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Jul 7, 2018
When a movie is billed as “the next Your Name,” you expect it to be great. If you go to this movie expecting it to be as moving as advertised, you will be sorelydisappointed.
STORY: What a bunch of garbage. Based on the trailer, I went into the movie expecting a story about two teens who missed a chance to get together and, for some reason, end up making some sort of wish to redo the night of the fireworks. It reminded me of Koe no Kodachi mixed with Your Name. Instead, we get a disjointed story about a bland teen and his sexist, immature
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friends and the girl they all have a crush on. She’s just as bad, whining about a home life issue that was frighteningly common and wanting to run away because she doesn’t care about her family. It could have been a moving coming of age story as characters learn to care about more than just themselves, instead it was wish fulfillment (literally) and overly sexualized, privileged teenagers who don’t appreciate what they have. Yes, I realize I sound like an old lady shaking my cane at the kids to get off my lawn right now. You will too by the time you’re done with this movie.
The kids have no character development or personalities that make you as the viewer like them. The closest you get is the early likeable Kosuke who, by the second “if” wish, has completely changed personality from the supportive friend to a murderous, jealous jerk. Ugh.
CHARACTERS: The characters are frighteningly 1-dimensional. I kept waiting for the boys’ teacher to have a side plot. This honestly would have been much more interesting if all the characters that are randomly introduced got some sort of minor subplot or somehow get more development with each “if.” Instead, she is used for boob jokes over and over, and ends up with possibly 3 lines in the entire movie. The same goes for Kosuke’s dad, who is a doctor very intent on his golf stroke. They never address this again. It’s a one and done joke that could have showed up in other places. For example, even if they just added him in the background playing golf watching the fireworks or something! The main characters aren’t any better. Nazuna is a bland Manic Pixie Dream Girl with no personality. Looking at her as a parent, I see a whiny child that the animators over sexualized. I asked my son if he liked her and he said that there wasn’t anything to like (but he did like the male lead character because they match in immature personalities). Her story is laughable: running away from home because she doesn’t like her mom’s decisions, she ends up repeating her mom’s behavior, while giving her dad’s storyline 30 seconds of screen time and a MAJOR plot hole. But she gets TWO laughable idol solos (the same song from different POVs) in which she envisions herself as a princess. I also couldn’t get into our main protagonist. He’s overly bland with a voice actor that didn’t fit. We get no information on him other than his family runs some sort of shop and he’s immature along with his stereotypical pack of man boys. But, hey, the situation gets so out of hand that his best friend basically tries to murder him and no one bats an eye because it causes a different reaction than intended.
ANIMATION: I cannot stand 2D mixed with 3D. I try to be open minded when it’s done well, such as in Land of the Lustrous. It can be done well if the 3D is cell shaded and smooth enough. But then there are really BAD CG jobs (looking at you, Golden Kamuy). The CG in this starts out just BAD. The movie is ridiculously similar to the Monogatari series in terms of character looks, mannerisms, and the way it is “filmed.” For example, close up on eyes, quick seemingly random shots, and slow mo moves up or down a body, and way too much fixation on young girls. The movie even goes so far as to use a school that looks like the 3D model was plucked straight out of the first episode of Bakemonogatari (complete with repetitively used circle stairs). At other points, the 3D is just downright intrusive to the viewing experience. Sometimes they obviously replaced the 2D characters with distant 3D models on a 2D or 3D background, and included real photos in background images. It looked like a game from the early 2000s. By the time Nazuna has her ridiculous idol sequence in which everything is made from cheap glass that any 3D CG beginner could have rendered, I was annoyed with the film and ready to leave. As the 3D gets a bit heavier, it’s obvious they were trying for a surreal Madoka (witch scenes) feel. This would have worked well if it was only used during the “if” sequences, but instead it is spread unevenly and intrusively across the whole movie. If there were any saving graces, it would be that the character’s “if” wishes are reflected in English in a really neat environmental object during the scene switch.
SOUND: I was extremely disappointed with the sound in the movie. The music is all right, nothing special. However, there could have been much more of it. Instead, it was like: “Oh, there’s music. That means this is an important and/or surreal and pretentious sequence.” The voice actors are HORRIBLE. It felt like they all recorded separately, literally phoning it in as the volume and tone of all characters is the same through the majority of the movie. Their pacing and rhythm are awful. Nazuna is the only voice that seems to fit her character. The boys sound nothing like a group of bickering friends. The main character has a voice much too deep for his age and stature.
OVERALL: Horrible movie. My middle school son enjoyed it for the garbage humor and lack of in-depth storyline, and the fact that it features a pretty girl rebelling. As an adult, I wanted to leave the theater by the time Nazuna was singing.
Reviewer’s Rating: 3
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May 22, 2018
Lupin has been going strong since 1967. To me, they can do no wrong. That said, as a fan I definitely want the creators to stick to the material that works, which is usually Lupin outsmarting someone or dealing with something supernatural and/or ancient. Watch any Lupin series or movie and you’ll find that they are timeless; clothing styles are pretty generic with a 70s feel, Lupin’s tricks are low tech, and the way the world is nonspecific to any set timeframe. The creators tried to change this formula with the Pink jacket series (heavy 80s feel) as well as the Green vs. Red OVA
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movie (heavy on tech; suddenly Jigen is a tech expert?). The only time this change really worked was when the dubbed version of the Red Jacket series dumped a TON of pop culture references that just worked. The change from Japanese jokes to subtle American flavor worked so well that the producers brought in the same voice acting crew for Lupin Part 4. The point behind that background is: Part 5 dives into technology and tries to right all the wrongs of Green vs. Red. It not only nods to long time fans, it bows low.
SETTING: Lupin heads to France, much like the last series was set in Italy. Timeframe is a huge aspect of setting, and in this series the creators tackle technology improvements and how our gang would handle them. Realistically, they would be on top of tech changes, right? Probably have a cut above? Lupin would have insanely advanced tech, because he’s always been great with gadgets. Jigen would still have his Magnum, Goemon never changes, Zenigata would rely on his classic skills + some tech as needed, and Fujiko would simply use whatever fits her needs the best. And that is pretty much what happens in this series. It is set in a vague near-future, established by characters commenting on Lupin’s old, gas powered car (and not understanding what the smell of gasoline was). Characters also heavily use tech for the “Lupin Game” (which I thought was very clever, a tongue in cheek way to address the former lack of tech in the franchise). Lupin and other characters (especially the early Damsel in Distress of the series) rely on tech that is definitely futuristic, but reasonable.
ART: I feel like the producers have been trying to edge away from the dark, sketchy style of the Fujiko series. This series keeps a similar style while returning to typical Lupin looks. In an early episode after the first arc, there is an episode pulled straight from the Pink Jacket series: looks the same, complete with 80s designs all over the place, along with a story that could have been lifted straight from the random Pink series.
SOUND: I miss Zenigata’s original voice actor, but the sound here is still great. Lupin’s vocal nuances are always fantastic. The rivalry/best friendship between Jigen and Lupin seems palpable thanks to the voice actors. Thankfully, the music is the same jazzy Yuji Ohno that we love, with a taste of stereotypical France background sounds. Another nod to long time fans, the Damsel makes a comment on the Zenigata/Lupin pairing that people have speculated about for years (especially since Zenigata stated vaguely that he loved Lupin in the Lupin vs. Conan movie). It’s executed absolutely hilariously.
STORY: It’s great! I usually have a few laughs and a few cringes when watching Lupin. The first episode pulls in long time fans with heavy handed Easter Eggs, while managing to give new viewers a quick, updated background (including Rebecca, who I guess is part of the gang now?). Lupin also states that he’s been done with one of the other characters for years, which has to be some sort of foreshadowing of a long con. From there we get some classic Lupin antics, which sets us up to accept his use of new tech. The series shows instead of tells, which is a nice change of pace. Additionally, every Lupin series or movie or OVA seems to have a Damsel in Distress (originally the manga had a different girl every issue until Fujiko just stuck), and the first episode almost breaks the 4th wall in addressing this, which was nice.
Overall, it’s a really nice addition to the Lupin’s franchise! I can’t wait to see how it’s dubbed. In Japan, the Lupin marketing team has tried some really interesting things, like a Robo Zenigata pachinko parlor (seriously. Google it.) I think they’ve opened up a neat option here with the Lupin Game. What if we turn it into a Pokémon Go style AR experience? So many options when introducing Lupin to technology...
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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Mar 19, 2018
Why is this random shoujo ai (I use that genre loosely) show called “Citrus?” Because the main character’s name is Yuzu, a fruit. Mystery solved! Moving on...
This show is absolutely gorgeous in a niche way. It celebrates Gyaru and high fashion. Everything has an over the top, warm sheen to it. I don’t know how else to describe it. Think Roppongi or Otemachi. It’s not even Harajuku, it’s classier than that. The art work reminds me of Peach Girl in that the characters all have style and everything is detailed in a way that must have been expensive to produce because there isn’t a “set”
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way for characters to look; they’re different every episode.
I’m not impressed with the storyline. From time to time you get a reason to keep watching. I was about to give up by the episode in which Yuzu invites Mei to visit her father, but it was such a great outcome. Which Yuzu predictably ruins by turning it into an excuse to go on a date with Mei. She is obsessed with Mei to the point that there is no other character development for her. She talks about how much she loves Mei, and everyone around her makes comments about the kind of person she is (caring/loving/selfless/great sister, etc.). It’s a cheap way to get out of actual character development. “If I tell you the character is like this, then we don’t actually have to do the thing.” It almost reminds me of the travesty that is Amnesia, where minor characters point something out that the viewers are never really exposed to. Most conversations in this anime involve Yuzu blushing hysterically, gushing about her feelings (or not feelings) for Mei, then Mei glaring/staring blankly/crying. Then the two trade very short lived ecchi moments before moving on to hurt each other again. It’s a headache.
Nothing special about the sound. Yuzu sounds annoyed and frustrated every time she opens her mouth. I think the show could have been drastically improved by edgy, cool music in the same tone as the art. But it wasn’t.
Nothing special here at all, unfortunately. If you want a good shoujo ai about star crossed high school girls, try Strawberry Panic.
Reviewer’s Rating: 6
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Mar 14, 2018
Ah, yes. The controversial anime of the season. I had to check this out strictly based on the fact that it was banned in China and had so many “reaction” videos on YouTube. (I’m not really a mech anime fan.) Having seen it, I don’t get the hubbub.
STORY: I’m not sure why there’s such an ordeal over the sexual nature of this show. Yes, the positions of the characters in the mech are very suggestive. From time to time, the girls make comments and sounds that are definitely sexual. And there’s absolutely a very vaguely tongue in cheek meaning behind Hiro’s lack of ability
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to perform with anyone but Zero Two. So what?? It’s not the focal point. There are so many anime that are much, much more ecchi. Specifically, I’m thinking of shows like Valkyrie Mermaid whatever (where the girls need to turn their weapon on in order to turn it on... I mean activate it). Or Simoun, in which the girls must kiss and be in tune (just like the Franxx kids) in order to pilot their machines.
Regardless of the controversy, I enjoy this show. It’s about kids learning what it means to be an adult in a dystopian future where children are disposable. It’s fast paced and enjoyable, if not predictable. As the kids learn about “becoming an adult” (literally they don’t understand how one day they are children and the next they magically transform into an adult), you grow attached to them and see their views as sweet and innocent (even Zero Two). This is more a story about life span development in a world that rejects children as anything other than parasites (literally what they are called), than ecchi.
ANIMATION: Cute when it needs to be, sexy when it wants to be. Reminded me of Gurren Lagan or FLCL. Zero Two certainly has a unique character design. The “big bad” monsters of the show are well animated as well, a blend of tech and dinosaur.
SOUND: Nothing special. The characters are pretty emotive, but otherwise nothing over the top. I did notice a couple scenes that definitely could have used different mood music, but otherwise nothing extraordinarily good or bad.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Feb 24, 2018
This show will blow your mind. Have you ever heard of the Ainsworth Strange Situation? It was a real life sequence of staged episodes that illustrate the strength of attachment between a child and his or her mother, created by a psychologist in 1978. Google it. Once you consider the eight steps in the Ainsworth Strange Situation, this anime becomes downright poetic and a mind blowing work of art.
Ainsworth purchases Chise in an auction where she put herself up for sale, finding nothing of value left in life. Turns out, she's a special sort of fairy queen that magical creatures flock to, and one
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day it will kill her. I think the setting and lore in this anime are my favorite things about it. Although Chise is Japanese, it is set mostly in Great Britain, so we see a lot of Irish myths and legends. The appearances of some are just wow. Besides that, there is the top layer: Ainsworth is learning what it means to be human and to be both in love/loved as part of a family by a girl who is still figuring those things out as well. But skin that layer away and consider the Ainsworth Strange Situation (again, Google it). Consider that Ainsworth constantly leaves Chise with others (all of the gorgeously detailed minor characters, like Ruth or Stella or Lindel) and both end up learning more about themselves during the absence. Children typically have a variety of responses, much like Chise and Ainsworth (who are both very young in development of their personalities). Wow! I believe this is why characters constantly have comments on the relationship between the two. And, really, it's ingenious.
Now, besides that, the art is gorgeous. When the characters are down and out, you know it. In one episode I really feared Chise's temper. I could rewatch that one a hundred times because it's portrayed perfectly. Another episode featured a baby dragon being tortured and it made me sick. The creators here definitely studied attachment, whether the Ainsworth Strange Situation or our own attachment to characters in a show or book, they do a great job with it!v
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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Feb 16, 2018
STORY: This is a really unique concept. Sentient, genderless gems in generally human form populate the Earth and fight off “Lunarians,” who covet them. The main character’s transformation seems to want to emulate the idea of transgender changes. The main character interacts with a wide variety of other genderless gems, as well as gendered other creatures (which really confuses them!)
CHARACTERS: The characters could easily be reduced to one dimensional tropes, but instead they’re all very interesting. I never felt cheated by this anime in the area of character development. One character in particular is meant to be perfect, but an episode focuses on their own
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failings.
ANIMATION: I don’t generally like 3D rendered anime. But I found that in this anime the 3D style greatly increases its allure. The characters are in constant motion, and it seems realistic as compared to possibilities from 2D animation. In other words, they really do seem more advanced. It’s particularly gorgeous when the characters are in specific lighting and their hair shines, reflecting all over everything. Color, lighting, materials all play a valuable part of this anime. The manga is very plain. This was a very welcome improvement!
SOUND: The music that plays whenever the Lunarians appear is really eerie and beautiful. I also enjoyed the voice acting, as the main characters are genderless, so it must have been tough to cast a neutral sounding group of people. Even so, many characters definitely lean towards one gender or the other, and that is sometimes reflected in their voices.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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Feb 16, 2018
I rewatched this anime recently when it was added to Crunchyroll and remembered having the same thoughts when I first saw it a decade ago. It’s like... a zombie musical?
STORY: Such a mish-mash of themes, like the writers and producers couldn’t decide what feel they wanted it to have. There’s typical high school drama while the characters try to deal with being undead, as well as the permanent death of a friend, and they’re all from different high school cliques. Interesting enough, I guess. When you watch it, don’t forget the epilogue OVA. It changes the character personalities completely (reminded me of Mnemosyne).
CHARACTERS:
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This is one of the only anime that I feel is a good representation of American characters. They’re all very different, none of them over the top “Hullo, I am from Texas and am super rude, tall, busty, and love basuball!”
ANIMATION: Well. There were good intentions had, I’m sure. The character design is great, if not exaggerated. Do all Americans really look like this to non-Americans? Besides that, at least there is variety in the character design. But beyond that, it’s one of those anime that has coloring issues. The sky is a big, flat, neon blue with zero dimension (think Ouran Host Club). There’s a weird gradient over most things, including our characters’ hair, like the sun is just so damn bright that it is fading them from the top down.
SOUND: Like I said: zombie musical. Sad? Sing a song. Dead? Sing a song. Really confused about this plot? Hey, let’s sing a song. Other than that, the characters’ voices can be grating, especially when they freak out (which is often).
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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Aug 23, 2017
This review is written after watching the first 6 episodes (the second 6 are all recap).
Wow, what a disappointment! I have always loved the various Hell Girl anime series. They're almost all episodic, to the point that you can pick up anywhere. The characters are usually personable, making you want to learn more about what makes them so horrible. The Hell Girl crew is enjoyable to watch as they seem so worn about what they've seen in the world. The animation is usually big eyed creep fest, plus beautiful florals. Add in thematic and atmospheric music. Sounds great, right? Well, throw all that out
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the window for this 4th season. Although the producers had years to make it, these 6 episodes are pure crap and just plain difficult to watch.
The animation has been destroyed. The characters' expressions are grossly unrealistic, barely moving garbage. Enma Ai's dramatic transformation sequence is nonexistent. It's like cutting out Sailor Moon's transformation: unthinkable. The coloring that made the settings so bold and atmospheric in the past, are 2 dimensional and bland here.
The music and sound are different in general, with nothing standing out at all. Again, in the past the music really dramatically pulls you in. Nonexistent here. The OP didn't fit the characters or theme at all.
Going into this, I knew to only expect 6 episodes of story. So I was very confused why, after a few episodes, the girl in green had barely been addressed, with maybe one line per episode + meaningful looks at the main cast before, frustratingly, disappearing. Her presence just doesn't make sense. There were so many other choices throughout the series who could have played the role she ends up being assigned. It could have been explained in much further detail. Yet by the end of the "series," it's almost like a clear insult to the main Hell Girl group. Like the writers are really letting you know they don't like their creations any longer.
Skip this and rewatch the first 3 seasons! Hold out for the creators to make a better version.
Reviewer’s Rating: 3
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Aug 23, 2017
This review is from someone who tackled Mt. Fuji all the way to the summit :)
I watched the first season (each episode is 3 minutes long, the second season episodes are 12 minutes a piece) and was impressed by the art, but that was about all. The characters are all typical fare and easily forgettable. The sound is completely average. The story has a strange pace. But the artwork is great.
This anime is a very realistic look at the climb, to the point that you can tell much of it was taken straight from photos. That was exciting for me, because it
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looks so similar that it was like being there again. The animation even gets the authentic cane brands and the bells. It even takes a look at the restroom options on the mountain (you have to pay 200 yen per use, and, realistically, it shows the girls depositing the money after they've used the restroom).
This anime is like a guide to climbing Mt. Fuji. It even tackles issues like altitude sickness and annoying tourists (represented, of course, by loud Americans who do everything wrong, including running down the mountain and talking all night at the hut). All the joy is represented here well, too: the sunrise, the wind, the stars, and the sun beating down on you. I found it to be a great story and very realistic, a good representation of the actual climb. However, when I first started watching, I assumed it would be all about the girls tackling Mt. Fuji. Instead, they climb several mountains. It's also quite a bit about preparation, which is great! But it was a bit like tuning into an action anime that spends 20 of the 25 minutes watching the characters talk, then getting a few scant minutes of a fight scene. I felt that not nearly enough time was spent on the struggle of the actual climb. The girls zip between stations way too quickly. These climbs take HOURS, but they seem to fly through it. Granted, the episodes are short, but the Mt. Fuji climb should have been drawn out more.
Reviewer’s Rating: 6
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Nov 5, 2016
Spoiler free! I tend to watch anime while I work out and this one had me on tears (repeatedly) in a full gym, maybe once falling off the elliptical.
The tone starts out very light. Halfway through the movie I felt it could have ended. And then it gets deeper as we delve into the history of the characters and perhaps things we (as the audience) didn't notice along the way.
The artwork is gorgeous, comparable to Death Parade and Garden of Words. The colors are very saturated as the characters experience bright, different, new lives in which every day is a colorful experience. The
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characters are equally well animated, occasionally obviously rotoscoped, but still beautifully portrayed.
The soundtrack really pulls at your mood and helps set up events in dramatic, sweeping fashion. The voice actors are very believable in their roles.
The characters pull you in to their lives and you find yourself rooting for them and wishing to find out the outcome throughout the entire movie. Each character is unique and contributes to the movie, even the side characters there to simply react to the mains or lead them along. What I enjoy the most in a story is when something is introduced in the beginning (such as a hobby of a character) that plays a large part later on, which is something we see in this movie several times over.
Very enjoyable! I can't wait to force all my friends and family to watch this one!
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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