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Ryuugajou Nanana no Maizoukin – Full Review

I think that I would have to say that Ryuugajou Nanana no Maizoukin (Nanana’s Buried Treasure) was one of the more underrated shows this season. Not as many people were talking about it over others such as No Game No Life and Black Bullet. However, just as the name suggests, if you managed to find this hidden anime, you’d have found yourself a real gem.

Story (8.5/10)

I think Nanana’s Buried Treasure provides a really well rounded approach. There’s almost something for everyone – Ranging from well choreographed and epic fighting scenes to adorable moments to gaming references to extremely interesting ... puzzle solving.

Where this anime truly shines is how the directors cleverly add plenty of foreshadowing elements in the episodes, and allow you to slowly piece together each of them to try and figure out what is going on. When they do reveal and connect all these elements, that is when the “wow-factor” kicks in. You’ll either be amazed at how well these linked together, or the fact that you managed to connect the dots before the reveal.

Additionally, there are modern day ruins in this anime, where our heroes try to solve them in order to obtain the treasures held within. What’s great is that every clue on how to solve the ruins are laid out nicely, so that you’d also have a shot at trying to solve it, while our main characters crack their brains. Of course, due to time constraints, the time to solve the ruins would be rather short, but feel free to pause and think about it.

What slightly docks points from the story is that some of the character interactions don’t really flow that realistically. For instance, one minute they could be fighting to the death, the next they just could talk to each other nicely. Fortunately, this doesn't happen that often.

That being said, there were also some incredible lines beings said by our main characters that are so relatable, you could just stand up and clap for them.

Characters (9/10)

I don’t really think that there’s a single character in this anime you would dislike. While not all of them are developed as well, our main characters, Juugo and Tensai, are given quite good character developments throughout the story.

Juugo isn’t your typical main character. First of all, he isn't a dense male protagonist, he actually has his own ideals and beliefs, rather than the usual “I’ll fight you because you’re evil” mentality. In the first few episodes, he already had quite a mysterious aura surrounding him. After all, his reactions to what people say and do are quite different from the norm. Of course, it gets even better after his backgrounds were revealed. I doubt it would be something you’d expect.

Tensai is probably my favourite character in this series. Why you might ask? Her lines are always so cleverly worded and when aimed at Juugo, usually sarcastic. She gets super adorable when shy. But most importantly, is her superior intellect that really shows that she deserves the title of “Master Detective”. She is basically the one who solves all the puzzles the ruins present to our main characters, and links up all the loose plot holes together to wow the viewers. This sometimes makes her seem a little arrogant, but never to the point where you'd find her irritating. They were all presented in the right doses, which just make you love her character even more.

Other characters include Nanana-chan, our NEET ghost. Her character is also extremely likable, and she has her own set of ideals and beliefs that just provides more depth to her character, rather than just like someone in the “Amazing Race” who just hands out question cards to the next objective.

Art (9/10)

The art for Ryuugajou Nanana no Maizoukin is extremely similar to other A-1 Pictures’ productions, such as Ore no Imouto ga Konnani Kawaii Wake ga Nai. If you liked the art from that anime, I can bet a 100% you’d love the art here. The characters are drawn beautifully, especially their eyes.

Where the art gets kicked up a notch would be when the anime portrays the larger buildings in the city, but more amazingly, when the puzzles appear in the ruins. You can just tell that this anime had quite a high budget.

Additionally, since the production studio is also the one that did Sword Art Online, you can expect the fighting scenes to look well choreographed and smooth.

Sound (8.5/10)

Personally, I felt that the openings and endings of the anime are quite catchy and it matches my type of music. Do note that this is my personal taste, as there are people who do not really like them.

Another aspect would be the voice acting. This anime offers really top notch voice acting, with the voice actors fulfilling their roles really well. High pitched and comedic Nanana-chan, snark and clever Tensai… Just watch the anime and you’d know what I’m talking about.

Enjoyment (9/10)

On the whole, I really enjoyed this anime. The characters were a joy to watch, the story is especially interesting when you try to connect the dots before the anime does it.

Overall (8.5/10)

Would I recommend Ryuugajou Nanana no Maizoukin? Definitely. From action to comedy to adventure and enjoyable characters, this anime offers plenty for everyone to enjoy. I’m really hoping for a second season, as this anime really needs one, and the 11 episodes does not do it justice at all.

Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica: Hangyaku no Monogatari - Full Review

If you have watched the original Madoka series from 2012 (which you should’ve), you would already know how good the series is, even well-known as the anime that changed the way people view the “Mahou Shoujo”, or Magical Girl Genre; filled with plot twists, good character developments and fantastic story writing. So, it seems that the Madoka series has set a pretty high bar for itself, hasn’t it? Does the movie manage to reach the same standard that it has set for itself, or does it fall short? Let’s get on with the review, shall we?

Story ... & Characters (10/10)

Note: The purpose of putting both the story and character sections together is because all the characters play an important role in the story. You could even say the story is the characters. The story would be nothing without its cast of characters.

The movie’s story pattern is written just like the original series. It starts out slow and happy, making you think that Madoka is a relaxing and adorable series, before hitting you with plot twists after plot twists that just make you feel like going “what the hell just happened”? However, the beauty of this series is because the writers are amazing. Even with the number of plot twists, the story still makes perfect sense, though it does take some time to understand it.

What the movie does especially well was the portrayal of the Magical Girls in the beginning. Basically showing how well they worked together of they had the chance to do so in the original series. Their teamwork was amazing, and it felt so smooth and beautiful. Of course, there’s a purpose for all of these – it basically sets the viewers thinking, “How I wish they could stay like this forever”, which shows how tough Homura’s decision is later on.

The characters maintain their original personality from the original series. If you liked them back in the original, you would definitely love them even more here. Each and every one of them has an important role in the story, pushing the story forward. One small gripe I had was with the character Nagisa Momoe (Charlotte). While she’s super adorable, I do not like the fact how Shaft marketed her so much as “the new magical girl” and made it sound like the story is centered around her when in actual fact she didn't even have much screentime and speaking roles. It felt as if she was mainly there for marketing purposes, so that Shaft can say that they have a new and cute magical girl so you have to watch it. That being said, she still had a role in the story, and she fulfilled that role well.

If you haven’t already realized, this entire movie is centered on Homura and her struggles without Madoka. The story was done especially well. In the beginning, the writers showed how happy Homura is with Madoka and halfway through, all of her struggles, her agony and pain without Madoka. You could really relate to Homura and understand her feelings. Everyone has probably been separated from someone they liked or loved before, and it is not easy to deal with the sadness. This is exactly what Homura is feeling right now.

Sound (10/10)

Once again, they had ClariS do the opening theme, which was catchy and something that you’ll definitely want to listen to again. Kimi no Gin no Niwa, the ending of the movie once again done by Kalafina, is a really amazing song. The music perfectly encapsulates the entire tone of the movie, as well as Homura’s struggles.

The voice actors once again reprise their roles as the Magical Girls. These voice actors are rather famous ones, and you can see why from their voice acting. If you liked them in the original series, you’ll definitely like their voices here. Special shoutout to Saito Chiwa, the voice actor for Homura. She did such an amazing job, managing to portray Homura’s sadness, shyness and seriousness all exceptionally well that it would resonate within you.

Art (10/10)

The art was, to be described in one word, “beautiful”. Every scene was done beautifully, and you could see just how much Shaft had in their budget in the action scenes, with so much attention to detail that would simply make your jaw drop.

Enjoyment (10/10)

It was just awesome to be able to see the magical girls that I loved so much again, and of course the plot twist after plot twist just constantly kept me hooked onto the movie. Even after the movie ended, I was still constantly thinking about it, making sure that I truly understood what went on in the movie, such as Homura’s actions and the plot twists that unfolded.

Overall (10/10)

The Madoka Magica Movie 3 – Rebellion lives up to its hype 100 percent, even possibly surpassing its hype. Filled with plot twists after plot twists that constantly keep you on the edge of your seat and beautiful art and fantastic voice acting and music, I highly recommend this movie to anyone who has watched the original series. For those who have not watched the original series, do yourself a favour and watch it, so that you too can enjoy this masterpiece of a movie that is Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica – Hangyaku no Monogatari.

Noragami Full Review

Have you ever felt that you wanted an anime with relatable and well-written characters, coupled with an interesting story filled with action and comedy? Well, look no further, because Noragami is here.

Story (9/10):

Noragami’s story, I would have to say, be a rather unique one. I say so because the anime spends a lot of time in the beginning introducing you to the characters, and make you wonder, just where is the main story? When are they going to get on with it? However, that’s where this anime shines. The overarching story has been there the whole time – blended well with the character ... developments, which provides an even stronger impact when it reaches the climax. So, what is Noragami mainly about? I would say that it is the relationships between our characters, and what they did to solve them. Why did I give the story a 9 out of 10, then? This is because of how relatable these stories are, and of course the valuable lessons it has taught us – Appreciate what you have.

Characters (10/10):

I have one word for Noragami’s main cast and side cast: “Amazing”. This was perhaps one of the few anime where the cast support and play off each other so well, that makes it not only seem realistic, but also a joy to watch as well. Not forgetting, the characters by the end of the series have totally changed from what they used to be in the first episodes.

Yato is a God who doesn’t have a shrine built for him, and so grants people wishes for 5 yen, in hopes that one day, he’ll finally get enough money to built a shrine for himself. In the anime, Yato is more like a fatherly figure to all of the other characters. Sure, he fools around, but he always does what’s best for the group, even though his reasons are not seen immediately. That’s just like how a father is, isn’t it. One who doesn’t always seem to be there with you but supporting you quietly.

While Yato is like a fatherly figure, Hiyori is the motherly figure. I would say that she is the exact opposite to Yato. She looks at things mostly on the surface, but she is always there to support both Yato and Yukine, often reprimanding them for their actions. But why is this so? It’s because she cares for them, just like a mother would. Additionally, in the beginning of the anime, most people would think that Hiyori would be this damsel in distress; basically a useless character that needed saving by the guys. However, this is not the case, as we see she can capably handle herself in fights, and sometimes even be the one to help out both Yukine and Yato.

I’ll be spending a little bit more time to talk about Yukine. I would say that Yukine is probably the most controversial character in the series. There has been a lot of hate towards him, but I’ll have to say that the hate is unjustified. Why? Yukine is a teenager. Merely a 13-year-old boy. Of course by that age he would know from right and wrong, but from 13 to 18 years of age, it is known as the rebellious age. You know what is right and wrong, but you still commit the wrongdoings anyway. Why? Because it is fun to disobey the rules. Rules are meant to be broken, right? Everyone, or almost everyone has been in this stage before (unless you’re under 13 of course). That is why Yukine was acting the way he was. However, the problem kicks in when his rebellious nature is coupled with the longing to belong somewhere. This is yet another trait of the teenagers. In school, just as Yato mentions, everyone wants to be popular right? Everyone wants to have the most friends. The point here is that Yukine is dead, and he cannot interact with them. Yet the living, which can have almost everything and anything that Yukine doesn’t, complain and do not appreciate it. Chasing after something he can never obtain… That is what made Yukine lose his mind.

Art (9/10):

The art looks really beautiful. You can notice this especially with the character designs (just look at Yato’s eyes) and during the fight scenes. The destruction of the phantoms after Yato’s killing blow looks amazing. I do have one little gripe though, they reuse the same animation when Yato does his final move every episode. Yes, I get that that’s because it's the same move, but it would be great if they could vary that up a bit.

Sound (9/10):

The soundtrack is great since it matches every scene perfectly, whether it being a scary scene, or action scene. I have to give credit to the phantom’s voices, for being so creepily fitting. Of course, our voice actors are amazing as well, being able to bring both the comedy and serious voices when they are required.

The Opening and Ending are both really, really good; There’s no way you’d want to skip that.

Enjoyment (9/10):

The only problem I have with Noragami, is perhaps the wait every week. Just as something interesting was about to happen, the episode ends. In other words, I enjoyed it immensely. This is mainly because they know when to inject comedy, and when to make it serious.

Overall (9/10):

Noragami is a really amazing anime. It not only provides great characters, but awesome stories that are highly relatable. Coupled with beautiful art and soundtrack, this anime is a must watch.

Accel World was one anime that I honestly did not have many expectations for. The main reason being: before watching the show, I have constantly been hearing about how bad the main character looks, and that his personality is horrible. As such, when I was watching the anime, I made it a point to ignore these comments, and to go in with an open mind, then judge the anime from there. Honestly, I was really surprised by just how good it turned out to be.

Story (9/10)

A short summary of Accel World is that this is set in the future, where humans have a device known ... as the Neuro Linker which makes a person somewhat like a walking computer. Think of it like the Google Glass being produced. With this device, virtual reality games are made possible, just like in Sword Art Online (same creator). The story revolves around the protagonist, Haruyuki, who is given a game known as Brain Burst, which gives him the power to accelerate.

The first half of Accel World basically introduces us and Haruyuki to the Accelerated World, allowing to understand how this game world works, the consequences surrounding it as well as the conflicts that exists in the game world. This was done well as everything about the game is not given in one sitting, blasting you repeatedly with confusing explanations, but rather, more of a show and tell, explaining the necessary details as they come by.

The second half, I felt was done masterfully well. The antagonist (whose name I will not reveal) is truly a detestable person of extreme levels, throwing the characters into pits of darkness with almost no way out. This heavily puts the bonds of friendship among our main characters to the test. Will the bonds of friendship prevail, or will it fail? Sometimes when watching such incidents in anime, I like to think, if I were to put myself into their shoes, just what can I do to solve the problem? Is it even possible to solve this problem? The best part of Accel World is that I do not see any possible way out of the problem presented. I was legitimately feeling afraid for the characters, understanding their predicament. This is were I have to give props to the writers, for creating such a well thought out arc for allowing viewers to relate to the story itself.

Overall, the story of Accel World however, is more than just people playing a game. It is more like the story of the human will. How a person’s will to break out of the status quo to change him, grow wings and soar to greater heights that he wants to achieve. Do you want to constantly stay un-contented with life, or do you want to do something about it? The power of the mind is limitless, as long as you believe you can.

Characters (9/10)

Despite popular belief, the characters in Accel World are actually really good. The most controversial character being Haruyuki, just because he’s chubby and fat. However, I think that it’s his looks that allow people to relate more to him. Because he’s fat and chubby, we can understand him even more. In real life, there’s always that one fat kid that’s being bullied. Obviously he’ll hate life and be sad about not being able to do anything. Basically, negative thoughts, thoughts about despair and weakness flowing through their minds. That’s why throughout Accel World, we can more noticeably see the change in Haruyuki’s character. From that weakling that cannot defend himself, to one that is full of confidence and positive thoughts.

Kuroyukihime is portrayed as Haruyuki’s Senpai who can solve any problem, is knowledgeable and strong; basically she’s Haruyuki’s foil, the exact opposite of him. However, despite all of these positive traits mentioned, she’s made human, being given fear, regret and guilt. What makes this great is that as such, both Haruyuki and Kuroyukihime rely on each other, supplementing each other flaws and helping one another to reach greater heights.

Takumu is also yet another well developed character since he’s totally different at the end of the series.

Chiyu however, is kind of irritating throughout. She’s the kind of character that gets angry over everything, is fussy throughout. Moreover, her role in the second half gets more important which makes her all the more detestable. Of course, it was resolved in the final episode.

As for the supporting characters, they are all pretty well developed as well, such as Sky Raker and Scarlet Rain. I’d rather not spoil so that you can enjoy the series to the fullest.

Art (9/10)

The beauty of the art can really be noticed in the accelerated world maps where everything is super detailed. The Unlimited Acceleration Field is where the art truly shines. They are well designed with plenty of detail.

Not forgetting of course the fighting scenes, which are a joy to watch, especially the sparks when two blades clash with each other.

Sound (10/10)

I started watching Accel World because I heard Altima’s song, Burst the Gravity. When I listened to the other openings and endings, being Chase the World, unfinished and Unite, I just can’t help but listen to them every episode, as much as I want to skip them to get to the episode. They are just so catchy.

Accel World also uses plenty of soundtracks especially during the fight scenes. Each stage has a different soundtrack, and all matches really well. Somehow, the soundtrack reminds me of the soundtracks from the Pokemon games.

Enjoyment (9/10)

I thoroughly enjoyed Accel World. After every episode I would find myself wanting for more. Each and every episode is entertaining and is important in driving the story yet another step further.

Overall (9/10)

Accel World on the whole is an anime that provides an interesting story that focuses on games, human beliefs and the will to surpass them and friendship bonds. The characters are well fleshed out and developed. Both the art and soundtrack are beautiful to watch and listen to.

Please note: If you’re planning on passing up on Accel World just because of how fat the main character looks, please, do yourself a favour and just watch it with an open mind. You might just find the hidden gem inside this awesome anime.

Little Busters! ~Refrain~ Full Review

This fall season, I get the joy and honour of reviewing Little Busters Refrain on Anime Corner. Honestly, I didn't expect it to be this good. It surpassed my low expectations garnered from the mediocre first season, to one of my favourite series of all time. However, please note that I have not played the visual novel, so this review will be solely based on the anime only. Anyway, let’s get on with the review.

Story (9/10):

“I totally didn’t expect that to happen.”

If you have watched the first season of Little Busters, you must have found it rather boring and mediocre. Everything ... was kinda predictable, and as such when they hit you with the feels, somehow the tears just don’t flow. As such, Refrain is the reward for managing to watch all 25 episodes of the first season.

Refrain is totally different. Every episode is interesting with a super-annoying (but satisfying) cliffhanger at the end of each episode that just keeps you at the edge of your seat. There are so many plot twists within the show; you almost never know what’s coming up next, which causes so many emotions to be experienced when they do hit you with the emotional scenes.

Refrain basically continues directly where season 1 left off. Riki and Rin get closer to the secret of the world, which I have to say, be extremely satisfying when it got revealed.

Moreover, everything from season one has been linked together here to form this masterpiece. If you do go back and watch season one, you’ll get a newfound appreciation for it because you can see exactly what the characters and doing and why they are doing so.

Characters (9.5/10):

Honestly, Little Busters is nothing without its characters. This is an anime where the characters are so masterfully done where it just carries the whole show forward.

*Spoilers Ahead*

Of course, with characters being the main focus, you would see a lot of development. Hell, the whole story is centered on the development of both Riki and Rin. Without a doubt, Riki is developed the most. When he was young, he was super depressed because he lost his parents, but Kyousuke and the Little Busters helped him get back on his feet. But even in season one, he was more of a follower. A follower of Kyousuke. As such, the entire story was basically to make Riki into a more independent leader. You could definitely see the difference between Riki’s confidence and decisions in season one as compared to the last few episodes of season two.

Another commendable character is definitely Natsume Kyousuke. The writers did an awesome job in portraying Kyousuke, such that halfway through the series, he was made to look like the villain. An extremely terrifying villain at that, being able to control whatever happens in the world, and trying to make Rin do things against her will. However, at the end of the season, we finally see his true intentions. I would say that Kyousuke is somewhat of a fatherly figure to both Riki and Rin. He did his best in order for the both of them to grow and develop, even if he knows he’s hurting them, because as the saying goes, “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”. As much as it pains him to see them getting hurt, it is for their own good.

Lastly, is of course the entire Little Busters team. They have all done their best till the very end in order to help both Riki and Rin grow, even though they do not benefit from it. I sincerely believe that if all friends in this world were as noble and kind as the Little Busters team, the world would definitely be a better place.

Animation (9/10):

The animation for Refrain is amazing. If you have been looking carefully at each scene, you would notice that there are actually very minor details that serve as foreshadowing to the later parts of the story, something that is pretty commendable. An example would be from episode 2; many scenes are white and look cold. This actually signifies Kurugaya’s loneliness, which is seen later on.

Sound (9/10):

The soundtrack of the anime is extremely fitting, complimenting each scene to make it feel more lively or to add to the sadness.

Special credits to the insert song, Song for Friends, by Rita. It’s sung with so much emotion, and if you look at the lyrics you’ll feel even sadder for the characters during the scenes it is played.

“Dare no tame ni bokura wa yuku?
Dare no tame ni mata mezameru?
Dare ga itemo daremo inakutemo koe wo okuru yo”

(For whom do we go on?
For whom do we awaken again for?
Whether that person exists or not, I call to them)

It basically captures the essence of the entire Little Busters anime.

Enjoyment and Overall (9/10)

I can say that I thoroughly enjoyed Little Busters Refrain. It was an absolute blast to watch, keeping me on the edge of my seat every episode. Moreover, I finally had the feels that I have craved for so much from season one, from an anime by Key. If you haven’t even picked up the first season of Little Busters, I highly recommend you do so right now, because Refrain is worth every episode and you’ll definitely be craving for more at the end of the series.

If you would like to check out more of my reviews, you can like my page at www.facebook.com/eisuanime .

Aoki Hagane no Arpeggio: Ars Nova Full Review

I would say that Aoki Hagane is one of those dark horse anime this season. Not many people watched it, maybe because they didn’t like the art style or maybe just the idea behind battleships. So, is this a worthy investment of your time? Let’s take a look!

Note: There will be minor spoilers.

Story (9/10):

The story of Aoki Hagane is broken up into two parts. First, is the battle between humans and the forces of the Fog. This is basically the universe it is set in, and our hero, Chihaya Gunzou, somehow manages to obtain the power ... of one of the Fog’s submarine, Iona 401, which turns the tide of the battle. What’s great about this is that it Gunzou and Iona are sort of the neutral party. Yes, they are fighting against the Fog, but the army is also hostile towards them because they are afraid Gunzou would use Iona’s power against them, or that Iona might go berserk and attack them instead. This brings about a much more interesting storyline and more tension. Imagine the whole world is against you, and just how intense that would be?

Second part of the story is how members of the Fog with Mental Models develop human characteristics such as emotions, logical thinking and relationships, and these lead to them questioning the basis of their actions. It’s this internal struggle between to do what you’re made to do (as weapons), or to follow your heart’s desire. While the development in this aspect is a little cliche, it’s still an awesome story device that makes the story filled with so much more depth, rather than just battles between ships.

Let me discuss a little about the battles. These battles are one of the most intense and well made scenes I’ve ever seen, and it thoroughly reminds me of Code Geass, such that battles are not won with sheer power and might, but with logic and strategic thinking to outsmart the enemy. Aoki Hagane does this extremely well, immersing the viewers in that amazing experience. If you liked the battles in Code Geass, expect to find the same epicness here.

Characters (8/10)

Aoki Hagane is weird such that its supporting characters (with the exception of Iona) get plenty of development. In which case, we see the Mental Models of the fog undergo character developments as they are more exposed to humans. No longer are they just weapons, but more... Human. It is interesting to see how each of them transforms based on different reasons and experiences. The issue here is that some of their transformations, or rather, developments, are not as justified or too sudden.Though, it was really interesting to see these characters interact, because they are not your typical stereotypes such as Tsundere or Kuudere or whatever other deres, as such, their personalities were different.What I would’ve liked to see was perhaps even more development for them. While they did have developments, it felt a little lacking when the story was centered on them.

Chihaya Gunzou pretty much remains the same throughout the show. That doesn’t make him bad in anyway, though. He’s an extremely interesting character with the wit of Lelouch and the nobility of the other characters such as Kamijou Touma(putting others before himself). In other words, you get a character that is smart, witty and puts others before him. What more can you want?

The only problem I have with the characters is perhaps of the other crew members. They have so little screentime and development that I can’t even remember what their names are. What is their purpose of joining Gunzou, or what is their personality like, it’s really hard to tell. It’s as if they were there for the sole purpose of operating Iona 401. However, this is not that big of an issue because it doesn’t really hurt the story that much.

Sound (9/10)

The soundtrack for this anime is amazing. Special credits to nano’s Saviour of Song, the opening for this anime. Not only is it catchy, but every time you listen to it, it is as if you’re ready for a naval battle. The instrumental just fits the anime so well. The ending song, Blue Field, also has that “sea feel” if you get what I’m going at.

Additionally, the instruments played especially during the battle scenes fits it so well. Adding so much more tension that really makes you feel as if you’re in that battle itself.

Animation (9/10)

The animation for this anime is interesting such that it’s done with CGI. As such, you would notice that the characters movements look a bit as though it’s a game. It’s the first time an anime has applied this technique, and I must say it was done quite well. It might put you off at first, but once you get used to it, you’ll notice just how good it actually looks.

The animations for the battle scenes are especially well done. Throughout the entire scene, the battles flow smoothly. The explosions are especially well done. It can be split into two parts, Corrosion Impact and High Explosive. Both look just as beautiful when they impact the target.

Enjoyment (9.5/10)

Initially I dropped this anime because of the art style, but I’m very glad I picked it up again. I absolutely loved Code Geass, as an anime that is not just about battles. Aoki Hagane manages to do the same thing, though not as well as Code Geass (due to lack of episodes) but I’m able to feel that same type of enjoyment. I think I could’ve found a new love for battleships because of this anime... Anyway, every episode is interesting because of the battles and the characters.

I especially enjoyed the opening theme, having always listen to it and sing along just because its that catchy.

Overall (8.5/10)

As much as I like Aoki Hagane, from a reviewer’s standpoint, I would have to give it an 8.5/10. Characters could definitely been developed a little bit more. If that was the case, I would defintely give it a 9/10 or even a 10/10. That being said, I still highly recommend Aoki Hagane no Arpeggio; you will not be disappointed.

Steins;Gate: Fuka Ryouiki no Déjà vu Review

“A fitting end to the Steins;Gate story, driven by love and passion.”

Wow, I can’t believe it has been so long. Steins;Gate, the anime that has revolutionized the anime genre with its concept of Time Travel and its implications, is finally back after two whole long years. It’s been a long wait, but is it worth it, or a huge disappointment? Let’s take a look!

*contains MAJOR spoilers of both the movie and the original anime*

Story & Characters (9.5/10)

A year has passed since Okabe Rintarou has reached the Steins Gate World Line, where neither Makise Kurisu nor Mayuri dies. It's the ... perfect world, no? Life can go on as normal, or can it? Unfortunately, our character Okabe’s Reading Steiner ability appears to be more a threat than a blessing. His past memories of the other world lines is overloading his Reading Steiner and he ceases to exist in that world…

This is basically the story, which is fairly simple. However, what made the movie so great were the characters. The reason for lumping the characters portion and the story portion was because Steins;Gate is nothing without its characters. Its characters power the otherwise simple story forward.

Let’s first talk about Okabe Rintarou. He’s still the ever-hilarious Okarin that we knew since the anime season; therefore, if you loved his character then, you’ll love it now. In this movie, it was further expanded on how much despair he had when travelling between the world lines. Constantly witnessing Mayuri’s death over and over again, and doing whatever it takes to save Makise Kurisu. But most importantly, as he said so himself, knowing things that others don’t know or can’t remember… It’s just painful. Just pretend you had a time of your life with your friends in the past, but now, they don’t remember any of the time they spent with you. How would you feel? All alone and helpless right? That’s exactly how Okabe feels. Additionally, the reason the anime was awesome is because it’s as if you’re in Okabe’s shoes. You experienced every world line with him, and when you see people saying “huh, did that actually happen?” you feel frustrated too. He can remember everything that happened in the previous world lines, but no one else can remember it.

Additionally, I found it really commendable that he told Kurisu not to alter the time lines to save him. Its okay for him to be gone, he says. As long as Mayuri and Kurisu live. Do you see just how noble he is? He suffered so much in order to come to the Steins Gate world line, but yet, he’d rather disappear then to let Kurisu time travel and experience the same things he had experienced – Despair, despair and more despair as repeated attempts end in failure, as well as having to change a better future of someone else. He didn’t want that for Kurisu. He’d rather disappear. It’s this care and concern that shows just how much he loves Kurisu – and this makes him much more respectable in my eyes.

Now, let’s talk about Makise Kurisu. This movie is basically the story about Kurisu deciding on whether to listen to her emotions and save Okabe by altering time travelling, or to follow her conscience and fulfill his wish by not doing so. That internal struggle was what made the movie rank up so highly. Right now, Kurisu moreover finally understands what Okabe had been through, which is knowing something that no one else remembers. And because she can now put herself in his shoes can she see just how much Okabe has been through which makes her desire to save him stronger, though her stubbornness often gets in the way of this. As you watch the movie you’ll see how she can’t forget Okabe, her first love, and how she manages to overcome her stubbornness, and it is glorious. Moreover, we can see just how much he loves Okabe, even though she always act like she doesn't (tsundere), after Okabe disappears… But I shall not spoil it.

What deducts a point from the story is how rushed it was at the end. If it just had an extra 10 minutes on development, it would have been so much better.

Animation (9/10)

Animation is basically the same as in the anime, beautiful. Moreover, since this is the movie version, a lot of the scenes were super detailed and crystal clear. Everything from the toys on the table to the label on the lab coat looked beautiful.

Sound (8/10)

Sound design is great, with the some better than others. For example, the scene of Makise running to the lab; that soundtrack was amazing, capturing all the essence of Kurisu’s emotions and desire to see Okabe, and it was so satisfying to the ears.

As for the voice actors, a really commendable one would be Okabe’s voice actor again. Without Mamoru Miyano’s fantastic voice acting, Okabe would not be such an interesting character.

Enjoyment (9.5/10)

As a Steins;Gate fan, I thoroughly enjoyed the movie, especially the time between Kurisu and Okabe. I’ve wanted to see more between their relationships since the OVA, and has it been a long wait. Of course, the hilarious scenes from the movie and interesting story and characters made me enjoy it a lot.

Overall (9.5/10)

On the whole, the Steins;Gate movie is very well executed, allowing us to see more into Okabe and Kurisu’s characters, and more importantly, is a better and more satisfying ending to the Steins;Gate series. Is it a must to watch? I would think so, especially of you’re a fan of the original series.

Written by: Ace エイス

(Initial review was written on July 27, 2013 and this is a newer, updated review posted on September 30, 2013.)

Toaru Kagaku no Railgun is a side story of Toaru Majutsu no Index. For Toaru Kagaku no Railgun S, it covers the Sister's Arc that spans over 16 episodes as compared to 5 episodes in the original series, and its in the viewpoint of Misaka Mikoto, instead of Touma. The second arc, Silent Party, is a new anime-only arc that is not featured in the light novels and manga.

In order to give a fair assessment of the story, I will be breaking it up into two ... parts. The first part, assessing the Sister’s Arc, and the second, assessing the Silent Party Arc.

Story – Sister’s Arc (10/10):

"Will you do what it takes to save someone? What if you don't succeed?"
This is the main theme of the Sister's Arc.

Assuming that you’ve already watched the Season 1 of Toaru Kagaku no Railgun, it was about how Misaka Mikoto and her friends work together to defeat the evil that exists in Academy City (Gakuen-toshi).

This is not the case in Railgun S, especially for the sister’s arc. This time, (SPOILER STARTS HERE) Misaka Mikoto is alone and has to solve the problem by herself. What problem you may ask? She has to make up for her mistake when she was tricked into giving scientists her DNA map back when she was a little girl, which led to the production of 20,000 sisters. These “sisters” were made so that they can be killed in order to make Academy City’s strongest level 5 esper, Accelerator, become a Level 6. (SPOILER END)

Yes, this arc has actually been done in Toaru Majutsu no Index, but in this case, its way more detailed and shows the events that lead up to Mikoto’s despair. Every episode is interesting and it contributes to the understanding of us, the viewers, of Misaka Mikoto’s pain in this ordeal as she realizes that no matter what she does, it ends up in failure and as more and more of her plans get thwarted, the solutions decrease. Just how is she supposed to do something about it when she cannot do anything? (なにもできな).And what we are given is an amazing arc with extremely dark, sad and exciting moments throughout.

To add, the battle scenes were done extremely well such that you actually get to see both perspectives of the antagonists and the protagonists. Also, the screenplay was done so well that you might find yourself rooting for the characters, wanting them to get back up and fight and overcome this ordeal.

Not to mention, the closure of the Sister Arc in Railgun S is done extremely well. It is a true closure, showing (SPOILER WARNING) Accelerator’s true reason for participating in the experiments, the Sisters’ acknowledgement of Mikoto’s struggle, (SPOILER END) and the smile back on Mikoto’s face. I couldn’t have asked for a better closure for the sisters’ arc.

Story – Silent Party Arc (7.5/10)

This arc is an anime exclusive arc and is not featured in the manga or light novels. That being said, unfortunately, the expectations set by the sister’s arc is way too high, and this arc is unable to reach those marks.

This arc (SPOILER ALERT) is about Misaka and her friends discovering a mysterious girl named Febri, who is linked to an underground organization that aims to take over Academy City. (SPOILER END)

This arc was developing a little bit way too slowly at times, and was not as interesting, leaving me bored in a lot of the episodes, especially the first few, such as episodes 18, 19 and 20. In addition, the story was not presented as well since the atmosphere meant to be created was lackluster. Meaning, parts where are supposed to make you anxious do not do so, which left you with an “Oh, okay.” Not to mention, (SPOILER ALERT) they created a “time bomb” for Febri such that she only has as long to live as the number of lollipops she has, but yet, it was rushed and as a result, felt like it was solved too easily. Worst of all, the antagonists of this arc were bragging so much about their inventions, but yet were so easily defeated. To add, the last scene with Mikoto destroying the warhead was sort of anticlimactic.

Now that the negatives are out of the way, what’s done extremely well in this arc is the link back to the previous arcs. The relation to the previous arcs adds to the story greatly such that it is easier for the viewers to relate to the story.

From episode 21 to 24, the episodes were interesting again as we find out more and more about the mysteries and secrets behind Febri as well as the plans that the antagonists have.

And perhaps the greatest aspect about this arc is portraying the friendship that Mikoto has with her friends, mainly Kuroko, Uiharu and Saten. It truly shows what being friends is about - Helping each other in times of need, and to rely on one another. Their example, I believe, is something that everyone should learn from.

All and all, even though this arc was not presented as well, it was still interesting nonetheless. Not forgetting the awesome fight scenes that were presented to us.

Art (10/10)

The art is once again done by JC Staff. If you liked the art in the first season, you'll definitely like the art in Railgun S. Moreover, the fighting scenes are amazing. Misaka's electricity, (SPOILER WARNING) Mugino's Meltdowner, Selvirun's bombs... (SPOILER END) each scene is just so crisp and detailed.

(HUGE SPOILER) In episode 16, you can see that Accelerator’s plasma just looks so detailed and amazing that it actually might send chills down your spine and show just how powerful Accelerator really is. (SPOILER END)

Sound (10/10)

The soundtrack this time, in Railgun S, is great as well. The soundtrack matches the scenes perfectly. Sad soundtrack for sad scenes, eerie soundtracks for serious scenes, and exciting soundtrack for the action scenes. All are pivotal in immersing the viewer, and its done perfectly.

The Opening for the first 16 episodes is Sister's Noise, yet another catchy piece by FripSide. If you liked the openings for Railgun Season 1, Only My Railgun and LEVEL 5 Judgelight, you'll definitely like this. The ending is Grow Slowly by Iguchi Yuka, voice actor for Index. In a few of the episodes, the ending was Stand Still, also by Iguchi Yuka. It was extremely fitting for those episodes and it might just send a tear down your eye. The opening for the next few episodes is Eternal Reality by FripSide, and the ending is Links by Sachika Misawa, voice actor for Meigo Arisa in the Endymion no Kiseki movie.

As for the voice acting, Rina Satou did an amazing job voicing Mikoto, especially the moments when it shows her despair and struggles, something not many voice actors would be able to portray well.

Character (10/10):

The characterisation of Misaka Mikoto is perhaps one of the best part of the series. In Railgun S1, we see that she's this cheerful tsundere that loves to hang out with her friends. In Railgun S, this changes drastically... We can see that she is no longer as cheerful, but instead very depressed. Each episode you can see her in such a depressed state, not knowing what to do. When I saw this, I really could empathise with Misaka, and wish that she would actually go back to her cheerful self, just like Kuroko does.

Moreover, in the silent party arc, you can see that Mikoto actually learns from her mistakes and not make the same ones that she did in the sister’s arc. Now that’s character development for you.

To add, in season 1, Kuroko was just this lesbian that was good in upholding justice. In Railgun S, yes, she’s still a lesbian but throughout the episodes, we ca see just how much of a friend she is to Mikoto and how much their friendship has developed since the season 1.

Enjoyment (9/10)

I can say that I thoroughly enjoyed Railgun S. Every episode is exciting and kept me on the edge of my seat, excited to see what's going to happen next and how the writers are going to overlap the scenes with those in Index. Though the silent party arc was boring at the beginning. I still enjoyed myself greatly.

Overall (9/10)

Yes, the Silent Party Arc had its downfalls, and though it wasn't that bad, I don’t think that it is fair to dock points off the series just because of that. The sister’s arc was done amazingly, a masterpiece, if you will. That alone is enough to pull the series up by a few points and considering how fitting the music is and how beautiful the art is, its justifiable to give this series a 9/10. And if you haven’t watched it yet, do yourself a favor and go watch it now.

Toaru Majutsu no Index: Endymion no Kiseki Review

Before I start this review, let me just say that I’m a huge fan of the Toaru series, I absolutely love the characters, all of them being extremely interesting and not typical stereotypes. The story is interesting and the universe is so huge that I just want to read up everything about it. Although that being said, I felt that Toaru Majutsu no Index: Endymion no Kiseki was a pretty huge disappointment for me, and it pains me to give it only a 7/10. It lacked the charm of both the Railgun and Index series. Why? Just read ... on to find out.

Story (7/10):

The story for the movie is pretty weak. That is because the pacing of the movie was horrendous, emphasizing too much on the non-important parts (introduction) and rushed through the important plot points. Unless you have not read the summary, the story is about a mysterious Level 0 girl, Meigo Arisa, who seems to have the voice of miracles (kiseki), and she would tear up the balance between the magic and science sides. This concept is well done, since in every episode of Index’s ending, Touma always says, “When science and magic cross paths”. Yes, finally we see something that will truly affect this balance, and the consequences that follow because of that. The battles with the science and magic sides were truly extraordinary, however, the antagonist’s plan to use Meigo Arisa for her own needs were not well developed enough. Apparently the antagonist was the one who caused the Orion plane’s crash, which fuels the other character’s rage (I shall not mention the name to avoid spoilers) but yet no explanation was made as to why she caused the plane crash. The viewers do not actually feel threatened at all since the antagonist’s plans were not well explained and not justified. It was hard to completely understand what the antagonist was exactly going with her plan. Worst of all, in the last part of the movie, the directors seem to just randomly throw in characters from the Toaru universe; Accelerator, Last Order, MISAKA Clones for no rhyme or reason, as if the only purpose was for fanservice (Though I was pleased, ha.). In addition, the parts where accelerator appeared were just so anticlimactic. Lastly, the ending was like just, wat. Trust me, you’ll have the same reaction. In other words, the story was filled with plot holes that were left unexplained.

Characters (7/10):

The characters from the Toaru universe return, and they remain more or less the same. We have Mikoto and her gang, as well as Touma and Index. Their personalities are the same and their actions believable, and as fans you will not be disappointed. Otherwise, the points for characters will be so much lower.

The development of the new characters, mainly Meigo Arisa, Shutaura Sequenzia and the antagonist (I shall not name her to avoid spoilers) is not as well done.
Personally, I felt that out of the new characters, Meigo’s character development was the best, as we can truly see her personality, her motives and how she changes through the movie, with the help of Touma and Index.
Shutaura however, was badly developed. Her motives were not clear and her actions were not as justifiable as the directors make it to be. Moreover, she claims that she can't hear music, and even that wasn't well explained.
And lastly, the antagonist. Her development was the absolute worst, all we got were at most 2 seconds of development. The directors were making her character such that we would be sympathetic of her, however, with little backstory given for her character, her actions were hard to be justified and thus there was almost little threat posed by her.

Art (10/10):

This being the movie, I have to say that the art looks absolutely gorgeous. Everything from the endymion, Meigo’s concert to Mikoto’s electricity, looks crisp, beautiful and detailed.

Sound (10/10):

Every action scene is accompanied with awesome soundtrack as well as fitting sound effects that sound epic. In addition, the songs performed with Sachika Misawa as Meigo Arisa were all very catchy and I think its something that I will add to my collection. They really seemed to be miraculous songs.

Enjoyment (9/10):

Though the story and character development was not that well done, I am a Toaru fan and hence I still thoroughly enjoyed this movie.

Overall (7/10)

Shingeki no Kyojin. An anime that I have seen so many people go crazy over. Of course, I was extremely curious as to why this is so. So, I watched the first episode, and watched up to 13 (turning point in the story + latest episode) in just one day, and I have to say, their actions are justified.

(I have watched 13 episodes at this point of the review)

So lets start with why I think this is such an amazing anime. The titans are the main antagonists of the series. The beings who terrorize the humans and eat them just for the sake of doing ... so. The sound of this already makes the titans seem extremely scary.

However, the anime takes one steps further, combining extremely excellent writing, well-made visuals, sound effects and background music to totally immerse the viewer into the anime, allowing the viewer to put themselves in the main characters' shoes, and making them feel as if they are part of the battle against these fearsome creatures. You will actually feel how scary the titans are, and wish you could do something to destroy these creatures once and for all, just as Eren Jaegar, the main character, does.

Moreover, every episode keeps you on the edge of your seats. You almost never know what is going to happen. Every episode is fresh, exciting and leaves you wanting more.

At this point in time, that's all I can write about this anime, but if you havent given it a try, you should. Its not called one of the best anime of 2013 for no reason.