Kekkai Sensen

I'll start off by saying that if you're a fan of the series Baccano, Kyousogiga, or both, then you're going to love this show.

This series, in my own humble opinion, is basically perfection.
It took only one episode for me to completely fall in love.
Allow me to explain to you exactly what it is I feel about this series.

Kekkai Sensen is directed by Rie Matsumoto, who I personally see as a genius. Her directing style is extremely distinct and very unique. She has a wide range of creative camera angles along with her brilliant tactics into making something engaging or exciting. If you ... want an example of her work, watch Kyousogiga. That show is fantastic as well and I highly suggest watching it.
And although her directing style is super energetic, she somehow manages to make it so the show is easy to follow, despite all of what's going on at once.

When it comes to it's story, Kekkai Sensen makes great use of the world it has created. Countless things could happen in this twisted version of New York City. I won't tell you about anything that happens in the series, because honestly I went into it blind, and I wish for you to do the same.

The art is most likely the weakest point in the series, if we aren't counting camera angles as an artistic value. The only reason why is because the animation isn't exactly up-to-par with all of the other shows airing this season, yet it still manages to at times create it's own special atmosphere which continues to engage me in it's marvelous universe.

The Sound and Characters are both fantastic aspects to this series, and I emphasize the character importance because they're easily the best part of the show. I can't even tell you how fun it is to watch these people interact and work together. All of their personalities are non-generic and the director takes advantage of it's wide variety. Not to mention, there are actually about 5 or so voice actors who play main characters in Gintama! How much more fun can a series get when it comes to it's characters? (Shinpachi, Hijikata, Sarutobi, Katsura and Kagura, from what I remember.)

My enjoyment is an easy 10. This show is a marvel. Never in so long have I seen a new series be so eccentric and unique.
It's truly a gem, and I hope that other people can realize this as well.
I apologize if my review was lacking, since I'm more of a creative writer, not a critic. So my vocabulary and descriptions tend to be less varied when it comes to writing reviews...
Either way, please, give the show a chance! You won't regret it!

(OH, I MUSTN'T FORGET. THIS SERIES LITERALLY HAS ONE OF THE BEST ENDING SONGS/VIDEOS OF ALL TIME. GO LOOK UP IT'S ED, I PROMISE YOU WILL LOVE IT. THE OPENING IS FANTASTIC TOO.)

For those who have long awaited for a reboot for Trigun... you are going to have to wait a little longer. Until then you can watch Yasuhiro Nightow's other manga get adapted in what I am sure is going to be the best anime of the season that feels like the spiritual successor of Trigun. Kekkai sensen aka Blood Blockade Battlefront.

story and character 8/10: the story itself is not very complex. it can be simply put as an organization of super-powered people fighting against disorder in New York which has now turned into supernatural zone between the underworld and the real world that has been ... renamed Jerusalums Lot. What makes the story so good however is the execution. the way it goes about episode by episode is definitely not textbook "Monster of the week" type predictable battles where they have to simply find some weakness that was only apparent to the main character. There really is a lot of variety to this show as there are many important antagonists that shaped the way that Jeruselums lot functions. Its story telling style is a lot like Baccano or Durarara where there isn't really a main character and more of a main cast of characters to tell the story it presents. The characters in the story at the moment have not fully developed at the moment of writing so ill hold off on that till the end of the show. the character designs are unique and well done as are the plethora of background "beyondians". The show uses naming conventions that are similar to Trigun that seem so stupid for characters that they somehow end up being cool and memorable like Zap Renfro or steven starphase. Overall the entire cast is solid.

Art and sound : 10/10: The artwork and animation in this show is too impressive to put to words. studio Bones went all out to really capture the setting of new york overrun by supernatural beings with such great detail while also giving all of their effort the extremely well animated and over the top action scenes. this is partly due to the director of Kyousou Giga, Rie Matsumoto using extremely interesting and stylistic camera angle choices and overlays to better convey a scene or simply keeping things interesting even when its simply characters doing some exposition. On the topic of sound I am currently waiting for the whole soundtrack to be released as I haven't heard a ost this good that incorporates jazz music since Kids on the slope. The musical composer Taisei Iwasaki is just starting out with making music for kekkai sensen so he is one to keep an eye out for in the future, the Implementation of the music in the anime is also well done as there are never times when the music feels out of place. there are no complaints on the voice acting however there is a small issue at hand with this series when it comes to audio. This show almost demands an english dub simply because of the setting they are in and that during certain moments of exposition it is almost impossible to keep track of everything all at once in an episode in one go requiring multiple re-watches to get all of it and naturally hearing it in a dubbed version would alleviate this problem.

Overall: 9/10: This show has the artistic flair and character writing to shine and each element of the show embodies the theme of what made New York City an ideal melting pot of cultures and ideas from a diverse cast of characters to many different genres of music (with jazz being the most used) to the diverse population of monsters and super-humans and diverse stories they tell. this show is a definite must-watch this season

While most of the reviews here have praised Kekkai Sensen, I have to say that this kind of anime requires some sort of acquired taste.

If you watched Durarara and Baccano, and (perhaps rather oddly) like me, dislike both of them for making little sense, explaining a bit of everything everywhere, and having essentially no plot, you may NOT enjoy this series.

Like the 2 aforementioned animes, Kekkai Sensen features plenty of nameless characters that are absurd, scenes that you may not understand (e.g. in fights, who's doing what, and sometimes even who's who), and non-linear storylines. I won't provide an example to avoid spoiling, but ... let's just say some guy who has insane fighting skills also has insane superpowers is incidentally the human race's best chess player (better than pro players) just when it's needed.

Ok enough about the characters and the plot, if there's one thing I DO enjoy about Kekkai Sensen it would be the sound. I like the opening and ending tracks, as well as the ambient music, and how it changes the atmosphere of the scenes as it goes along. This is probably the only thing that kept me watching.

To close, I have to say that there are plenty of people who enjoy animes like this, but if you, like me, do not enjoy multiple non-linear storylines coupled with barrages of nonsense and nameless random characters, probably you might want to look somewhere else.

Sound: 9, Art: 7, Story,Character,Enjoyment: 6. Overall: 6

Finally after months of waiting saw the Last Eps of Kekkai Sensen
And it was honestly a clusterfuck of nonsense, I loved it.
Nothing made real sense, chaotic story telling and events happening here and there with no real explanation.
Animation, art and OST were all beautiful
Fight scenes were fluid and characters were as crazy as ever
Storytelling is lost somewhere along the months of waiting for the last eps.
I cannot say exactly why I really enjoyed the last eps, just that I simply did
Overall I would never recommend this anime to anyone that focuses on story/plot or anything that makes sense or follows logic.
BUT
I do that those ... that simply want to enjoy, perky characters, High Tier animation and OST , Interesting character with a story that really goes nowhere fast but has enough stuff happening all at once that you'd be to focus on that to really care about the story.
Sooo many negatives but the things that are positive of this series simply really appeal to me.
Tbh I think there is probably more to the series than just the action and the colors but was too busy just watching the
small detail happening in the screen

There were hints at the end for a sequel
I would LOVE an S2 just to see everyone back, I'd like some explanations but at this point I dont care that much anymore I just want to see randomness happen in a cool setting.

I seem to constantly root for those who treat abnormalities simply as the ground they walk on. Got a superpower added to your life? Stay in school. Turn out to be Akina's best driver? Keep delivering tofu. Lose your sister's sight and receive the All-seeing Eye Of The Gods? Keep delivering pizza.

Kekkai Sensen is packed with such enjoyable concepts, environments and characters. Kekkai Sensen is that friend who goes out of their way to give you shits and giggles because they're such a nice person. This beautifully conceptualised post-alien invasion world gives its best kicks from Leo being so mundane that he normalises absolute chaos ... and death around his being every single time he's in the portrait. It's beautifully done and you'll be watching this entire anime with a smile.

The captions introducing the characters feels so natural. The voice acting - both the protagonists and the villains, give so much personality insight and perspective to the voiced character. This one will be so enjoyable if dubbed properly. The camera angles are varied constantly, and are so well done it sets the standard for future anime - there may now exist an anime you can rewatch and enjoy purely for cinematography.

Every scene is drawn from a new camera perspective and doesn't skimp on visual accuracy. The way scenes are laid out to the audience makes them learn so much about characters and plots without the characters needing to doggedly explain concepts. This creative ability means that the pacing is just on-point.

This is the first time I've seen an anime so good, and so confident in how good it is, that before the ending, it will wrap up all loose ends, give you a happy ending, and will still be confident you're hungry for the next episode.

Ahh, Kekkai Sensen. Where to start with this one. It's such a brilliantly done show that's currently being overlooked by so many...

Story- 9
Starting with the story, I really want to give it a 10, but I can't. It's based around a version of New York where a portal to an alternate world opens, letting in weird sentient creatures. The show is very unspecific about the rules of who and what can leave and enter the fog covered area, as well as what exactly these creatures are. So far it's very enjoyable and seems to be building up to something great, but as I haven't read ... the manga, I don't know what this build up is for. I'm expecting it to be good, but as I can't be sure, I have to give it a 9. As one popular reviewer said something to the extent of, "I don't know where I'm going, but so far I'm enjoying the ride." I think that accurately sums up my feelings about it.

Art- 10
As expected of Bones, the art and animation are beautiful at every turn. Battles are a pleasure to watch, and characters have just the right expressions in the shows many comedic scenes. I don't know how they could have done better.

Sound- 10
Not much to say here. The sound track is very good, and I've listened to both the opening and the ending countless times. Both the opening and the ending fit the show very well, with the opening highlighting the serious side of the show, and the ending showing the fun side along with some hints as to future characters and some small ominous undertones.

Character- 10
Kekkai Sensen has many very likable characters. The two that have the most development so far are Leonardo and Zapp, so I'll focus on them. I quite like the main character, Leonardo Watch. He's a member of an organization called Libra, who specializes in fighting monsters and criminals. Most of the members of Libra use their blood as a weapon in a Deadman Wonderland style, but Leonardo has special eyes that were given to him shortly before the events of the series. These "All Seeing Eyes of God" allow him to see through illusions, project images to others, take control of other people's site, and more. Unlike most shonen main characters, he's neither overly weak or overly powerful. He uses his mind to think of new ways to apply his ability and fights in this way, instead of using overwhelming force like Zapp or Klaus. As for his personality, unlike most shonen main characters that are either to nice or try to be to cool, Leonardo has a more normal personality. He's nice and worries about saving others, but he can also be cool and funny, having realistic reactions to many things. One of the things that he reacts very realistically to is Zapp, another member of Libra. Zapp is one of my personal favorites, being used as comic relief half the time and an absolute badass the other half. He has a love-hate relationship with Leonardo, who he'll be murdering for pizza one second and saving the next. He's an interesting character, but the only thing that confuses me about him is why he tries to kill Klaus, the leader of Libra. We learn in episode 2 that most of the time when Zapp sees Klaus he'll try to kill him, or even that he'll attempt to put him in life-threatening situations. I only see this as use for comic relief, so it'd be nice if they expanded upon and explained this point.

Enjoyment- 10
As you can tell from the rest of my review, I love this show and it grew from an 8 up to a 10 over the 7 episodes that have been released. With likable characters, an interesting world, and something new happening every second to keep things interesting, it's a very fun show.

Overall- 10
This show is a 10, with everything being so incredibly well done that I find it hard to give it any other score. The show reminds me of a lot of my favorites. It reminds me of Deadman Wonderland for the previously mentioned blood weapons, Kill la Kill for its mix of action and over the top comedy (minus the fan service), and even Blue Exorcist and Hunter x Hunter for some reason I can't quite place. I'd recommend this show to anyone, and I hope it gets a bigger fan base and a second season.

Kekkai Sensen is one of those anime that by all means deserves to be called AOTY. However, there are a few things keeping it from being such. I'll start with the ratings of the anime that aren't 10/10's so as to let viewers know why I've rated this anime as such. Slight spoilers ensue, but nothing that really tells what happens or anything like that.

Art: It's great, it's just that the animation itself is slightly lacking compared to other anime this season, as well as not meeting the demands for such a powerful story. But I digress, it's great and shows what's happening without fail, ... just wish it was a little better.

Plot: Too much crammed into too little. 12 (13 if you count the recap episode) episodes is not enough for the story they're trying to tell. Nonetheless, it has still managed to be a riveting ride, and the story has managed to invoke great amounts of sympathy and whatnot. It's simply amazing how the story is told in such a whimsical manner, yet still manages to connect what seem to be meaningless moments into a bigger picture that is self-explanatory as soon as you see it.

Characters: Again, too much, too little time. There's a bunch of cast members that're introduced once, are shown to be extremely colorful and interesting with backstories that could probably get their own 12-episode spinoff (the only time where 12 episodes would be fine, as opposed to here), and almost never seen again. The main cast also suffers from this, as the spotlight seems to fall mostly on Leo and Zapp, with Klaus simply being the answer to any and all problems. The rest of the Libra department seems to stay true to their mission, which is working in the shadows, as we rarely see them do anything in the anime aside from showing up when necessary. The antagonists don't fare any better, with Black getting the most screen-time out of all of them (granted, he's the main antagonist as the story gradually shifts to make him out as such) and others such as Femt and Aligura getting most of theirs when they cause their own mischief. Characters are introduced at the show's convenience and while that isn't bad in any way, it doesn't help to know that the show will never speak of them again once the episode is over. Ultimately, this is a problem shared by many anime, one such big example being Angel Beats where a good amount of the main cast didn't get their backstories told.

One thing that is immediately brought to attention is how... whimsical the story is. Nothing is deeper than the surface when it comes to the why's and how's, everything simply is because it is. It's not for the sake of plot convenience, either -- it feels more like everything falls into place, and that everything will happen just because. You realize this as you see how Leo came to attain his God's Eyes, where a deity of some sort simply manifests before his family and forces them to decide who will be blinded and who will receive the eyes. You see it again as the wanton destruction of the city and the clearly massive amounts of casualties that follow are met with neither despair nor joy, but pure apathy. Sure, the people involved in the chaos are screaming for their lives, but the rest of the city, and the survivors as well, could seem to care less after all is said and done. While this is somewhat brought up in the anime as 'day-to-day occurrences' and are seen as a way to spice up the daily lives of the people, it still goes to show that destruction and death are 2 major daily occurrences in the former Big Apple, and are no longer worth paying attention to.

Finally, I'd like to say that the world introduced to us in this anime is filled with so many inferred and unstated rules that I can't help but have question after question pop into my head as I suddenly realize things. Clearly, their world is different from ours, since they make it clear that there's been magic and superpowers since long before the Great Collapse. There might have already been superhumans and human-like creatures such as werewolves before the Great Collapse. So, how does their history before the Great Collapse differ from ours? How has the rest of the world dealt with the loss of New York City, and how has it developed differently? How does Hellsalem's Lot, for lack of a better way to put it, work? How is it divided, how does it connect to the alternate plane of reality where the demons and such came from, etc., and while some questions are answered as the anime goes on (none of these are answered, which is why I've used them as examples), it's still one of those situations where getting an answer leaves you with even more questions.

But after all is said and done, what we have here is an anime adaptation of a very well-written manga, with a world of adventures packed into former New York City, and where it leads to is as good as anybody's guess. My overall score is only such due to the main problem being a lack of episodes, which in all honesty stems mostly from just wanting more and more of this anime, and the rest from what's written above. If you're a fan of zany and whimsical characters, mischievous humor, fantasy, drama, and/or episodic stories, this is an anime for you. And if you're not, it's still probably something worth checking out.

As an aside, I've never once seen a recap episode so beautifully done. While by nature it adds nothing to the story told so far, it still manages to be entertaining and, well, add to the story told so far. It was executed wonderfully, and I, who has refused to watch recap episodes due to thinking of them as a waste of time, was left feeling as if I'd watched a regular episode of the anime.

I’ve never been to New York before. I heard the place has kinds of people and all sorts of opportunities. Having seen the state a bunch of times on television and in the newspapers, I’ve always been wondering what really goes on over there. Then, there comes this series called Kekkai Sensen (Blood Blockade Battlefront) where we see New York in an alternate form. The catch? It’s now a place for both New Yorkers and supernatural beings. Sources from the series states that a portal known as ‘The Beyond’ caused it and that there’s a dimensional fog barrier preventing monsters from crawling out to other ... places. Having just read the premise should making this series sound thought provoking. And if that wasn’t enough, did I mention there’s also something that threatens this interdimensional plane?

From the creator of Trigun, Yasuhiro Nightow brings this new exciting series with a lot of clever gimmicks. Not only do we have this interdimensional called Hellsalem's Lot (formerly known as New York City) but there’s also a lot going on behind a group of people known as the “Libras”. To me, this series is like a dark urban tale where each episode has its tale to tell. Kekkai Sensen is by no means just a shounen action show crafted to save the world. This is more like an urban fantasy where stories are made and legends are born.

To start off, the show follows more of an episodic nature. While events in the series along with its characters does form connections, each episode in itself has a tale to tell. Essentially, the first episode establishes the foundation of the series where we meet the majority of the main cast and experience what Hellsalem’s Lot is about. I think there should be an emphasis put on the ‘hell’ part as the first episode is hellish all around with lots happening with overwhelming amount of bizarreness. Perhaps one of the normal people we meet at first would be Leonardo Watch. Seeming portrayed as a normal young man, he has a rare power known as the “All Seeing Eyes”. These eyes grants him special abilities although at a cost of his sister’s eyesight. As the main male protagonist of the series though, he also become involved with Libra, a group that deals with the many supernatural occurrences in Hellsalem’s Lot. In a way, they aren’t just a police unit but more of an elite group of powerful people with their own unique abilities. For instance, there’s Klaus V Reinhertz, the leader of the group with his ability to fight with a large shaped cross as his weapon of choice. Zapp Renfro, a hotblooded member of the group is known to utilize his blood fighting style. Then, there’s Chain Sumeragi with her ability of invisibility, Steven A. Starphase with the ability to freeze others through ferocious kicks, K.K and her elite skills to handle firearms, among others. The point is that this group of characters all stand both individually and collectively.

And this is where the series shine the most. It’s the characters. Kekkai Sensen is a rare breed of a show where I hardly find any character that I dislike. In fact, almost every character has a personality that can easily be adaptable with the contents of this show. Leonardo’s initial role in the story also has him portray more as the paper boy with his errands. However, he does play valuable part in the story especially with his unnatural eyes. Each episode involves him being involved in some sort of event that seems to degenerate into abnormality. I have to say that the show is very clever with some of these events ranging from chasing a super-fast monkey, being held hostage by some underworld thugs, or even sharing burger with a friendly alien. There’s this sensation that the show constantly brings with his adventures as we learn more about Hellsalem’s Lot. Similarly, other characters participates in unique events such as Klaus’ challenge in the highly dangerous Prosfair, a game that can drive a normal human mad or even an underground boxing match against unholy monsters. While all this is happening though, there are bits of foreshadowing with certain characters that tells of something going behind the scenes. Nonetheless, Kekkai Sensen’s performance with each episode shows how clever it can be with its gimmicks and style that feels similar to Baccano, atmospheric like Cowboy Bebop, and unique on its own.

The comedy factors are also quite genuine as well so anyone looking for an ultra-deep or philosophical show is in the wrong place. Rather, take this series as more of a relaxing adventure. The comedy elements ranges with good amount of slice of life-like moments involving Zapp, Leo’s misadventures when running errands, or in general anything that seems not so ordinary. And speaking of which, there’s so many abnormal things happening in this show that mystery also plays certain roles. It makes the audience wonder about the foundation of Hellsalem’s Lot with the history that it contains or where our characters (specifically Libra) came from in the first place. Leonardo’s mysterious All Seeing Eyes is also a central element of the show that many find fascinating, fearful, and curiously endearing all at once. There’s even some bits of subtle romance in the story as well. Do take note that this adaptation adds an anime original character named White so her role in the series adds something fun to think about. In particular, her relationship with Lenoardo seems to be something like an acquaintance/friendship/bonding type of connection. It’s hard to describe exactly what it is but romance can easily be interpreted into their development as well. What’s more is that she also has a brother who is even more mysterious than he seems. Now that adds a bit of something to think about. The show in fact often makes you think what may happen next and what you guess may or may not be correct. However, the thrill and excitement of each episode is definitely something to remember.

There are some pet peeves that can be found in this show at times though. The series is pretty fast paced and sometimes seems like there’s too much happening at once or where you feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere. Even with a breather episode here or there, the story can be hard to understand at times. Just note that certain events and characters do have connections that formulates the overlay of the story. Also, this series may or may not fit with everyone’s style. The urban setting and characters sometimes can feel too gimmicky for its own good and certain likable side characters can be easily dismissed. There may also at times where the comedy feels like it’s recycled a bit more than it should be. And finally, Leonardo may be one of the lesser characters that are worth remembering compared to its others despite being the main protagonist. He’s not the dull type but there certainly are characters that really outshines his portrayal.

Do I even have to say it? This is like a classic Bones series. Taking a look at the poster visual should quickly make people imply what studio will adapt a series with such artwork. Indeed, studio Bones takes charge of the show with its fantastic visuals to illustrate and deliver the style of Kekkai Sensen. The urban setting of Hellsalem should feel similar with anyone who experienced with Nightow’s other works. Then, there’s also the portrayal of the monsters, each crafted cleverly at its own degree. There’s imagery too and metaphors that are well adapted. Most prominently, Leonardo’s eyes stands out as an epitome of enigma. The way it’s colored, decorated, and operates really has a feel of unorthodox. And that’s just one more thing to think about regarding the artwork of the show. Character designs are skillfully made with each one that suits with their roles. The action is also pretty fluid with flashy movements and explosive camera features that will make you go awe. It has minimal fan service and really never ventures into that direction throughout the entire story. It doesn’t need to anyways since Kekkai Sensen is clever on its own.

Smooth. Joyful. Nostalgic. These are just a few words that I can describe about Kekkai Sensen’s music. The OST not only has a jazz and blue like-tune but also brings in a feel where you really can picture yourself there. The atmospheric insert songs often delivers its dynamics where it naturally sucks you in. Even the OP and ED theme songs are highly stylistic too. The OP song “Hello World” by Bump of Chicken is a testament to the characteristics of the show. Meanwhile, we also have a very catchy ED theme that dances with the tunes. Finally, there’s the character voice mannerisms. With such a colorful cast, it’s hard to pick which one is the most memorable. A few to name are definitely Zapp’s laidback voice, Klau’s toughness, or White’s curiosity. The concepts of the show often tries to drill whatever it needs to get the point across and character voices are no exception either.

I can safely say that Kekkai Sensen is a ride to remember. Director Rie Matsumoto (known for directing Kyousogiga) skillfully adapts what it needs to deliver this unique and stylistic adaptation. There’s probably more the show can do with its ideas but it has so far nailed all of what it intended to. Whether it’s the dynamic cast of characters, colorful episodic adventures of Leonardo, or the mystery elements of the series itself, there’s always something Kekkai Sensen can give to anyone. This is definitely a show to choose especially if you’re in it for some crazy fun and experience a supernatural New Yorky vision.

Kekkai Sensen/Blood Blockade Battlefront Review

Story (6/10) Fair

The story of Kekkai Sensen was fair, nothing uber complex, mind blowing or even addiction to get into in my personal opinion. But the story definitely wasn't bad. There were quite a few episodes that definitely felt like filler/episodic episodes some where good and some where just straight up irrelevant. But the overall story I though was fine.

Art and Animation (10/10) Outstanding

Studio Bones could not have done a better job at adapting this anime. The key animation done by Bahi JD the same dude responsible for the amazingly key animations for Space Dandy did his thing for ... Kekkai Sensen it's outstanding and I wish the guy was in charge for everything anime's animation I was watching because it's probably the reason I even gave the show a chance, the trailer before the anime came out and episode 1 sold me and it was mostly because of the art style and animation Bones and Bahi JD brought to the table.


Sound (7/10) Good

The sound for Kekkai Sensen was good. No BGMs that made my spin tingle or anything but the opening was catchy and the voice acting both JP and Eng Dub I thought were good. Everything sound related was all around good.

Characters (6/10)
More Specifically (6.75/10) Fine

The characters in Kekkai Sensen were fine, interesting since episode on especially how well they were introduced. Majority of the cast are all more interesting than the MC himself and I wish we got more characterization on everyone but him honestly. Overall though I felt we didn't necessarily get that much characterization from any character in the anime through out it's 12 episodes because like I said before majority of these episodes were episodic/filler episodes and if there was any character that probably got a good characterization (but still not enough for me to be satisfied) was Klaus. Zapp got a little bit, didn't care too much for the MC and would have love to see more of Zed, but the season ended so oh well.


Enjoyment (6/10) Fair
More Specifically (6.5/10)

With all the nice things I had to say about Kekkai Sensen up to this point my enjoyment is sitting at a 'fine'. The anime has a heavy focus on it's comedy aspect as one of it's key selling points and it didn't sit too well with me. The only episode that got me cackling was the episode where Zapp was stealing the MC's food but that didn't last too long either. Another thing that is an enjoyment selling point that the anime brings thanks to Bones and Bahi JD is the animation. The art style and animation on the bloodmoves and the little fighting choreography were all stunning I wish we got more that only gave of tiny bits of it and focus more on the comedy which I said didn't sit to well. The story didn't sit too well with me either and the episodic/filler episodes like I said before weren't that entertaining to me.


Overall (7/10)
More Specifically (7.25/10)

Kekkai Sensen was a good anime but that's as much as I can get it. Episode one was hype and promising but after that it was episodic and filler episodes invested and like i said earlier those didn't sit well with me. The story I felt didn't really go anywhere, they had one episode that had to do with Vampires or something and I thought that was interesting but ultimately was ignored the next episode. I started Kekkai Sensen as soon as the subs dropped I was there day 1 ready and as far as I remember i stayed caught up weekly (I think I may have fallen behind once but was caught up majority of the time) and when that last episode took like FOREVER AND A DAY to come out I obviously put the anime 'On Hold' because I'm just not going to let it sit there in my watching section when I not really watching it. And when that final episode finally came out I didn't even feel like watching it right away because all of the disappointing things I remembered that bothered me about this anime started to rise. It was only till today after looking at my "On Hold" section that I decided to finish this shit off and I've heard that this last episode was worth it... it really wasn't.. But that's not taking away from the animation which I think is the saving point of this anime. With a mediocre story it kept it afloat and is probably the reason why it's still around a 7 to me but no more than that..

It has been one great ride through Kekkai Sensen. This review is spoiler free because frankly saying, you won't get much out of reading synopsis or various spoiler reviews. You have to watch this anime to know it (much like any anime actually).

The context of this Anime is simple. However it is delivered in a more eccentric fashion that is somewhat hard to get into at first. Nevertheless, once you get on the ride, you won't want it to stop.

Story: 7/10. The story is not out of the box from what I have experienced. Superhuman organization, evil plans, something that always pulls the protagonist into ... trouble. It's all familiar. With that being said it kept pulling me in because the anime is giving me only bit by bit with each episodes, keeping me guessing. This is also the problem that is why it can't get a better score. It is not everybody's cup of tea to have to go through a series without knowing the full context of it from the first chapter.

Art: 9/10. The art is superb. Fighting scenes are smooth and satisfying. Background is detailed and the general style fit its story. Character designs are all highly detailed and good looking.

Sound: 10/10. The sound is notably the BEST part of this series, and probably this Season. Everything from ambient sounds, background music to Open and Ending songs are well done, with the exception of some of the masterpiece of this season. Never have I been so eager to purchase the OST of an anime when it has just got released. All the songs are jazzy, catchy and when put into the scenes, it makes perfect compliment with the anime. I have to repeat that this is without a doubt, in my opinion the best sound design of the season, and maybe even this year.

Character: 8/10. Character are designed fairly well. Each character is well established, with their unique (sorta) power and their own involvement in the story. There is very little character development however, besides from the relationship between the protagonist and his co-worker. That being said, some characters are still memorable and worthwhile to watch.

Enjoyment: 10/10. I'm not very picky about enjoyment, unless it is over the top ridiculous. This is an absolutely enjoyable anime to watch, partly for the great sound design and partly for a very well made anime.

Overall: 9/10. I like this anime and I enjoyed it. However it has its flaws and lets be real here, nothing is perfect. This should have been a 8/10 but I give it a plus for its masterpiece sound design (mentioning it again).

Note that this anime is not for everyone. Its story pacing might troubles some people.

This is one of the almost gems in the rough. The story is amusing, sort of episodic, and easy to follow. The art is what it should be, absurd.

But then the flaws start showing. You'll start hearing a stupid tune being whistled throughout the show, and while the song it's based off of is okay, the whistling itself is annoying, repetitive, and irritating.

And then there is one extremely stupid character(not the protagonist). This isn't a spoiler, but basically the character in question is a b****, for a lack of a better word. The dialogues centered around him are dumb, to say the least.

I'll give you ... an idea of what I'm talking about. Say you have a friend who's sort of like you, except he has an amazing talent for music. This talent would be everything you've dreamed of, but you don't have it. Then, say he refuses to use his talent because you're better at something else than he is, and says he won't play music until he's as good as you in whatever you're doing.

In the anime, it's described as "bravery," while in fact it's simply arrogance and unintentional condescension.

So while the anime's enjoyable overall, this one character ruined a lot of it for me.

Tenth Review - Kekkai Sensen! (or Blood Blockade Battlefront)

This was a anime that looked pretty good to begin with - a city that exists with human and monsters together. The story revolving around this one lad with these cool looking eyes.

At first it looked more like a comedy rather than a serious anime yet the more you watched it and let the story unfold you see that this is actually a well structured anime that has serious elements but also bonds together with humour in some areas.

The story in my opinion at first was a bit rough round the edges and didn't take ... a major step in any direction, it was about this one kid and his awesome looking eyes but it was jumping from what the story really meant, was it his sister? the monsters? the magic? what? The story didn't really let you know what it's main focus was but slowly unravelled during the series. In all though the story was good in the end and how they portrayed the series to get to the story point was good.

The art was my favourite in this anime, the art was magnificently done and was shown to be one of the key elements of Kekkai Sensen. When the opening picks up you can see the amount of design it took with the art and as the series goes on the art style is always tied together nicely, not one piece of scene was wasted on poor quality. If it's an anime where you love to watch them for art then this is one of them ones to watch.

The characters during the series become very likeable, my favourite being the 'Invisible Wolf' Chain. The backgrounds of a few of the characters ain't picked up in the anime as much as the manga however you can still see their traits and characteristics. I love how it did show us the two main character stories of the main focusing characters though so that you wasn't confused, this was nicely done.

All in all I actually liked Kekkai Sensen, it was a mix of ordinary meets the weird in a city where two have to coexist and live alongside each other in everyday life. It made me actually laugh in some eps when just some random rubbish will happen yet it provides you with more character development and story development in some ways.

This is one of my favourites and I recommend it to anyone with a likeable side to the random, funny and magical elements to an anime.

~ Canaan

This is my first review on MAL, let me tell you this series is extremely overrated for a few reasons.

1. It is another show where people yell out their moves when the fight.

2. They went through all the trouble to make such a great world and great side characters. Then they throw a whiny baby in as the main character that has "special eyes" and that is his only strong suit. He has a few comedic moments in the show but other than that he is a terrible character.

3. The "villain" has no motivation other than causing havoc and the finale just leaves so ... much open without another season. At this point if there was another season I would not watch it.

Now here is what the anime got right.

1. Art style, fantastic different take that didn't have characters with big eyes. They took a different approach and I liked the end result, Heck the main character rarely has his eyes open.

2. Sound design. Fantastic, intro and outro songs are also really good.

3. The side characters. They are fantastic and you will laugh a lot during the show at how the side characters play off of one another and the main character.

So here's an anime that I thoroughly enjoy. First review so... let the hate come. Also, this is a review for the 6 episodes I have seen, so I'll only go over what I know from those episodes only.


Story

The story of Kekkai Sensen (Blood Blockade Battlefront) is a confusing one, especially considering that at the start of episode 1, we see Leo's sister with her eyes open. When later on, it's said that she is now blind. I guess it'll be revealed as the story goes on, but there really is no story.

All there really is, is just a bunch of random things that ... Leo has done with his group, Libra. It feels as if the anime is going nowhere. There's nothing to hint plot advances or just anything important to plot at all.


Art/ Animation

I like this animation. Mute colors in New York City and very colorful everywhere else. Character designs are very cool and intriguing. There's not much I can give here really, since I am not very good at analysing things like this


Sound

The sound/songs are great! The ED especially, it has a jazzy-dance feel, kinda like how Death Parade did. All the background songs fit perfectly and are well-placed. Take for example a perfectly timed Ode to Joy when Klaus beats Don at Prosfair. Other than that though, there's not much else I can say. It's the same as Art/Animation.


Characters

The characters are a very nice mesh of everything that is likeable. Klaus Von Reinherz for example, is a true gentleman, but has considerable strength, and the most brutal blood technique known to man. While Zapp Renfro is a sleaze who is a master of the Big Dipper blood technique.

How the characters interact with each other is hilarious as well, being told from Leo's point of view shows us how the residents of Kekkai Sensen's New York are accustomed to their unusual life, while Leo is wide-eyed as to how anybody can get used to anything here.

Slowly though, over time, it has gotten a little bit more serious and Leo is slowly adjusting to life here in New York.


Overall

This is a great anime to watch, though it may still not suit you, which is fine. The music is perfectly timed and blends in well with how the anime is set up. The characters are vibrant and how they interact with each other is hilarious. I'm still enjoying this anime very well and can easily say I eagerly wait for the next episode. Though the story is confusing, it does make up for it with the characters and music.

3 things will greatly affect your enjoyment of Kekkai Sensen. Number one is how much you crave a new story, and are tired of the same High School/harem light novel adaptations that come up every season. Number two is if you enjoy being given lots of bits of information that allow you to piece together a larger plot. Number three is if you enjoy fast paced and constantly changing camera shots and point of view changes. If you don't mind or even enjoy those types of things, you are gonna have even more of a blast with this show.

Story 6- While it pains me ... to give a show with such good and funny writing a 6 in story, the way much of the exposition is told is all over the place, and occasionally paced very badly. Kekkai Sensen takes a very episodic approach to it's story, with no real 'major' plot happening until the last 3 episodes. In all honesty, much of Kekkai Sensen reminds of the show 'Seinfeld', in that much of it is, 'a show about nothing'. The majority of episodes are just fun world exploration/building, with the central idea being anything from fighting vampires, taking down drug dealers, underground fighting rings, and taking down Monster Trucks the size of a city block.
The genius and also downfall of Kekkai Sensen's story telling is how quick and concise it is. Characters often drop quick bits of info that on their don't tell us much, but when all these bits are placed together, they make a consistent and intriguing story of this world. The problem is that there is a STAGGERING amount of information that Kekkai Sensen throws at the viewer, often intermixed with action and humor that make retaining these bits of info near impossible. Episodes 4 and 10 are good examples of both the good and the bad aspects of Kekkai Sensen's storytelling. Overall Kekkai Sensen's story is incredibly deep and shows huge amounts of promise, but the way it's presented needs to be approached a bit more carefully and equally proportioned out.

Characters 7: Easily my favorite aspect of Kekkai Sensen, I think a lot of people will be turned off by them because of the way their character stories are told. Kekkai Sensen rarely, if ever, does the typical flashback to show a characters past, and almost never devotes an episode to a single characters arc (Which is a good thing, because it does that in episode 11 and feels reeeaaallllyyy boring and slow). Instead the characters past is given mostly through conversation and interaction with others. In short, the characters come fully developed, and we learn that through their actions rather than through monologues. The obvious downside to this is that the guys who get little to no screen time feel really under-utilized, and that kind of becomes a problem when you have a cast as large as this shows crammed into 12 episodes. Despite this, the cast is all likable and have very defined and unique personalities/design to them, so it's never hard to tell them apart.

Art 9: Rewatchability. Just...Rewatchability. Kekkai Sensen does what very, very few anime have ever done for me, in that I will buy the DVD's just for the animation itself. The key to that? I feel like i'm watching a live action set, with all sorts of things happening in the background. No expense was spared in this regard, as there is almost always something interesting going on in the background. Sitting in a diner? The window will show the traffic passing by. In a room full of partying people? You'll see an entire drunken skit in the background. The only negative I can give this category is that there are a few minor scenes where characters look like they were drawn in a hurry, and because of the frantic activity that takes place in most shots, scenes that have little background and few moving objects will feel strangely lifeless.
Quick word of warning, Kekkai Sensen uses lot's of different camera shots and frame changes. What this means is that you'll constantly be exposed to different points of view over the course of a normal conversation. This can be disorienting at times since the animation is so richly detailed that you'll constantly have your eye wandering and losing track of the conversations. I personally love this as that means I can see something new overtime I go back to watch the show, but some might not enjoy this technique very much.

Sound 10: I feel a little weird giving a category that is completely, 100% dependent on personal taste, but I have no idea what else to do. The opening and ending are just so far above and beyond what I expect from most anime. They actually evoke feelings of nostalgia, happiness, melancholy and whatever else you might interpret from it. As for the OST? just listen to 'Catch Me if You Can' and 'White Gloves (Vocal Version)". If you listen to those two and don't like them, you won't like the soundtrack. Also I am of the opinion that your are a tone-deaf bastard :D
If you prefer dubs over subs, then boy are you in luck. The dub nails the two most important parts of being a dub, getting the right voice for the right character, and not following the japanese script word for word. In short, Leo sounds like Leo, Zapp sounds like Zapp. The first episode sounds a little lackluster, but every episode afterwards is full of dynamic ranges of emotion, and the script was translated nicely into English, with some phrase changes made to better accommodate the humor.

Enjoyment 10: While I attempted to be impartial in my above scores, the fact of the matter is that I am hopelessly a fanboy of this show. I mentioned at the beginning of this review that one of the defendant factors is how sick you are of 'current' anime trends. That was a little vague and kind of unfair. There are a number of shows that fall under those categories that I liked (No Pet no Kanojo, Campione!), but it's undeniable that there are just SO MANY of these shows that are released each season that don't attempt to do anything but tick a list of checkboxes, and are a criminal waste of really intriguing base material in favor of cliches so damn common I'm amazed people still like them. So when a show like Kekkai Sensen comes along and gives so many of those tropes a giant middle finger, and also happens to be really good, I can;y help but feel extra grateful towards that series for taking the plunge and trying to do something different from the rest of the pack.

This is my first time writing a review for an anime.

*No Spoilers*

Kekkai Sensen was one of my favourite anime that I've watch so far.

Plot:
The plot was all the place but I was still able to tell what was going on. At times I did get confused and I still have some questions about this anime.

Art:
... The animation was outstanding and the art style was nice and refreshing.

Sound:
The soundtrack for this anime is amazing, it is hard too pick my favourite between the opening and ending songs.

Character:
I liked all of the characters but one thing that I didn't like was the fact that some characters didn't get enough attention as they should off.

Enjoyment/Overall:
Well in the end, waiting for the last episode to be released wasn't such a bad thing, in my opinion it was worth the wait. After each episode I watch I found myself wanting more and more. Unfortunately, some of my questions floating around my head reguarding the anime did not get answered but judging on the last clip of episode 12 we might be expecting a season 2(keyword is might). I would recommend this anime highly to all.

Please don't leave any hate, don't forget this is just an opinion.

I can say now with confidence that Studio Bones is the best animation studio in Japan. They have consistently created some of the greatest animated series to ever grace the anime industry. The resume of the studio is a storied one, ranging from Fullmetal Alchemist to Ouran Highschool Host Club to Darker than Black to so many other amazing shows. Yet amidst all of this, one anime was criminally underappreciated. 2015's Blood Blockade Battlefront, or Kekkai Sensen, is an explosive, beautiful, and at times hilarious romp through one of the coolest fictional takes on New York City I've ever seen. From Yasuhiro Nightow, the writer ... of Trigun, and director Rie Matsumoto comes an exciting adventure through the strangest city in the world.

Kekkai Sensen hooked me right from the very beginning with our main character narrating a letter to his sister, as we are treated to a stunning montage of what is clear to be the climax of this 12 episode series. A wide array of colorful and sleek characters are seen dismembering ghoul after ghoul across a vast and expansive metropolis under the night sky, all the while our hero scales a tall staircase approaching what he hopes to be direction needed to stop the chaos and save the day. The main title flashes on the screen with dazzling effect and we are brought back to the beginning of the story.

The protagonist Leo is a refreshing take on his character type. He lacks any sort of lethal skills in combat and he's overly humble, but he isn't afraid to speak on behalf of those who are oppressed and the narrative never spends too much time forcing him to be a stronger person, rather it lets him become a hero in his own way. Klaus V Reinherz, Leo's boss, is the kind, gentlemanly but undeniably formidable friend who helps Leo to realize his potential. He sees how torn up Leo is over what has happened to him and his family and wants to help him become stronger by "welcoming him into the family" in a way. In that sense, Zapp Renfro, Leo's punkish co-worker, is like a brother figure to Leo, having been asked to protect him so no one uses Leo's abilities for evil. The rest of the cast excels too. From blond, one-eyed gunslingers, to ice power wielding superheroes, to eccentric vampire hunters, every character in Kekkai Sensen is memorable and badass.

The series starts out fairly episodic, with each episode working to develop the world and introduce the members of Libra. The show does a great job of presenting each character's abilities just within the opening montage. They introduce so many characters over the 12 episodes that you worry how well all the characters can gel together, but the story is so well directed that it feels like I'm watching the Avengers. Every character gets to enter the spotlight whether it be to dispense wisdom on our hero or take part in an operation to bring down a high-level threat. For the most part, the series is a collection of standalone adventures, but with an underlying narrative spliced. What makes that even better is that it splices in that through-line narrative without it feeling forced. What I mean is that some shows with only 12 episodes and an episodic structure will devote so much time to the through-line plot that the side stories seem pointless or just underdeveloped. Thankfully, Kekkai Sensen doesn't have that problem. But how does it balance all this chaos?

The answer: Beautifully. Director Rie Matsumoto is a genius. Unbeknownst to me until just recently, the characters Mary and William Macbeth, and the entire throughline plot were all original creations made for the anime alone. The second to last episode is dedicated to Mary and William's backstories, and it works as a fitting primer to the incredible finale that follows. While the first 11 episodes are a typical 24 minutes, the last episode is 48 minutes, and the added run time helped to close the narrative in a perfect way. However, while the story is told very well, there are some things that might go right over your head if you aren't paying close enough attention. There were times during the finale where I couldn't quite understand what certain characters' plans were, or how certain elements of the world worked. What's worse is that when the show was first airing, the final episode was postponed because of its extra length, so rather than airing at the end of the spring 2015 season, it aired at the end of the Summer 2015 season a whole THREE months later. Needless to say, I was confused about what was happening. All in all, Kekkai Sensen put all of its chips on a pretty conclusive anime-only finale that despite a bit of confusion will leave viewers satisfied with the whole journey.

The world of Kekkai Sensen portrays a foggy, dirty, but at the same time lively city that captures the feeling of New York City well while injecting its own sci-fi fantasy charm into it. the gothic style of many of the skyscrapers and the bright colors that pop out through the foggy gray streets help make Hellsalem's Lot one of my favorite fictional cities, right up there with the towns and villages from Ghibli movies. In addition to this, the character designs by Toshihiro Kawamoto are on par with his other designs from Cowboy Bebop and Noragami (And yes you read that correctly, this is the same designer). The fight scenes are wonderfully coordinated and the architectural destruction is just as fun to look at here as it is in all of Bones other shows. Visually, the show hits all the right notes. But the sights are just one half. The sounds are just as good.

The soundtrack is composed by Taisei Iwasaki, who seems to have made his anime soundtrack debut with this show. His style of music resembles that of Yoko Kanno (Cowboy Bebop). That is to say, it is diverse. The music combines beautiful orchestral pieces, with some pop, rock, jazz, and even some strange, but undeniably memorable songs intended for moments of comic relief. It is a well-rounded soundtrack that compliments the journey well.

A lot can be said about this show, probably because it went criminally underappreciated. Perhaps I couldn't appreciate it when I first saw it, but every time I watch it, I love it more and more. To put it simply, Kekkai Sensen, AKA Blood Blockade Battlefront, is one of the greatest action anime in years. You owe it to yourself to watch it.

New York City is overrun by monsters!
The statement itself seems quite quirky. However when put into context, it truly is just another day within the world of Kekkai Sensen. A world so vast, so mysterious, so telling, and downright awesome, that the depth of its possibility seems endless. That's, enough of my praise. Let's get down to business.
Story: 9
Kekkai Sensen introduces a very enticing, extraordinary, and complex story. It gives little detail upon where we are in our current situations. It leaves, gaps, holes, and mysteries to be solved. Not to mention the unbelievably fast pacing that the anime showcases. Despite the claim that all ... of these should be setbacks, Kekkai Sensen successfully mingles every aspect into a fantastically, smooth story. In doing so, Kekkai Sensen separates itself from the other animes within its genre, becoming something truly interesting and fresh.
Art: 7
The art of Kekkai Sensen is most definitely the weakest link. The art is quite mediocre at some points and just doesn't stand to par with the other aspects of the anime.
Sound: 9
Such a good soundtrack. The soundtrack really impressed me and added a lot to the overall feeling of the anime. Each soundtrack fulfilled its purpose wonderfully, even adding its own spice at many points within the anime. Not to mention the ending for this show. The ending for Kekkai Sensen really fits the tone of the anime and is simply cool. Just like the smooth, jazzy, lightheartedness that Kekkai Sensen can take on, the ending really highlights what makes the anime so interesting.
Characters: 10
Almost character in Kekkai Sensen is undoubtedly underdeveloped. Once again, this aspect perfectly fits into the image that Kekkai Sensen wants to take on. Kekkai Sensen is a show that likes to be mysterious. It likes to always have a few tricks left to entertain the audience. Most of all, Kekkai Sensen loves to be different.
Kekkai Sensen also encompasses the all important rule of change. What makes a character great is change. Leonardo Watch's addition to Libra and how he changes is very interesting to watch. His initial personality is changed by the end (though still fundamentally there) and his beliefs are highlighted by his choices.
Enjoyment: 10
If you have read this far, the enjoyment aspect must be no surprise. The story is undeniably interesting, the humor is absolutely amazing, and the characters are very fun to watch. The anime's unique spice of jazz and New York create a unique identity that can be associated with Kekkai Sensen. With all of the eccentricity that Kekkai Sensen brings, you most certainly will not get bored.
Overall : A -
The mean of the scores is 9.0. That is indeed an A minus. Kekkai Sensen's ability to create an identity for itself, provide characters that are interesting, and prove its depth of story, make it one of the better anime of its season. Its flaws lie in the animation and mysterious identity that leaves many character's dry for development.

"Welcome to my review"

Words that I never imagined my self typing due to the absurdity of the statement (how do you welcome someone into a review? Its like saying welcome to my article, its just stupid.) and the fact of well, I don't write reviews.

Now if you would excuse my shortcomings I am by no means the end all be all of reviews and do not intend to write myself off as that, I am simply here to provide input to help you decide whether to watch this anime or not.

Simply put Kekkai Sensen is all over the place. The story is disjointed and ... characters seem to drop in and out with focuses going from one place to another providing no sense of structure until it decide to throw over arching plot at you when it sees fit. Now this might present itself as a problem to some who don't enjoy this kind of story telling. IN fact some might go as far as to call it lazy writing, and deem it un watchable. Understandable but the beauty of the show is the fact that is it is all over the place. You see the problem with this site is either you are one of the two extremes. You give something a 10/10 or a 5/10 because around here there is no damn in between. Even reviews that write and anime as 7/10 or 8/10 might as well be 5/10 or 10/10 because they write the damn review praising the anime or pointing out so many flaws you'd think they have a personal vendetta against the damn thing. (not that pointing out flaws makes an anime bad its just you don't speak much on the behalf of the good things.)

So in my hypocrisy to shorten things up and tie them in a pretty unruly, unkempt bow, Kekkai Sensen is a enjoyable anime, plain and simple. Watch it and then decide whether you like it or not. Ultimately none of us who write reviews can speak for anyone else, so don't even pay attention to them, if you think an anime is interesting than fucking watch it. Since when do you need a person to hold your hand and tell you what to watch??

This is probably the only anime that I have ever watched and enjoyed to the maximum with a confusing plot. In the end, you might asked yourself, 'why did this particular thing happened? What does it do to affect the plot?' A lot of unanswerable question yet the show is still fascinatingly interesting and wonderful.
With a likable Main Character that had the eye of the all seeing god, he was the center of the attention.
To all the fangirls out there, you might called the caring relationship between the people in the agency and Leonardo Bromance. Well, not technically, unless you started putting people ... on ships and sailing them(haha).
To all the fanboys(is that a word?) out there, you will be capitivated by the awesome action scenes and the deep bond between the main character and the agency.

Too bad that the season 2 of Kekkai Sensen isn'g coming out any time soon. There are always those anime that are like 'We are going to make an awesome season 1 and not do a season 2'...Just what is wrong with the anime world?

This anime will definitely be worth your time if you enjoy action, comedy, supernatural anime! There aren't a lot of romance in this anime in case you are wondering but that only make the anime even more fascinating without weak girl popping up everywhere randomly. I mean, we all blame the girl when she got kidnapped and resulted in the awesome Main Character falling in dangers, right?
Plus, romance will only make this already awesome to the max anime become annoying and below average.

Well, peace out and DO try this anime! I promise it will be worth your time!