Radiant

This anime either needs a long review or a very short one. So, I'll opt for a brief and direct one.

"Radiant" is a practically standard shonen anime. At one point, I even thought or mentioned that it seemed like an exact copy of "Naruto" and "One Piece." However, upon further investigation, I discovered that the story is literally based on and inspired by them. As an anime drawing inspiration from others, I give it a 10 out of 10. If you enjoyed "Naruto" or "One Piece," you'll definitely like "Radiant." However, always keep in mind that this anime is like a bird that never took ... flight; it leaves you with a feeling that things could have been better.

Now, why do I recommend it?
Primarily for two reasons: First, as a standard shonen, it meets all the requirements and follows the formula in a very conventional way, which creates a sense of familiarity if you've seen or enjoyed other shonen anime. Second, "Radiant" isn't a Japanese anime; it's Italian. For that reason alone, I think it's worth giving it a watch.

I recommend this anime if:
- You liked "Naruto" and "One Piece."
- You enjoy protagonists who start as standard shonen characters but gradually evolve into something slightly different.
- The concept of a magical shonen appeals to you, especially if it's better written than "Fairy Tail" (by which I mean it takes a slightly more realistic approach to character development).
- You appreciate characters with an appearance reminiscent of wealthy ladies or gentlemen.

I don't recommend this anime if:
- You haven't at least reached the Arabasta saga in "One Piece" (many episodes of "Radiant" feel like filler and don't contribute much to the plot).
- You're not a fan of fantasy.

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Este anime necesita obligatoriamente una reseña larga o una reseña muy corta. Así que optaré por colocar una breve y directa.

"Radiant" es un anime shonen prácticamente estándar. En su momento, llegué incluso a pensar o mencionar que parecía una copia exacta de "Naruto" y "One Piece". Sin embargo, al investigar un poco más sobre el anime, descubrí que la historia está literalmente basada e inspirada en ellos. Como un anime que se inspira en otros, le doy una calificación de 10 sobre 10. Si te gustó "Naruto" o "One Piece", definitivamente te gustará "Radiant". No obstante, siempre debemos recordar que este anime es como un ave que nunca voló; siempre nos deja con la sensación de que las cosas podrían haber sido mejores.

Ahora, ¿por qué lo recomiendo?
Principalmente, por dos razones: en primer lugar, como un shonen estándar, cumple con todos los requisitos y sigue la fórmula de manera muy convencional, lo que genera una sensación de familiaridad si has visto o disfrutado de otros shonen. En segundo lugar, "Radiant" no es un anime japonés, sino italiano. Por esta razón, creo que sería interesante observarlo un poco.

Te recomiendo este anime si:
- Te gustaron "Naruto" y "One Piece".
- Disfrutas de protagonistas estándar del shonen que evolucionan gradualmente hacia algo un poco diferente.
- Encuentras interesante o curioso el concepto de un shonen mágico, mejor escrito que "Fairy Tail" (me refiero a que se aborda desde una perspectiva más realista en el desarrollo de personajes).
- Te atraen los personajes con cierta apariencia de madame o señorita adinerada.

No te recomiendo este anime si:
- No llegaste al menos a la saga de Arabasta en "One Piece" (muchos capítulos de "Radiant" se sienten como relleno y no aportan mucho a la trama).
- No eres seguidor o fanático de la fantasía.

Radiant, a foray into a world ravaged by demons plummeting from the sky, presents a premise that initially seems like a familiar journey through the Shonen landscape. Demons called Nemesis cause havoc, survivors are cursed, and a lucky bunch can wield Fantasia as sorcerers. While this setup echoes the Shonen formula, Radiant tries to put its own spin on things, even if it takes a while to uncover.

In the midst of Radiant's well-trodden foundations—complete with a youthful and naive protagonist, extravagant battles, and an impossible mission—there are some elements that appear to set it apart. The series introduces the notion of sorcerers as an oppressed ... minority, a refreshing twist, and their plight under the scrutiny of the Inquisition adds intrigue. As Seth, Mélie, and Doc take center stage and embark on their mission in Rumble Town, the scope of the world's complexity becomes evident.

While Radiant's first season allocates much of its time to character introductions and world-building, there's a sense of inconsistency as certain moments might feel less impactful. As the story unfolds, the narrative starts to find its footing, leading to a more pronounced conflict in the latter half that concludes in an engaging manner, leaving room for anticipation.

Radiant's maiden voyage might not be a resounding triumph, yet it does manage to capture some attention—particularly from those with a passing interest in anime. For enthusiasts of the Shonen genre, it enters the scene with a degree of promise, treading familiar ground while attempting to infuse it with a different perspective. The show's visuals boast a lively quality, and its core characters are well-rounded, lending it a semblance of uniqueness. What stands out is Radiant's subtle exploration of real-world themes, coupled with a focus on character evolution that slightly distinguishes it from the typical Shonen blueprint.

This is a review of seasons 1 and 2

Despite One Piece being my favorite anime, I tend to not watch any other long-running shonen or shonen-esque shows. But I heard a lot of buzz about this one back when it was airing, so I opted to check it out. And look. I REALLY don't like to pit different shonen against one another. I don't think it's fair to compare every one of them to the one that I've been personally backing for most of my life. These shows can all co-exist and we can be fans of them all, simultaneously... but I'm sorry. The similarities ... were just far too frequent and far too prevalent to ignore. This show wanted to be One Piece SO badly. I do like the overall premise and message its focused on, but the similar plot points, story beats, running gags, character tropes, friend dynamics, magic macguffins, and so many other details just kept One Piece in the back of my mind all throughout this show. It was still an ok show and I'll continue to watch it if and when more seasons release. But I hope this series eventually evolves into something all of its own, rather than living in the shadows of the story that very clearly inspired it.

5/10