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Part 4 is everything we love about JoJo and modernity melded into sweet perfection. It speaks in a unique and vibrant visual language that is a culmination of everything that came before it. It's now clear that the series has become fluent in utilizing its distinct style to bring about some of the best visual storytelling out there. JoJo has a completely distinct style that you can spot from a mile away, and that can't be done without being meticulous of how you want to present your work. It's not just about how they animate the action scenes. It's about the whole package -- from ... the overall color palette, character design, and most especially the editing -- all of this are clearly envisioned and executed to make for an engaging work of art. The anime adaptation manifests a playful yet focused art direction. Aside from the art style, what's different now is the Stand concept. They're more innovative, intimate to the user, and even subtle, unlike in Part 3 where their purpose was almost always for head-on brawls. I love that a lot of, if not all minor villains become recurring characters, and are capable of standing alone. There is more to them as just an episodic villain or a friendly sidekick. They are fully realized characters whom the audience can empathize and naturally care about. You can truly feel that a community is being built as the story progresses, and trust that the impact and presence of each character being introduced will carry on for its whole duration. I really, really enjoyed Part 4 more because it was more grounded in a sort of normalcy while still being its signature bizarre self. You might wonder what about JoJo can ever be described as normal lmao and I hear you, but what I mean by that is there now exists a smallness to the world in which the characters move. Compare it to Parts 1 to 3 where everything feels like the end of the fucking world, Part 4 features actual high-schoolers doing high-schooler things and they just happen to have insane superpowers. Instead of traversing the whole world, they are confined to this one no-name town. There is magic in both setups and I wouldn't trade my early JoJo experience for anything. But, I just have to laud Araki for being able to seamlessly shift from one style to the next. Araki was confident about this transition, and nothing felt out of place at all.

It's no secret that Part 4 signaled a monumental stylistic shift for the series. It was the prime showcase of Araki's evolution as an artist and visual storyteller. To reduce the shift to merely aesthetic-wise would be a disservice to the growth that was highlighted in Diamond is Unbreakable. A majority of negative reviews I see of this show are from people who were unhappy with this change in style and direction. We humans truly are aversive to change, and we often take a defensive stance against these so-called changes. We fear sequels for our beloved shows, even adaptations sometimes. When we perceive something we love as already pristine and flawless, we refuse to see a need for anything to be different. But, often this admiration for a piece of work blinds us to what could still be heightened and perfected. Absolute respect must be given to Araki for pushing forward and allowing his work to adapt and blend with the times without losing a drip of the personality his avid fans have come to love.

Lastly, all JoJo's are meant to be charismatic, but Part 4's Josuke stands out for having this boyish (as opposed to 'manly') charm to him. It's not even just about how physically different his design is compared to the early JoJo's. It's his personality itself. He looks like a 17-year old. Thinks like a 17-year old. Feels like a 17-year old. Again, this is thanks to the decision to shrink the story's scope, scale, and stakes. The carefree attitude of Josuke reflects that of Morioh itself, and it is incredibly infectious.

Sigh, I really don't know but I love this saga so much. It'd probably my favorite part of all. JoJo: Slice of Life Version may be seen as a joke but for me, it's a compliment lol. Sure as hell, it's gonna be the most insanely ridiculous slice of life that you're gonna get.

Its premise itself is enough to draw me in. ReLIFE is a breath of fresh air whilst containing familiar tropes in a romance of school of life because of how extremely endearing the characters are and how quickly they crept into my heart. People will argue that it's not at all special. Yes, it is true that there is nothing new about many of the elements here but the way it delivers on the characters and their interactions is what the appealing thing is.

Our main character, Arata, is particularly great because of what we are able to get from him. Most people in Japan, ... I believe, think extremely badly of "NEETs" or hikikomori's. But, we don't really know what happened to them. We judge too quickly. From Arata's perspective, we were able to understand and get to know him as a person instead of as the "half-NEET" he was first introduced as. He shows that struggles in life does not automatically make a person bad or detestable.

The series features many genuine and relatable lessons from life's ups and downs to the complexity in the simplicity of falling in love. ReLIFE is something that I will recommend to those who want to witness and can appreciate a short journey of a guy changing others as he learns to change himself. It is heart-warming as well as hilarious. A great gem!

Wow, how do I start with this one? For me, Assassination Classroom is one of those shows like Gintama. It's a comedy, you get to laugh a lot for the most part. But, the walls start to thin out, it shows the core of it and that's where you just lose it.

If you told me I'd shed tears for an octopus and his students before I got to this show, I'd call you crazy. Koro-sensei is truly the heart of this little series. If you ask me for my opinion, the animation and the music score aren't all that great but what kept me ... watching for these two seasons are the characters. Like Koro-sensei, they've undergone so much growth and development, and seeing that bond with their beloved teacher, I don't understand how someone who has watched this show would not feel any pain or sadness.

This series made me feel like I'm a part of the classroom, bonding and uniting with all the others. If you think of how they first started, all divided and disoriented, you're just going to be crying in amazement and pride that this is the Assassination Classroom they have all worked hard to become. In the end, it is a bittersweet story that would surely touch you if only you allow it. Rest in peace, Koro-sensei.

The final episode, for me, was the best finishing touch they could ever give. And, it's also pretty realistic how they weren't all able to get together. Life makes people grow apart physically perhaps but it is in one's choice to stay emotionally connected. The way they showed how they've grown would really make you feel emotional and just ultimately satisfied with how they've become.

More than anything, what's important for me when delving into a story is the heart. If mine isn't in it, then I'd likely give it a low score. Emotion is key and this series about growing and learning is nothing but exactly that.

I really can't say much as so far, only 2 chapters have been scanlated. But, I just had to talk about this. This manga is a comeback from Robiko, the author of the wonderful Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun and I have to say, this new manga is very promising. First of all, its premise is balls-to-the-wall hilarious! With just the first two chapters, you will already find yourself laughing. The characters' banter is great and there is so much for this manga to develop. I am so excited for how it will turn out, and I am expecting a lot since Robiko is one of my ... favorite authors. The thing with her is that her art is what makes her works shine. They are so, very beautiful, you wouldn't regret it.

Fairy Tail is one of those long-running series many ridicule, and I understand that. I see the flaws just as much as any outsider does. I get pissed off the characters' being overpowered without any reason or proof of having acquired them most of the time. The whole "Friendship is magic" is literally everything in Fairy Tail and it gets too fucking old. But, it is also because of that, that I fell in love with it. I love the concept of family and unity and shit like that. I'm a sucker for those things and Fairy Tail is all about that. Also, all the ... over-the-top revelations for this series have been really fucking awesome. I love the character interactions and the way they genuinely bond.

You can't make me memorize the names of hundreds of characters but you don't need to force me to do that for FT. I know the Fairy Tail members by heart, because they are able to make you feel like you are part of their journey. Yes, FT has so many short-comings when it comes to the action and story-telling, but there is charm in this one that many people fall in love with which is why it is still popular to so many.

I believe that these sort of long-running shounen series are not for everybody, and it's certainly not something you watch if you want to get deep shit from it. When watching such shows, you have to take it in raw and as light-hearted as possible. You don't need to think. You just have to watch the shit. No analyzing shit or so on, because you're only going to be wasting your time.

To end, I have enjoyed this immensely as I have already been a fan since before. This direct sequel has more or less the same elements and aspects as the previous one. Just more "boom" and more questions answered for some of the characters' unknown pasts. Try it if you will, and don't if you're not up for it. It's as simple as that.

Kyoto Animation has done it again, even if this is just a special. The care and attention for detail is as present as ever. It's just a special, mind you, but the art is still absolutely gorgeous! Animation is fluid and clean to watch. This made me want to rewatch Hibike! Euphonium all over again and it reminded me of why Hibike! Euphonium is my favorite series of all time.

I'm still so amazed by the degree of how I still care for the characters. The feelings hit deep and really, you just have to do everything as best as you can. Loved it! Hazuki, I ... feel for you bruh.

(( originally posted as personal notes in website Hummingbird ))

Time travel! Isn't this concept so tired of being used now? The world of entertainment has seen time travel shows come and go, and so many things have been tried to twist things around with most of it being a hit or miss for me. I wondered how the highly-acclaimed Steins;Gate would fare so there I was, underwhelmed to start it.

I just want you to know that I usually watch a series without reading the synopsis. Yes, I frequently judge things by their covers but certainly not for this one. I watched it for its score. A whopping 9.17 here in MAL! And, it's ranked ... #2 at that. I didn't read the plot or synopsis given. I rushed into it.

Honestly, it took me a year to finish Steins;Gate. The first half just wasn't "it" for me, you know? I began to realize that I was forcing myself to watch Steins;Gate for the sake of finishing it and for the privilege to be able to say that I have seen the praised Steins;Gate. The first half bored me to death so as such, it took me six months before continuing to watch the second half. And wow, it blew me away and to be more specific, it violently blew my heart away. I really would have given my enjoyment a 10/10 but the first half really killed me.

The story was one of the most well-crafted time-travel plots that I have ever seen or read, and the situations along with the characters were gripping. You could hear me shouting from the top of my lungs in excitement or nervousness during the most part of the second half. It was so brilliantly done, my emotions could not bear it.

I was never the analyst or the critic. I never found joy in crticizing an anime or meticulously analyzing it. For me, I watch things to feel. To feel. That's why I just want to give the ultimate praise to Steins;Gate for being able to make me feel in the highest. During the last few episodes, I bawled my eyes out, shockingly. I don't think you understand. The last time I did was when I watched Clannad: After Story. The emotions just welled up inside me and I violently sobbed my heart out for the characters and the struggles they were forced to face. I've already cried many times in other show after Clannad but the deepest, truest cries has only ever been given to Clannad and now, Steins;Gate. It hit me too hard, it seems. For that, I applaud Steins;Gate for because of it, I was able to do what I want to best, to feel.

This proves that I think everyone will enjoy something in Steins;Gate. By all means, Steins;Gate is indeed a sci-fi show but if you're more into drama, you'd be able to find yourself caring deeply for the lab members. I know I did and really, the second half truly hit home. Most of these things I'm saying is for the second half. The first half was like a rather dull foundation to the spectacular masterpiece that is Steins;Gate.

Truly one of the best!

This is an anime that you should be watching right now. The story is great and you probably have the synopsis written already and for me, the story was very interesting and heart-wrenching so it would be getting a 9 from me for the story. The art was very very nicely done. It wasn't an eye sore and I really liked the drawing style. For that, it gets a 9 too. The sound was just splendid and some of the OSTs were eargasmic and dramatic which is very fit for the show, indeed. It gets a score of 8. The character develop ment was very ... good. The main characters were given a sufficient amount of development and information that would make the viewers very attached to them. The characters' dramatic pasts pulled me in to this show. For my enjoyment, I would give a score of 10 because this anime became one of my most favorite shows of all. I got so attached to the characters and the story itself making me cry for 15 minutes. Last but no least, the Overall score is 9/10. Very well done. I highly recommend it to everyone especially those who love comedic drama (ironic isn't it?)
-Okumura, Jai