Birdie Wing Season 2 is an absolute mess and it pains me to say that.
After finishing Birdie Wing Season 1 you get the distinct feeling that you watched the first half of a season rather than a full season on its own. Which is awkward but survivable, if the second season just finishes that promised arc. But unfortunately it is abundantly clear what happened here; halfway through production they were told they were only getting twenty-four episodes and were going to be cancelled afterward.
Maybe that's a bold statement to make but its the only thing that makes sense with how erratic the pacing is for
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Oct 11, 2023
Alien Nine is certainly worth a watch if only because it is very short and very strange, in an intriguing way.
I don't necessarily think it's the best storytelling or writing ever but the mechanics and creatures of this world are so interesting that it elevates the rest. The designs are fascinating and distinct, the weird alien helmets and their long combat drill-tentacles alone are so unique and cool without even considering the larger aliens they fight. The weakest point is that it ends very abruptly and the characters have little to no development. There's a manga but it's not terribly good and this short series almost ... 
Oct 10, 2023
Mary to Majo no Hana
(Anime)
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This is a pretty average movie story-wise but with a very high production value. There's really nothing in the story or characters that stood out or made a big impression on me, it follows a very safe template yet somehow has a disappointing ending all the same.
The animation is easily the strongest part of it as despite the middling story everything is in a lively Ghibli-esque art style. The soundtrack and voice acting are also solid, I have no complaints in that department. Despite the lack of charm it's worth a watch if you want a very safe movie that won't challenge you but will ... 
Oct 10, 2023
Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann
(Anime)
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Really didn't jive with this one's story at all. It feels exactly like when a little kid walks up to you with their action figures in hand and starts acting out wild action scenes with senseless kid logic but expects you to take it just as seriously as they are. Meanwhile you're just nodding along waiting for them to get bored and wander away.
Weirdly the part of the story that I found myself most interested in was the section where Yoko was living as a teacher on a small island. I liked the idea of a teacher who was secretly a mecha fighting badass, it ... 
Oct 4, 2023
Oniisama e...
(Anime)
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There's no way to write this review without spoilers because these spoilers are every reason you shouldn't watch it.
Ultimate bait and switch. Imagine you spent like 30 or so episodes watching a story about a teenage girl named Nanako and her increasing attraction to another girl (Rei), dealing with her slightly unhinged lesbian bestie (Mariko), making friends with a dying girl who also loves her crush (Kaoru), and the evil leader of a Sorority (Fukiko) with connections to all of them. Nanako also has a strong relationship with her fake-but-not-fake brother (Henmi) with whom she sends letters back and forth with. It's intriguing and melodramatic and ... 
Oct 4, 2023
Second verse same as the first; if you liked Komi Can't Communicate Season 1 you'll like Season 2. If you didn't like Season 1 you won't like Season 2.
"More of the same" can easily be used as an insult but I think in a lower stakes Slice of Life like this one it's actually a compliment. Season 2 keeps with the formula of Komi experiencing various different social difficulties and making new friends across an episode, rinse and repeat. However, the frequent introduction of new, strange students with different social problems than her keeps it fresh and fun. This isn't to say that I don't think ... 
Oct 4, 2023
Boku wa Mari no Naka
(Manga)
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I barely know how to quantify how I felt about this story because it would be a lie to say it's not a real page turner. I finished it surprisingly fast despite having as many chapters as it does.
But the longer I spend thinking about it and the further I get away from my initial reaction the more I look back on it with negative feelings. It's great at being gripping in the moment but the more and more you think about the events and characters the more your brain can only think to say "ew." Going into it it was billed as a dark take ... 
Oct 4, 2023
Epitome of "I'd probably be rating this much lower if I didn't have some weird nostalgia for it" because this was a very early manga I read as a kid. It's got a weirdly charming art style and design motifs that are really unique and make it fun to look at. But yeah, the story and characters themselves aren't very good. Any interesting premises don't come to full fruition and it never reaches its potential.
All this said I still have some weird fondness for it. It's a mess but it's also dated in a way where it feels like a weird little time capsule. I ... 
Oct 4, 2023
The beautiful visuals and the fantastic character designs are easily the most striking part of BNA. Every character is so incredibly visually appealing and the fast paced animation of Studio Trigger uses them to great effect.
However, I would say the story is also fast paced but to its detriment. They have created an interesting world with potential conflict but we're whipped through it incredibly fast, to the point that I really wish we could have been given more time to luxuriate in the concepts and plots presented. I know this studio doesn't do second seasons very often so the chance we'll get more time with ... 
Oct 4, 2023
Devil May Cry 3
(Manga)
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A pretty mediocre and forgettable entry into the DmC franchise, it has solid enough art but isn't properly canon and mostly feels like a throwaway. I liked the Alice in Wonderland themed visuals even though they came out of nowhere. I'd actually really love that sort of vibe to make it into one of the games but considering how disposable this entry is I doubt we'll ever see Dante visit a dark and twisted Wonderland lol.
It's biggest weakness I would say though is that it feels incomplete and rushed. Maybe if it was longer and fleshed out the concepts in it then it would be ... |
