her upside the head and tell her to shut up (if you're an S). However, she does a cute side to her -- just don't provoke her or speak of, think of, or touch another woman. Whether it was a misunderstanding or your true intentions, our heroine will pour down her wrath on you before listening to your reasoning, no matter how convincing they are.
The villains in Zero no Tsukaima F are not interesting at all. Actually, if you technically take out the characters that have died off extremely quickly or allied with the hero/heroine, there is only one villain in the entire season, which is complete laziness on the production team's part.
I feel like we are supposed to learn from the allies and friends more than the hero/heroine. They are willing to sacrifice limbs in order to protect the main characters and we see this in each episode consecutively. Whether they are love rivals, or ex-villains, they always give way to the main characters so they can shine.
OVERALL (5/10):
I've had my share of fun in the first and second season, but it has become too bland. It's like taking a lick of a never-ending lollipop (Tootsie-pop, anyone?). The Zero no Tsukaima series has given us the perfect picture of a well-versed anime with a lot of potential, slowly rotting around the edges. Although I've tried to recall the comedy and romantic moments, I couldn't fully enjoy the final season due to its poor execution.
*cough* Louise is overrated. *cough*
Reviewer’s Rating: 5
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Dec 14, 2013
The Ethereal Horizon is real.
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
It's very difficult to write a review about "slice of life" animes. In fact, I hate writing about it because they are quite repetitive and difficult to analyze (what is there to analyze about the drama and romance factor?). Usually, romance and drama are built into "slice of life" animes, so I will try my best to write a clear review about why I've given Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai! (Chu-2) such a high score.
STORY (7/10):
Chu-2 is a typical "slice of life" anime. There is nothing too exciting about it. But the normal school life is only a clever disguise
...
to reach a subject that is much greater than just living out your adolescence to the fullest. The storyline is straightforward, yet sly in introducing this subject. At first, we are not aware of it because we get too indulged in the comedy. Not too say the comedy is bland, but phenomenal. And the "romance" bit does not even kick in until the midst of the anime. But when the reality hammer strikes, I promise the viewers will notice it immediately.
I have learned something very important after watching Chu-2. Yes, the drama, romance, and the comedy is all there. They are top-notch. However, after watching the anime, I've come to a realization that Chu-2 allows the viewers to face their reality and may even affect us mentally (ironically). Chu-2 succeeds in giving us the over-exaggerated emotions through its drama, but that's what makes Chu-2 shine, as that is its purpose. We are told that Chuunibyou is a "syndrome" but as the story progresses, the viewers become challenged to a point of reflecting back into their own lives. That's the beauty of Chu-2's storyline: We all face tragedies and want to protect ourselves from the reality of it. And when we begin to accept such tragedies as reality, we become cold-hearted and pessimistic. The magic that we once found in small things disappears because we try too hard to accept reality. When a magnitude of such power and inspirational content is put into an anime, when such reality is able to rise out of an fictional tale, in such a short span (12 episodes), it's quite amazing what anime can do.
ART (8/10):
The fluidity of the animation does not disappoint. I love all of the action scenes in Chu-2, and it only becomes hilarious, as they are indefinitely a figment of the characters' imaginations. I just thought it was so clever how exaggerated the actions scenes are, then when we are back to "reality", the animation becomes dense. The production team cleverly switches from the "real world" and the "delusional world" quite rapidly sometimes, which is top-notch animation, if you ask me.
We do see some laziness in the drawings and graphics. The viewers are not always rewarded with mind-blowing and breath-taking graphics or background, but we do see them only when necessary.
SOUND (8/10):
Since it's such a short anime, we only have an OP and EP, in addition to the emotional soundtracks within the anime. "Sparkling Daydream" by Zaq was not my cup of tea, as it was overly energetic and it did not support the mood when the anime began its "darker" turn. I feel that they should have inserted a secondary OP, for the change of pace in a 12-episode anime.
The ending theme is "Inside Identity" by Black Raison d'être, which is the better half of the soundtracks. The heart-pumping speed of the music and lyrics synchronizes with the drama and romance in Chu-2, which is a big plus. It fits perfectly with the anime and if you do end up watching it, the band gets an awesome canon feature (a cookie for you, if you catch it).
CHARACTER (8/10):
Rikka Takanashi is the soul of Chu-2. If she did not appear in the anime with her peculiar, but extremely cute personality, it would have changed the whole anime entirely. In fact, her presence may be the reason why she took more than half of the points given in this category. The production team has ingeniously brought Rikka to life from the lite novel itself. At first glance, Rikka is a hopeless delusional high-schooler but as any great anime should have, the heroine carries demons from the past that is eventually exposed in a creative twist. Viewers will end up cheering for Rikka whether she is confronting constant dilemmas, battling reality vs delusions, and the conflicting character change she endures as the story progresses.
Makoto Isshiki, aka, "Dark Flame Master" is the ultimate straight-man in Chu-2. His personality is so straight-edged, it even begins to change those close to him, and may even annoy the viewers (me). An understandable character, as we find what made this ex-Chuunibyou such an asshole in the first place.
However, excellent animes cannot focus on the hero/heroine so much that they shove friends and allies to the background. At first, we are introduced to several characters that sparks a lot of interest, but when it's time for the hero/heroine to shine, the supporting characters are thrown into the shade. This happens several times in Chu-2 which is a disappointment because I wanted to dive deeper intoe Shinka Nibutani and Sanae Dekomori's character. It seems the length of a short anime, no matter how good the characters, can be a downfall, after all.
OVERALL (8/10):
A very interesting anime that has made me think critically and for such a short anime to do so, I'm very impressed by Chu-2. I've greatly enjoyed the embarrassment comedy factors in the anime, which is quite difficult to get through me. The concept of the storyline and twists were original and the romantic moments were very heart-warming. My only wish is that it could have had additional episodes that focused more on the supporting characters, as their roles were extremely important in building the hero/heroine and revitalizing the inner conflicts between Rikka and Makoto. Thus said, I openly recommend anyone to dive into this Ethereal Horizon and become seduced by Rikka's Tyrant's Eye.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Dec 13, 2013
Beating the boss in a game doesn't mean you will be popular.
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
First of all, I would like to say I've enjoyed a lot of the reviews about Sword Art Online (SAO), as they were absolutely HILARIOUS (mostly negative ones). I promise not to rant too much and give a proper analysis on why I've given the ratings for each category. Of course, you may disagree with me. Feel free to check my profile to view my alternate review status.
STORY (3/10):
I understand that many of our viewers have anticipated or were encouraged that SAO was a masterpiece. That is not the case for me.
...
I will not rate an anime until I've finished it and understood it. A critic must always look out for the least expected flaws while others swallow up the praise that this anime receives. Oh, how easy it was to spot those flaws.
A good storyline at least puts the hero through a trialing period until he grows stronger from experience. Pokemon, is an elementary example. SAO's storyline is below elementary. The villains traps the hero/heroine in a virtual prison and must beat the game in order to reclaim their real lives before time runs out? Isn't that the REALITY of what you consider today, a hopeless game freak? But what do you expect from an anime about being stuck in a virtual universe? You fight until you get enough experience and with romantic love being the dues ex machina, the storyline becomes a simple boy meets girl story through a worldwide network. And that's all it is, folks. There is no symbolism, no deep analysis of the characters, full of plot holes...there is absolutely nothing interesting about SAO's storyline. I've realized that SAO is not an anime about a game. It's a romance anime where the hero falls in love with the heroine -- online. That makes me puke in disgust.
ART (9/10):
I can imagine the production team gathered in the meeting room, discussing for hours about how the art needs to be perfect, so perfect that they completely forgot about the storyline. The art is outstanding and blows you away out of the water with its visuals. Since we are talking about a future Japan with surpassing technologies, at least the production team got one thing right. The background is tantalizing and extremely detailed. You can tell that they were not lazy when it comes to bringing orgasms for the eyes (no pun intended). I'm impressive at every scenery they show in SAO and they seem to have the right tools to make this anime as realistic as possible.
The fight scenes are ridiculously intricate, providing first-class animation with extra-fluid movements. Every swing of a weapon in SAO is noticeable and up in your face so you won't miss a fight scene when you see one.
SOUND (8/10):
The first half of the OP, "Crossing Field" by LiSA is energetic and it was this song that seduced me to watch SAO. It makes you want to run across a field and start slashing away at your enemies and stand victorious on a mountain of corpses. Yes. This song should definitely feature in a game! The production team has done a great job submerging the viewers into the anime with a powerful, resounding intro. I will say the same thing for the second half of the OP. "Innocence" by Eir Aoi made me want to fly to space and explode with a force of a thousand suns then free fall back to Earth.
The first half of the EP is "Yume Sekai" sung by Haruka Tomatsu, who is quite the popular Japanese artist. Personally, I don't think the song really fits SAO, no matter how much romance was suggested in the anime. By no means am I saying Haruka is horrible, but it's awkward when it clashes with the conflicts that hero/heroine deals with in SAO. The song just does not fit with the plot and fails to bring additional emotions. But I'm sure the J-music fans were screaming in ecstasy when her soft, crisp voice reverberated for the first half of the endings. The second half of EP, "Overfly" by Luna Haruna is a totally different story. Since the second half of SAO brought new characters and new conflicts, I felt this song blended perfectly into it. I admit that when it first played in the anime, I got chills.
CHARACTER (2/10):
All I have to say for the characters is -- burn. Burn thoroughly in hellfire. From the beginning to the end, there is no growth in character development for the hero, Kazuto Kirigaya, nor the heroines, Suguha Kirigaya and Azusa Yuuki. They are exactly the same personality from when you are first introduced to them in the beginning of the anime. The only thing that seemed to flourish is their repetitive romantic relationship(s). I don't really have anything else to say, because there is nothing to further analyze about the characters. I did have some interest in the villains as they were shrouded in mystery until the end. But the ending was just a plot hole to reinforce more romance. Their allies and friends are helpless background decorations (much like Yamcha in DBZ), as the hero/heroine end up obliterating the problem themselves. Yui, the loli mascot of SAO is my favorite character though she does absolutely nothing other than bring fan service (I'm not complaining).
OVERALL (6/10):
The only thing that kept me hooked on SAO was Yui and the OPs. I think I'm being pretty damn fair to rate this a 6 (although my version of 6 is "Eh..."). I feel the production team were not looking to create an intelligent, sophisticated anime but rather target MMORPG gamers and J-music fans. As mentioned above, SAO is a mediocre romance anime which suggestively takes place in a worldwide network. If you are looking for theme songs that will blow you away with amazing graphics to boot, SAO is compatible for you. Personally, as a romance fan, it hasn't moved me at all.
Reviewer’s Rating: 6
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Dec 12, 2013
Sit back and enjoy an anime that dives into history -- a page in history.
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
This is my first review on MyAnimeList and I could have easily wrote a review on the more popular animes but I've finally decided to pick Gosick as my first review. I've made sure to complete the anime and go straight to this site when everything is still fresh in my mind. If you don't like details and intrinsic writing, then please skip this review.
STORY (10/10):
One of most intriguing settings in an anime that I've seen in a very long time. The story is a story within a story
...
and there are many, many elements entangled within it. You name it: romance, drama, mystery, action, adventure, suspense, horror, comedy...everything is neatly packaged into this anime. If this anime had a genre, it would most definitely be historic. The story dives into a page in history, in the year post-World War I ~ World War II (1920s ~ 1945).
The story is compelling and masterfully woven into a tale that makes generic historic animes look like Naruto Shippuden. The concept of Gosick is not for those who can't comprehend novelistic theory and ideas. Although it's basically a Japanese cartoon, Gosick can be viewed as an historic epic. Right from the start, we are introduced to the sense of reality in the opening which slowly climbs to the climax and finally, drops to the resolution. Gosick has successfully defined the dramatic structure into an anime. Also, what I love about Gosick is it's authenticity for its historical value and accurate cultural notions. Gosick does not fail to educate the viewers on the historical accuracy of its timeline. Since we are in 1920s, we see clock towers, pendants, carriages, Euro-etiquette, and live stage performances. Gosick has outdone itself in dragging the viewers back in time. Now let's drop the bourgeoisie act and come back to the "normal" realm: Gosick kicks ass. And for an anime that seems to center around mystery and romance, the viewers are given more than what they've bargained for.
ART (9/10):
Applause for the artwork and visuals for the production team. From the OP, story, to the EP, Gosick does not disappoint when it comes to anime craftsmanship. Even the background is not dull but colorful and mesmerizing. From the tall towering library, the garden maze, the academy, and even assortments, Gosick is pleasing to the eye. The flow of the animation is incredible and it can only support the symbolism and the plot very well. The animation in the OP is colorful and captivating, almost-paper like figurines. The EP is dark, captivating, and I might even add moody.
Although we obviously see laziness, one would barely notice them. Very impressed on how hard the production team worked to create an anime so delicate that the violence in it seems dark and romantic at the same time.
SOUND (9/10):
The OP has become a favorite of mine ever since I've heard it. Although it never changes throughout the entire anime, "Destin Histoire" by yoshiki*lisa is the perfect theme song for Gosick. The first half of the EP, "Resuscitated Hope" by Lisa Komine has also become a favorite. The artist has a chilling, yet calm and powerful voice that melds miraculously with the emotions that are triggered in Gosick. During the second half, the EP becomes melancholic and emotional, which flawlessly flows with the plot of Gosick, as the second half is reaching its climax and entering the resolution. "unity" by Lisa Komine may be the least favorite out of the 3 songs used, but it does its job of keeping the emotion of the anime together.
The sound and art is the bread and butter of Gosick. As mentioned, the production team are the masterminds of creating chemistry between art and sound. The OP and EP songs and the animation that go with it are able to cling onto the plot, and I can't get over how clever and outstanding it is.
CHARACTER (9/10):
Meet Kujo Kazuya, the international student, dubbed "Black Reaper" by his fellow peers at the academy. At first, we see a pathetic hero who has run away from his family and struggling to make new friends in a new environment. Honestly, I was not very fond of him, as he reinforces an old stereotype for Asian males (passivity) and has quite a dull personality. Even though he proudly considers himself to be a third son of an imperial soldier, he does not act it until the drawing end of the anime. However, he is a gold-hearted child who upholds his promises, is caring, and loyal which can be a likable character to some, if not many. In addition, his immaturity begins to shed its skin once fate (with a speck of curiosity) draws him to a large tower-like library and introduces him to his friend, romantic interest, and soulmate --
Enter Victorique de Bloise. This cute, short, chubby-faced, Victorian-esque, sweets-obsessed loli "detective", aka, Golden Fairy, may be the only reason why Gosick may interest anime bystanders (Hello, I am trillshit. And I, am a lolicon). However, I don't blame her. She is the epitome of a tsundere, but the complex is heavily supported by a very dark past. Quite understandable, if you have the fate of the world upon your shoulders (that's for you to find out, if you decide to watch the anime).
These two characters can be the only important figures to the viewers, though the side characters are also very important, which only proves how good Gosick is. As the anime progresses, we are introduced to villains, murderers, magicians, thieves, and folklore that threaten the hero and heroine, in which the latter always outwits them using her "wellspring of wisdom". Of course, you must consider their allies and friends which are responsible and protectors for their survival, in the mental-psychological realm, and their very lives.
OVERALL (10/10):
Obviously, I have enjoyed this anime to the fullest. Considering that I've watched three episodes consecutively, it took me a little more than a week to finish. And I'm extremely sad that it's finally over. This anime has been a fun ride, with strong forces of suspense, romance, and drama taking me on all kinds of highs and lows. Even as a critic, it was difficult for me to rate this anime but in the end, I'm convinced that Gosick is a masterpiece of its own. I really don't know if I'll be able to find another anime like Gosick. It is truly a peculiar, fascinating anime. I challenge anyone to give this anime a try and see how it works for you.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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