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May 26th, 2014
Nisekoi
Anime Relations: Nisekoi
Story:
The plot of Nisekoi plays out like your average harem anime. If you've seen any shows of this nature prior to watching this title then much of the story will look familiar. The show opens with the main protagonist Raku being unwillingly thrown into a relationship with a new transfer student, Chitoge. As the show progresses more love interests are presented while Raku remains blissfully unaware of their feelings. Despite the show's conventional approach, many of the episodes were very funny. The interplay between the characters constitutes the bulk of the show's comedic appeal with Chitoge and Raku providing some of the more compelling examples. There is a overarching plot dealing with Raku uncovering which of the girls he made a childhood promise to marry based on a locket he received from them, however, little is revealed and the show concludes without providing any definitive answers. This was only a minor detractor though since I was expecting as much going into the show.
Art:
Nisekoi was very brightly drawn, and is noticeably similar to other works by Shinbo Akiyuki. His characteristic style is on full display complete with head tilts and odd camera angles. These techniques were not overdone as with some of his previous works, and fit in pretty well overall. As well, many of the scenes were well detailed and the quick camera changes kept me visually engaged.
Sound:
There was a distinctive soundtrack to Nisekoi which at times was appropriate, and other times was out place and distracting. Fortunately most of the show is heavy on dialogue so the times when the soundtrack felt out of place it was easy to focus on the show's other aspects. The OP's were pretty bland though, and the ED's were fairly uninspired.
Characters:
Despite the fact that the characters were, for the most part likable, it was difficult to look past the fact that each character was extremely unoriginal. The tsundere lead, the shy girl, the perverted friend, and the clueless male lead are all characters that I've seen numerous times before. The fact that these characters were still interesting is a great compliment to the seiyuu who voiced these roles. Nao Touyama was especially noteworthy for her performance as Chitoge. Additionally Kouki Uchiyama was great as usual. It just goes to show what good voice acting can do for an otherwise bland series.
Enjoyment:
Despite the show's obvious issues I can confidently say that Nisekoi was very entertaining. The strength of the show's characters lifted an otherwise poor series into a level of mediocrity. Nisekoi shows how even reused scenarios can provide quality entertainment, and gives credence to the idea that a show needn't be innovative to be interesting. I could see how this anime could be a frustrating experience for those looking for a new angle on a stagnant genre, however, on the basis of lighthearted entertainment Nisekoi provides a quality viewing experience.
6/10
The plot of Nisekoi plays out like your average harem anime. If you've seen any shows of this nature prior to watching this title then much of the story will look familiar. The show opens with the main protagonist Raku being unwillingly thrown into a relationship with a new transfer student, Chitoge. As the show progresses more love interests are presented while Raku remains blissfully unaware of their feelings. Despite the show's conventional approach, many of the episodes were very funny. The interplay between the characters constitutes the bulk of the show's comedic appeal with Chitoge and Raku providing some of the more compelling examples. There is a overarching plot dealing with Raku uncovering which of the girls he made a childhood promise to marry based on a locket he received from them, however, little is revealed and the show concludes without providing any definitive answers. This was only a minor detractor though since I was expecting as much going into the show.
Art:
Nisekoi was very brightly drawn, and is noticeably similar to other works by Shinbo Akiyuki. His characteristic style is on full display complete with head tilts and odd camera angles. These techniques were not overdone as with some of his previous works, and fit in pretty well overall. As well, many of the scenes were well detailed and the quick camera changes kept me visually engaged.
Sound:
There was a distinctive soundtrack to Nisekoi which at times was appropriate, and other times was out place and distracting. Fortunately most of the show is heavy on dialogue so the times when the soundtrack felt out of place it was easy to focus on the show's other aspects. The OP's were pretty bland though, and the ED's were fairly uninspired.
Characters:
Despite the fact that the characters were, for the most part likable, it was difficult to look past the fact that each character was extremely unoriginal. The tsundere lead, the shy girl, the perverted friend, and the clueless male lead are all characters that I've seen numerous times before. The fact that these characters were still interesting is a great compliment to the seiyuu who voiced these roles. Nao Touyama was especially noteworthy for her performance as Chitoge. Additionally Kouki Uchiyama was great as usual. It just goes to show what good voice acting can do for an otherwise bland series.
Enjoyment:
Despite the show's obvious issues I can confidently say that Nisekoi was very entertaining. The strength of the show's characters lifted an otherwise poor series into a level of mediocrity. Nisekoi shows how even reused scenarios can provide quality entertainment, and gives credence to the idea that a show needn't be innovative to be interesting. I could see how this anime could be a frustrating experience for those looking for a new angle on a stagnant genre, however, on the basis of lighthearted entertainment Nisekoi provides a quality viewing experience.
6/10
Posted by MuffledPolecat | May 26, 2014 1:08 PM | 0 comments
March 16th, 2014
Nichijou
Anime Relations: Nichijou
Story:
It's really hard to review the story for this anime considering how unique of a show Nichijou is in this aspect. Not only is the show episodic, but the episodes themselves are generally nonlinear and are often very surreal. With Nichijou being a sitcom this approach ends up working to the show's advantage. Simply put, the anime is about a group of high school girls and the strange circumstances that they find themselves in. Each episode is comprised of a series of small skits that incorporate clever wordplay and outrageous physical humor, among other things. The random nature of the comedy makes for a very hit-or-miss experience. Many of the jokes went completely over my head, and whether this was due to my lack of knowledge about Japanese culture, or the sheer absurdity of the humor I will never know. Thankfully most of the comedy is accessible, and even with some jokes flopping the fast paced nature of the show will rarely leave the viewer dwelling on them.
Character:
This is certainly a character driven anime, (as most good comedies are) and the main cast is comprised of some very interesting and likable faces. Yukko and Mio are extremely likable and their constant bickering provide some of the show's best exchanges. I didn't particularly dislike Mai's character but she wasn't given enough screen time to really shine. Also, I can't talk about the show's cast without mentioning Hakase, Nano, and Sakamoto. The child professor, her robot creation, and their talking cat are a great trio and their skits were probably the highlight of the show for me. Each character's personality is well thought out and the cast thrive within their roles.
Art/Animation:
The art for Nichijou was very different, and I find it hard to compare to any other anime I've seen. The character's and settings are vividly drawn and the action sequences are incredibly well-animated. It was very apparent from the first episode that the show had a hefty budget. There are subtle changes in the art style during various recurring segments in the show. Each is unique and appealing.
Sound:
The soundtrack for this show wasn't particularly memorable but it was fitting for the anime....I guess... I really don't know how to judge the quality of a show's soundtrack if you haven't already figured that out from previous reviews. I liked the show's two OP's though.
Enjoyment:
Nichijou was a great watch but it took some time to get used to its unique style. For the first few episodes I was unsure whether or not I would be able to sit through 26 episodes of random humor, but the more I watched the funnier the show became, and by the halfway point, I couldn't stop watching. This was when the show really hit its stride with the two main groups from the high school and the Shinonome lab interacting with each other. This anime was highly enjoyable and a breath of fresh air for viewers who are looking for a good comedy that doesn't succumb to the typical conventions of the genre.
8/10
It's really hard to review the story for this anime considering how unique of a show Nichijou is in this aspect. Not only is the show episodic, but the episodes themselves are generally nonlinear and are often very surreal. With Nichijou being a sitcom this approach ends up working to the show's advantage. Simply put, the anime is about a group of high school girls and the strange circumstances that they find themselves in. Each episode is comprised of a series of small skits that incorporate clever wordplay and outrageous physical humor, among other things. The random nature of the comedy makes for a very hit-or-miss experience. Many of the jokes went completely over my head, and whether this was due to my lack of knowledge about Japanese culture, or the sheer absurdity of the humor I will never know. Thankfully most of the comedy is accessible, and even with some jokes flopping the fast paced nature of the show will rarely leave the viewer dwelling on them.
Character:
This is certainly a character driven anime, (as most good comedies are) and the main cast is comprised of some very interesting and likable faces. Yukko and Mio are extremely likable and their constant bickering provide some of the show's best exchanges. I didn't particularly dislike Mai's character but she wasn't given enough screen time to really shine. Also, I can't talk about the show's cast without mentioning Hakase, Nano, and Sakamoto. The child professor, her robot creation, and their talking cat are a great trio and their skits were probably the highlight of the show for me. Each character's personality is well thought out and the cast thrive within their roles.
Art/Animation:
The art for Nichijou was very different, and I find it hard to compare to any other anime I've seen. The character's and settings are vividly drawn and the action sequences are incredibly well-animated. It was very apparent from the first episode that the show had a hefty budget. There are subtle changes in the art style during various recurring segments in the show. Each is unique and appealing.
Sound:
The soundtrack for this show wasn't particularly memorable but it was fitting for the anime....I guess... I really don't know how to judge the quality of a show's soundtrack if you haven't already figured that out from previous reviews. I liked the show's two OP's though.
Enjoyment:
Nichijou was a great watch but it took some time to get used to its unique style. For the first few episodes I was unsure whether or not I would be able to sit through 26 episodes of random humor, but the more I watched the funnier the show became, and by the halfway point, I couldn't stop watching. This was when the show really hit its stride with the two main groups from the high school and the Shinonome lab interacting with each other. This anime was highly enjoyable and a breath of fresh air for viewers who are looking for a good comedy that doesn't succumb to the typical conventions of the genre.
8/10
Posted by MuffledPolecat | Mar 16, 2014 8:05 AM | 0 comments
Baka to Test to Shoukanjuu
Anime Relations: Baka to Test to Shoukanjuu
Story:
Baka to Test is an anime without a great deal of direction or ambition. The plot centers around a unique school that places its students in classes based on their test scores and subsequently has them battle each other with virtual avatars to gain rank and status. If this premise sounds ridiculous that's because it is. Basically, these battles are dependent on the individual's test scores in various subjects, however the rules of the system are never fully explained, and it seems like some specifications are arbitrarily added on a whim. This makes for a shaky system that seems as contrived as it is silly. For most of the show, the main group of characters is trying to work its way from the bottom class up to class A by battling each group above them. Aside from that the show relies more on its comedy routine and many of the episodes do little to progress the plot. Unfortunately Baka to Test is riddled with tropes so the story was as predictable as it was bland.
Characters:
The characters in Baka to Test are a mixed bunch. Their personalities vary wildly, however there are two common denominators that they share. The are all idiots (probably could have figured that out by the title) and they are all pretty unlikable. Himeji was the only characters I found tolerable, since many of the others seemed to be present only for their repetitive and often unfunny comedic gags. There's little in the way of character development, which I can look past because this is a comedy driven anime, but having such a one dimensional cast really limits the comedic variety.
Art/Animation:
This was one of the better aspects of Baka to Test. The art was appealing and the bright color palette was fitting for the show. The animation, although not spectacular, was consistently good. The fight scenes were especially well done.
Sound:
The OST was nothing memorable and I found the OP to be a bit grating, however this aspect of the show did nothing to significantly add or detract from the show's quality.
Enjoyment:
The novelty of Baka to Test was entertaining for a couple episodes, but my enjoyment waned quickly. The comedy was much too repetitive to be very interesting and without a clear plot there wasn't much to look forward to each episode. I generally watch any subsequent seasons of anime I view but this show will probably be an exception since I can't imagine any way that the show can gain enough traction to work itself out of the rut its in.
3/10
Baka to Test is an anime without a great deal of direction or ambition. The plot centers around a unique school that places its students in classes based on their test scores and subsequently has them battle each other with virtual avatars to gain rank and status. If this premise sounds ridiculous that's because it is. Basically, these battles are dependent on the individual's test scores in various subjects, however the rules of the system are never fully explained, and it seems like some specifications are arbitrarily added on a whim. This makes for a shaky system that seems as contrived as it is silly. For most of the show, the main group of characters is trying to work its way from the bottom class up to class A by battling each group above them. Aside from that the show relies more on its comedy routine and many of the episodes do little to progress the plot. Unfortunately Baka to Test is riddled with tropes so the story was as predictable as it was bland.
Characters:
The characters in Baka to Test are a mixed bunch. Their personalities vary wildly, however there are two common denominators that they share. The are all idiots (probably could have figured that out by the title) and they are all pretty unlikable. Himeji was the only characters I found tolerable, since many of the others seemed to be present only for their repetitive and often unfunny comedic gags. There's little in the way of character development, which I can look past because this is a comedy driven anime, but having such a one dimensional cast really limits the comedic variety.
Art/Animation:
This was one of the better aspects of Baka to Test. The art was appealing and the bright color palette was fitting for the show. The animation, although not spectacular, was consistently good. The fight scenes were especially well done.
Sound:
The OST was nothing memorable and I found the OP to be a bit grating, however this aspect of the show did nothing to significantly add or detract from the show's quality.
Enjoyment:
The novelty of Baka to Test was entertaining for a couple episodes, but my enjoyment waned quickly. The comedy was much too repetitive to be very interesting and without a clear plot there wasn't much to look forward to each episode. I generally watch any subsequent seasons of anime I view but this show will probably be an exception since I can't imagine any way that the show can gain enough traction to work itself out of the rut its in.
3/10
Posted by MuffledPolecat | Mar 16, 2014 6:38 AM | 0 comments