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~WARNING: MILD SPOILERS AWAIT BELOW~

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Hmm... What makes a good, thrilling tale of horror?

Yes, that's a pretty blanket question right there--and quite subjective to boot. However, I find myself rarely watching anything horror-related nowadays because it's all too narrow-minded for me. One example is that of the slasher sub-genre, which I find myself always none too fond of since I like to get to know the characters as more than one-dimensional stereotypes, and I only believe character death should either to come with some sort of attribution later on within the grand scheme of the story or serve as a lesson for the audience.

In other words, ... I believe that a good horror movie/show should be more about the atmosphere and gravity of a situation, with involving characters that the audience can relate to so that there can be hope that said characters will be okay by the end.

Another, originally written by Yukito Ayatsuji and adapted by P.A. Works, addresses some of my points in a positive manner, but also others in a rather mediocre or even negative manner. Overall, it's a fairly mixed bag, and I will attempt to address as much as I can without stepping too far into spoiler territory.

First off, there's the plot. In summary, during the year of 1972, there was a popular girl named Misaki in Class 3-3 who suddenly died under unknown circumstances. Her spirit, haunting the class from the year after onward, causes an annual "calamity" to occur where everyone who is or once was part of the class--both students and teachers alike--to die horribly in various accidents with each passing month. Jump to 1998 and a new student, Kouichi Sakakibara, soon realizes that there is a girl in his class who the other members claim "doesn't exist," known as Mei Misaki. From there, Kouichi is thrown into the fearful, ominous calamity himself where death happens to be none too kind to strangers...

I will say this: the concept for this plot does look pretty potentially exciting on paper (very Final Destination-meets-The Grudge, if I do say so myself), and, for the most part, Another does, indeed, deliver on this; however, there is definitely some padding here-and-there, as there needs to be room for suspense in just about any horror, right? Although, I will also admit that the suspense can seem a bit ridiculous, with musical cues sometimes coming across as rather overbearing or--at worst--hilarious. Nonetheless, the execution of this story does accomplish its goal to thrill and excite, but its really the cast that becomes the focal point of how things truly turn out.

Kouichi and Mei are certainly solid--perhaps even above-average--quality; they are a cool duo and I managed to find myself pretty attached to them along the way. However, it's the ensemble cast that I have plenty of issues with...

I conclude the major problem stems from the fact that this is only a 12-episode anime, and there's a whole classroom full of kids that I'm supposed to know well and feel concern for--but that just didn't happen while I was watching this show. Granted, the deaths could be gruesome, and I didn't want anyone to die, but I didn't feel that I got to notice any of them as bona fide characters--just a collective body count. Heck, even those that were shown more often than others didn't really get enough time devoted to them, either on-screen or in dialogue; it became such a dilemma for me, in fact, that I tended to like certain classmates over others solely based upon their individual hair styles. "Oh, golly! I hope the girl with the long, brown hair and PJs doesn't die! Hooray, she didn't!" (Truth be told, she really didn't.)

Moving on, the art is nice to look at; it is P.A. Works, after all. Speaking of the art, I think the real reason I didn't want any of the characters to die was because the designs were done by Noizi Ito, who also did the original artwork for such classics as Suzumiya and Shakugan no Shana. It's all just so... moe--though, trust me, it all still works out fashionably well, given the included creepy darkness and pasty color palette.

Although I was kind of making fun of the music before, I actually really liked it overall. When it worked, it really worked, and the ending song is just so pleasant, yet oh, so eerie, too. I do, however, believe that some scenes may have acted better without any music playing in the background (such as inside the store from the second episode) to keep things from getting too ridiculous, instead utilizing the scene's own strength to capture its audience, but I digress.

As I stated before, Another is truly a mixed bag. Those who like a little bit of everything in their horror from creeping to slashing will probably enjoy this ride for all it's worth; I know I most certainly did. Nonetheless, the major faults should not be overlooked, and while there are some nit-picks as seen by others that I could address, I dare not quash anymore of the mystery and--sometimes chuckle-worthy--suspense that this show has to offer.

Another gave me just enough of what I wanted to keep me happy, and as of right now, that's all I could ever ask for~

Curses, curses, curses--there are certainly a large number of anime having centered their plots around some sort of curse, whether it be part of a major story arc or even the axis of which the story turns. So, what makes C3 (otherwise known as "CubexCursedxCurious") different from all the rest? Well, putting this as frankly as I can, C3 tries to make everything about its story center around the idea, methodology, and practice of curses, but instead, its brain-scattering plot, absolutely tragic pacing, and tired, stereotypical characters make what could have been an interesting plot into something degrading and lousy.

Starting-off with the opening song, all ... I can say is that its appropriate enough, but very standard. It's a studio-done song, so, as one can imagine, Yukari Tamura, the voice of the main character of this show, is singing with musical accompaniment. However, while the opening song itself is fine, I can't say the same for the visuals; frankly, they're completely pointless, add nothing to the overall plot, and leave the audience in the dark as to what they're in for. I can only guess as to why Silver Link decided to do this: because they wanted to go for shock value. What sort of "shock value"?

Here's the long answer:

Fear Kubrick is a cubic entity that has been used for generations as a tool for torture and killing; she is essentially the active hive for torture devices and cursed objects. Understandably, after seeing so much pain for as long as she's existed, Fear wishes to simply live among the humans--not as a killing machine, but as a kind, gentle person who gives back to others with respect. Haruaki Yachi is one such person who can help Fear to reach her goal, as she is quite literally delivered at his doorstep (initially, in her cubic form); he holds a gift that allows himself to be unafflicted by curses. However, Fear's journey to enlightenment will not come without its fair share of trials and consequences, as not only are there deadly organizations that wish to utilize her power, but there is also the berserk nature inside herself that is always pushing to come out.

But, for anyone who doesn't care for any of that, here's the short answer:

Fanservice, fanservice, fanservice--oh, and there's some fighting, too! The fighting's pretty neat--oh, and there's some blabbing about curses and pretentious bull, but that's not important. Ooo, look! There's lots of blood and gore and yandere-type crazy faces mixed-in as well! I know certain Higurashi fans out there that will love this!

As for the cast, there's Fear, the sorta-kinda-tsundere cube girl, Konoha, the glasses chick with huge knockers, and Haruaki, the chillin' dude with a heart of gold; there's also Kirika, the class president who--and I must admit--isn't really all that important to the story, except for maybe one or two episodes, but certainly not the conclusion. Anyway, I'm glad to see that the cardboard cut-outs are all accounted for, and if that's not enough, there's plenty more of them later on--more breasts, a loli, MORE breasts. Perfect./sarcasm

Yes, one of the issues with C3 is that it can get extreme in many departments--with its violence, with its drama, with its fanservice; but, that's just the one brick in this cubic disaster, as this leads me to explaining the show's true issue. I can deal with some violence, I can deal with sappy drama and ridiculous amounts of ecchi service, but what is it that makes this whole show really fall to pieces?

C3's pacing is ATROCIOUS. Period.

This show doesn't know what it wants to be, and even when it does, it's all over the place. Sometimes, C3 is a cute, adorable, light-hearted, romantic-comedy romp--as with its first episode; other times, C3 is a bloody, gruesome, violent, dramatic mish-mash of pretension and battling--as with its second and third episodes. If all of those descriptive words were too much and/or too sweeping in terms of genre, that's my point exactly. In fact, to hammer this point in even further, take a look at MAL's genres listing for this show, and then take a look at its rating. Doesn't really mesh well, right?

Not only that, but the speed of which this anime attempts to cram its plot together in twelve episodes is astonishingly bad; understandably, this can be a somewhat prominent issue with shows that are twelve episodes or less due to time constraints, but C3 takes the problem leaps and bounds forward. The show goes through three, separate villains; a number of extensive fight scenes, some taking at least half of an episode; full episodes devoted to "rom-com" material; several-minute-long comedic scenes; time spent on philosophical dialogue; flashbacks, back-stories, and long, expository monologues--

Phew! Give me time to breathe, please!

Granted, if the show hadn't gone for blatant sequel-baiting at the end of its run, I would have just chalked this up as Silver Link trying to fit too much material from the original light novels into too little time--for example, sort of like Chaos;Head. Unfortunately, this is one of the worst offenders I've ever seen of becoming a completely crushed and compressed product, but that's only about four-fifths of this cube analogy. What about the final piece?

For those who don't know of Silver Link's origin, here's a little history lesson:

Director Shin Oonuma, the director of both the much-beloved Baka to Test and this, once worked as a director of many of the earlier projects in another studio--SHAFT, which is now famous for their much later work, such as Zetsubou Sensei, Bakemonogatari, and, of course, Madoka Magica. He eventually split-off from them to help form Silver Link, but my guess is Mr. Oonuma knew the guy who did the trippy, layered artwork used in all three of those shows and decided to replicate what he had seen to be used in one of his own anime.

In fact, why stop there? Why not just be like SHAFT entirely, using all sorts of weird, seemingly out-of-place imagery? Apparently, Mr. Oonuma didn't understand the imagery he had seen in SHAFT's latest work, and the result was... well, even more things for me to complain about, in terms of this show not knowing what it wants to be.

All sorts of symbols are used, different art styles can be seen--heck, they might as well even use the old-style camera start-up trick that SHAFT has used a lot at the beginning of several of their anime (including Zetsubou Sensei, Vampire Bund, Madoka, etc.). None of this is able to stand up on its own, though; it just makes C3 look like its going for gimmicks rather than actual substance.

Nonetheless, I can safely say that when the art is normal and without any of the gimmicks, it's actually pretty visually appealing; it's colorful, it's cute, and keeps what would have been an otherwise even worse show from being completely disappointing. The soundtrack, too, does its job and isn't all that bad, but it isn't all that remarkable, either.

Without making this review much longer, I will conclude by saying that if the pacing wasn't so incredibly distracting as being the absolute worst item about this show, C3 would at least be mediocre. Heck, Fear is actually demoted from the main heroine to comedic relief after just over two-thirds of the series is up; because of this and everything else I have already mentioned, the pacing is simply inexcusable. C3 tries so hard to be something memorable like its older sister, Baka to Test, but it falls short of nearly every target; the story is too jumbled, the characters don't bear any staying power, and it overshoots by aiming arrogantly in the face of what made series prior to its creation work so well. What? Did a child write this?

Precisely, C3 is the equivalent of a kid who thinks too highly of himself and steals candy from adults instead of babies within the anime world; it just ends up choking on some Sour Skittles just before getting a good slap on its bottom. Now, if I could be excused for a moment, I have a Rubik's Cube to go play with~

Girls with guns and fiery explosions tailing behind. That statement alone should sound pretty awesome, right? ... Right?

Unfortunately, this is not the case. Oh, on everything that is sacred, is this not the case. But, it's not enough to say that this is a load of crap that deserves any and every amount of ridicule that it gets; this needs to be broken down, bit by bit, to expose it for the grim piece of bloody, scarlet-colored turd that it really is.

With that said, let's begin with the opening song--the thing the audience hears at the start of every episode.

I, personally, have nothing against May'n. ... However, this song began to get annoying after a while due to the immediate pretentiousness that it brings along. The gun and firing sound effects, the cathedral with a picture of (what I assume to be) the birth of Jesus, front-and-center, and then Aria, the heroine of the show, staring at the audience blankly in the face--it speaks for itself.

Oh, and need I remind everyone that Aria's supposed to be the main character here? With all of the sarcasm in every fiber of my being, I don't think the opening made it clear enough! There needs to be even MORE Aria! Her shooting a bullet at the audience's faces? Perfect!

Anyway, what are all of the guns about? Well, let me explain as frankly as I can.

Apparently, in our modern-day world, it's perfectly okay and only natural to give teenagers, who are still going through emotional and psychological development, a vast assortment of armaments and weaponry and virtual access to anywhere in the world. Not only that, they're also taught how to use said weaponry to great detail and are sent on missions that could potentially endanger their lives.

And they're accomplishing all of this... wait for it...

... in a Japanese high school.

Forget all of the legal trouble that would cause, how something as ridiculous as that would even get off the ground, and even the idea that such a thing may be better-off in the hands of ANYONE older by just a few more years; just use your suspension of disbelief, everyone!

The first episode starts us off with the usual Kyon-type character, Kinji Tooyama, who isn't really the main character, but supposed to simply act as support. What is his aspiration for the future? Why, to live a normal, everyday life! Wow, really pushing the limits of characterization here, aren't you, J.C. Staff? I can't wait for him to live out his everyday--no, wait, he gets attacked by the villain of the show before the audience actually gets to know him. Pfft, so much for his goals!

But, when he thinks that he's nearly dead meat, stuck in a death trap that will surely cost him his well-being, there goes the true heroine, Aria H. Kanzaki, to save the day! And this is pretty much the only time that she gets to be cool before becoming the laughing stock of all that is "tsun."

Why? Because the Kyon-type character gets a raging hard-on from seeing Aria in her underwear after saving him and becomes the actual hero, stopping the baddies because he's too cool for school. Really. That happens.

Kinji monologues later that he has a special ability known as "Hysteria Mode" that actually makes him an instantaneous, top-ranked assassin everytime he gets a boner; I'm not even joking. This happens quite a lot throughout the series because Kinji just can't keep it down, and nearly all of the female characters lose their dignity to this because it's the only thing that makes him worth anything in this show.

Hey, it's not like this could be Black Lagoon or Kara no Kyoukai where a woman kept her dignity, was a central character AND completely awesome. Come on, Hidan no Aria! I don't think there are enough breasts flopping around or widescreen panty-shots for the audience!

But, wait! I've spent all of this time talking about Kinji! What about Aria, the shining, tsundere selling-point of the show?

Well, that's really all there is to her. Aria is a tsundere to the nth degree. She even initially calls Kinji her "slave" and lives with him, very similarly to ANOTHER show made by J.C. Staff. Heck, she's so tsundere that she becomes unlikable mere seconds after she speaks because of how much a squealing, raging runt that she is, and her gimmick is that she will constantly fire her guns at Kinji while screaming at him that he's either a pervert or stupid. The girl even admits that she doesn't have any friends. Hmm, I wonder why!

Oh, and I nearly forgot to mention that the show tries to be cute by adding in references to fictional detective characters, such as Lupin and Holmes, stating that the "H" in Aria's middle name stands for "Holmes" and that she--a whiny, putrid, pink-haired good-for-nothing--is his descendant.

And by "good-for-nothing", I mean it. Aria is supposed to be a top-ranked assassin--even given the nickname "Aria the Quadra" for her use of four weapons--and yet, she's always needing saving, doesn't have any regard for human life other than her own, and has the attitude of a spoiled, indecisive, quickly-amused child.

Why is she regarded as the "best" again? Why is everyone putting the most difficult missions on her shoulders? Why couldn't the crazy world that this story encompasses just trade her in for a better lead character?

Oh, yes, I almost forgot BECAUSE MERCHANDISING DEMANDS IT.

Not to mention, the audience, as does Kinji, is clearly supposed to find her physically appealing, too. Sorry, but personally, I can't find a hateful, loathsome numb-nut attractive. I'd rather go with the blonde chick who's into eroge and frilly dresses that also appears in this show, thank you.

Moving on, when it comes to the plot itself, it's not even anything worth sneezing at. Many of the plot-twists are those anyone could see coming from a mile away, the characters also pull-off stunts that are near-impossible (if not, completely impossible under human conditions), and some characters appear only once or twice for plot-convenience and are never heard from or seen ever again (i.e., Reki, Jeanne d'Arc, etc.). There are even some points in the story that are barely touched upon, such as the supernatural powers that come forth numerous times.

The art is bland and one-dimensional, and the animation is typically stiff all of the time. The soundtrack is completely unnoticeable for the most part, save for the opening and ending themes, which are simply okay at best.

Overall, without giving too much away about the plot, this was painful--just downright painful. It has a plot and setting that would make Swiss cheese blush and horrible characters that are unsympathetic, stereotypical, and--more than often--outrageously annoying; not to mention, a pretentious presentation of nothing special that is of a (hopefully) dying breed.

If anyone else managed to sit through this garbage until the end (like I did), they deserve a medal. I can only hope that with such a low bar set, J.C. Staff will make their upcoming series, Kamisama no Memochou, an aspiring improvement.

Please don't bother twiddling your thumbs with the possibility of a second season, J.C. Staff; otherwise, I fear the worst--that everyone will just stop caring~