I am astonished at how commonly this series is skimmed over! Typically, sci-fi series with political intrigue seem to be voraciously consumed by fans in the West and so, why wasn't "RideBack" given more recognition? With the heated political climate and a dissatisfied populace at the hands of our current world crisis, now seems the best time, if ever, to discuss this series that is both tantalizing (with its action-packed, stimulation of mecha scenes) and a thought-provoking gander towards the world's societal structure!
⚠️ This review will be spoiler-free ⚠️
—Story/Characters
Even before the GGF (the "Global Government Force") became the pivotal antithesis to the free-spirited group of
...
robotics-loving rebels, this series caught me. I have always been fascinated with the limber performance art of ballet, ever since I was a little girl — heck, Swan (created by "Kyōko Ariyoshi") is one of my favorite shōjo manga series of all time! So, to see something as restrained, feminine, and graceful get unleashed with a transforming, robot motorcycle... the concept was just too cool. The blend of some innately masculine, imbued with a feminine charm, and the fluency of an orchestral dance gave a fresh breath of air to what would have normally been a manly show! It reminded me of how I was captivated with Belldandy (from "Aa! Megami-sama) becoming a motorbike goddess, and practicing with the club, alongside the impassioned Kei'ichi.
Though the visuals were stunning in the accelerating climax of Episode 4: "Shōko, In the Nick of Time" — the logic that got Rin Ogata, the protagonist, caught in the fray between the rebels and the GGF seemed somewhat forced. ⚠️ Light spoilers here, please skip to the next paragraph if you don't want to know what happens in this episode! ⚠️ So, Rin hurries into a hostage situation and saves her friend, Shōko... that part was well and good, it made Rin a more captivating protagonist and displayed her grit against the terrorist faction, albeit still reckless, but when the government commands her to stay put, she crashes through the window of the high-rise, the government agency shoots missiles at her "RideBack" (named the "Fuego"), and then (after being saved by the leader of the terrorist group) she is deemed a radical revolutionary, and the GGF is out for her blood. My question is this: she had already saved her friend at that point and had escaped Shōko's captors, why couldn't she have stayed put for a few more minutes? Was it pure adrenaline? Or did she have some kind of "Newtype"-like intuition that the terror organization wasn't completely in the wrong, in that situation? This is left vague in the anime version, perhaps because of the single-cour time slot.
I won't give away anything, but there's a really great episode where Rin's younger brother ("Kenji") is, shall we say, a little bit "misguided" and Rin epically kicks butt, and manages to save him from himself. I thought the little side plot was very touching! If I talk about how deep the GGF trench deepens, there will be massive spoilers, so I'll just leave the sentiment off with — the story feels a little bit rushed towards the end of the series, stitches are left bleeding in the plot, but it's still a show that is exemplary in its subject matter and a worth-while viewing experience!
—Technical
Luna's Favorite Works by Each Respective Creator = ✅
Atsushi Takahashi (director), notable works:
* Ao no Exorcist: Movie
* Doraemon Movie 37: Nobita no Nankyoku Kachikochi Daibōken
* Kemonozume — Assistant Director ✅
※Mr. Takahashi is going to direct the upcoming "Godzilla" anime, airing Spring 2021 — "Godzilla: Singular Point"! Both Studios Orange and Bones will be working on this project: https://myanimelist.net/anime/43229/Godzilla__SP
Commentary: Mr. Takahashi is an excellent director. I really enjoyed his directing in "RideBack" — as well as the panache and skill that he brought to Yuasa Masaaki's "Kemonozume"! The CG is integrated very well with the digital animation, and the action sequences feel very dynamic! Wonderful job!
Good Seiyū Work = ✅
Really Enjoyed the Seiyū's Performance = ✅ ✅
One of Luna's Favorite Performances OF ALL TIME = ✅ ✅ ✅
Nana Mizuki as Rin Ogata, notable roles:
* Nanase Kotobuki, "Bungaku Shōjo"
* Allison Whittington and Lillianne Aicasia Corazón Whittington-Schultz, Allison to Lillia
* Akiko, Aoi Bungaku Series
* Oboro Iga, Basilisk
* Kururu, Binzume Yōsei
* Saya Kisaragi, Blood-C
* Angelise Ikaruga Misurugi, Cross Ange: Tenshi to Ryū no Rondo
* Misaki Kirihara, Darker Than Black: Kuro no Keiyakusha
* Nanami Takatsuki and Ricotta Elmar, Dog Days
* Hannah, Dragon's Dogma
* Sieglinde Baumgarde, Dragonaut: The Resonance
* Cisqua, Erementar Gerad
* Wrath, Fullmetal Alchemist ✅ ✅
* Bi Fei, Gin no Guardian
* Lydia Carlton, Hakushaku to Yōsei
* Tsubomi Hanasaki, HeartCatch! PreCure! ✅ ✅ ✅
* Yu Minamoto, Ichigo 100%
* Kotoko Aihara, Itazura na Kiss
* Tsugumi Shibata, Jigoku Shōjo ("Hell Girl") ✅ ✅
* Sora Yamato, Jikū Tantei Genshi-kun
* Tiz, Jū Ō Sei
* Yin Fu, Ken En Ken: Aoki Kagayaki
* Roya, Kiba
* Yuno Rukina, Kiss Dum: Engage Planet
* Alois Trancy, Kuroshitsuji II ✅ ✅
* Janice Quatlane, Layton Kyōju to Eien no Utahime ("Professor Layton and the Eternal Diva")
* Nyamo Naamo, Love Hina
* Sayaka Mizushiro, Magical Canan ("Magical Kanan")
* Fate and Alicia Testarossa, Mahō Shōjo Lyrical Nanoha ✅ ✅ ✅
* Hotaru Shirakawa, Memories Off
* Mizuki Hibara, Mokke
* Magaret Liones, Nanatsu no Taizai ✅
* Hinata Hyūga, Naruto ✅ ✅
* Kaho Serizawa, Natsu-iro no Sunadokei ("Hourglass of Summer") ✅ ✅
* Shinobu, Ninin ga Shinobuden ✅ ✅
* Ann Takamaki, Persona 5 ✅ ✅
* Rue Kuroha, Princess Tutu ✅ ✅
* Yufa, Ragnarök the Animation
* Rin Ogata, RideBack ✅ ✅
* Moka Akashiya, Rosario to Vampire
* Pandora, Saint Seiya: The Lost Canvas ✅ ✅ ✅
* Tsubasa Kazanari, Senki Zesshō Symphogear
* Mave, Sentō Yōsei Shōjo Tasukete! Mave-chan
* Nana Suzuki, Shichinin no Nana
* Kanon Seena, Shining Tears X Wind
* Utau Hoshina, Shugo Chara!
* Morinas, Simōn
* Aria, Sister Princess
* Suzu Edogawa, Tactics
* Colette Brunel, Tales of Symphonia the Animation ✅ ✅ ✅
* Sylvette Suede, Tegamibachi ✅ ✅
* Neju Na Melmas, Tenchi Muyō! GXP
* Chizuru, Tokyo Marble Chocolate
* Sunao Konoe, Tsuyokiss
* Matsuki Akino, Wakaokami wa Shougakusei! ✅ ✅
* Maria, Witchblade
* Rina Ogata, White Album ✅ ✅ ✅
Commentary: Ms. Mizuki is one of my all-time favorite seiyū talents, her portrayal of the enigmatic and prodigal Rin Ogata was really captivating in this series and even out-shined other seasoned veterans, such as Romi Park (voice of Edward Elric "Fullmetal Alchemist" and Tōshirō Hitsugaya "Bleach") and Rikiya Koyama (voice of Kogorō Mōri "Detective Conan" and Hakuoro "Utawarerumono")! But, her character is supposed to a majestic figure, she did accidentally become the figurehead of a rebellion after all! I would compare her role as Rin Ogata to her roles as Colette Brunel ("Tales of Symphonia") and Hinata Hyūga ("Naruto") — both of these characters come off as demure, blank slates in the beginning, but then, the story reveals how powerful they can really be: whether it be through prowess or through mental fortitude Amazing performance!
Romi Park as Tamayo Kataoka, notable roles:
* Maki Aikawa, Air Master ✅ ✅
* Kuchiha, Amatsuki
* Tōshirō Hitsugaya, Bleach ✅ ✅
* Zola, Blue Dragon
* Teresa, Claymore ✅ ✅
* Akane Owari, Danganronpa 3 ✅ ✅
* Ganta Igarashi, Deadman Wonderland ✅
* Ken'ichi Harakawa, Dennō Coil ✅
* Ken Ichijōji, Digimon ✅ ✅
* Reiji Ōzora, Dragon Drive
* Edward Elric, Fullmetal Alchemist ✅ ✅
* Natsume Hyūga, Gakuen Alice
* Nayuta Moriyama, Gakuen Senki Muryō
* Emma Guzman, Garo
* Seimei, Garo: Guren no Tsuki
* Alex McKenzie, GR: Giant Robo
* Switzerland, Hetalia Axis Powers
* Higepiyo, Higepiyo
* Dahlia, Highlander: The Search for Vengeance
* Padparadscha, Hōseki no Kuni ✅ ✅ ✅
* Pakunoda, Hunter x Hunter (2011) ✅ ✅
* Popo, Kaiba ✅ ✅ ✅
* Rei Batsubami, Kakegurui××
* Ragyō Kiryūin, Kill la Kill ✅ ✅
* Gyubid, Kuromajo-san ga Tōru!!
* Angelina Durless, Kuroshitsuji ✅ ✅
* Kuromitsu, Kurozuka
* Ichirō Irabu, Kūchū Buranko ✅ ✅ ✅
* Taiga Shimizu, Major S3
* Heimdall, Matantei Loki Ragnarok
* Myōri Unzen, Medaka Box ✅
* Regene Regetta, Kidō Senshi Gundam 00
* Falis, Murder Princess
* Nana Osaki, Nana ✅ ✅ ✅
* Temari, Naruto
* Adam Blade, Needless
* Tora, Nyanbo!
* Omasa, Onihei
* Naoto Shiragane, Persona 4 the Animation
* Jiro ("Brock"), Pokémon ✅ ✅
* Yūjirō Shihōdani, Princess Princess ✅
* Alma, Radiant
* Noboru Maeda, Rainbow: Nisha Rokubō no Shichinin ✅
* Katsushiro Okamoto, Samurai 7
* Shute, SD Gundam Force
* Karasuba, Sekirei
* Kenshin Uesugi, Sengoku Basara
* Ren Tao, Shaman King ✅ ✅
* Hange Zoë, Shingeki no Kyojin ✅
* Ayumi Saitō, Shion no Ō
* Chloe and Kurt Klick, Sōsei no Aquarion
* Maguro, Sushi Ninja
* Kōta Koga, Suteki Tentei Labyrinth
* Hamyuts Meseta, Tatakau Shisho: The Book of Bantorra
* Maria, TO
* Sana Maniwa, Toji no Miko ✅ ✅
* Komatsu, Toriko ✅
* Loran Cehack, ∀ Gundam ✅ ✅
* Kōsuke Ueki, Ueki no Hōsoku
* 044, Ultraviolet: Code 044
* Yayoi Shinozuka, White Album ✅ ✅
* Syrup, Yes! PreCure 5 GoGo!
* Lù Shêng Máo, Zegapain
Commentary: Ms. Park's role as Tamayo Kataoka is a very competitive and strong-spirited young woman. As the series goes on, she becomes less of a rival and more of a sensible confidante. I would compare her role in "RideBack" to her voices as Ken'ichi Harakawa ("Dennō Coil") and Ren Tao ("Shaman King") — both characters are full of fiery passion, though it often comes off as pure arrogance, but are both skilled and dedicated in their respective fields. Incredible work, as always!
Rikiya Koyama as Tenshirō Okakura, notable roles:
* Sam, 009-1: R&B
* Eutus, Abenobashi Mahō☆Shōtengai ("Magical☆Shopping Arcade Abenobashi")
* K, Aoi Bungaku Series
* Retsu Kaiō, Baki
* Jubee Sanada, Bakukyū Hit! Crash B-Daman
* Mozgus, Berserk (2016) ✅ ✅
* Julius and Conrad, Berserk: Ōgon Jidai-hen ✅ ✅
* Curtis Miller, Biohazard: Degeneration
* Yukichi Fukuzawa, Bungō Stray Dogs ✅ ✅ ✅
* Victor, Busō Renkin
* Jin Kirigiri, Danganronpa ✅ ✅
* Kogorō Mōri, Detective Conan ✅ ✅ ✅
* Kaim, Devilman: Crybaby ✅ ✅ ✅
* Shūji Niekawa, Durarara!! ✅
* Kiritsugu Emiya, Fate (series) ✅ ✅ ✅
* Daisuke Domoto, Figure 17: Tsubasa & Hikaru
* Gray Edwards, Final Fantasy: The Spirit Within
* Belfangan Clouseau, Full Metal Panic! (series) ✅
* Masaru Hanashima, Ginga e Kickoff!
* Neptune Shoukaku, Gintama (series)
* Mamoru Takamura, Hajime no Ippo
* Azazel, High School DxD (series) ✅ ✅
* Ging Freecs, Hunter x Hunter (2011) ✅ ✅
* Oda Nobunaga, Hyōge Mono
* Will A. Zeppeli, JoJo no Kimyō na Bōken: Phantom Blood (2007) ✅ ✅
* Jubei Kibagami, Jūbee Ninpūchō: Ryūhōgyoku-hen ("Ninja Scroll: The Series")
* Koyo Mōgai, Jūshin Enbu: Hero Tales
* Kogarashi, Kamen no Maid Guy
* Narumi Katō, Karakuri Circus (TV)
* Klaus von Reinherz, Kekkai Sensen
* Qí Wáng, Kingdom
* Jack Rakan, Mahō Sensei Negima!
* Zaratras, Nanatsu no Taizai
* Yamato, Naruto: Shippūden ✅
* Sensei, Planet With ✅ ✅
* Sakaki ("Giovanni"), Pokémon: The Origin ✅
* Rokurōta Sakuragi, Rainbow: Nisha Rokubō no Shichi'nin ✅ ✅
* Kanbei Kuroda, Sengoku Basara
* Kirameki Mikawa, Shigofumi ✅ ✅ ✅
* Minami Kaze Owner, Shinryaku! Ika Musume
* Jōichirō Yukihira, Shokugeki no Sōma ✅ ✅ ✅
* Shingami, Soul Eater ✅ ✅ ✅
* Himuka, Sōten no Ken
* Johnny Rico, Starship Troopers: Red Planet
* Donatello K. Davis, Terra Formars
* Rudolf Ushiromiya, Umineko no Naku Koro ni ✅ ✅
* Tora, Ushio to Tora (TV) ✅ ✅
* Hakuoro, Utawarerumono ✅ ✅ ✅
* James Howlett ("Wolverine"), Wolverine and X-Men
Commentary: I can't hear Mr. Koyama's voice without hearing Kogorō Mōri ("Detective Conan") or Kirameki Mikawa ("Shigofumi")... or as I like to call him, Kira☆Papa... you'll get the reference if/when you watch the show. Ahem, so anyway, Mr. Koyama mostly plays Dads or fatherly characters, and Tenshirō Okakura isn't much different. He guides Rin through her tumultuous journey and is a seasoned veteran in the ways of battle, especially when the rebellion comes into play! I would compare Mr. Koyama's performance in "RideBack" to his roles as Jōichirō Yukihira ("Shokugeki no Sōma") and Kiritsugu Emiya ("Fate/Zero") — both are stoic, paternal figures that are competitive, and can be ruthless against their adversaries. Not like the jovial, drunk Kogorō Mōri — who only gets real when his daughter is in danger or when his drunken fists are activated! Brilliant seiyū!
Conclusively, as I said from the start, this series is grossly underrated. I can't see why it isn't more popular in the United States; we love action, robotics, and divisive political dramas over here! If you haven't seen "RideBack" already, I would suggest watching it during these trying times: the "pre-" and post-2020 political climate is strangely similar to the corrupt government in this narrative (strange, since "RideBack" takes place in 2025) — causing the people to rise up, albeit with mechanized motorcycles! The plot could have been more complete towards the end, but hey, that's what the manga's for, right? I give "RideBack" a 6/10 and a recommendation to anyone who is curious!
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Jan 5, 2021 Mixed Feelings
I am astonished at how commonly this series is skimmed over! Typically, sci-fi series with political intrigue seem to be voraciously consumed by fans in the West and so, why wasn't "RideBack" given more recognition? With the heated political climate and a dissatisfied populace at the hands of our current world crisis, now seems the best time, if ever, to discuss this series that is both tantalizing (with its action-packed, stimulation of mecha scenes) and a thought-provoking gander towards the world's societal structure!
⚠️ This review will be spoiler-free ⚠️ —Story/Characters Even before the GGF (the "Global Government Force") became the pivotal antithesis to the free-spirited group of ...
Reviewer’s Rating: 6
What did you think of this review?
Nice
 0
Love it
 0
Funny
 0
Confusing
 0
Informative
 0
Well-written
 0
Creative
 0Show all 
Dec 23, 2020 Mixed Feelings
Typically, if a franchise changes out the old cast and swaps them with a group of strangers, it isn't that good. In, "Phantom Trigger" — however, they restored the roster of characters with style: great designs, more acclaimed voice actresses than the ones that starred in the original series, a high artistic design budget, and a narrative that could have been written for an American action flick. I think "Phantom Trigger" is good at being its own thing, but is still recognizable as a "Grisaia" title!
⚠️ This review will be spoiler-free ⚠️ The first series of Grisaia was more focused on interpersonal issues, self-actualization, and absurd, ... militaristic scenarios. While the "rule of cool" thumbprint is still noticeable on this series, it's less about the psychological aspects of the story, and more of a beat 'em up rumble with special agents in antithetical factions. And even though, I liked the writing-style in the original series, I respect a series that's less of a thought-provoking, literary piece and more of a wanton exploration into the espionage and fieldwork of each combatant. There's a little bit of character development, like the rivalrous friendship between Rena and Bucks, two impoverished orphans, that ended up on opposite lines — "Code Geass"-style. The sensation of watching this short, crowd-funded OVA is less to come away in deep-thought, and more to be wowed by how cool the fight scenes were. It's a simple story, but simple isn't always bad. —Technical Luna's Favorite Works by Each Respective Creator = ✅ Motoki Tanaka (director), notable works: * Azur Lane ✅ * Kin'iro Mosiac —series * Rewrite Commentary: From what I have seen of Mr. Tanaka's works, the adaptation of the Grisaia franchise is easily his best work, though the Azur Lane adaptation wasn't bad either! It's difficult to believe that the same man that totally destroyed any hope of the "Rewrite" anime ever being good, was actually able to make a cohesive and emotionally impactful visual novel adaptation. It may have been more Front Wing's involvement with the project or the addition of the veteran, series composition producer, ※Hideyuki Kurata! ※Mr. Kurata is known for writing the screenplays for anime projects, such as: "Battle Athletess Daiundōkai," "Brigadoon," "Made in Abyss," "Ore no Imōto ga Konnani Kawaii Wake ga Nai," "R.O.D." (also the original creator), Sasameki Koto, and "Uchū Show e Yōkoso"! Good Seiyū Work = ✅ Really Enjoyed the Seiyū's Performance = ✅ ✅ One of Luna's Favorite Performances OF ALL TIME = ✅ ✅ ✅ Tsubasa Yonaga as Haruto Aoi, notable roles: * Nova, Arcana Famiglia * Sōji Okita, Bakumatsu * Kensuke Midorikawa, Beyblade Burst * Aichi Sendō, Cardfight!! Vanguard —series * Shogun, ChäoS;HEAd * Sōji Okita, Chiruran: Nibun no Ichi * Yū Kanada, D. Gray-man Hallow * Chūtarō Kumō, Donten ni Warau ("Laughing Under the Clouds") * Yuzuru Sawamura, Dream Festival! * Rufus Lore, Fairy Tail * Nagisa Hazuki, Free! ✅ ✅ ✅ * Chris Solferino, Ginga Kikōtai Majestic Prince * Remus Al Jeinus Aldoros, Guin Saga ✅ ✅ ✅ * Yuzu, Hybrid Child * Hiroshi Miwa, Ichiban Ushirō no Daimaō * Mitsuki Izumi, IDOLiSH7 ✅ ✅ ✅ * Shingo Suwa, Kishin Taisen Gigantic Formula * Koyuki Ayase, Kokuhaku Jikkō Iinkai —series * Izumi Sena, Love Stage!! ✅ ✅ * Amuro Ray, Kidō Senshi Gundam-san * Ren Mihashi, Ōkiku Furikabutte ("Big Windup!") —series * Yōji Haneda, Oretachi ni Tsubasa wa Nai: Under the Innocent Sky. * Ō-riku, Reikenzan: Hoshikuzu-tachi no Utage * Shōta Machiya, Shigofumi ✅ ✅ ✅ * Jun Yamamoto, Special A * Tei'ichi Niiya, Tasogare Otome x Amnesia * Nagi Mikado, Uta no☆Prince-sama♪ * Sangaku Manami, Yowamushi Pedal ✅ ✅ * Satsuki Hanabusa, Yume-iro Pâtissière Commentary: Mr. Yonaga has the most adorable voice, and although he's more of a stealth assassin in "Phantom Trigger" — he's still pretty moe for a dude! He's a clear-spirited young man, who is attending an academy full of eccentric, young women! I would compare his role as Haruto Aoi to his roles as Nagisa Hazuki ("Free!") and Shōta Machiya ("Shigofumi"), both are earnest and kind! Mr. Yonaga brings to life every character that he voices, great work! Maaya Uchida as Rena Fukami, notable roles: * Futaba Yoshioka, Ao Haru Ride ✅ * Sonia Summers, Bem * Pirika, Chain Chronicle ✅ * Lóu Zhènhuá, Chaos Dragon * Yusa and Misa Kurobane, Charlotte ✅✅ * Mii, Choboraunyopomi Gekijō Ai Mai Mii ✅✅ * Rikka Takanashi, Chūnibyō demo Koi ga Shitai! ✅✅ * Honey Kisaragi, Cutey Honey Universe * Kaguya Yamai, Date A Live ✅✅ * Liscia Enrobéz, Dog Days —series * Rui Tachibana, Domestic no Kanojo ✅ * Liliruca Arde, Dungeon ni Deai wo Motomeru no wa Machigatteiru Darō ka ("Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?") —series ✅ * Hajime Ichinose, Gatchaman Crowds ✅ * Mao Amatsuka, GJ-bu * Uketsuke-jō, Goblin Slayer ✅ * Sharo Kirima, Gochūmon wa Usagi Desu ka? ("Is the Order a Rabbit?") ✅✅ * Ai Nanasato, Gokujo * Chisato Hagiwara, Hantsu ✕ Trash * Irina Shidō, High School DxD ✅✅ * Lilith Kishimoto, Holy Knight * Red Beryl, Hōseki no Kuni ✅✅ * Alluka Zoldyck, Hunter x Hunter (2011) ✅✅ * Luó Lán Huán Dù, Húyāo Xiǎo Hóngniáng ("Fox Spirit Matchmaker") * Kagekatsu Uesugi, Hyakka Ryōran * Else Shileska, Isekai wa Smartphone to Tomo ni. ("In Another World With My Smartphone") * Eruza Nakanishi, Killing Bites ✅✅ * Ayame Yomogawa, Kōtetsujō no Kabaneri ✅✅ * Otomi Tachibana. Mix * Koito Minase, Musaigen no Phantom World ✅ * Hiyori Iki, Noragami ✅✅ * Twoearle, Ore, Twintail ni Narimasu. ("Gonna be the Twin-Tail!!") ✅ * Katarina Claes, Otome Game no Hametsu Flag shika Nai Akuyaku Reijō ni Tensei shiteshimatta... ("My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom!") * Wakana Morizono, Pretty Rhythm * Izuki Kanomiya, Ragnastrike Angels * Haruka Kōmi, Rail Wars! ✅ * Rea Sanka, Sankarea ✅ * Nodoka Toyohama, Seishun Buta Yarō wa Bunny Girl Senpai no Yume wo Minai ✅ * Shiro, Sewayaki Kitsune no Senko-san * Hatsuho Shinonome, Shin Sakura Taisen the Animation * Yūki Yoshino, Shokugeki no Sōma ✅✅ * Hiroe Hannen, Slow Start ✅✅ * Miwako, Sono Toki, Kanojo wa. * Kotori Izumi, Sōtai Sekai * God of Destruction Elite, Super Dragon Ball Heroes * Himiko, Sword Gal the Animation * Mikoto Kiriyama, Takunomi. * Ranko Kanzaki, The iDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls ✅✅ * Satsuki Sasahara, Tsurezure Children * Rei Kuroki, Vivired Operation ✅✅ * Marin, Walking Meat * Norman, Yakusoku no Neverland ✅✅ * Miyabi Ibuki, Yamada-kun to 7-nin no Majo (TV) * Chitose Aoba, Z/X: Ignition Commentary: Ms. Uchida has a really beautiful voice; great seiyū! Her performance as Rena Fukami is both delicate and fierce, her voice is like the bloom of a wildflower. I would compare her roles in "Phantom Trigger," to her roles as Rei Kuroki ("Vivired Operation") and Eruza Nakanishi ("Killing Bites")! Attractive, cute, but if you mess with them, they have one hell of a mean streak! Wonderful performance! Atsumi Tanezaki as Murasaki Ikoma, notable roles: * Miu Amano, Blend S ✅ * Inari-kun, Chūko Video-ya no Onna Tenin X * Nagi Kodachi, Daitoshokan no Hitsujikai * Yuri Fujishiro, Double Decker! Doug & Kirill * Dai, Dragon Quest: Dai no Daibōken (2020) * Arisa Uotani, Fruits Basket (2019) ✅✅ * Shingetsu Ernesta Fukami, Granbelm ✅ * Claire Thomas, Harukana Receive ✅ * Mizore Yoroizuka, Hibike! Euphonium ✅✅✅ * Mei Irizaki, High School Fleet ✅✅✅ * Karashi, Hōzuki no Reitetsu ✅✅ * Neptunite, Hōseki no Kuni ✅✅ * Glebsklem, Isekai Maō to Shōkan Shōjo no Dorei Majutsu ("How Not to Summon a Demon Lord") ✅ * Satowa Hōzuki, Kono Oto Tomare! * Chise Hatori, Mahōtsukai no Yome ("The Ancient Magus' Bride") ✅ * Tome Kurata, Mob Psycho ✅ * Yūki Asuhara, Nora to Ōjo to Noraneko Hāto * Sayuri Hanayori, Owari no Seraph ✅ * Konatsu Tomodate, Pop in Q * Rio Futaba, Seishun Buta Yarō wa Bunny Girl Senpai no Yume wo Minai ✅✅ * Kai Ijūin, Shadowverse (TV) * Moe Nishinosone, Subete ga F ni Naru * Asako Natsume, Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun ✅ * Hana Mihara, W'z ✅✅ * Lisa Mishima, Zankyō no Terror ✅✅ Commentary: Like two of Ms. Tonezaki's other roles, as Mizore Yoroizuka ("Hibike! Euphonium") and Rio Futaba ("Seishun Buta Yarō wa Bunny Girl Senpai no Yume wo Minai"), are comparable to her performance in "Phantom Trigger" — she also plays another sedentary, kūdere-type of character! Her voice is very refreshing and cute to listen to, amazing work! Kaori Nazuka as Sakurako Christina Kujirase, notable roles: * Shino, .hack —series * Subaru, .hack//SIGN ✅✅✅ * Lily, 18if * Natsu Andō, 30-sai no Hoken Taiiku * Izumi Tachibana, A3! Season Spring & Summer * Kiki Seiran, Akagami to Shirayuki-hime ✅ * Chelsea, Akame ga Kill ✅✅✅ * Tsukasa Ayatsuji, Amagami SS * Heroine, Amnesia * Chiriri, Binzume Yōsei * Yū Takeyama ("Mount Lady") and Tōru Hagakure ("Invisible Girl"), Boku no Hero Academia ✅✅ * Elis Hōsen, Canvas 2 * Nunnally Lamperouge, Code Geass ✅✅✅ * Miyu Kōzuki, Daa! Daa! Daa! * Jenny Realight, Fairy Tail * Miyu Edelfelt, Fate/kaleid liner Prisma☆Illya ✅✅✅ * Nao Ueshima, Fūjin Monogatari * Miyabi Ōmichi, GA: Geijutsuka Art Design Class * Mai Taniyama, Ghost Hunt * Tea, Gin'iro no Olynsis: Tokito * Fumio Murakami, Girlfriend ("Kari") * Charlotta, Granblue Fantasy ✅✅✅ * Kiyoko Shimizu, Haikyū! ✅✅ * Shizuka Isono, Hametsu no Mars * Mayumi Hitomi, Hisone to Maso-tan * Lala-Ru, Ima, Soko ni Iru Boku * Nadeshiko, Inukami! ✅ * Yūko, Junji Itō: Collection * Tenri Ayukawa, Kami nomi zo Shiru Sekai ✅ * Shizuku Sangō, Kämpfer * Momoko Fujimiya, Keitai Shōjo * Nagisa Toyama, Koi-ken!: Watashitachi Anime ni Nacchatta! * Chiaki Aizawa, Koitabi: True Tours Nanto * Eureka, Kōkyōshi-hen Eureka Seven ✅ * Heidi Augesvarer, Koihime†Musō * Saya, Legend of Regios * Cosette, Les Misérables: Shōjo Cosette * Nazuna, Log Horizon ✅✅ * Liz, Mahōtsukai PreCure ("Witchy PreCure") ✅✅ * Ao, Makasete Iruka! ("Grrl Power!") * Imoko Onono, Masuda Kōsuke Gekijō Gag Manga Biyori * Yū Tendō, Metal Fight Beyblade —series * Sayla Mass, Kidō Senshi Gundam-san ✅ * Alice Shiratori, Moetan * Tsubomi Tachibana, Naisho no Tsubomi * Yuzu Roromori, Nakanohito Genome [Jikkyōchū] * Kaja Bergmann, Natsu no Arashi! * Christina Wako Yamato, New Game!! ✅✅ * Kazuho Miyauchi, Non Non Biyori ✅✅ * Yuki Fukazawa, Over Drive * Mao Kisaragi, Psycho-Pass 3 * Frederica Baumann, Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu ✅ * Kona Furugōri, Robotics;Notes * Hideyoshi Toyotomi, Sengoku Collection * Nanapon, Nana 7 of 7 * Christina Rey Holden, Shina Dark: Kuroki Tsuki no Ō to Sōheki no Tsuki no Himegimi * Yun, Simōn * Tsubaki Nakatsukasa, Soul Eater ✅✅✅ * Lynette Bishop, Strike Witches —series ✅✅✅ * Kate, Sweet Valerian * Llyr, Tears to Tiara ✅✅✅ * Capella Thetis, Tetsuwan Birdy Decode —series * Yui Kotegawa, To LOVEる ✅✅✅ * Tei Ryumonji, Towa no Quon —series * Hiromi Yuasa, True Tears ✅✅ * Chii, Tsubasa Chronicle ✅✅ * Lydia, Tytania * Aya Iseshima, Zettai Shougeki: Platonic Heart Commentary: I have loved Ms. Nazuka's voice for a very long time! I first fell in love with her soft, sweet cadence... when she voiced the demure, yet strong-willed Subaru (".hack//SIGN")! Her role as Sakurako Christina Kujirase in "Phantom Trigger" is also gently spoken. I would compare the role to her performances as Tsubaki Nakatsukasa ("Soul Eater") and Lynette Bishop ("Strike Witches")! Gorgeous voice! Ayane Sakura as Tōka Shishigaya, notable roles: * Yotsuba Nakano, 5-tōbun no Hanayome ("The Quintessential Quintuplets") ✅ * Rise, Alice or Alice * Maia Tsukigane, Aquarion Logos * Tomoka Kase, Asagao to Kase-san. ("Kase-san and Morning Glories") ✅✅ * Prinz Eugen, Azur Lane * Shizuku Hanaoka, Ballroom e Yōkoso ("Welcome to the Ballroom") ✅ * Ran Mitake, BanG Dream ✅✅✅ * Subaru Wakaba, Battle Girl High School * Ochako Uraraka, Boku no Hero Academia ✅✅ * Pheona, Chain Chronicle ✅ * Nao Tomori, Charlotte ✅✅✅ * 9'δ, Darling in the FranXX * Dorothy, Glass no Hana to Kowasu Sekai ✅ * Kokoa Hoto, Gochūmon wa Usagi Desu ka? ("Is the Order a Rabbit?") ✅✅✅ * Akari Mamiya, Hidan no Aria AA * Gasper Vladi, High School DxD ✅ * Hotaru Takegawa, Hotarubi no Mori e ✅✅ * Bort, Hōseki no Kuni ✅✅✅ * Marii Buratei, Joshiraku * Niwatori, Jūni Taisen ✅✅ * Hina, Kamisama ni Natta Hi ("The Day I Became a God") ✅ * Shimakaze, Nagato, Sendai, Naka, Jintsū, Mutsu, Tama, and Kuma—Kantai Collection ("KanColle") ✅✅ * Asuka, Kimi no Iru Machi ("A Town Where You Live") * Hasuki Komai, Kishuku Gakkō no Juliet ✅✅ * Miyabi Kannagi, Kono Naka ni Hitori, Imōto ga Iru! ("My Little Sister Is Among Them!") * Shinji, LayerD Stories Zero * Yuiko Enomoto, Love Lab * Arisa Ayase, Love Live! ✅✅ * Felicia Mitsuki, Magia Record: Mahō Shōjo Madoka☆Magica Gaiden (TV) * Sōta Kishibe ("La Pucelle"), Mahō Shōjo Ikusei Keikaku ("Magical Girl Raising Project") ✅✅ * Haruka, Military! * Yū Mizue, Mō Hitotsu no Mirai wo. * Rin Asano, Mugen no Jūnin: Immortal * Gisele Adjani, Muv-Luv Alternative: Total Eclipse ✅✅ * Haru Onodera, Nisekoi ✅ * Natsumi Koshigaya, Non Non Biyori ✅✅✅ * Ryōka Narusawa, Occultic;Nine ✅✅ * Solution Epsilon, Overlord ✅✅ * Rinne Ibara, Pretty Rhythm * Aina Ardebit, Promare * Mika Shimotsuki, Psycho-Pass ✅✅✅ * Nagisa Nanami, Ragnastrike Angels * Yū Ōsawa, Ramen Daisuki Koizumi-san ("Ms. Koizumi Loves Ramen Noodles") ✅✅ * Rena Asteria, Regalia: The Three Sacred Stars * Hijiri Kuina, Rō-Kyū-Bu! ✅✅ * Ai Yashajin, Ryūō no Oshigoto! ✅ * Silvia Lautreamont, Seikoku no Dragonar * Hikari Tsuneki, Seiren * Yuzuki Kurebayashi, Selector Infected WIXOSS (series) * Tsubaki Sawabe, Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso ("Your Lie in April") * Sakura Amamiya, Shin Sakura Taisen the Animation * Hayato Hayasugi, Shinkansen Henkei Robo Shinkalion the Animation * Moa, Show By Rock!! ✅ * Nana Sunohara, Sunohara-sō no Kanrinin-san ✅✅✅ * Saiko Yonebayashi, Tokyo Ghoul:re * Levi Kazama, Trinity Seven * Ryōko Kaji, Tsurezure Children * Kaisei Ebisugawa, Uchōten Kazoku ("The Eccentric Family") ✅✅✅ * Urūru and Saraana, Utawarerumono: Itsuwari no Kamen ("Utawarerumono: The False Faces") ✅✅ * Akane Isshiki, Vivired Operation ✅ * Iroha Isshiki, Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Comedy wa Machigatteiru ("My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU") * Merry Nightmare, Yumekui Merry ✅✅ Other Rankings: Ms. Sakura is another S-tier superstar in anime voice acting. Her performance as Tōka Shishigaya in "Phantom Trigger" is a very coy, but also a bubbly lolita-type of character. I would compare the characterization of Tōka to her roles as Hijiri Kuina ("Rō-Kyū-Bu!") and Kaisei Ebisugawa ("Uchōten Kazoku"). Excellent work! Conclusively, "Phantom Trigger" works really well as an action-packed, man-at-arms bonanza of an OVA, but it isn't much more than that. If you're looking for more than the cool fights and cute girls, this probably isn't the series for you. Since there is an entirely new cast of characters and seldom references to the original series, you can watch this two-episode special, without having to sink time into the original cast of characters — though, I would recommend that you, at least, give "The Fruit of Grisaia" a shot. "Phantom Trigger" gets a 5/10, would have probably rated it a 6/10, if there had been more of a concrete conclusion! Rating: Grisaia: Phantom Trigger ★★★☆☆ Other Rankings: The Fruit of Grisaia ("Grisaia no Kajitsu") ★★★★☆ The Labyrinth of Grisaia ("Grisaia no Meikyū") ★★☆☆☆ The Eden of Grisaia ("Grisaia no Rakuen") ★★☆☆☆
Reviewer’s Rating: 5
What did you think of this review?
Nice
0
Love it
0
Funny
0
Confusing
0
Informative
0
Well-written
0
Creative
0Show all 
Dec 23, 2020
Grisaia no Rakuen
(Anime)
add
Not Recommended
"The Eden of Grisaia" and the prequel OVA, "The Labyrinth of Grisaia," both struggle from pacing issues from opposite sides of the spectrum — while the prelude to the second series was way too laconic and filled to the brim with edgy, lurid scenes; it was too much to handle all at once, the second series is, well, the opposite of that. It's sluggish and full of textbooks worth of exposition. At the height of my excitement for the continuation, I was underwhelmed by the sheer volume of talking and explanations.
—Technical Motoki Tanaka (director): Commentary: From what I have seen of Mr. Tanaka's works, the adaptation of ... the Grisaia franchise is easily his best work, though the Azur Lane adaptation wasn't bad either! It's difficult to believe that the same man that totally destroyed any hope of the "Rewrite" anime ever being good, was actually able to make a cohesive and emotionally impactful visual novel adaptation. It may have been more Front Wing's involvement with the project or the addition of the veteran, series composition producer, ※Hideyuki Kurata! Good Seiyū Work Really Enjoyed the Seiyū's Performance One of Luna's Favorite Performances OF ALL TIME Takahiro Sakurai as Yūji Kazami: Commentary: Mr. Sakurai is an incredible voice actor, he usually plays the more often than not, "cold-hearted" pretty boy characters. Though, he's really amazing at comedy roles, too! His talents really fit the role of Yūji Kazami, like a glove! Wonderful work! Hiroko Taguchi as Amane Suō: Commentary: I have only seen Ms. Taguchi in "Yosuga no Sora" — yet, I was captivated by her performance as Amane Suō. Especially when her backstory comes to light, her character's tenderness and wisdom is really gently conveyed throughout the dialogue! Amazing job! Ryōko Tanaka as Yumiko Sakaki: Commentary: I enjoyed Ms. Sakaki's performance in "Little Busters" a lot, but, with that said, I kind of wish I hadn't looked at her discography! She a couple of characters, in both the "Kara no Shōjo" and "Cartagra" visual novels that I really didn't like! Despite that, her characterization of Yumiko Sakaki was really good! Kaori Mizuhashi as Michiru Matsushima: Commentary: Ms. Mizuhashi is a really, really, incredibly talented seiyū — I tend to prefer her more mature-sounding roles, but her work on Michiru is still really top-notch! Excellent job! Ai Shimizu as Sachi Komine: Commentary: Ms. Shimizu's voice is so frickin' adorable! I initially thought that Sachi would be my favorite based on her downright endearing nature and maid aesthetic! I really loved her as Minawa Andō in "Mahoromatic," too! Incredible! Tomoe Tamiyasu as Makina Irisu: Commentary: I only know Ms. Tamiyasu, other than in the Grisaia series, in "Little Busters"! But, her voice is very charming and sweet! Amazing job! Akane Tomonaga as Kazuki Kazami: Commentary: I recently watched ChäoS;HEAd, a few months ago, and although I mostly watched it with the English dub, I did sample a little bit of the Japanese audio, too; Ms. Tomonaga has a very sexy-sounding voice! Great job with calculated, yet sensual character of Kazuki Kazami! Overall, "Grisaia no Meikyū" and "Grisaia no Rakuen" are affected by some of the same pitfalls the other visual novels are faced with, a) too much of a story leads to overwrought exposition, b) too much of a hurried backstory seems like a recipe for gut-churning, tragic pornography, rather a palatable character path, and c) "too many routes leads to none," the conclusion isn't satisfying, because it incorporates too many elements. I thought that the build-up to the "Kazuki is still alive" reveal was too delayed, too, waiting through scene to humdrum scene of nonstop talking, made her inevitable entrance anti-climatic — at most, a good toss-back to the first season! I give both "Grisaia no Meikyū" and "Grisaia no Rakuen" a 3/10! Ratings: The Labyrinth of Grisaia ("Grisaia no Meikyū") ★★☆☆☆ The Eden of Grisaia ("Grisaia no Rakuen") ★★☆☆☆ Other Rankings: The Fruit of Grisaia ("Grisaia no Kajitsu") ★★★★☆ Grisaia: Phantom Trigger ★★★☆☆
Reviewer’s Rating: 3
What did you think of this review?
Nice
0
Love it
0
Funny
0
Confusing
0
Informative
0
Well-written
0
Creative
0Show all 
Dec 22, 2020
Grisaia no Kajitsu
(Anime)
add
Recommended
Usually, our minds associate the word "sociopath" with something inherently negative... cold-blooded, cruel, unsympathetic. But, "Grisaia no Kajitsu" is one of the only fictional series that I've watched or read, that has a character that would most likely be diagnosed with anti-social personality disorder, and yet, uses his emotional impairment for the greater good. Especially, when put to the task of attending a school full of troubled young women!
⚠️ This review will contain spoilers ⚠️ The interpretation of Yūji Kazami in the anime adaptation is similar to Tatsuya Shiba ("Mahōka Kōkō no Rettōsei"), he's: emotionally null, grossly overpowered, and a total chick magnet. Though I got ... laugh out of Tatsuya's perpetual lethargy, I think I preferred Yūji's character. While being a human irregularity is well and good, I liked that Yūji actually became a human weapon and developed an anti-social personality disorder, due to the nature of his abusive and unbelievably traumatizing childhood. The first season of the franchise is a roulette of different, diverging routes for each, respective female character. I thought that, unlike many other visual novel adaptations, it was handled very tactfully. Many side stories organically diverged from an average day at the academy, and it never felt forced or contrived. The first sign that this series would get more cutting-edge, than its eroge contemporaries, is when Michiru Matsushima reveals that she has an affliction with dissociative identity disorder. This was caused by a tragic incident, in which, the moment that her best friend committed suicide, Michiru started to experience a cardiac arrest episode, and thus she is given a cardiovascular transplant... using her newly deceased friend's heart — thus, her and her friend's soul now cohabit the same body! After Michiru sees her pet cat get run over by a car, she has a full-on mental break-down because of having to be forced to see her friend jump to her death, so, what does Yūji do to cure her fear of death? HE BURIES HER ALIVE! While morally questionable, Yūji's methodology and out-of-touch reasoning provides some really interesting character interactions and scenarios! Out of all of the routes, I thought that Yumiko Sakaki's side story was the weakest, but she eventually became my best girl, because she's such a boss in the sequel, "Grisaia no Rakuen"! The route that really steals the show, though, is Amane Suō's scenario: "Angelic Howl"! I just audibly sighed while writing that — this one is painful story to dig into. Basically, Amane's class is on a school trip in the mountains and the bus veers off the side of a cliff, with most of the students surviving. Since they're in the middle of the woods, there's no cellphone signal and the students and their teacher aren't anywhere close to reaching civilization, from the enclave. Everything starts off fine, everyone captures small animals and eats them over a campfire. But, as the plot thickens and food becomes more scarce, the teacher and the student counsel president start secretly cooking the corpses of the deceased students and serving them to the remaining girls. And as the desperation and madness becomes even more intense, the two cannibals start picking off the girls and murdering them one by one, luring them into the woods at night, so they won't panic the others. Luckily for Amane, Yūji's prodigal sister (Kazuki Kazami) just so happens to have been stranded with her, so her genius and their continual strokes of luck, keep them away from danger. Unfortunately, Amane escapes and is deemed the only survivor of the incident, thus people in her town gossip and torment her, accusing her of murdering and eating her classmates to survive. Some crucial plot points make three things very evident about Amane's character, a) The reason why she states that she's a vegan towards the beginning of the series is because of her horrible backstory, b) It is implied that Amane flirts with Yūji so strongly, because she either felt an intense amount of gratitude towards his sister or had romantic feelings for her, either one seems possible, c) Despite Amane's incredibly kind and selfless demeanor, it is clear that she has been battling intense PTSD and survivor's guilt. A really powerful backstory! My second favorite route, in the anime version, was Makina Irisu's story and the difficulties with her mafia family. Her younger sister, Sarina (the appointed heir to the family), is abducted and tortured, therefore is in a comatose state. Because of the small chance that she will ever wake up from life support, Makina becomes the successor to a seventy-million yen fortune, and therefore she is almost assassinated and betrayed by her greedy relatives; despite the fact that she's just a little girl. Her and Yūji are able to escape death several times, because of his militant skill and her latent genius — that she hides, thus, most of her friends think she's just an air-headed little kid. It was a really heart-warming story, before I fully earned an appreciation for Yumiko Sakaki, Makina was my favorite character! The first series concludes with a bang! So, after Amane tells her story, the tragic "Angelic Howl" tale, she is taken hostage by the father of one of the girls who had died during the school trip! Ironically, it is the girl that conspired with the teacher to kill the other girls. The man attempts to torture and sexually assault her, because he has convinced himself that since she survived, she must have been the reason that his daughter was murdered! In the last episodes, the girls and Yūji all work together and overcome their vices to save Amane; and then, Yūji snipes the man through a 10 cm wide field of view from over 900m away! How is that even possible?! Nevertheless, despite the B-movie action flick antics, the conclusion is both wildly entertaining and sentimentally soppy! —Technical Luna's Favorite Works by Each Respective Creator = ✅ Motoki Tanaka (director), notable works: * Azur Lane ✅ * Kin'iro Mosiac —series * Rewrite Commentary: From what I have seen of Mr. Tanaka's works, the adaptation of the Grisaia franchise is easily his best work, though the Azur Lane adaptation wasn't bad either! It's difficult to believe that the same man that totally destroyed any hope of the "Rewrite" anime ever being good, was actually able to make a cohesive and emotionally impactful visual novel adaptation. It may have been more Front Wing's involvement with the project or the addition of the veteran, series composition producer, ※Hideyuki Kurata! ※Mr. Kurata is known for writing the screenplays for anime projects, such as: "Battle Athletess Daiundōkai," "Brigadoon," "Made in Abyss," "Ore no Imōto ga Konnani Kawaii Wake ga Nai," "R.O.D." (also the original creator), Sasameki Koto, and "Uchū Show e Yōkoso"! Good Seiyū Work = ✅ Really Enjoyed the Seiyū's Performance = ✅ ✅ One of Luna's Favorite Performances OF ALL TIME = ✅ ✅ ✅ Takahiro Sakurai as Yūji Kazami, notable roles: * Haseo, .hack —series ✅ * Takashi Hayashida, 3-Gatsu no Lion ✅ * Ryō, 7 Seeds * Blue Knight, Accel World ✅ * Soichirō Sena, Active Raid * Yū Tosaki, Ajin * Cutthroat, Akudama Dive * Atsumu Matsuyuki ("Yukiatsu"), Ano Hi Mita Hana no Namae wo Bokutachi wa Mada Shiranai. ("AnoHana") ✅ * Shinobu Kujiin, Babylon ✅ * Yūki Momose, Battle Spirits * Griffith, Berserk ✅ ✅ ✅ * Jirō Mochizuki, Black Blood Brothers * Killy, Blame! * Izuru Kira, Bleach ✅ * Kabuto Hanadori, Boku no Tonari ni Ankoku Hakaishin ga Imasu. * Bizon Gerafil, Buddy Complex * Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald, Bungō Stray Dogs ✅ * Hiroki Kamikura, Canvas 2 * Suzaku Kururugi, Code Geass ✅ ✅ * Haruhiko Tsugayama, Copihan * Joe Shimamura, Cyborg 009: The Cyborg Solider * Yū Kanada, D. Gray-man ✅ * Leon Kuwata, Danganronpa * Ryūsuke Higo, Detective Conan ✅ * Mono Ureu, Devil Survivor 2 the Animation * Ruki Mukami, Diabolik Lovers * Kazuya Miyuki, Diamond no Ace * Tentomon, Digimon Adventure ✅ * Kōshirō Izumi and Tentomon, Digimon Adventure 02 ✅ * Dorulumon, Digimon Xros Wars * Yō'ichi Fujitani, Dive!! * Haine Rammsteiner, Dogs: Bullets & Carnage * Shirasu Kinjō, Donten ni Warau ("Laughing Under the Clouds") * Sawa-sensei, Dō ni ka Naru Hibi * Yūto Takamine, Eien no Aseila * Sting Eucliffe, Fairy Tail * Merlin, Fate/Grand Order: Zettai Majū Sensen Babylonia ✅ ✅ * Saber ("Saver"), Fate/Prototype ✅ * Cloud Strife, Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children ✅ * Ayame Sōma, Fruits Basket (2019) * Mitsuya Majime, Fune wo Amu ("The Great Passage") * Kazuki Endō, Gakuen Heaven * Shun Ukiya, Gate Keepers * Hiroto Amagiwa, Geneshaft * Hikari Genji, Genji Monogatari Sennenki ("The Tale of Genji") * Orpherus Fürst von Marmelade Nahe Görz, Ginyū Mokushiroku Meine Liebe * Kazuya Watari, Guardian Hearts * Inugami, Gugure! Kokkuri-san ✅ * Akiteru Tsukishima, Haikyū! ✅ * Dande, Pokémon: Hakumei no Tsubasa ("Twilight Wings") ✅ ✅ * Suefumi Ono, Harukanaru Toki no Naka de ("Beyond the Stream of Time") * Alzeid, Hatenkō Yūgi ("Dazzle") * Hiroyuki Sogabe, Hatsukoi Limited. * Kanade Takahashi, Hatsukoi Monster * Noboru Take, Hibike! Euphonium ✅ * Enza, Historical * Richard Ranashinha de Vulpian, Hōsekishō Richard-shi no Nazo Kantei ("The Case Files of Jeweler Richard") * Ichitaka Seto, I''s * Jōji Minami ("Tekkaman"), Infini-T Force ✅ ✅ * Jin Tsurasawa, Innocent Venus ✅ * Kazuhito Harumi, Inu to Hasami wa Tsukaiyō ("Dog & Scissors") * Rockman X, Irregular Hunter X: The Day of Sigma ("Megaman X") * Rohan Kishibe, JoJo no Kimyō na Bōken Part 4: Diamond wa Kudakenai ("JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond is Unbreakable") ✅ ✅ ✅ * Tazaki, Joker Game ✅ * Misaki Takahashi, Junjō Romantica ✅ ✅ ✅ * Ryūkō Mōten, Jūshin Enbu: Hero Tales * Izumo Kusanagi, K ✅ * Yoshihiko Nagai, Kaikan Phrase * Leon Oswald, Kaleido Star * Kaizō Katsu, Katte ni Kaizō * Giyū Tomioka, Kimetsu no Yaiba ✅ ✅ ✅ * Kyōsuke Kindaichi, Kitsutsuki Tanteidokoro ("Woodpecker Detective's Office") * Kiyomaro Takamine, Konjiki no Gash Bell!! ("Zatch Bell!") * Shōgo Mikadono, Kono Naka ni Hitori, Imōto ga Iru! ("My Little Sister Is Among Them!") * Claude Faustus, Kuroshitsuji II ("Black Butler II") ✅ ✅ * Yūri Shibuya, Kyō kara Maō! ✅ * Krusty, Log Horizon ✅ * Ja'far, Magi ✅ * Ri'ichi, Miura, Mahōtsukai no Yome ("The Ancient Magus' Bride") ✅ ✅ * Loki, Matantei Loki Ragnarok ✅ * Honey, Micchiri Neko * Reigen Arataka, Mob Psycho ✅ ✅ * Fareed McGillis, Kidō Senshi Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans ✅ ✅ * Meme Oshino, Monogatari —series ✅ ✅ ✅ * Kusuriuri, Mononoke ✅ ✅ ✅ * Griamore, Nanatsu no Taizai * Sasori, Naruto: Shippūden ✅ * Yūta Sakurai, Net-jū no Susume ("Recovery of an MMO Junkie") ✅ * Yūta Otabe, Niji-iro Hotaru: Eien no Natsuyasumi * Rui Sagisawa, Libra of Nil Admirari * Zombieman, One Punch Man ✅ * Kyōya Sata, Ōkami Shōjo to Kuro Ōji ("Wolf Girl & Black Prince") * Shun Kurosawa, Ore-sama Kingdom * Osomatsu Matsuno, Osomatsu-san ✅ ✅ * Kei Agemaki, Otome Yōkai Zakuro ("Girl Demon Zakuro") ✅ * Jircniv Rune Farlord El Nix, Overlord —series ✅ * Ferid Bathory, Owari no Seraph ✅ * Susumu Yamazaki, Peace Maker Kurogane * Vlad Garfunkel, Phantom in the Twilight * Zwei, Phantom the Animation ✅ * Rook Banjō Crossfield, Phi Brain: Kami to Puzzle ✅ * Fakir, Princess Tutu ✅ ✅ * Shugo Makishima, Psycho-Pass ✅ ✅ ✅ * Kogorō Akechi, Ranpo Kitan: Game of Laplace ✅ ✅ ✅ * Shin, Saint Beast * Dragon Shiryū, Saint Seiya: Meiō Hades-hen ✅ ✅ * Minos Griffon, Saint Seiya: The Lost Canvas ✅ ✅ * Takashi Kamiyama, Sakigake!! Cromartie Kōkō ✅ ✅ * Jin Mitaka, Sakura-sō no Pet na Kanojo ✅ ✅ * Ya'ichi, Saraiya Goyō ("House of Five Leaves") ✅ ✅ * Taishi Ichimiya, Servant x Service * Go Ichimonji, Shin Getter Robo tai Neo Getter Robo * Sasame, Shin Shirayuki-hime Densetsu Prétear * Lucifer, Shingeki no Bahamut ✅ ✅ * Shirokuma, Shirokuma Cafe ✅ * Satoshi Isshiki, Shokugeki no Sōma ✅ ✅ * Uki Isohata, Soredemo Machi wa Mawatteiru ("And Yet The Town Moves") ✅ * Yamato Kurosawa, Sukitte Ii na yo. * Haru Kurabayashi, Switch * Uta, Tokyo Ghoul ✅ * Yūdai, Tokyo Marble Chocolate * Coco, Toriko ✅ ✅ * Yasaburō Shimogamo, Uchōten Kazoku ("The Eccentric Family") ✅ ✅ ✅ * Isuzu Ichinose, Uchū Senkan Tiramisù ✅ * Luka Crosszeria, Uragiri wa Boku no Namae wo Shitteiru ("The Betrayal Knows My Name") * Ōgi, Utawarerumono: Isuwari no Kamen ✅ ✅ * Ai, Yū☆Gi☆Ō! VRAINS * Guiche de Gramont, Zero no Tsukaima * Bit Cloud, Zoids: New Century * Shito Tachibana, Zombie-Loan Commentary: Mr. Sakurai is an incredible voice actor, he usually plays the more often than not, "cold-hearted" pretty boy characters. Though, he's really amazing at comedy roles, too! His talents really fit the role of Yūji Kazami, like a glove! Wonderful work! Hiroko Taguchi as Amane Suō, notable roles: * Miyako Miymura, ef —series * Haruna Yūki, Fortune Arterial * Línglíng Xú ("Ling Ling Hsu"), Kaiketsu Jōki Tanteidan ("Steam Detectives") * Gisela, Kyō kara Maō! * Lisa Eostre, Walkure Romanze * Sora Kasugano, Yosuga no Sora: In Solitude, Where We Are Least Alone. ✅ Commentary: I have only seen Ms. Taguchi in "Yosuga no Sora" — yet, I was captivated by her performance as Amane Suō. Especially when her backstory comes to light, her character's tenderness and wisdom is really gently conveyed throughout the dialogue! Amazing job! Ryōko Tanaka as Yumiko Sakaki, notable roles: * Hinata Kagura, H2O: Footprints in the Sand * Kyōko Hōin, Kodomo no Jikan ✅ * Kannei Kōha, Koihime†Musō * Yuiko Kuragaya, Little Busters ✅ ✅ ✅ * Hikari Kuroda, School Days ✅ * Arisa Minase, Trick or Alice Commentary: I enjoyed Ms. Sakaki's performance in "Little Busters" a lot, but, with that said, I kind of wish I hadn't looked at her discography! She a couple of characters, in both the "Kara no Shōjo" and "Cartagra" visual novels that I really didn't like! Despite that, her characterization of Yumiko Sakaki was really good! Kaori Mizuhashi as Michiru Matsushima, notable roles: * Purple Thorn, Accel World ✅ * Taeko Minazuki, Ai Yori Aoshi ✅ ✅ * Ai Aino, Aria the Animation * Minami Shimada, Baka to Test to Shōkanjū ✅ * Altines, Busō Shinki * Len, Carnival Phantasm ✅ * Pepper, Chicchana Yukitsukai Sugar ("A Little Snow Fairy Sugar") * Ayumu Aizawa, Circlet Princess ✅ * Vivian Jones, Eikoku Koi Monogatari Emma ✅ ✅ ✅ * Sara Shirogane, Futakoi * Chika Ogiue, Genshiken ✅ ✅ ✅ * Miyako, Hidamari Sketch ✅ ✅ ✅ * Kasumi Haruno, Kasumin * Akane Suzumiya, Kimi ga Nozumu Eien ("Rumbling Hearts") ✅ ✅ ✅ * Haruto Mizushima, Kin'iro no Corda: Blue♪Sky * Mifuyu Kiba, Koi to Senkyo to Chocolate * Yūno Scrya and Vivio, Mahō Shōjo Lyrical Nanoha —series ✅ ✅ ✅ * Mami Tomoe, Mahō Shōjo Madoka★Magica ✕ Magia Record: Mahō Shōjo Madoka☆Magica Gaiden (TV) ✅ ✅ ✅ * Laharl, Makai Senki Disgaea ✅ ✅ * Janet van Dyne ("Wasp"), Marvel Disk Wars: The Avengers * Tio Plato, Minna Atsumare! Falcom Gakuen * Ōgi Oshino, Monogatari —series ✅ ✅ * Pikaia, Pikaia! * Fel, Prism Ark * Mimika, Puka Puka Juju * Elina Vance, Queen's Blade ✅ ✅ ✅ * Meiru Sakurai, Rockman.EXE ("Megaman.EXE") * Yagyū, Senran Kagura ✅ * Agnes Bōlange, Shukufuku no Campanella ✅ * Aya Fujisaki, To LOVEる ✅ Commentary: Ms. Mizuhashi is a really, really, incredibly talented seiyū — I tend to prefer her more mature-sounding roles, but her work on Michiru is still really top-notch! Excellent job! Ai Shimizu as Sachi Komine, notable roles: * Aimi Yoshizumi, Akahori Gedō Hour Rabuge * Yuzu Hieda, Asagiri no Miko * Athena Imai, Cosplay Complex * Ruri Tenpōin, Cross Fight B-Daman * Road Kamelot, D. Gray-man * Ren Ren Ren Nagusaran Rensia Ruroonren Nakora, DearS * Ellis, El Cazador de la Bruja * Riko Fukamine, Gift: Eternal Rainbow * Serafall Leviathan, High School DxD * Madoka Kōmoto, Hoshizora e Kakaru Hashi * Chinami Hashimoto, Ichigo 100% * Sango, Jewelpet —series * Arisu Arisugawa, Kagi Hime Monogatari: Eikyū Alice Rondo * Sherwood, Kaibutsu Ōjo * Akari, Kono Minikuku mo Utsukushii Sekai ("This Ugly Yet Beautiful World") * Mitsuki Sawatari, Kore ga Watashi no Goshujin-sama ("He is My Master") * Ariel, Kore wa Zombie Desu ka? * Momen Sanada, Lime-iro Senki-tan * Minawa Andō, Mahoromatic ✅ ✅ ✅ * Suzuka Tsukimura, Mahō Shōjo Lyrical Nanoha —series ✅ * Mikoto Minagi, Mai-HiME ✅ * Snow, MÄR * Sayaka Kurenai, Oku-sama wa Mahō Shōjo * Karen Onodera, Onegai☆Twins * Suzu Koishikawa, Rakugo Tennyo Oyui * Hajime Kunihiro, Saki ✅ ✅ * Elise Tōdō, Seitokai no Ichizon * Yoshimoto Imagawa, Sengoku Collection * Daniel, Shingami no Ballad. * Tamao Suzumi, Strawberry Panic ✅ * Ermin, Tears to Tiara ✅ * Sumomo, Tsubasa Chronicle ✅ * Senna Tōno, W: Wish * Hatsumi Azuma, Yami to Bōshi to Hon no Tabibito ✅ ✅ Commentary: Ms. Shimizu's voice is so frickin' adorable! I initially thought that Sachi would be my favorite based on her downright endearing nature and maid aesthetic! I really loved her as Minawa Andō in "Mahoromatic," too! Incredible! Tomoe Tamiyasu as Makina Irisu, notable roles: * Rin Natsume, Little Busters ✅ ✅ * Futami Moriyama, Recorder to Randoseru —series * Nagisa Hanamiya, Ushinawareta Mirai wo Motomete Commentary: I only know Ms. Tamiyasu, other than in the Grisaia series, in "Little Busters"! But, her voice is very charming and sweet! Amazing job! Akane Tomonaga as Kazuki Kazami, notable roles: * Seira Orgel, ChäoS;HEAd ✅ * Kaku Bunwa, Koihime†Musō * Yui Furukawa, Ushinawareta Mirai wo Motomete * Menace, Vanquished Queens —only, Yūko Gotō voices her in every other iteration ✅ Commentary: I recently watched ChäoS;HEAd, a few months ago, and although I mostly watched it with the English dub, I did sample a little bit of the Japanese audio, too; Ms. Tomonaga has a very sexy-sounding voice! Great job with calculated, yet sensual character of Kazuki Kazami! Originally, I rated "The Fruit of Grisaia" a 6/10, because although I was brimming with enthusiasm for the series, some of the scenes seemed too edgy. But, after a few months, the show emotionally resonated with me for a long period of time and I decided to rank it a notch up, into the 4★ category, because, let's face it: visual novels are more gruesome than normally curated content. In a way, though, that's why I fell in love with the medium. It's more daring and it often goes further than one would allow with an editing staff, because these games are usually made cheaply (in a basement full of nerds). I love dōjin-culture and I don't ever want it to change, nor do I want gal games to become more proper. With that, I give "Grisaia no Kajitsu" a solid 7/10! Rating: ★★★★☆ Other Rankings: The Labyrinth of Grisaia ("Grisaia no Meikyū") and The Eden of Grisaia ("Grisaia no Rakuen") ★★☆☆☆ Grisaia: Phantom Trigger ★★★☆☆
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
What did you think of this review?
Nice
0
Love it
0
Funny
0
Confusing
0
Informative
0
Well-written
0
Creative
0Show all 
Dec 20, 2020
Futari wa Precure
(Anime)
add
Not Recommended
Being an avid PreCure consumer, I really wanted to like the first season. The main girls are very easy to have a fondness for, even though, disregarding an episode or two, they are written with very one-dimensional personalities! One of them is the brute and the other is the brains! It wouldn't have been so hard to endure the first season, if it hadn't been for the horrible video quality. The static and cracking in the audio made it so that I could barely sit through a couple of episodes, without getting a headache, and the soundtrack was filled with belches and gooey-sounding noises that
...
didn't jive well, in a cartoon for GIRLS! Despite my criticisms of the first series, I will try the subsequent seasons out, after my eardrums have recovered!
⚠️ This review will be spoiler-free ⚠️ —Story/Characters I had high hopes when I first watched the pilot episode of "Futari wa PreCure" — like the first season of To LOVEる, there seemed to be a sense of aesthetic camp: after the mascots propositioned the girls to become magical girls, the two of them asked a ton of questions and made meta-references to other cartoons. It wasn't the usual docile nod that a magical girl gives when her friend is in trouble, or something; it was like two normal friends in an anime, who actually have the mind to see the dubiousness of their situation. It reminded me of the magical moment in To LOVEる, where Zastin (an armored space invader) walks upright on Rito's bed, while speaking in Takehito Koyasu's voice, and it naturally freaks the poor kid out! Unfortunately, "Futari wa PreCure" drops the notion of having an interesting, magical girl narrative after episode one... it momentarily resumes the unique vantage point in ※episode eight. The rest of the series is basically a monster-of-the-week bonanza — fighting various tokusatsu-like, human replicants! There are typical tropes seen in Japanese children's series, like: a school trip gone wrong, parents get captured by the bad guys, and Honoka even has a crush on a generic guy, named Fuji-P, despite there being implied "ho yay" between her and Nagisa! ※Read my commentary on Takuya Igurashi's directing for more insight, below! —Technical Luna's Favorite Works by Each Respective Creator = ✅ Daisuke Nishio (※director), notable works: * 3x3 Eyes * Air Master ✅ * Aoki Densetsu Shoot * Dr. Slump * Dragon Ball Movie 1: Shen Long no Densetsu * Dragon Ball Movie 2: Majinjō no Nemurihime * Dragon Ball Z (eps 1 to 199) ✅ * Dragon Ball Z Movie 1: Ora no Gohan wo Kaese!! * Dragon Ball Z Movie 2: Kono Yo de Ichiban Tsuyoi Yatsu * Dragon Ball Z Movie 3: Chikyū Marugoto Chōkessen * Dragon Ball Z Movie 6: Gekitotsu!! 100-oku Power no Senshi-tachi * Gegege no Kitarō (1996) * Halo Legends * Kindaichi Shōnen no Jikenbo * Kindaichi Shōnen no Jikenbo Movie 1: Operazakan — Aratanaru Satsujin * Patalliro ✅ * RoboDz ※Mr. Nishio is the main director on the project, but the only episode that I liked out of the first season of forty-nine episodes was Episode 8: "Pretty Cure Breaks Up! Isn't It Too Soon For That!?" and incidentally, that is the only episode that Takuya Igurashi directs. Commentary: The original Pretty Cure series was handed off to several different directors during its production, because of this the tone felt odd and often very disjointed. The audio quality is some of the worst that I've ever heard, and the earliest full-length anime TV series that I've seen is from 1972. This series originally aired in 2004 and the DVD release has audio with static loud enough to pop my ears. The sound effects are very squishy sounding and gross, not something you want to hear in a cartoon made for little girls... not to mention that there were really jarring cuts between: the scenes, the eye-catches, and the transitions from episode-to-episode. Mr. Nishio made the same mistakes in his production of "Air Master" — but that was more tolerable, because the mood in that show makes it seem as if the slipshod visual direction was intentional, because of the campiness of the plot. I feel like I would have at least rated this series two scores higher, if the experience of watching it wasn't so grating. Takuya Igurashi (episode director), notable works: * Ashita no Nadja ✅ * Bungō Stray Dogs —series ✅ * Captain Earth * Ojamajo Doremi —series ✅ * Ōran High School Host Club ✅ * Soul Eater ✅ * Star Driver ✅ Commentary: The aforementioned "Episode 8" is a clear cut above the rest. Even on a low budget, the way the shots are framed makes the bland series seem like there's more to be said. This episode really conveys the two girls dual personalities and their feelings for each other, more intimately than all of the rest. Good Seiyū Work = ✅ Really Enjoyed the Seiyū's Performance = ✅ ✅ One of Luna's Favorite Performances OF ALL TIME = ✅ ✅ ✅ Yōko Honna as Nagisa Misumi ("Cure Black"), notable roles: * Asta, .hack —series * Vermouth, Detective Conan ✅ ✅ * Iva, Karneval (TV) * Ange, Koisuru Tenshi Angelique * Taeko Okajima, Omoide Poroporo ("Only Yesterday") ✅ ✅ ✅ * Vasilisa, Toaru Majutsu no Index * Lalaco Godspeed, Uchū Patrol Luluco ✅ Commentary: Ms. Honna characterizes Nagisa's haphazard, adventurous personality very well. Her stubborn, yet caring attitude towards Honoka is apparent in her subtle gestures and tones. Wonderful work! Yukana as Honoka Yukishiro ("Cure White"), notable roles: * Yuri Tanima, Ai Tenshi Densetsu Wedding Peach * Mina Nakanotani, Air Master ✅ ✅ * Ai Nanasaki, Amagami SS * Mayumi Kino, Ao no 6-gō ("Blue Submarine No. 6") ✅ ✅ * Kongō, Aoki Hagane no Arpeggio: Ars Nova ✅ ✅ * Azusa Noyami, Azuki-chan * Aki Hino, Bakegyamon * Rinslet Walker, Black Cat (TV) * Měilíng Lǐ, Cardcaptor Sakura ✅ ✅ * Kotoko, Chobits ✅ ✅ * Chocolat Aikawa, Chocolat no Mahō * C2 ("C.C."), Code Geass ✅ ✅ * Eriko Nanao, Dragon Crisis * Teletha Testarossa, Full Metal Panic! ✅ ✅ * Kanako Ōno, Genshiken ✅ ✅ * Tama, Gugure! Kokkuri-san ✅ ✅ * Big Sister, Halo Legends * Fuyumi Irisu, Hyōka ✅ ✅ * Kanna, InuYasha ✅ ✅ * Cecilia Alcott, IS: Infinite Stratos ✅ ✅ ✅ * Reinforce II, Mahō Shōjo Lyrical Nanoha A's ✅ ✅ ✅ * Mashiro Blan de Windbloom, Mai-Otome * Four Murasume, Kidō Senshi Zeta Gundam: A New Translation ✅ ✅ ✅ * Mirai Ozora, Moldiver * Mika, Otogi Story Tenshi no Shippo * Amane, Phantom of the Kill: Zero kara no Hangyaku * Shia, Pita Ten * Selma Scheele, Power Dolls * Mica Minzuki, Rakushō! Hyper Doll * Gemini Paradox and Integra, Saint Seiya Omega ✅ ✅ * Chinori, Sci-Fi Harry ✅ * Kazehana, Sekirei * Mirai Kaname, Shin Megami Tensei Devil Children * Takane Shishidō, Sora wo Kakeru Shōjo * Tear Grants, Tales of the Abyss ✅ * Natsumi Hayamiya, Tetsuwan Birdy * Felicia, Vampire Hunter * Kūgen Tenko, Wagaya no Oinari-sama. * Yuzuriha Nekoi, X/1999 ✅ ✅ Commentary: Ms. Yukana does such a great job at making Honoka adorable, studious, and although she can be harsh, she is a really good friend to Nagisa. Her cerebral and attentive attitude often gets the two of them out of some sticky situations. Excellent seiyū! Overall, this series was the weakest link, along with the television series for "Smile PreCure!" — the film for that show was pretty dang awesome, though! As I stated in the introductory paragraph, I will try another season, in the "Futari wa" continuity, I haven't watched this particular series in a few years, so I think I should be fine now! I give "Futari wa PreCure" a 1/10 — the croaky audio quality, the modest variety of animation frames used, and unambitious script-writing left a lot to be desired. Pretty Cure Rankings: Series - Futari wa PreCure ★☆☆☆☆ - Futari wa Pretty Cure Max Heart - Futari wa Pretty Cure Splash Star - Yes! PreCure 5 - Yes! PreCure 5 GoGo! - Fresh Pretty Cure! - HeartCatch PreCure! ★★★★☆ - Suite PreCure♪ - Smile PreCure! ★☆☆☆☆ - DokiDoki! PreCure ★★★☆☆ - HappinessCharge PreCure! ★★☆☆☆ - Go! Princess PreCure ★★★★☆ - Witchy PreCure - Kirakira PreCure à la Mode - Hugtto! PreCure - Healin' Good Pretty Cure Movies - Futari wa Pretty Cure Max Heart the Movie - Futari wa Pretty Cure Max Heart the Movie 2: Friends of the Snow-Laden Sky - Futari wa Pretty Cure Splash Star: Tick-Tock Crisis Hanging by a Thin Thread! - Yes! PreCure 5 the Movie: Great Miraculous Adventure in the Mirror Kingdom! - Yes! Precure 5 GoGo! the Movie: Happy Birthday in the Sweets Kingdom - Fresh Pretty Cure! the Movie: The Toy Kingdom has Lots of Secrets!? - HeartCatch PreCure! the Movie: Fashion Show in the Flower Capital... Really?! ★★★★☆ - Suite PreCure the Movie: Take it back! The Miraculous Melody that Connects Hearts - Smile Precure! the Movie: Big Mismatch in a Picture Book! ★★★★☆ - DokiDoki! Precure the Movie: Mana's Getting Married!!? The Dress of Hope that Connects to the Future ★★★☆☆ - HappinessCharge PreCure! the Movie: The Ballerina of the Land of Dolls ★★☆☆☆ - Go! Princess Precure the Movie: Go! Go!! Splendid Triple Feature!!! ★★☆☆☆ - Witchy Pretty Cure! The Movie: Wonderous! Cure Mofurun! - Kirakira Pretty Cure a la Mode: Crisply! The Memory of Mille-feuille! - Star Twinkle PreCure the Movie: These Feelings Within The Song Of Stars - Healin' Good♡PreCure the Movie: GoGo! Big Transformation! The Town of Dreams
Reviewer’s Rating: 1
What did you think of this review?
Nice
0
Love it
0
Funny
0
Confusing
0
Informative
0
Well-written
0
Creative
0Show all 
Dec 20, 2020 Not Recommended
"O time, for thou art fair beyond measure.
I wish upon your unending star — guide me to heights unknown! Come, gather and bear witness to my opera, now in the making. Its script is the height of cliché, I am forced to admit. And yet… Its actors are of the finest fold; beyond exquisite. Thus, I believe you will find it enthralling." This story is, as if, a person sat down and thought of every spectacular "rule of cool" trope they could sink into a single script! But, despite the weird-sounding story and the bad anime adaptation, "Dies irae" is a very interesting narrative! It was ... so interesting, in fact, that despite the aching eyesore of an anime, I started reading the visual novel last year! ⚠️ This review will be spoiler-free ⚠️ —Story/Characters I would say that this series is the ※Light-version of TYPE-MOON's Fate/stay night. It falls somewhere between the lines of Fate/Zero and something like ※Full Metal Daemon: Muramasa. Originally named after a Gregorian chant meant to invoke death, it is a chimerical mishmash of arcane magic, history, and utter absurdity — though, you could also describe the Fate franchise similarly. The adaptation of the story splutters and fumbles on a lot of narrative cues, but it's clear that the original story script had a lot of thought put into it. ※Light is a visual novel company. "Full Metal Daemon: Muramasa" is another speculative fiction piece about Shogunate-era human swords and mecha battles, produced by the famous visual novel studio, Nitroplus. Takashi Masada's style of writing in the story is very similar to that of Gen ※Urobuchi (real name: "Gen Ikubo"). I have mentioned the philosophical study and dynamics between Madoka Kaname and Homura Akemi in "Mahō Shōjo Madoka☆Magica" briefly in my other reviews: Madoka is innocent because she is bereft of human desire, whereas Homura is corrupted and sinful because she is overwrought with it. Well, the character of Marie is more of an equilibrium of the two. Like, Saya from "Saya no Uta" — Marie is pure, because she kills without intent. With how similar some of the plot devices are, I would have sworn that "Takashi Masada" is one of Gen Urobuchi's pseudonyms! ※The characters for Urobuchi (虚淵) literally mean "imaginary" The story often harkens to Nietzschean philosophy, for there is an apparent absence of a God, as two factions of highly skilled sorcerers fight for dominion over reality, the main character ("Ren Fujii") even has the power of Zarathustra, named after Friedrich Nietzsche's famous novel, "Thus Spoke Zarathustra"! While the concept and the modus operandi on each side of the conflict has a fleshed out reason for wanting to gain control of the corporeal expanse of human civilization, some of the naming seems like purposefully démodé verbage to invoke a sense of coolness and false intellect. The bare bones summarization of this plot, is this: good guys fighting an immortal Nazi brigade, overcoming past traumas and a falling-out with a friend, and a large cast of bishōjo characters that have their own respective strengths, because, of course! That's more or less what it comes down to. The depiction of the Nazi characters in this story are very similar to the Millennium organization in "Hellsing Ultimate" — these guys are bloodthirsty, hedonistic freaks, that prioritize scientific research and authoritarianism, over the lives of the population at large! And it's up to the lone wolf, Ren Fujii, and his contract with the soul of Maguerite Breuilh (the ethereal sword) to protect his friends and all of Tokyo, from a firestorm of genocide. The first episode ("Episode 0") is absolutely awful, I wouldn't say to completely skip it, but I would ignore the bad quality and give the show a three episode test, before deciding to drop it. It has a "Divergence Eve"-level of bad in the first episode, if you've read my review on that. It's full of choppy animation and makes references to things that aren't supposed to be revealed until later down the line, so it's incredibly confusing and hard to comprehend, from the very start. —Technical Luna's Favorite Works by Each Respective Creator = ✅ Susumu Kudō (director), notable works: * Baby☆Love * Chance Triangle Session ✅ * Cheburashka Arere? * Dear Boys * Hachigatsu no Cinderella Nine (TV) * Honō no Mirage * K ✅ * Kimi ga Aruji de Shitsuji ga Ore de * Koisuru Tenshi Angelique: Kagayaki no Ashita * Kōkaku Kidōtai Arise: Ghost in the Shell — Border: 4 Ghost Stands Alone * Magic Kaito 1412 * Mardock Scramble * Minami Kamakura Kōkō Joshi Jitenshabu * Sakura Taisen: Gōka Kenran ※Bonus: Mr. Kudō is slated to direct the "Tokyo Babylon" remake: "Tokyo Babylon 2021"! Commentary: While the directing and sloppy choreography in "Dies irae" is often hard to watch, like his prior feats with "Chance Triangle Session" and "K" — the story does eventually come together in the end. So, I wouldn't say that Mr. Kudō is the worst director ever. Like, I've stated in my previous visual novel adaptation reviews, I think it's impossible to fit an 8+ hour (often even 10+ hour) story in a single cour series! Please! Give some levity to the staff and make these adaptations at least twenty-six episodes, or something! Compared to ChäoS;HEAd, and some of the other visual novel adaptations that I have reviewed, I would say that this one is a little bit easier to comprehend! Its failures are in the pacing and exposition, but I would much rather have a story move at a hurried pace, than move languidly and have the plot be fractured by the lack of clarity. I watched "Dies Irae" with the English dub, so I will list the Japanese seiyū, but comments will be on the performances of the English voice actors. Good Seiyū Work = ✅ Really Enjoyed the Seiyū's Performance = ✅ ✅ One of Luna's Favorite Performances OF ALL TIME = ✅ ✅ ✅ Preface: First of all, I want to say that the English cast of "Dies irae" did a great job, the anime adaptation is considered to be one of the worst visual novel adaptations of all time, but they somehow managed to still make it palatable and entertaining! My second point is that the fake German accents sounded very cringe-worthy, I'm sure that it's something that's hard to pull off. Heck, "Hellsing Ultimate" has one of the most commendable English dubs of all time and the Fürer's voice was still awkward to listen to. So, I don't blame any of the actors for that, especially if the cast of actors aren't accustomed to speaking German as their second language. I think, to this day, Tiffany Grant's performance as Asuka Soryū ("Neon Genesis Evangelion") was the only dub with a German accent, that I thought was actually good. I added this small segment, because I didn't want to have to write on every single commentary section for the Nazi characters: "the German accent could have been better." Kōsuke Toriumi as Ren Fujii, notable roles: * Rajendra, Arslan Senki (TV) * Sakutarō Yashamaru, B-Project * Ryūhei Aoi, Baby Steps * Gennosuke Kōga, Basilisk * Girge, Break Blade * Azusa Asahina, Brothers Conflict * Tarō Misaki, Captain Tsubasa * Chopin, ClassicaLoid ✅ * Pierre Anō, Code Geass: Akito the Exiled * Rik Heisenberg, Di Gi Charat ✅ ✅ * Shū Sakamaki, Diabolik Lovers * Valério Calvados, Dog Days * Acnologia, Fairy Tail * Archer ("Robin Hood"), Fate/Extra: Last Encore * Ivan Konev, Ginga Eiyū Densetsu: Die Neue These ("The Legend of the Galactic Heroes: The New Thesis") ✅ * Kiyōmi Sakusa, Haikyū!! ✅ * Kibana ("Raihan"), Pokémon: Hakumei no Tsubasa ("Twilight Wings") ✅ * Hajime Saitō, Hakuōki ✅ ✅ ✅ * Himuro Saeki, Hayate no Gotoku! ("Hayate the Combat Butler") * Zhāng Lìngyú, Hitori no Shita: The Outcast * Kyōsuke Kanō, Hungry Heart: Wild Striker * Guido Mista, JoJo no Kimyō na Bōken Part 5: Ōgon no Kaze ("JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind") ✅ ✅ * Haruhiko Usami, Junjō Romantica ✅ ✅ * Tatsumi Kyōdai Otōto ("Year of the Snake"), Jūni Taisen ✅ ✅ * Kō'ichi Azuma, Kimi to Boku. * Bǐngwěi ("Ping Wei"), Kingdom * Kuchiba, Kujira no Kora was Saijō no Utau ("Children of the Whales") ✅ * Kōsuke Wakamatsu, Kuroko no Basket ✅ * Sigma, Kyōkūgen Dasshutsu ADV: Zennin Shibō * Shirusu Mochizuki, Makura no Danshi ("Pillow Boys") * Otojirō Kawakami, Meiji Tokyo Renka * Asemu Asuno, Kidō Senshi Gundam AGE * Naze Turbine, Kidō Senshi Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans ✅ * Uroko, Nagi no Asu kara ✅ ✅ * Kiba Inuzuka, Naruto ✅ ✅ * Kurotabō, Nurarihyon no Mago * Gilbert Nightray, Pandora Hearts ✅ * Shintaro, Papuwa * Heisuke Tōdō, Peace Maker Kurogane * Junpei Iori, Persona 3 * Saizō, Pokémon XY * Orledo, Pumpkin Scissors * Shinya Miyasaka, Room Mate * Ni Jianyi, Saiyūki Reload ✅ * Yasubee Morozumi, Sekai Seifuku: Bōryaku no Zvezda ✅ * Kenshin Uesugi, Sengoku Night Blood * Hayate, Shin Shirayuki-hime Densetsu Prétear * Satoru Watabe, Stand My Heroes: Piece of Truth * Yuri Lowell, Tales of Vesperia ✅ ✅ * Kiyosumi Sengoku, Tennis no Ōji-sama ("Prince of Tennis") * Yūji Kōsaka, To Heart 2 ✅ ✅ * Akira, Togainu no Chi * Kyōya Date, Gekijōban Tokimeki Restaurant ☆☆☆ MIRACLE6 * Mikazuki Munechika, Tōken Ranbu ✅ ✅ ✅ * Shun Kazami, Towa no Quon * Hot Shot, Transformers Superlink * Hajime Mutsuki, Tsukipro * Cecil Aijima, Uta no☆Prince-sama♪ * Shun Nanase, VitaminX Addiction * Tanya Degurechaff, Yōjo Senki ✅ ✅ * Shunsuke Imaizumi, Yowamushi Petal ✅ ✅ Brandon McInnis as Ren Fujii, notable roles: * Corteo, 91 Days * Saku Otonomiya, Actors: Songs Connection * Mirai Sasaki, Boku no Hero Academia ✅ * Saint-Germain, Code Realize ✅ * Sōnosuke Izayoi, Danganronpa 3 * Gen Asagiri, Dr. Stone * Ganos, Dragon Ball Super * Keita Amano, Gamers! * Yūto Suō, Hyakuren no Haō to Seiyaku no Valkyria * August von Earlshide, Kenja no Majo * Samon Gokū, Nanbaka * Yūta Hibiki, SSSS. Gridman * Atsushi Tōshirō, Tōken Ranbu Commentary: I'm probably going to mention this a lot, but I don't listen to many modern anime English voice tracks, so I haven't heard many of Mr. McInnis' roles. I did think his work as Ren Fujii was passable as a visual novel protagonist though, not that memorable, but not terrible either. Yui Sakakibara as Marie, notable roles: * Ayase Kishimoto, ChäoS;HEAd ✅ * Haruhi Kamisaka, Happiness! * Priecia, Prism Ark * Mikanagi Ibuki, Prism Magical: Prism Generations! * Niina Nikage, Saishū Shiken Kujira * Nono Nekomiya, Yotsunoha Jad Saxton as Marie, notable roles: * Natsu Iwaishimizu, 7 Seeds * Matome Mayonaka, Akiba's Trip * Illustrious, Azur Lane * Sena Kashiwazaki, Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai * Jean Rowe, Code Geass: Akito the Exiled * Kikko Hoshino, Concrete Revolutio: Chōjin Gensō * Ruruka Andō, Danganronpa 3 * Miku Izayoi, Date A Live * Nona, Death Parade * Mira Yurizaki, Dimension W * Haru, Dōkyonin wa Hiza, Tokidoki, Atama no Ue. ("My Roommate is a Cat") * Tamaki Kotatsu, Enen no Shōbōtai ("Fire Force") * Elena Peoples, Eureka Seven AO * Charlés, Fairy Tail ✅ ✅ * Masako Hara, Ghost Hunt * Merry, Hai to Gensō no Grimgar * Reki, Hidan no Aria * Koneko Tōjō, High School DxD * Kirie Motoba, Himōto! Umaru-chan * Linnea, Hyakuren no Haō to Seiyaku no Valkyria * Rem Galeu, Isekai Maō to Shōkan Shōjo no Dorei Majutsu ("How Not to Summon a Demon Lord") * Lashara Aasu XXVIII, Isekai no Seikishi Monogatari ("Tenchi Muyo! War on Geminar") * Rinne Ohara, Island * Sally, Itai no wa Iya nano de Bōgyoryoku ni Kyokufuri Shitai to Omoimasu. * Misaki Sakurada, Jōkamachi no Dandelion ("Castle Town Dandelion") * Chika Fujiwara, Kaguya-sama wa Kokurasetai ("Kaguya-sama: Love is War") * Suzuna Ayusawa, Kaichō wa Maid-sama * Naka, Kantai Collection ("KanColle") * Tsukumo, Karneval (TV) ✅ * Kanna Kamui, Kobayashi-san Chi no Maid Dragon * Sakura, Konohana Kitan * Haruna, Kore wa Zombie Desu ka? * Logikoma, Kōkaku Kidōtai ("Ghost in the Shell") —Arise series * Fam Fan Fan, Last Exile: Ginyoku no Fam * Akatsuki, Log Horizon ✅ ✅ * Chika Takami, Love Live! Sunshine!! * Mana Asuha, Luck & Logic * Ludmila Lourie, Maden no Ō to Vanadis * Celia Ōtsuka, Maken-Ki! * Hana Morenos, Michiko to Hatchin ✅ ✅ * Otone Fujishiro, Mikagura Gakuen Kumikyoku (TV) * Ruru, Musaigen no Phantom World * Momiji Mochizuki, New Game!! * Hakase Shinonome, Nichijō * Shio Ogura, Nobunagun * Ringo Kinoshita, Nōrin * Robin Nico and Nojiko, One Piece ✅ ✅ * Yuki, Ōkami Kodomo no Ame to Yuki * Kei Tiesto, Regalia: The Three Sacred Stars * Guri, Renai Bōkun ("Love Tyrant") * Ai Hibiki, Rolling☆Girls * Shizuno Urushibara, Seiken Tsukai no World Break * Iona Urazoe, Selector Spread WIXOSS * Megumi Tadakoro, Shokugeki no Sōma ("Food Wars") * Un, Show By Rock!! * Astaroth, Sin: Nanatsu no Taizai * Rumiho Akiha, Steins;Gate ✅ ✅ ✅ * Perrine H. Clostermann, Strike Witches * Komoe Tsukuyomi, Toaru Majutsu no Index * Yume Tsubakuro, Toji no Miko ✅ ✅ * Yoriko Kosaka, Tokyo Ghoul * Akita Tōshirō, Tōken Ranbu * Sora, Trinity Seven * Momoka Sagara, Valkyrie Drive: Mermaid * Lisa Mishima, Zankyō no Terror Commentary: Ms. Saxton has a really pleasant-sounding voice, with that said, her performance as Marie was very cute and charming! I would compare it to her roles as Hana Morenos ("Michiko to Hatchin") and Akatsuki ("Log Horizon")! Very sweet and innocent-sounding! Jun'ichi Suwabe as Reinhard Tristan Eugen Heydrich, notable roles: * Frau, 07-Ghost * Groshuler, ACCA: 13-Territory Inspection Dept. * Jae-ha, Akatsuki no Yona ✅ ✅ * Briareos, Appleseed Alpha * Shinta Fukuda, Bakuman. ✅ ✅ * Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez, Bleach ✅ ✅ * Shōta Aizawa ("Eraserhead"), Boku no Hero Academia ✅ ✅ * Kaname Asahina, Brothers Conflict * Sakunosuke Oda, Bungō Stray Dogs ✅ ✅ * Ryūnosuke Akutagawa, Bungō to Alchemist: Shinpan no Haguruma * Nobuto Nakajō, Bus Gamer * Narihira Ariwara no, Chōyaku Hyakuninisshu: Uta Koi. ✅ * Hiroshi Inaba, Cuticle Tantei Inaba * Jūzō Sakakura, Danganronpa 3 ✅ * Tetsuo Takahashi, Demi-chan wa Kataritai * Yamato Hōtsuin, Devil Survivor 2 the Animation * Gio, Dragonaut: The Resonance * Ein, DT Eightron * Nagisa Ran, Ensemble Stars ✅ ✅ * Freed Justine, Fairy Tail ✅ * Saber ("Siegfried"), Fate/Apocrypha ✅ * Archer ("Emiya"), Fate/stay night ✅ ✅ ✅ * Tseng, Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children ✅ * Greed, Fullmetal Alchemist ✅ ✅ * Katana, Gad Guard ✅ ✅ ✅ * Worick Arcangelo, Gangsta. * Yōji Itami, Gate ✅ * Paul von Oberstein, Ginga Eiyū Densetsu: Die Neue These ("The Legend of the Galactic Heroes: The New Thesis") ✅ ✅ * Laurent Thierry, Great Pretender * Jugan Meinstron, Gundam: G no Reconguista ✅ * Zhào Míngchéng, Hanasakeru Seishōnen ✅ * Takashi Komuro, Highschool of the Dead ✅ * Tenshu, Isekai Shokudō * Leone Abbacchio, JoJo no Kimyō na Bōken Part 5: Ōgon no Kaze ("JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind") ✅ ✅ * Cháng Lín Jùn, Kingdom * Daiki Aomine, Kuroko's Basketball ✅ ✅ ✅ * Undertaker, Kuroshitsuji ("Black Butler") ✅ ✅ ✅ * Maguro Kurokami, Medaka Box ✅ * Yukiya Minabe, Meganebu! * Shirogane, Monochrome Factor * Raikō Shimizu, Nabari no Ō * Jūzō Inui, No Guns Life * Rick Thunderbolt, Oban Star-Racers * Hayato Narita, Ore-tachi ni Tsubasa wa Nai * Kyōsuke Kuga, Prince of Stride: Alternative * Ren Nekoyashiki, Rental Magica * Kyōsui Tougoku, Rokuhōdō Yotsuiro Biyori * Eden Orion, Saint Seiya Omega ✅ ✅ * Kuroto Nakano, Sewayaki Kitsune no Senko-san * Friagne, Shakugan no Shana ✅ ✅ * Sadahiro Mibu, Shikabane Hime * Akira Hayama, Shokugeki no Sōma ("Food Wars") ✅ ✅ * Dandy, Space☆Dandy ✅ * Emmerson T. Kenny, Star Ocean: Anamnesis * Itsuki Ōtori, Starmyu * Balrog ("Vega"), Street Fighter IV: Aratanaru Kizuna ✅ ✅ * Seiran Shinano, Suteki Tantei Labyrinth * Bercōli Synthesis One, Sword Art Online ✅ ✅ * Keigo Atobe, Tennis no Ōji-sama ("Prince of Tennis") * Sengo Muramasa, Tōken Ranbu ✅ ✅ ✅ * Cain Nightroad, Trinity Blood ✅ ✅ * Yaichirō Shimogamo, Uchōten Kazoku ("The Eccentric Family") ✅ ✅ ✅ * Vulgar Hummer, Uchū Senkan Tiramisù ✅ * Ren Jingūji, Uta no☆Prince-sama♪ * Akatsuki Kain, Vampire Knight * Robert Nicholas, Vatican Kiseki Chōsakan * Fūma Monō, X ✅ ✅ * Masaki Jōgasaki, Yojōhan Shinwa Taikei ✅ ✅ * Nise Jōgasaki, Yoru wa Mijikashi Arukeyo Otome * Doctor Kiriko, Young Black Jack ✅ ✅ * Tōji Kanzaki, Yowamushi Petal * Life Sexy, Yuri Kuma Arashi ✅ ✅ * Victor Nikiforov, Yuri!! on Ice ✅ ✅ * Andy Hinomiya, Zettai Karen Children Dave Trosko as Reinhard Tristan Eugen Heydrich, notable roles: * Ronaldo, 91 Days * Tomoya Seo, Ansatsu Kyōshitsu ("Assassination Classroom") * Hizashi Yamada, Boku no Hero Academia ✅ * Soramaru Kumō, Donten ni Warau ("Laughing Under the Clouds") * Spain, Hetalia Axis Powers * Kaminaga, Joker Game * Saku Hagita, Orange * Guren Ichinose, Owari no Seraph Commentary: I can't say that I was the biggest fan of Mr. Trosko as Reinhard Tristan Eugen Heydrich, his portrayal of the big-bad came off a more of a "simp" than an all-powerful, denizen of evil. So, a pretty mediocre performance, but when matched against the legendary Mr. Suwabe, any casting choice would look weak by comparison. Hitomi Nabatame as Rea Himuro, notable roles: * Nanao Ise, Bleach * Noi, Blue Dragon: Tenkai no Shichi Ryū * Kanade Sakurai, Candy Boy ✅ * Kiri Kikyō, Canvas 2: Niji-iro no Sketch * Sena Aoi, ChäoS;HEAd ✅ ✅ ✅ * Mana Aida, Dokidoki! PreCure ✅ * Bazett Fraga McRemitz, Fate/kaleid liner Prisma☆Illya * Kanade Yūki, Fortune Arterial: Akai Yakusoku * Kei Kishimoto, Gantz ✅ * Erika Itsumi, Girls und Panzer ✅ ✅ ✅ * Kanade Jinguji, Gokujō Seitokai * Yukiji Katsura, Hayate no Gotoku! ("Hayate the Combat Butler") * Raynare, High School DxD ✅ * Sphene, Hōseki no Kuni ✅ ✅ * Nobue Itō, Ichigo Mashimaro ("Strawberry Marshmallow") ✅ ✅ * Unchō Kan'u, Ikkitōsen ✅ * Eriko Takahashi, Joshikōsei: Girl's High * Momoko Orizuka, Kenkō Zenrakei Suieibu Umishō * Sonken Chūbō, Kōtetsu Sangokushi * Rokumon, Kyōkai no Rinne ("RIN-NE") * Yuna Miyama, Maburaho * Eriko Torii, Maria-sama ga Miteru ✅ ✅ * Rina Tachibana, Mushi-Uta ✅ * Miki Onimaru, Muteki Kanban Musume * Cryska Barchenowa, Muv-Luv Alternative: Total Eclipse ✅ ✅ * Niboshi, Nyamen * Reiko Shirai, Ōyasan wa Shishunki! * Saori Makishima, Ore no Imōto ga Konnani Kawaii Wake ga Nai ✅ ✅ * Shizuru, Princess Connect! Re:Dive ✅ * Kagura, Prism Ark * Hime Petit, Prism Magical: Prism Generations! * Shizuka, Queen's Blade ✅ * Liru, Renkin 3-kyū Magical? Pokān * Matsuri, Rocket Girls * Mikoto Suō, School Rumble * Uzume, Sekirei * Margery Daw, Shakugan no Shana ✅ ✅ * Arcueid Brunestud, Shingetsutan Tsukihime ✅ ✅ ✅ * Akira Tōdō, Special A * Shizuma Hanazono, Strawberry Panic ✅ ✅ * Fanatio Synthesis Two, Sword Art Online ✅ * Yuma Tonami, To Heart 2 ✅ * Eirin Yagokoro, 東方 Niji Sōsaku Dōjin Anime: Musō Kakyō ✅ ✅ * Vivienne Ōtori, UG☆Ultimate Girls * Minami Yūri, VitaminX Addiction * Akane Ryūzōji, Walkure Romance * Kazusa Tōma, White Album 2 ✅ ✅ * Ryoko Yakushiji, Yakushiji Ryōko no Kaiki Jikenbo * Feena Fam Earthlight, Yoake Mae yori Ruriiro na: Crescent Love * Misa Anehara, Yoku Wakaru Gendai Mahō Trina Nishimura as Rea Himuro, notable roles: * Sakuya, .hack//Quantum * Rachel, Baccano! * Aiko Kudō, Baka to Test to Shōkanjū * Sen Yarizui, Ben-To * Kyōka Jirō, Boku no Hero Academia ✅ ✅ ✅ * Měilíng Lǐ ("Stéphanie"), Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card-hen * Luna Kozuki, Casshern Sins ✅ * Flora and Sophia, Claymore * Ellen Mira Mathers, Date A Live * Ganta Igarashi, Deadman Wonderland * Ryoko Kakei, Dragonaut: The Resonance * Kaaya, Druaga no Tō: The Aegis of Uruk * Nadie, El Cazador de la Bruja * Sherry Blendy, Fairy Tail * Akito Sōma, Fruits Basket (2019) * Lán Fán, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood ✅ ✅ * Gina, Garo: The Vanishing Line * Lán-Māo ("Ran-Mao"), Kuroshitsuji ("Black Butler") * Sarah Kazuno, Love Live! Sunshine!! * Chāo Língyīn ("Lingshen"), Mahō Sensei Negima! * Chacha Akaza, Maken-Ki! * Asuhi Imizu, Mikagura Gakuen Kumikyoku (TV) * Naville, Monster Hunter Stories: Ride On * Ako Tamaki, Netoge no Yome wa Onnanoko ja Nai to Omotta? * Nancy Lee, Ninja Slayer from Animation * Mari Illustrious Makinami, Rebuild of Evangelion ✅ ✅ * Akira Takano, School Rumble * Benitsubasa, Sekirei * Yomi, Senran Kagura * Mikasa Ackerman, Shingeki no Kyojin ✅ ✅ * Sohara Mitsuki, Sora no Otoshimono * Mizune, Soul Eater ✅ ✅ * Kurise Makise, Steins;Gate ✅ ✅ ✅ * Francesca Lucchini, Strike Witches * Hisca Aiheap, Tales of Vesperia * Milly Thompson, Trigun: Badlands Rumble * Chii, Tsubasa Chronicle * Kasumi Shigure, Valkyrie Drive: Mermaid * Shiori Tsuzuki, Witchblade ✅ ✅ * Lia Dragonell, World Destruction: Sekai Bokumetsu no Rokunin * Arisu Sakayanagi, Yōkoso Jitsuryoku Shijō Shugi no Kyōshitsu e (TV) * Aya Iseshima, Zettai Shōgeki: Platonic Heart Commentary: Ms. Nishimura did a great job with the character, I think she was able to convey her subtle, erotic appeal and social demureness really well. Wonderful work! Ayaka Fukuhara as Kasumi Ayase, notable roles: * Bismarck, Azur Lane ✅ ✅ * Veronica Thorne, Fairy Gone * G11, Girls Frontline ✅ ✅ * Sayaka Igurashi, Kakegurui ✅ * Grea, Manaria Friends ✅ ✅ ✅ * Hotaru Rindō, Qualidea Code * Anastasia Palma, Shin Sakura Taisen the Animation * Rin Shibuya, The iDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls ✅ ✅ ✅ * Lugh, Trinity Seven * Kogetsuhime, Yakusoku no Nanaya Matsuri Madeleine Morris as Kasumi Ayase, notable roles: * Madoka Aoyagi, Ao no Kanata no Four Rhythm ✅ ✅ * Javelin, Azur Lane * Yui Kodai, Boku no Hero Academia ✅ ✅ * Hikari Karibuchi, Brave Witches ✅ ✅ * Hibiki Sakura, Dumbbell Nan Kilo Moteru? * Sophia Hennes, Garo: Vanishing Line * Frederica Greenhill, Ginga Eiyū Densetsu: Die Neue These ("The Legend of the Galactic Heroes: The New Thesis") * Akari Mamiya, Hidan no Aria * Mashiro Kyōbashi, Hina Logi: From Luck & Logic * Midori Ōno, Hōkago Saikoro Club ✅ ✅ ✅ * Eru Chitanda, Hyōka * Glebsklem, Isekai Maō to Shōkan Shōjo no Dorei Majutsu ("How Not to Summon a Demon Lord") * Miko Iino, Kaguya-sama wa Kokurasetai ("Kaguya-sama: Love is War") * Miyu, Kanojo to Kanojo no Neko: Everything Flows * Yuika Koga, Kawaikereba Hentai demo Suki ni Natte Kuremasu ka? ("Hensuki: Are you willing to fall in love with a pervert, as long as she's a cutie?") * Nami Nanase, Keijo!!!!!!!! * Araiguma ("Common Raccoon"), Kemono Friends * Fav, Mahō Shōjo Ikusei Keikaku * Hotaru Hoshikawa, New Game!! * Maria Totsuka, Sin: Nanatsu no Taizai * Arthur de Richemont, Ulysses: Jeanne d'Arc and the Alchemist Knight Commentary: I haven't listened English track of many anime series that Ms. Morris has starred in, but I can say that from what I've heard, I'm a fan! Her portrayal of Kasumi Ayase, the average-childhood friend character, was so colorful, that it outshined many of her preternatural counterparts! I really loved her as Midori Ōno in "Hōkago Saikoro Club," too! Amazing voice actress! Kei Mizusawa as Kei Sakurai, notable roles: * Asako Kusakabe, Grisaia —series ✅ * Celia Cumani Aintree, Walkure Romance Brittany Lauda as Kei Sakurai, notable roles: * Doctor, Akudama Drive * Opal Zalpha, Aoi Sekai no Chūshin de * Ena Banshōya, Assault Lily: Bouquet * Hammann, Azur Lane * Kanata Shinozaki, Boku no Kanojo ga Majimesugiru Sho-bitch na Ken * Ichigo, Darling in the FranXX ✅ * Liza, Death March kara Hajimaru Isekai Kyōsōkyoku * Kirara Hoshino, Dokyū Hentai HxEros * Yuri Fujishiro, Double Decker! Doug & Kirill * Yuzuriha Ogawa, Dr. Stone * Plug Cryostat, Fight Ippatsu! Jūden-chan!! * Ushikai Musume, Goblin Slayer * Satoko Hōjō, Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Gō * Liones Yelistratova, Hina Logi: From Luck & Logic * Meidri, Ishuzoku Reviewers * Riko, Made in Abyss ✅ * Mai Minakami, Nichijō * Ui Wakana, Okusama ga Seitokaichō! * Mirim, Queen's Blade: Rebellion * Sara Kleis, Regalia: The Three Sacred Stars * Rina Goltschmidt Tachibana, Rio: Rainbow Gate! * Leviathan, Sin: Nanatsu no Taizai Commentary: I haven't seen any of her other series in full, I have only seen clips of the "Darling in the FranXX" and "Made in Abyss" dubs, but Ms. Lauda's performance as Kei Sakurai was very likable! I hope to see her in more dubs! Risato Habuki as Riza Brenner, notable roles: * None Caitlin Glass as Riza Brenner, notable roles: * Elena Lagusa, 91 Days * Lilith Bristol, Absolute Duo * Zessica Wong, Aquarion Evol * London, Azur Lane * Miria Harvent, Baccano! * Mina Ashido, Boku no Hero Academia ✅ * 5pb, Chōjigen Game Neptune ("Hyperdimension Neptunia") ✅ * Deneve, Claymore * Kyōko Kirigiri, Danganronpa * Evergreen, Fairy Tail ✅ * Phryne, Fractale * Miho Amakata, Free! * Satellizer el Bridget, Freezing * Winry Rockbell, Fullmetal Alchemist ✅ ✅ ✅ * Sera Mei, Get Ride! AMDriver * Triela, Gunslinger Girl ✅ ✅ * Dhianeila Y Leisha Altoria Ol Yunos, Heroic Age ✅ ✅ ✅ * Claire Harvey, Hundred ✅ ✅ ✅ * Lithia Po Chiina, Isekai no Seikishi Monogatari ("Tenchi Muyo! War on Geminar") * Mildo, Jormungund ✅ ✅ * Sharyū ("Year of the Monkey"), Jūni Taisen * Irene Adler, Kabukichō Sherlock * Margay, Kemono Friends * Sarasvati, Kore wa Zombie Desu ka? * Hannah Anafeloz, Kuroshitsuji II ("Black Butler II") * Maki Nishikino, Love Live! * Eleonora Viltaria, Madan no Ō to Vanadis * Chisame Hasegawa and Chachamaru Karakuri, Mahō Sensei Negima! * Minori Rokujō, Makne-Ki! * Killer Queen, Mao-sama, Retry! * Pepê Lima, Michiko to Hatchin ✅ ✅ ✅ * Hinata Hino, Mirai Nikki * Yatorishino Igsem, Nejimaki Seirei Senki: Tenkyō no Alderamin * Umika Ahagon, New Game! * Jess Beckham, Nobunagun * Wakadanna, Nōrin * Vivi Nefertari, One Piece * Haruhi Fujioka, Ōran Kōkō Host Club ✅ ✅ * Diancie, Pokémon * Mélie, Radiant * Judia, Ragnarök the Animation * Maya Ibuki, Rebuild of Evangelion ✅ ✅ ✅ * Erica Fontaine, Sakura Taisen: École de Paris * Yakumo Tsukamoto and Megumi Sagano, School Rumble * Hanayo, Selector Infected WIXOSS * Bel Peol, ※Shakugan no Shana * Petra Ral, Shingeki no Kyojin * Retoree, Show By Rock!! * Nerine, Shuffle! ✅ ✅ ✅ * Kyōko Mogami, Skip Beat! * Accela Warrick, Solty Rei * Sara Werec, Sōkō no Strain * Hiyono Yuizaki, Spiral: Suiri no Kizuna * Cammy White and Eliza Masters, Street Fighter IV: Aratanaru Kizuna * Eila Ilmatar Jūtilainen, Strike Witches * Rose, Tales of Zestiria * Hitomi Kanzaki, Tenkū no Escaflowne ✅ ✅ * Natsume Tsuchimikado, Tokyo Ravens * Aoi, Witchblade ✅ * Mitsuko Yurizono, Yuri Kuma Arashi * Saki Nikaidō, Zombieland Saga ※Seasons 2 and 3 Commentary: You can probably tell by the green checkmarks, so there's no reason to put a preamble to the statement — I'm a big fan of Ms. Glass' filmography! She has a very charismatic presence in any role that she's cast in! I have only played a little bit of the "Dies Irae" visual novel, but I'm sure that Ms. Glass has outshined her Japanese counterpart. Mostly, because the original seiyū has only starred in hardcore hentai roles! Her role as Riza Brenner was placid and sultry, like her roles as Nerine ("Shuffle!") and Claire Harvey ("Hundred"). Very talented and enigmatic as an actress! Yuka Inokuchi as Rusalka Schwägelin, notable roles: * Saya Saginomiya, Canvas 2 * Rin Kamishiro, Maburaho * Zazie Rainyday, Mahō Sensei Negima! * Vanilla, Nekopara Jeannie Tirado as Rusalka Schwägelin, notable roles: * Iu Shindō, 100-man no Inochi no Ue ni Ore wa Tatteiru * Carole, Carole & Tuesday ✅ ✅ * RyuZu, Clockwork Planet * Leila Malcal, Code Geass: Akito the Exiled * Kokoro, Darling in the FranXX ✅ * Pan, Dragon Ball Super * Koyuki Hinashi, Fūka * Siluca Meletes, Grancrest Senki * Yume, Hai to Gensō no Grimgar * Lutz, Honzuki no Gekokujō: Shisho ni Naru Tame ni wa Shudan wo Erandeiraremasen * Teru Sakurada, Jōkamachi no Dandelion ("Castle Town Dandelion") * Kaga, Kantai Collection ("KanColle") * Adeltrud Olter, Knight's & Magic * Riko Sakurauchi, Love Live! Sunshine!! * Koito Minase, Musaigen no Phantom World * Koala, One Piece * Takako Chino, Orange * Hakua Shiodome, Ore ga Ojō-sama Gakkō ni "Shomin Sample" Toshite Gets♥Sareta Ken * Katarina Claes, Otome Game no Hametsu Flag shika Nai Akuyaku Reijō ni Tensei shiteshimatta... ("My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom!") * Chizuru Hishiro, ReLIFE * Sortiliena Serlut, Sword Art Online * Hiyori Jūjō, Toji no Miko ✅ ✅ * Satsuki Sasahara, Tsuredure Children * Akira Yamamoto, Uchū Senkan Yamato 2199 * Kae Serinuma, Watashi ga Motete Dōsunda * Norman, Yakusoku no Neverland * Mikoto Asuka, Yamada-kun to 7-nin no Majo (TV) ✅ ✅ * Viktoriya Ivanovna Serebryakova, Yōjo Senki Commentary: Haven't heard many of Ms. Tirado's performances, but she came across as very likable, voicing the fiery, Rusalka Schwägelin! I hope to hear her voice in more future anime releases! Yūki Tamaki as Wolfgang Schreiber, notable roles: * Coby Hansen, Transformers Galaxy Force Mikaela Krantz as Wolfgang Schreiber, notable roles: * Prinz Eugen, Azur Lane * Keroberos, Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card-hen * Suzune Kagami, Denpa Kyōshi (TV) * Marsha, Drifters * Tori Himemiya, Ensemble Stars * Beth Vanderwood, Fairy Tail ✅ * Momiji Sōma, Fruits Basket (2019) ✅ ✅ ✅ * Kintoki, Garo: Guren no Tsuki * Yayoi Tachibana, Hina Logi: From Luck & Logic * Emilia, Hōkago Saikoro Club ✅ ✅ * Emilie Crossfode, Hundred ✅ ✅ ✅ * Nemesis, Infinite Dendrogram * Shokaku, Kantai Collection ("KanColle") * Maya Sakashiro, Keijo!!!!!!!! * Naoko Yamamoto, Mahō Shōjo Ikusei Keikaku * Reiko Arisugawa, Ore ga Ojō-sama Gakkō ni "Shomin Sample" Toshite Gets♥Sareta Ken * Erina Shindō, Ore, Twintail ni Narimasu. * Clementine, Overlord * Horn Skuld, Owari no Seraph * Saraka Tsukai, Seikaisuru Kado ("KADO: The Right Answer") * Elena Arshavina, Seiken Tsukai no World Break * Hyōka Fuwa, Shimoneta to Iu Gainen ga Sonzai Shinai Taikutsu na Sekai * Logia, Show By Rock!! * Misaki Shokuhō, Toaru Kagaku no Railgun * Tōru Mutsuki, Tokyo Ghoul:re * Kaoru Niimi, Uchū Senkan Yamato 2199 ✅ ✅ * Urara Shiraishi, Yamada-kun to 7-nin no Majo (TV) ✅ ✅ Commentary: I thought Ms. Krantz really captured the psychotic, little boy vibe that Wolfgang Schreiber exudes! I really, really loved her as Momiji Sōma ("Fruits Basket (2019)") and Emilie Crossfode ("Hundred"), but it's also nice to see her branch out and play some of the more malevolent characters! Magnificent voice actress! Takeshi Maeda as Shirō Yusa, notable roles: * Shigeru Miyanomori, Hanayaka Nari, Waga Ichizoku: Kinetograph * Tatsuya Mizuno, Whistle! Austin Tindle as Shirō Yusa, notable roles: * Angelo Lagusa, 91 Days * Jean Otus, ACCA: 13-Territory Inspection Dept. * Obi, Akagami no Shirayuki-hime ✅ ✅ * Karma Akabane, Ansatsu Kyōshitsu ("Assassination Classroom") * Yō Satō, Ben-To * Neito Monoma, Boku no Hero Academia ✅ ✅ * Herlock Sholmès, Code: Realize ✅ ✅ * Kenji Kazama, D-Frag! * Kiyotaka Ishimaru, Danganronpa * Gorō, Darling in the FranXX ✅ ✅ * Natsuo Fuji, Domestic no Kanojo * Sour, Dragon Ball Super * Izumi Sena, Ensemble Stars * Alzack Connell, Fairy Tail ✅ * Rin Matsuoka, Free!: Dive to the Future * Shū Ōma, Guilty Crown ✅ * Tomu Kaneko, Hatsukoi Monster * Seborga, Hetalia Axis Power * Setsuna Sansenkai, Island * Sō'ichi Tsujii, Junji Itō: Collection * Joseph, Junketsu no Maria * Yū Ishigami, Kaguya-sama wa Kokurasetai ("Kaguya-sama: Love is War") * Totomaru Minowa, Kenka Banchō Otome: Girl Beats Boys * Saneyasu Adachi, Kono Oto Tomare! * Ayumu Aikawa, Kore wa Zombie Desu ka? * Ruth, Mahōtsukai no Yome * Torway Remion, Nejimaki Seirei Senki: Tenkyō no Alderamin * Kōsaku Hata, Nōrin * Makoto Sunakawa, Ore Monogatari!! * Sōji Mitsuka — Ore, Twintail ni Narimasu. * Riku Yagami, Prince of Stride: Alternative * Kiyoshi Fujino, Prison School * Senji Aino, Renai Bōkun ("Love Tyrant") * Kunihito Kusanagi, Shangri-La * Marco Bott, Shingeki no Kyojin * Lunarre, Tales of Zestiria * Accelerator, Toaru Majutsu no Index * Ken Keneki, Tokyo Ghoul ✅ ✅ * Yoshio Kobayashi, Trickster: Edogawa Ranpo "Shōnen Tanteidan" yori * Masafumi Akagi, Tsuredure Children Commentary: Mr. Tindle did a really good job at making Shirō Yusa seem like a really big badass in the English dub! I would compare his performance to his roles as Obi ("Akagami no Shirayuki-hime") and Ken Keneki ("Tokyo Ghoul"). Great casting choice! Conclusively, "Dies irae" is clearly a well-thought out story, some even consider it to be Light's magnum opus, but the anime adaptation flounders because there is just way too many vital plot points for it to be compressed into a short series, with only 11 episodes! There's just no way that you could properly adapt everything with such a small window of time! I think that the director and staff did the best that they could with the time constraints, the biggest improvement would have been to put more effort into some of the fight scenes, so I rate the "Dies irae" anime a 4/10! Rating: ★★☆☆☆
Reviewer’s Rating: 4
What did you think of this review?
Nice
0
Love it
0
Funny
0
Confusing
0
Informative
0
Well-written
0
Creative
0Show all 
Dec 19, 2020
Brain Powerd
(Anime)
add
Not Recommended
Brain Powerd is a psychedelic trip, wrapped inside of a sci-fi series, that is then packaged in a parcel that reads "What is the heck is even going on in this series? Really?" which is sent back to the return address, but then the recipient never is given an iota of clarity from the original sender about why the package was ever sent to begin with. Weird, mind-bending, intensely convoluted! But, I do have good memories of watching this series; it was during a single summer and I went swimming afterwards, with it still boggling my mind — I still remember splashing in the cool
...
water, while laughing about the absurdity of it all. So, overall, I would say that I actually really enjoyed "Brain Powerd"!
⚠️ This review will be spoiler-free ⚠️ —Story/Characters From the sources that I have read, Mr. Tomino claims that "Brain Powerd" and its organic robots was an idea that he created before "Neon Genesis Evangelion" ever aired. Though, notably, Mr. Tomino went on to tell Animerica magazine in a March, 2000 interview, that: "He wanted to write an interesting story for Brain Powerd in order to allow those who watched it to do so without having a nervous breakdown and to show fans that there were often other things out there better than anime. Tomino has wished that more animators would see themselves as entertainers, though he admitted that he felt that Brain Powerd was not very entertaining and thus a ※failure in this regard." ※Despite Mr. Tomino's admittance of failure, he went on to create ∀ Gundam after this, so I suppose that everything happened for a reason! I disagree about the part about "Brain Powerd" not being entertaining, but I do admit that there were times that I had to really strain my brain to try to make any sense out of what was going on with the plot. After the banger of an opening, "In My Dream," we're treated to a very show-but-not-tell type of storyline, with quippy, manic dialogues and fast-paced drama — Mr. Tomino's usual schtick. The story seems to convey the idea of warring psyches and the ideologues that each pilot holds dear. The main thesis of the series seems to be: don't dedicate your life to trying to find the answers and just focus on the ones you love; the here and now. "If Victory Gundam was the work of a depressed man, Brain Powerd is the work of a man who has overcome his depression." —TV Tropes Many of the characters are disenfranchised, Jonathan Green hatches a terroristic heist because he never got to spend Christmas with his workaholic parents, and even the main character (Yū Asami) and his sister, ※Quincy Issa, seem to have problems because of their parents abandonment, during their formative years, and many of their memories are at their grandparent's house. Though this series is more insane with its verbal execution, I'll give it one thing: I does ultimately have a more uplifting message than "Neon Genesis Evangelion"! While, the view of women is still highly debatable (whether or not women should give up their careers to be mothers), it is important for people to have meaningful bonds with one another and for family to be a bigger priority than scientific research. It's like Mr. Tomino was trying to say, "Get out of your own head and look at what's around you!" The series was profoundly meaningful in that way! ※Side Note: I thought that Quincy Issa, a.k.a. Iiko Isami, was the most fleshed out female character in the show, and therefore, she was best girl. There are implications that this show is primarily about sex: the rampant nudity in the opening, the phallic areas that are ejected out of the crotches of the "Antibodies"! But, like my thesis in the paragraph earlier, I think it all just a metaphor for human intimacy. If this series is a response to "Neon Genesis Evangelion" and the AT fields, in that are the barriers of the human psyche, the metaphysical driving ego that tears us all apart, it seems that Mr. Tomino has imaginatively tried to find a way to reattach the disconnected wires in our human souls. Though, without a quintessential sea, like in the narrative of "Densetsu Kyojin Ideon"! —Technical Luna's Favorite Works by Each Respective Creator = ✅ Yoshiyuki Tomino (director, script, original creator), notable works: * ∀ Gundam ("Turn A Gundam") ✅ * After War Gundam X * Byston Well Monogatari: Garzey no Tsubasa ✅ * Densetsu Kyojin Ideon ✅ * Gundam Build Fighters * Gundam: G no Reconguista * Jūsenki L-Gaim * Kaitei Shōnen Marine ("Marine Boy") * Mobile Fighter G Gundam ("Kidō Butōden G Gundam") ✅ * Mobile Suit Gundam ("Kidō Senshi Gundam") ✅ * Mobile Suit Gundam 00 ("Kidō Senshi Gundam 00") * Mobile Suit Gundam: War in the Pocket ("Kidō Senshi Gundam: Pocket no Naka no Sensō") ✅ * Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory ("Kidō Senshi Gundam: STARDUST MEMORY") * Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: The Fading Light of Zeon ("Kidō Senshi Gundam: ZION no Zankō") * Mobile Suit Gundam AGE ("Kidō Senshi Gundam AGE") * Mobile Suit Gundam F91 ("Kidō Senshi Gundam F91") ✅ * Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO ("Kidō Senshi Gundam MS IGLOO") * Mobile Suit Gundam NT ("Kidō Senshi Gundam Narrative") * Mobile Suit Gundam SEED ("Kidō Senshi Gundam SEED") —series ✅ * Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt ("Kidō Senshi Gundam Thunderbolt") —series * Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn ("Kidō Senshi Gundam Unicorn") ✅ * Mobile Suit Gundam Wing ("Kidō Senshi Gundam Wing") —series * Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ ("Kidō Senshi Gundam Double Zeta") * Mobile Suit Gundam-san ("Gundam Sōsei") * Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counterattack ("Kidō Senshi Gundam: Gyakushū no Char") ✅ * Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans ("Kidō Senshi Gundam: Tekketsu no Orphans") ✅ * Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team ("Kidō Senshi Gundam: Dai 08 MS Shōtai") ✅ * Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin ("Kidō Senshi Gundam: THE ORIGIN") ✅ * Mobile Suit Gundam: Twilight Axis ("Kidō Senshi Gundam: Twilight AXIS") * Mobile Suit SD Gundam ("Kidō Senshi SD Gundam") —series * Mobile Suit Victory Gundam ("Kidō Senshi V Gundam") * Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam ("Kidō Senshi Z Gundam") —series ✅ * Muteki Chōjin Zanbot 3 ✅ * Muteki Kōjin Daitarn 3 * Overman King Gainer ✅ * Rean no Tsubasa * Ring of Gundam * SD Gundam Force * Seisenshi Dunbine * Sentō Mecha Xabungle * Umi no Triton Commentary: While Mr. Tomino is very great at directing and framing an atmosphere, plus the choreography of the giant robot battles! Like, dang, they are impressive! His script-writing sense is questionable. In some series, like "Kidō Senshi Z Gundam" and "Densetsu Kyojin Ideon" — while the dialogue is absurd, in some cases, the plot is a spirituous tempest. But, with "Brain Powerd"... it's like the story is layered with several coats of cement, before it is anything more than glorified psychobabble. I had high-hopes for "Brain Powerd" because I really liked how steeped in existentialism and philosophy "Densetsu Kyojin Ideon" was. "Brain Powerd" isn't able to reach such a profound impact, unfortunately as it may be. Though, Mr. Tomino did drape this series with his usual colorful characters (※in fact, there were so many, that it was very easy to forget the purpose of some) and flights of fancy, I commend him for making the show entertaining, to say the least. ※26 key characters, not to mention that Quincey Issa and Higgins Saz have very similar designs. I mixed them up a couple of times, at the beginning of the series! Both are thin girls that are on the taller side, with short, brunette fringe-cuts. ⚠️ Disclaimer! I DID watch the English dub version of "Brain Powerd" — but, with that being said, none of the English cast seemed to know what was going on in the series, so their performances are mostly just them blankly reading off the script. They are all very talented in their own respects. I will list all of their work below, but I can't really say anything substantial about any of them, because of the aforementioned explanation. ⚠️ Good Seiyū Work = ✅ Really Enjoyed the Seiyū's Performance = ✅ ✅ One of Luna's Favorite Performances OF ALL TIME = ✅ ✅ ✅ Tetsu Shiratori as Yū Asami, notable roles: * Lloyd Asplund, Code Geass ✅ * Zancrow, Fairy Tail * Gluttony, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood ✅ * Sai Argyle, Kidō Senshi Gundam SEED ✅ * Kōji Aiba, Mugen no Ryvius Matt Smith as Yū Asami, notable roles: * Tenshinhan, Dragon Ball Z ✅ * Hōjō, InuYasha ✅ * Orga Sabnak, Kidō Senshi Gundam SEED Destiny ✅ Akino Murata as Hime Utsumiya, notable roles: * Enora Taft, Kenran Butō Sai: The Mars Daybreak * Sochie Heim, ∀ Gundam ✅ Lalainia Lindbjerg (※eps 1 to 2) as Hime Utsumiya, notable roles: * Alice Sakaguchi, Boku no Chikyū wo Mamotte ✅ ✅ * Bulma, Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z ✅ ✅ * Nobume Imai, Gintama * Mana, Mermaid's Scar * Stellar Loussier, Kidō Senshi Gundam SEED Destiny ✅ ※Maggie Blue O'Hara (eps 3 to 26), notable roles: * Tomoyo Daidōji, Cardcaptor Sakura ✅ ✅ * Bulma (eps 123 to 260), Dragon Ball Z ✅ ✅ ✅ * Juna Ariyoshi, Earth Girl Arjuna ("Chikyū Shōjo Arujuna") ✅ ✅ ✅ * Mariemaia Khushrenada, Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz * Cullen Lucciora, Infinite Ryvius * Karan, InuYasha ✅ ✅ * Nanami Agawa, Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade ✅ ✅ * Mika, Rockman.EXE ("Megaman.EXE") * Holly, Monster Rancher * Lime, Saber Marionette J and R ✅ ✅ ✅ * Sayaka Tachibana, Soul Taker * Ai Amano, Video Girl Ai ✅ ✅ ✅ Atsuko Tanaka as Shiela Glass, notable roles: * Bayonetta, Bayonetta: Bloody Fate * Mary, Detective Conan ✅ ✅ * Silene, Devilman Crybaby ✅ * Mammo, Dokidoki! PreCure ✅ ✅ * Caster ("Medea"), Fate/stay night ✅ ✅ * Soi, Fushigi Yûgi * Kanako Yasaka, Hifū Katsudō Kiroku: The Sealed Esoteric History ✅ ✅ * Fujina, Himiko-den * Mōkaku, Ikkitōsen * Lisa Lisa, JoJo no Kimyō na Bōken ✅ ✅ * Slan, Kenpū Denki Berserk ✅ ✅ * Motoko Kusanagi, Kōkaku Kidōtai ("Ghost in the Shell") ✅ ✅ * Ateria, Mahō Shōjo-tai Arisu * Konan, Naruto: Shippūden ✅ * Pamela Isley ("Poison Ivy"), Ninja Batman * Claudette Vance, Queen's Blade ✅ * Misuzu Suenaga, Salaryman Kintarō * Valeria Vertone, Seihō Bukyō Outlaw Star ✅ * Hisahide Matsunaga, Sengoku Collection * Nina Williams, Tekken: Blood Vengeance * Mishiro, The iDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls ✅ * Kyrie Ushiromiya, Umineko no Naku Koro ni ✅ ✅ ✅ * Akira, Usuzumizakura: Garo * Karura, Utawarerumono ✅ ✅ ✅ * Jagara, Wolf's Rain ✅ Ellen Kennedy as Shiela Glass, notable roles: * Uranai Baba, Dragon Ball Z ✅ * Kyōko Otanashi, Maison Ikkoku ✅ ✅ * Lebia Mavelick, Silent Möbius Romi Park as Karen Gimms, notable roles: * Maki Aikawa, Air Master ✅ ✅ * Kuchiha, Amatsuki * Tōshirō Hitsugaya, Bleach ✅ ✅ * Zola, Blue Dragon * Teresa, Claymore ✅ ✅ * Akane Owari, Danganronpa 3 ✅ ✅ * Ganta Igarashi, Deadman Wonderland ✅ * Ken'ichi Harakawa, Dennō Coil ✅ * Ken Ichijōji, Digimon ✅ ✅ * Reiji Ōzora, Dragon Drive * Edward Elric, Fullmetal Alchemist ✅ ✅ * Natsume Hyūga, Gakuen Alice * Nayuta Moriyama, Gakuen Senki Muryō * Emma Guzman, Garo * Seimei, Garo: Guren no Tsuki * Alex McKenzie, GR: Giant Robo * Switzerland, Hetalia Axis Powers * Higepiyo, Higepiyo * Dahlia, Highlander: The Search for Vengeance * Padparadscha, Hōseki no Kuni ✅ ✅ ✅ * Pakunoda, Hunter x Hunter (2011) ✅ ✅ * Popo, Kaiba ✅ ✅ ✅ * Rei Batsubami, Kakegurui×× * Ragyō Kiryūin, Kill la Kill ✅ ✅ * Gyubid, Kuromajo-san ga Tōru!! * Angelina Durless, Kuroshitsuji ✅ ✅ * Kuromitsu, Kurozuka * Ichirō Irabu, Kūchū Buranko ✅ ✅ ✅ * Taiga Shimizu, Major S3 * Heimdall, Matantei Loki Ragnarok * Myōri Unzen, Medaka Box ✅ * Regene Regetta, Kidō Senshi Gundam 00 * Falis, Murder Princess * Nana Osaki, Nana ✅ ✅ ✅ * Temari, Naruto * Adam Blade, Needless * Tora, Nyanbo! * Omasa, Onihei * Naoto Shiragane, Persona 4 the Animation * Jiro ("Brock"), Pokémon ✅ ✅ * Yūjirō Shihōdani, Princess Princess ✅ * Alma, Radiant * Noboru Maeda, Rainbow: Nisha Rokubō no Shichinin ✅ * Tamayo Kataoka, RideBack ✅ * Katsushiro Okamoto, Samurai 7 * Shute, SD Gundam Force * Karasuba, Sekirei * Kenshin Uesugi, Sengoku Basara * Ren Tao, Shaman King ✅ ✅ * Hange Zoë, Shingeki no Kyojin ✅ * Ayumi Saitō, Shion no Ō * Chloe and Kurt Klick, Sōsei no Aquarion * Maguro, Sushi Ninja * Kōta Koga, Suteki Tentei Labyrinth * Hamyuts Meseta, Tatakau Shisho: The Book of Bantorra * Maria, TO * Sana Maniwa, Toji no Miko ✅ ✅ * Komatsu, Toriko ✅ * Loran Cehack, ∀ Gundam ✅ ✅ * Kōsuke Ueki, Ueki no Hōsoku * 044, Ultraviolet: Code 044 * Yayoi Shinozuka, White Album ✅ ✅ * Syrup, Yes! PreCure 5 GoGo! * Lù Shêng Máo, Zegapain Saffron Henderson as Karen Gimms, notable roles: * Shenhua, Black Lagoon ✅ * Son Gokū, Dragon Ball ✅ ✅ * Son Gohan, Dragon Ball Z ✅ ✅ * Tetsurō Hoshino, Ginga Tetsudō 999 ✅ ✅ * Sōta Higurashi, InuYasha ✅ * Kentarō Ichinose, Maison Ikkoku ✅ * Lucrezia Noin, Kidō Senshi Gundam Wing ✅ ✅ ✅ * Genki Sakura, Monster Farm: Enbanseki no Himitsu ✅ * Bloodberry, Saber Marionette J ✅ * Edge, Saber Marionette R ✅ * Naria and Eriya, and Yukari Uchida — Tenkū no Escaflowne ✅ ✅ ✅ * Kōshi-kun ("Oxford"), Tottoko Hamtarō Gō Aoba as Jonathan Green, notable roles: * Armbrust, Kiddy Grade ✅ ✅ * Guin Sard Rhineford, ∀ Gundam ✅ Kirby Morrow as Jonathan Green, notable roles: * Rogan, Ark * Zusho-no-Suke Himekawa, Ayakashi: Japanese Classic Horror * Bradley White, Chō Robot Seimeitai Transformers Micron Densetsu ("Transformers Armada") ✅ * Teru Mikami, Death Note * Son Gokū, Dragon Ball Z ✅ ✅ * Miroku, InuYasha ✅ * Billy Katagiri, Kidō Senshi Gundam 00 * Rey Za Burrel, Kidō Senshi Gundam SEED Destiny ✅ * Trowa Barton, Kidō Senshi Gundam Wing ✅ ✅ * Guss Gyunei, Kidō Senshi Gundam: Char's Counterattack ✅ * Yūki Aiba, Mugen no Ryvius * Aikka, Oban Star-Racers * Ryō Takatsuki, Project ARMS * Van Fanel, Tenkū no Escaflowne ✅ ✅ ✅ Kumiko Watanabe as Iiko Isami ("Quincy Issa"), notable roles: * Yurina Sanohara, After War Gundam X * Mother Tachibana, Atashin'chi * Nekomaru Negota, Bakukyū Renpatsu!! Super B-Daman * Gōki Ichimoji and J, Bakusou Kyōdai Let's & Go * JunJun, Bishōjo Senshi Sailor Moon SuperS ✅ * Bonobono, Bonobono (TV) * Tomoki Himi, Digimon Frontier * Gumdramon, Digimon Xros Wars * Regina, Dokidoki! PreCure ✅ ✅ * Héloïse Villefort, Gankutsuō ✅ ✅ * Kei Yung, Gundress ✅ * Pū-chan, Heli-Tako Pū-chan * Shippō, InuYasha ✅ ✅ * Kunyan, Ippatsu Kiki Musume * Keroro and Dororo's mother, Keroro * Katejina Loos, Kidō Senshi Victory Gundam * Kingo Minamoto, Nintama Rantarō * Fukurō and Gari, One Piece * Claire Rondo, Planetes ✅ * Mother Tachibana, Shin Atashin'chi ✅ * C-ko, Shōjo Kakumei Utena ✅ * Fran Doll, ∀ Gundam ✅ ✅ * Kyōko Shirafuji, Working!! ✅ ✅ * Kōta Hoshikawa, Yūsha Exkaiser Jennifer Copping (※eps 1 to 13) as Iiko Isami ("Quincy Issa"), notable roles: * None ※Jillian Michaels (eps 14 to 26), notable roles: * None Maria Kawamura as Higgins Saz, notable roles: * Sakurako Miyagawa, Ayane-chan High Kick! ✅ * Eudial, Bishōjo Senshi Sailor Moon S ✅ ✅ * Cinderella, Cinderella Monogatari * Cleopatra Corns, Cleopatra D.C. * Lachesis Fatima, Five Star Stories ✅ ✅ * Melmo Watari, Fushigi ga Melmo * Eluza and Fortin, Gall Force ✅ ✅ * Bellin Ajelli, Gothicmade: Hana no Utame * Shirin, Harukanaru Toki no Naka de * Gaw Ha Leccee and Lilith Fau, Jūsenki L-Gaim * Lolita, Kaiketsu Zorro * Yui Takanaka, Megazone 23 ✅ * Quess Paraya, Kidō Senshi Gundam: Char's Counterattack ✅ * Beltorchika Irma, Kidō Senshi Zeta Gundam ✅ ✅ * Kyoko Zeppelin Sōryū, Neon Genesis Evangelion ✅ ✅ * Freya, Saint Seiya ✅ ✅ * Cham Fau, Seisenshi Dunbine * Mamiya Chida and A-ko, Shōjo Kakumei Utena ✅ ✅ * Gracia Ul Naga Saillune, Slayers ✅ ✅ ✅ * Jung Freud, Top wo Nerae! Gunbuster ✅ ✅ * Hedwig von Trapp, Trapp Ikka Monogatari Cathy Weseluck as Higgins Saz (※only in ep 6), notable roles: * Fernando Garcia Lovelace, Black Lagoon * Jin, Card Wang: Mix Master * Nate River ("Near"), Death Note * Catherine Magley, Dog Solider * Trunks, Pu'ar, Chiaotzu, Haiya Dragon, and East Kaio — Dragon Ball Z ✅ ✅ * Yuki Mitani, Hikaru no Go ✅ * Mama Higurashi, InuYasha ✅ * Tachikoma, Kōkaku Kidōtai: Stand Alone Complex — The Laughing Man ✅ ✅ * Mirai Yashima, Kikka Kobayashi, and Katz Kobayashi — Kidō Senshi Gundam ✅ ✅ ✅ * Kati Mannequin, Kidō Senshi Gundam 00 * Dorothy Catalonia, Kidō Senshi Gundam Wing ✅ ✅ * Shiiko Kotobuki ("C-ko"), Project A-ko ✅ ✅ * Shampoo and Azusa Shiratori, Ranma ½ ✅ ✅ ✅ * Khamsin Nbh'w, Shakugan no Shana * Gokdari, Super Child * Shinbei Inue, The Hakkenden * Neteru-kun ("Snoozer") and Hiromi Haruna, Tottoko Hamtarō ✅ ✅ * Yūma Kuga, World Trigger ※Willow Johnson (all other eps of "Brain Powerd"), notable roles: * Tomihime, Ayakashi: Japanese Classic Horror * Ruby Moon, Cardcaptor Sakura ✅ * Lily McGuire, Fatal Fury —series ✅ * Kikyō, InuYasha ✅ ✅ * Lalah Sune, Kidō Senshi Gundam ✅ ✅ ✅ * Yugo Gilbert, Project Arms * Kasumi Tendō, Ranma ½ ✅ ✅ * Tamako, Rockman.EXE ("Megaman.EXE") Yumi Tōma as Nakki Guys, notable roles: * Helba, .hack —series ✅ ✅ * Urd, Aa! Megami-sama! ✅ ✅ * Saeria Sō, After War Gundam X * Hijiri Kirishima, Air ✅ * Mel, Angelique —series * Ann and Kisenian, Bishōjo Senshi Sailor Moon R * Rin Kobayashi, Boku no Chikyū wo Mamotte ✅ ✅ ✅ * Leelince, Byston Well Monogatari: Garzey no Tsubasa * Spinel Sun, Cardcaptor Sakura ✅ ✅ * Luna Kozuki, Casshern: Robot Hunter ✅ ✅ * Shaia Shu Silveianu, Chōjin Gakuen Gowcaizer: The Voltage Fighters * Rella Cindy Shirayuki, Cinderella Boy * Jodie Starling, Detective Conan ✅ ✅ * Emma, Eikoku Koi Monogatari Emma ✅ ✅ * Shiro, Fortune Quest * Yui Hongo, Fushigi Yûgi ✅ * Liavelt von Neuestein, Ginga Ojōsama Densetsu Yuna ✅ * Shiho Nishizumi, Girls und Panzer ✅ ✅ * Cortana, Halo Legends * Nami Shiina, Iczer-Girl Iczelion ✅ * Akira Aino, Jikū Tantei Genshi-kun ("Flint the Time Detective") * Chiquita, Jormungund * Deedlit, Lodoss-tō Senki ✅ ✅ ✅ * Sylvie Gena, Macross II: Lovers Again ✅ ✅ * Lipumira Gweiss, Maps * Reiko Takagi, Marriage: Kekkon * Cecily Fairchild, Kidō Senshi Gundam F91 ✅ ✅ * Aspergillus oryzae, Moyashimon ✅ * Najika Hiiragi, Najica Dengeki Sakusen * Irene Lew, Ninja Ryūkenden * Eevee and Freezer ("Articuno"), Pokémon ✅ ✅ * Yáo Fēi-Láng, Power Dolls * Jo Misty, Shinkai Densetsu Meremanoid * Sylphiel Nels Laada, Slayers ✅ * Yù-Líng Pin, Sōten no Ken: Regenesis * Chūn-Lì, Street Fighter Zero * Aya Kobayashi, Super Robot Taisen OG * Refill Sage ("Raine"), Tales of Symphonia ✅ ✅ * Jun Kazama, Tekken * Tokimi, Tenchi Muyō! ✅ ✅ * The Phoenix and Princess Sapphire, Tezuka Osamu ga Kieta?! 20 Seiki Saigo no Kaijiken * Sofia, Tōshinden * Mayuko Inōe, Ushio to Tora Andrew Francis as Nakki Guys, notable roles: * Haseo, .hack//Roots * Kusuriuri, Ayakashi: Japanese Classic Horror * Tokio Oshima, Chikyū Shōjo Arjuna ✅ * Dende, Dragon Ball Z ✅ * Tatsuma Sakamoto, Gintama * Hiten Raijō, InuYasha ✅ ✅ * Lasse Aeon, Kidō Senshi Gundam 00 * Murata Azrael, Kidō Senshi Gundam SEED ✅ ✅ ✅ * Genki Sakura, Monster Farm: Enbanseki no Himitsu * Airs Blue, Mugen no Ryvius * Rockman.EXE, Rockman.EXE ("Megaman.EXE") * Dilandau Albatou, Tenkū no Escaflowne ✅ ✅ * Chiaki Mamiya, Toki wo Kakeru Shōjo ("The Girl That Leapt Through Time") ✅ ✅ ✅ * Luka Bloom, Ultraviolet: Code 044 * Yū'ichi Jin, World Trigger Conclusively, I would check this one out if you're looking for the zany side of Yoshiyuki Tomino! It isn't "good" — if you're using the mainstream concept of "good" — but it's an enjoyable watch, if you want to pop on the dub during a relaxing evening and want to get a few chuckles from something, that has an optimistic ethos. Also, the visuals are clean and the designs look stylish, even though the animation can just like a layered slideshow in ※some scenes! I would suggest giving "Brain Powerd" a try, if it's your kind of show, and rate it a 4/10! ※There is the occasional scene, where the "Antibodies" just glide through the air and there isn't much movement on their behalf, but everything else meets Sunrise's standards, as far as quality goes. It isn't as shoddily animated and low budget, like "Byston Well Monogatari: Garzey no Tsubasa" OVA! Rating: ★★☆☆☆
Reviewer’s Rating: 4
What did you think of this review?
Nice
0
Love it
0
Funny
0
Confusing
0
Informative
0
Well-written
0
Creative
0Show all 
Dec 17, 2020 Recommended Spoiler
As a teen, there were several shōjo-ai series that I sought out, since I was a young queer person, looking for something that I could relate to: "Sasameki Koto," "Saki," "Shōjo Kakumei Utena," "Kannazuki no Miko," and "Aoi Hana" were the primary ones — unfortunately, I didn't have the pleasure of watching "Maria-sama ga Miteru" until I was in my mid-twenties! Out of the entire list, "Aoi Hana" was the production that I really resonated with; especially, when I was first coming to terms with the idea of being attracted to the same sex. Because of that, I have re-watched the anime a few times,
...
as well as completed the manga series! "Aoi Hana" is replete with sweet sentimentality and is delicate towards sensitive topics; a truly beautiful story of love's gradual blossoming!
⚠️ This review contains spoilers for the anime and manga ⚠️ —Story/Characters The story starts off pulling out your heartstrings, like a big clump of hair, as Fumi experiences heartache for the first time. Her older, female cousin (Chizu Hanashiro) had initiated a sexual relationship with her and shortly afterwards, Fumi learns that Chizu is immediately getting married off, to a man that she's never met before. Fumi has to internalize her feelings, while her family celebrates, and she's a shy and tender-hearted girl, so she lets the emotions smolder, rather come to terms with them directly. That last sentence is important, because there's a big development, with that, towards the end of the series. Coincidentally, Fumi has an encounter with her childhood friend, Akira Okudaira, and doesn't recognize her because, when they were kids, Akira was much taller than she was; but now, they're on complete opposite ends of the spectrum! I found this subversion of physical attributes interesting, because, in this case: the tall girl is the crybaby and the shorter girl is her protector, when it's usually the other way around! Upon attending Matsuoka Girl's High School and joining the drama club, Fumi finds herself falling in love with her "lady prince" upperclassman, Yasuko Sugimoto! Yasuko then rudely rejects another underclassman, Kyōko Ikumi, and asks Fumi out. Fumi lets herself get closer to Yasuko, not realizing that she's only manipulating her, to gain the attention of a male teacher that had spurned her, a year prior. Yasuko, then, of course breaks Fumi's heart and acts like a complete jerk — she then tries to get back together with Fumi and mend their relationship, and there's this really cathartic moment where the meek, kind-hearted Fumi stands up for herself and says that she's not going to let Yasuko play games with her heart anymore. The anime then leaves off with a romantic scene, with Fumi and her childhood friend, Akira, starting to develop feelings for each other — holding hands in the snow, reminiscing about their childhood. The manga goes further with their relationship, of course; Akira's realization that she's in love with Fumi is really poignant, because she had always assumed that she didn't have a crush on anyone and, that she was, essentially, asexual. So, when she realizes that she's besotted with her best friend, Fumi, it's difficult for her to come to terms with. This is really relatable, if you've ever been a queer teenager, because you're taught that girls like boys; so, you can often delude yourself into thinking that you aren't infatuated with one of your female friends, when you really are! The way that Fumi is taken advantage of, is always something that screams of a lesbian adolescence. Many girls will experiment with bisexuality, but not commit to a queer relationship — like with Yasuko, so it's more difficult than with a heterosexual relationship to find someone who's completely being "real" about it. This was so relatable, because I have been in that position before! I thought that it was clever to cast Yasuko as Heathcliff ("Wuthering Heights") in the school play, because although in the ACTUAL story Heathcliff is cruel because a life full of oppression and abuse, but Yasuko is still manipulative and selfish in a similar way! This series perfectly encapsulates what it feels like to awkwardly flower onto the small stem of same-sex relationships, it's probably much more common now, but when I was younger, being gay was mostly an experimentation type of thing. At the end of the manga, Fumi and Akira are able to find a soulmate in one another, and live happily ever after! It's a really beautiful story — it's kind of shocking how little people talk about this anime! —Technical Luna's Favorite Works by Each Respective Creator = ✅ Takako Shimura (story, art), notable works: Published Manga * Awajima Hyakkei * Beautiful Monday * Boku wa, Onnanoko * Dōnika Naru Hibi * Fubin BL * Gelatin * Hoshi no Koimonogatari * Hōrō Musuko ("Wandering Son") ✅ * Joshi BL * Koi'iji * Love Buzz * Mangaka-san no Oishii Sashi'ire * Melo Neko * Musume no Iede * Okite Saisho ni Suru Koto wa * Otona ni Nattemo * Sayonara Otokonoko * Shiki'i no Jūnin * Wagamama Chie-chan Character Designs * Aldnoah.Zero —series ✅ * Battery Commentary: I am ashamed to say that I haven't explored more of Ms. Shimura's bibliography, from what I've read, her works are pretty solid. I prefer the manga and anime for "Aoi Hana" over "Hōrō Musuko" ("Wandering Son") — while they both have really good characters, the plot and transition between perspectives is more sloppy in "Wandering Son"! The manga for "Aoi Hana" has a little bit of this, but since there aren't as many characters, it's less of a headache to keep up with the revolving scenes. Her designs are splendid, though! That was part of the reason that I kept watching Aldnoah.Zero, despite the questionable plot points! Very talented artist and story-teller! Kenichi Kasai (director), notable works: * Amanchu! ✅ * Bakuman. —series ✅ * Chōyaku Hyakuninisshu: Uta Koi. ✅ * Cooking Papa * Hachimitsu to Clover —series ✅ * KimiKiss Pure Rouge * Love Stage!! ✅ * Major S1 * Mama wa Poyopoyo Saurus ga Osuki * Miracle☆Train: Oedo-sen e Yōkoso * Nodame Cantabile —series ✅ * Ōkami Shōjo to Kuro Ōji ("Wolf Girl and Black Prince") * PuriGorota: Uchū no Yūjō Daibōken * Senjūshi * Wagamama☆Fairy Mirumo de Pon! Commentary: Man, Mr. Kasai really likes those vivid color palettes! His work on slice-of-life is really atmospheric, in series like "Amanchu!" and "Hachimitsu to Clover" — there's a really beautiful, nostalgic feeling to them... that is accentuated by the subdued, pastel scenery! From what I've seen, "Aoi Hana" and "Hachimitsu to Clover" are the top must-watch series, directed by Mr. Kasai. In the case of "Bakuman," while the anime adaptation wasn't terrible, you can't beat Takeshi Obata's art style. I think the only anime-adaptation that really pulled it off was "Hikaru no Go"! ※Speaking of "Bakuman", the live-action film had a great musical track in it. Check out "Shin Takarajima" (新宝島) by a band that goes by the name of Sakanaction! They are incredible! Good Seiyū Work = ✅ Really Enjoyed the Seiyū's Performance = ✅ ✅ One of Luna's Favorite Performances OF ALL TIME = ✅ ✅ ✅ Ai Takabe as Fumi Manjōme, notable roles: * Maiko, Hōrō Musuko ✅ * Agiri Goshiki, Kill Me Baby * SP, Sacred Seven Commentary: Ms. Takabe was a really talented actress in the industry, both her roles as Fumi Manjōme ("Aoi Hana") and Maiko ("Hōrō Musuko") are really compelling. Unfortunately, she got arrested for cocaine possession and was thus, ousted from the industry in 2015, the latest news on Ai Takabe — is the news about her recent marriage, but despite her beautiful performances as bishōjo characters, it doesn't look like she'll be coming back to anime voice acting. Wonderful performance as Fumi, though! Yuko Gibu as Akira Okudaira, notable roles: * Akiwo Suzuka, Koi Koi 7 * Haruka, Tabi Machi Late Show * Maon Sakurada, Tamayura ✅ * Hikari Onozuka, Yama no Susume ✅ ✅ Commentary: I really liked Ms. Gibu as Hikari Onozuka in the second season of "Yama no Susume" — as Aoi's co-worker at the bakery, she's very sassy, but cute... in a tsundere way! As Akira, she's a very clear-hearted and pure girl. Later in the manga, I thought she was one of the most well-written characters, as she experiences something that a lot of LGBTQ+ teens go through — the horrors of self-actualization, thinking that you're asexual or that you haven't found the right guy, and then you come face-to-face with the fact that you might actually be in love with one of your closest friends! Amazing job! Chiemi Ishimatsu as Yasuko Sugimoto, notable roles: * Junsa ("Officer Jenny"), Pokémon XY Commentary: It's kind of strange that Ms. Ishimatsu is both Yasuko Sugimoto ("Aoi Hana") and Officer Jenny ("Pokémon XY"), and then everything else is just a full discography of hardcore hentai roles. Well, I suppose she is kind of like the "evil" bisexual character in "Aoi Hana"! Ms. Ishimatsu does a great job of making her come off as a noncommittal jerk. But, the character also has a couple of other main attributes, that are vying for dominance: she's both a cunning, yet charismatic heartthrob and a mixed-up adolescent. Later, it is implied that the charisma is mostly a mask, and then the plot reveals that her emotional stability is in shambles if she isn't the center of attention; despite her desperate attempts to appear mature, aloof, and cool. Although, Yasuko Sugimoto is really unlikable, she's also a really, really well-written character! Stunning performance! Yui Horie as Kyōko Ikumi, notable roles: * Lieza Flora Meruno, Arc the Lad * Sue Harris, Argento Soma * Belfast, Azur Lane ✅ * Sarara, Binzume Yōsei * Kisara Tendō, Black Bullet ✅ ✅ * Nepgear, Chōjigen Game Neptune ("Hyperdimension Neptunia") ✅ ✅ * Kotori Shirakawa, Da Capo * Yume Asakura, Da Capo II * Millhiore Firianno Biscotti, Dog Days ✅ ✅ * Azuma no Shibanu Tamamushi-hime, Double Circle * Ai, Dōbutsu no Mori ("Animal Crossing") * Fatina, Druaga no Tō * Yuria Aikawa, Elite Jack!! * Charlés ("Carla"), Fairy Tail ✅ * Tōru Honda, Fruits Basket (2003) ✅ * Kaoruko Ichijō, Futakoi * Namiko Nozaki, GA: Geijutsuka Art Design Class * Manami Amamiya, Gakuen Utopia Manabi Straight! ✅ * Kōko Kaga, Golden Time * Kaho Nikaidō, Hatsukoi Monster * Hanyū, Higurashi no Naku Koro ni ✅ ✅ * Anna Suehiro, Hōrō Musuko * Sonken Chūbō, Ikkitōsen ✅ * Yōko, Inukami! ✅ * Mitsuko Komyoji, Jinzō Ningen Kikaider the Animation ✅ * Anna Kushina, K ✅ * Haruka Nishida, Kanamemo ✅ * Ayu Tsukimiya, Kanon ✅ * Mamiya, Kantai Collection ("KanColle") ✅ * Yasuna Kami'izumi, Kashimashi: Girl Meets Girl * Akane Mishima, Kämpfer * Wiz, Kono Subarashii Sekai ni Shukufuku wo! ("KonoSuba") ✅ ✅ * Haruka, Kurogane Connection * Mary Stuart, Kyōkaisenjō no Horizon II * Riki Naoe, Little Busters! ✅ * Naru Narusegawa, Love Hina ✅ ✅ * Mitama Yakumo, Magia Record: Mahō Shōjo Madoka☆Magica Gaiden (TV) ✅ * Makie Sasaki, Mahō Sensei Negima! * Lika Izayoi, Mahōtsukai PreCure! ✅ ✅ * Mayura Daidōji, Matantei Loki Ragnarok * Masako Natsume, Mawaru Penguindrum ✅ * Miss Monochrome, Miss Monochrome the Animation * Mai Ichinose, Mitsuwano * Tsubasa Hanekawa, Monogatari —series ✅ ✅ ✅ * Suzu, Nagasarete Airantō * Yuzu Komiya, Nekogami Yaoyorozu * Narrator, Nichijō ✅ * Yui Kanakura, Nisekoi ✅ * Tsurara and Setsura Oikawa, Nurarihyon no Mago * Shiro, Nyanbo! * Mizuho Miyanokōji, Otome wa Boku ni Koishiteru * Hōzuki, Otome Yōkai Zakuro * Natsuko Honda, Ō-sama Game the Animation ("King's Game") * Miyako Uehara, Paniponi Dash! * Chie Satonaka, Persona 4 * Aun Freya, Photon * Saren, Princess Connect! Re:Dive ✅ ✅ * Honey Kisaragi, Re: Cutey Honey ✅ ✅ ✅ * Felix Argyle, Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu ✅ * Silvia Maruyama, Rikujō Bōei-tai Mao-chan * Rokuna Hiiragi, Rokumon Tengai Mon Colle Knights * Mihoko Fukigi, Saki ✅ ✅ ✅ * Ryūnosuke Akasaka, Sakura-sō no Pet na Kanojo ✅ * Yuya Shiina, Samurai Deeper Kyō * Eri Sawachika, School Rumble * Catherine Chapman, Sci-Fi Harry ✅ * Bi Ryū, Sengoku Collection * Serena Cadenzavna Eve, Senki Zesshō Symphogear ✅ ✅ * Kosuri Onigashiri, Shimoneta to Iu Gainen ga Sonzai Shinai Taikutsu na Sekai ("SHIMONETA: A Boring World Where the Concept of Dirty Jokes Doesn't Exist") * Takako, Shin Shirayuki-hime Densetsu Prétear * Tōka Kureha, Shining Tears X Wind * Iris, Shironeko Project: Zero Chronicle * Sakuya, Sister Princess * Rio Takeuchi, Spiral: Suiri no Kizuna * Shiro Usa, Sugar Bunnies * Corina Solgente, Tales of Eternia * HMX-12 Multi, To Heart ✅ ✅ * Aoi Misato, Tokyo Majin ✅ * Minori Kushieda, Toradora! ✅ * Ayu Tateishi, Ultra Maniac * Urin, Umi Monogatari: Anata ga Ite Kureta Koto * Maria Ushiromiya, Umineko no Naku Koro ni ✅ ✅ ✅ * Yūki Cross, Vampire Knight * Gauche, Yume Ōkoku to Nemureru 100-nin no Ōji-sama: Short Stories * Akane Akaza, Yuru Yuri ✅ * Siesta, Zero no Tsukaima Commentary: Ms. Horie does a really magnificent job of making Kyōko Ikumi both cute and sympathetic, as her character is actively pining after Yasuko Sugimoto, the "lady prince" of the group. Her dynamic with Yasuko is really interesting, too, since Kyōko is forced into an arranged marriage with a boy she doesn't like; while, Yasuko was dumped by a male teacher, and thus, uses other people as a hurtle, to get over him. Kyōko comes off as unsympathetic at first, because she's obsessed with Yasuko and even cuts her hair to look more like her, but then it is revealed that Yasuko has a tendency to lead other people on and Kyōko is actually very dedicated and loyal, and not as obsessive as one might think. Conclusively, Aoi Hana is a simple, teenage romance story... but the refinement and care taken into the small character nuances is something to write home about. The manga and anime are the best shōjo-ai stories that I've experienced, out of ※all of the ones that I've hungrily devoured over the years: it has a special place in my heart. The anime for "Aoi Hana" gets a 7/10, while the manga is a solid 8/10! ※Another really good shōjo-ai manga is "Lonely Wolf, Lonely Sheep" — Fūka Mizutani.
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
What did you think of this review?
Nice
0
Love it
0
Funny
0
Confusing
0
Informative
0
Well-written
0
Creative
0Show all 
Dec 14, 2020
Renkin San-kyuu Magical? Pokaan
(Anime)
add
Recommended
Imagine if four magical princesses — a vampire, a werewolf, an android, and a witch — all boarded the same house, with little knowledge about the human world. For example, in Episode 2: まやかしの呪文はTVショッピング ("The Make-Believe Spell is TV Shopping"), the girls fall for some infomercial scams and order a ton of worthless items! The series itself is less of a monster show and more of a comedy, slice-of-life with a group of gal pals experiencing practical things, in the real world! As well as some strange supernatural events, like a group of devious ※Japanese raccoon dogs tricking the gullible girls into bathing in an
...
imaginary hot spring!
※Also known as tanuki (タヌキ). ⚠️ This review is spoiler-free ⚠️ —Story/Characters If you're a huge otaku, transitioning into a point in their adulthood that's really hard to handle, I suggest watching this anime. That is, if you don't mind a bit of ecchi in your cartoons. When I watched this series, there were a lot of things going on in my life, and I think that's why it's so special to me. I was at a point where I was feeling a caducity in my existence, and this series reminded me of the child-like joy that series like Doraemon (1979) helped me experience, once again! Usually with moe shows, I don't expect the female characters to act like real girls. This is a controversial opinion, but growing up as a girl, I never related to the K-On! cast... despite being directed by Naoko Yamada, a woman, it always felt like they were what men imagine high school girls to be like, instead of the actual reality. I love Naoko's Yamada's Tamako Market, but despite a few nuances with adolescent confusion, the girls didn't feel like actual girls. The dialogue is very romanticized. But, in Renkin San-kyū Magical? Pokān, the dialogue flows naturally, like how actual girls would communicate. Yes, there's otaku references. Yes, there are some pandering in the ecchi scenes. But, overall, the characters felt very genuine in their relations with each other and the comedy felt really natural. There are also some really nice scenes of wonderment, like the girls get to ride a space train, that directly parodies Leiji Matsumoto's Galaxy Express 999. You can probably tell from my favorites list, that I have a soft spot for flying trains, since the aforementioned Galaxy Express 999 and Night on the Galactic Railway, are in my top 150 list! It's difficult to reveal too much — without ruining the experience for everyone else, but I felt a fervor for this series, that I don't for many animated shows. The friendships, the untethered humor, and the cast of characters had such great chemistry together! The mix of real-world practicality, supernatural wonder, and vivacious characters really made this series for me. I really did not expect to love it as much as I did, but here I am, singing its praises! Luna's Favorite Works by Each Respective Creator = ✅ Ken'ichi Yatagai (director), notable works: * Be-Boy Kidnapp'n Idol * Dōjin Work * Macross II: Lovers Again ✅ * Tenchi Muyō! Ryōōki — 2nd Season, 3rd Season, Omatsuri Zenjitsu no Yoru! ("The Night Before The Carnival"), and Galaxy Police Mihoshi Space Adventure ✅ * Zettai Bōei Leviathan Commentary: Mr. Yatagai's work on the Tenchi Muyō! Ryōōki series and Macross II: Lovers Again are both respectable ventures. Based on what I've seen of his work, including a couple episodes of Zettai Bōei Leviathan — I am comfortable with saying that Renkin 3-kyū Magical? Pokān is, in my opinion, his magnum opus. No, the sakuga is not insane, off-the-wall, madness! But, similarly to the atmosphere in the Tenchi Muyō series, he's able to create an atmosphere that is both cozy and is a great setting for gag-humor! Perhaps, some of that charm was lost with his transition to digital animation, in Zettai Bōei Leviathan. Who can really say for sure? But, all of the components of this series: the visual style, the cast of brilliant seiyū talents, and the script writing staff (which oddly enough, weren't credited?) made this series coagulate into a vessel that is rarely experienced in the medium! Legendary director! Momoko Saitō as Uma (or Yūma), notable roles: * Choco, Chocotto Sister * Tsuyuri, Dōjin Work * Perrier La Mer, Hoshi no Umi no Amuri * Maria Nanadan VII, Isekai no Seikishi Monogatari ("Tenchi Muyo! War on Geminar") * Hatabō, Osomatsu-san ✅ * Melancholy, Phi Brain: Kami no Puzzle * Momoko Tōyoko, Saki ✅ * Solty Sevant, Solty Rei * Sakura Shishidō, Sora wo Kakeru Shōjo * Nazuna Takanashi, Working!! ✅ Commentary: I haven't heard many of Ms. Saitō's performances, but her comedic stroke of genius as Yūma, made her my best girl — and I'm a really big fan of Aya Hirano, so I thought Pachira would be my favorite character, for sure! Her characterization is an amalgam of honestly adorable moments, silly mishaps, and sprinkles of adult, otaku-oriented "in-jokes"! Her earnestness and peppy nature, completely won me over! My favorite role from Ms. Saitō, is her performance as Momoko Tōyoko in Saki, even though I thought she was hilarious as Hatabō in Osomatsu-san, too! Amazing seiyū! ※Fun Fact — Yūma's rabbit creature is voiced by Nomico, the original singer of the song "Bad Apple" from the famous 東方Project MV! Hitomi Nabatame as Liru, notable roles: * Nanao Ise, Bleach * Noi, Blue Dragon: Tenkai no Shichi Ryū * Kanade Sakurai, Candy Boy ✅ * Kiri Kikyō, Canvas 2: Niji-iro no Sketch * Sena Aoi, ChäoS;HEAd ✅ * Mana Aida, Dokidoki! PreCure ✅ * Bazett Fraga McRemitz, Fate/kaleid liner Prisma☆Illya * Kanade Yūki, Fortune Arterial: Akai Yakusoku * Kei Kishimoto, Gantz ✅ * Erika Itsumi, Girls und Panzer ✅ * Kanade Jinguji, Gokujō Seitokai * Yukiji Katsura, Hayate no Gotoku! ("Hayate the Combat Butler") * Raynare, High School DxD ✅ * Sphene, Hōseki no Kuni ✅ * Nobue Itō, Ichigo Mashimaro ("Strawberry Marshmallow") ✅ * Unchō Kan'u, Ikkitōsen ✅ * Eriko Takahashi, Joshikōsei: Girl's High * Momoko Orizuka, Kenkō Zenrakei Suieibu Umishō * Sonken Chūbō, Kōtetsu Sangokushi * Rokumon, Kyōkai no Rinne ("RIN-NE") * Yuna Miyama, Maburaho * Eriko Torii, Maria-sama ga Miteru ✅ * Rina Tachibana, Mushi-Uta ✅ * Miki Onimaru, Muteki Kanban Musume * Cryska Barchenowa, Muv-Luv Alternative: Total Eclipse ✅ * Niboshi, Nyamen * Reiko Shirai, Ōyasan wa Shishunki! * Saori Makishima, Ore no Imōto ga Konnani Kawaii Wake ga Nai ✅ * Shizuru, Princess Connect! Re:Dive ✅ * Kagura, Prism Ark * Hime Petit, Prism Magical: Prism Generations! * Shizuka, Queen's Blade ✅ * Matsuri, Rocket Girls * Mikoto Suō, School Rumble * Uzume, Sekirei * Margery Daw, Shakugan no Shana ✅ * Arcueid Brunestud, Shingetsutan Tsukihime ✅ * Akira Tōdō, Special A * Shizuma Hanazono, Strawberry Panic ✅ * Fanatio Synthesis Two, Sword Art Online ✅ * Yuma Tonami, To Heart 2 ✅ * Eirin Yagokoro, 東方 Niji Sōsaku Dōjin Anime: Musō Kakyō ✅ * Vivienne Ōtori, UG☆Ultimate Girls * Minami Yūri, VitaminX Addiction * Akane Ryūzōji, Walkure Romance * Kazusa Tōma, White Album 2 ✅ * Ryoko Yakushiji, Yakushiji Ryōko no Kaiki Jikenbo * Feena Fam Earthlight, Yoake Mae yori Ruriiro na: Crescent Love * Misa Anehara, Yoku Wakaru Gendai Mahō Commentary: Ms. Nabatame is a very accomplished seiyū, I spoke about her recently in my White Album 2 review! Her characterization of Liru is one word: lovable! Even though I preferred Yūma and Pachira, Liru is, without a doubt, the internet's favorite! She even had a CG-animated, dōjin game made about her — the creator must have been an insanely dedicated fan! But then again, she is like a goddess in dōjin circles, she has played some of the most iconic eroge roles, like Arcueid Brunestud in Shingetsutan Tsukihime, and has even voiced Eirin Yagokoro, in the 東方Project dōjin anime! She also comes off as the straight-man in many of the princess' wacky, daily hijinks! Wonderful actress! Aya Hirano as Pachira, notable roles: * Miu Asakura, "Bungaku Shōjo" * Minata Nagase, Akaneiro ni Somaru Saka * Misa Amane, Death Note * Mamori Anezaki, Eyeshield 21 ✅ * Lucy Heartfilia, Fairy Tail ✅ * Mei Etō, Gakuen Utopia Manabi Straight! ✅ * Kahlua and Tequila Marjoram, Galaxy Angel Rune * Paiman, Gatchaman Crowds * Nobume Imai, Gintama * Ayumi Nonomura, Hyakko * Mai, Itsudatte My Santa! * Garnet, Jewelpet * Lumière, Kiddy Grade ✅ * Ume Kurumizawa, Kimi ni Todoke ✅ * Migi, Kiseijū: Sei no Kakuritsu ✅ * Hannah Anafeloz, Kuroshitsuji II ✅ * Megami, Moe★Gaku5 * Layla Serizawa, Nana ✅ * Chizuko Mikamo, Nijū Mensō no Musume * Kana Ienaga, Nurarihyon no Mago * Momo, Otogi Story Tenshi no Shippo ("Angel Tales") * Nanael, Queen's Blade ✅ * Pachira, Renkin San-kyū Magical? Pokaan ✅ * Sasha, Saint Seiya: The Lost Canvas ✅ * Ekaterina Kurae, Seikon no Qwaser * Haruhi Suzumiya, Suzumiya Haruhi no Yūtsu ✅ * Yuki Morikawa, White Album ✅ * Kaoru Akashi, Zettai Karen Children ("Psychic Squad") Commentary: Ms. Hirano has a lovely voice, and despite her getting ousted from the industry for her "indecent" behavior — she is still, to this day, one of the best voices in the industry, and she has a wonderful singing voice, to boot! I would compare her role as Pachira to Ume Kurumizawa (Kimi ni Todoke) because she's a diva, Layla Serizawa (Nana) another diva, and Nanael (Queen's Blade) because she's a lovably, cute butt-monkey! Since Pachira is a vampire, she is naturally vain, to a silly degree — like all of the other characters, their preternatural attributes are heavily satirized — and Ms. Hirano is great at making the glove fit. Pachira is insufferable, but not to the degree that makes her unlikable; much like the whole cast in Urusei Yatsura! Great performance, I hope that we can see Aya Hirano in more comedy roles, she's pretty darn funny! Satomi Akesaka as Aiko, notable roles: * Kasumi Kurose, Ane Log * Rinko Shirokane, BanG Dream! ✅ * Aomi, Chikasugi Idol Akae-chan * Taeko Nomura, Coppelion * Mutsuki Nakano, Danchigai * Hinako Shiizaki, Date A Live ✅ * Nano-Nano Pudding, Galaxy Angel Rune * Korokoro, gdgd Fairies * Assam, Girls und Panzer ✅ * Kokoro Himote, Himote House * Makoto Ōno, Hōkago Teibō Nisshi * Chrome Dokuro, Katekyo Hitman Reborn! * Yuki Asano, Kyō no 5 no 2 * Futaba Marui, Mitsudomoe * Asuna Kisaki, Occultic;Nine ✅ * Chae Kyōng, Pretty Rhythm * Teruha Andō, Shōjo-tachi wa Kōya wo Mezasu ("Girls Beyond the Wasteland") * Kurusu Fuyukawa, Softenni * Henriette Mystere, Tantei Opera Milky Holmes * Hina Satō, Tesagure! Bukatsumono * Tokiwa Kamikizaki, Urawa no Usagi-chan Commentary: Despite being a new talent, upon the initial release of Renkin San-kyū Magical? Pokān, Ms. Akesaka was able to get in some genuinely hilarious moments. Most of which, had to do with her android body malfunctioning in really exaggerated ways! I really, really love Satomi Akesaka as Rinko Shirokane in "BanG Dream," too! Great seiyū! Renkin San-kyū Magical? Pokān is a special series, it isn't everyday that I get so invested in a cast of characters or get a recurring juvenescence of warm-fuzzy feelings! This show is such a fun ride, and the very last scene — I won't spoil what happens, but it made me tear up with catharsis and optimism. This series isn't just an ecchi comedy, it's much more than that — it goes far beyond what you would expect out of either of those genres! With a heart full of appreciation, I give Renkin San-kyū Magical? Pokān a 9/10! Rating: ★★★★★
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
What did you think of this review?
Nice
0
Love it
0
Funny
0
Confusing
0
Informative
0
Well-written
0
Creative
0Show all 
Dec 14, 2020
Dragon's Heaven
(Anime)
add
Mixed Feelings
The beauty of the "Dragon's Heaven" passion project is unfolded within the span of a thirty-minute runtime: scenic deserts, strange Giger-inspired towers of machinery, sand-covered robots, and a young woman — standing in the zeitgeist of it all. Dragon's Heaven is short OVA, that makes me miss the beauty of experimentation in Japanese animation. Most productions seem so formulaic, nowadays! This style seems similar to GAINAX's unconventional "Daicon Film" — made during the group's university tenor. Something strange, powerful, and rare radiates from projects like that and "Dragon's Heaven"!
⚠️ This review will have spoilers ⚠️ —Story/Characters This OVA has a very short run-time, but is dense with ... a Mœbius type of "je ne sais quoi"! The beginning sequence reminded me of Vega's backstory, in Rintaro's adaptation of "Genma Taisen: Harmagedon"! The alien cyborgs seemed to play a similar role to the giant androids in this series, expect there is only one, core human character: Ikūru. Which is funny because her name is eerily similar to the Japanese word "ikiru" (生きる), which means "to live"! It's rather odd because, based on Ikūru's reaction to the automatons, in general, it appears that she has a robot-fetish. The way that she grinned, when Shaian printed out a picture of his enemy, Elmedain, seemed... suggestive. She flirtatiously complemented his framework and says that he is much better than Shaian. Was it a sexual implication, or was she just trying to rustle his jimmies? The OVA isn't really long enough to get a grasp on her character — not nearly enough is provided to elucidate what she feels towards the huge, hulking androids as a whole. It might just be a benign sense of amusement, but one this is for sure: she seems to have fallen in love with Shaian. Luna's Favorite Works by Each Respective Creator = ✅ Makoto Kobayashi (director), notable works: * 6 Angels * Ice Commentary: I haven't watched any of Mr. Kobayashi's other works, but — from the behind-the-scenes extra, at the end of the feature, it seems like adapting "Dragon's Heaven" was a big passion project for him! Great job on the OVA! Osamu Kobayashi (storyboard, color setting, mechanical design, key animation), notable works: * Ao no 6-gō — Mechnical Design, Setting ✅ * Beck — Director, Character Design ✅ * Birth — Mechanical Design ✅ * Mahōtsukai ni Taisetsu na Koto: Natsu no Sora — Director * Paradise Kiss — Director, Series Composition ✅ * Venus Senki — Mechanical Design ✅ * Zoids Genesis — Mechanical Design Commentary: Not to be mistaken for the aforementioned Mr. Kobayashi, but man, does OSAMU Kobayashi have a lot of good titles under his biographical belt! His mechanical designs are particularly notable and his directing is top-notch, too! Amazing and talented creator! Yuko Minaguchi as Ikūru, notable roles: * Mercelida Ygvar, Astarotte no Omocha! * Sayaka Murakami, Bio Hunter * Hotaru Tomoe, Bishōjo Senshi Sailor Moon ✅ * Apricot, Bosco Daibōken * Ringo, Casshern Sins ✅ * Midori Yamabuki, Dr. Slump * Pan, Dragon Ball GT * Videl, Dragon Ball Z * Klose Rinz, Eiyū Densetsu: Sora no Kiseki the Animation * Linaly Klauser, Final Fantasy ✅ * Key Mii, Greed * Hoshimi Kimizuka, Maps * Yakumo Shindō, Mushrambo * Musse, One Piece * Yaone, Saiyūki ✅ * Farah Oersted, Tales of Eternia ✅ * Girl, Tori no Uta ✅ * Hinoto, X/1999 ✅ * Yawara Inokuma, Yawara! Commentary: Ms. Minaguchi's portrayal of Ikūru is very sultry, it seems comparable to some of her older, "sexy mother" performances. Great job! Iemasa Kayumi as Shaian, notable roles: * Baron, Hottarake no Shima: Haruka to Mahō no Kagami * Project 2501, Kōkaku Kidōtai ("Ghost in the Shell") ✅ * Gardin, Legend of Lemnear: Kyokuguro no Tsubasa Valkisas Commentary: I only recall hearing Mr. Kayumi's voice in the "Ghost in the Shell" film, and with both this role and that one, he nailed it. Rest in peace, Iemasa Kayumi. Kei Tomiyama as Elmedain, notable roles: * Marco Polo, Animation Kikō: Marco Polo no Bōken * Rigodon, Anime 80-nichikan Sekai Isshū ("Around the World with Willy Fog") * Takaya Todoroki, Arrow Emblem Grand Prix no Taka ("Super Grand Prix") * Largo, Bremen 4: Jigoku no Naka no Tenshi-tachi * Terrence G. Grandchester, Candy Candy ✅ * Gakusha, Gamba no Bōken * Lingam, Genmu Senki Leda * Wen-li Yang, Ginga Eiyū Densetsu ("Legend of the Galactic Heroes") ✅ * Subaru, Ginga Tansa 2100-nen: Border Planet * Duke Fleed, Grendizer: Getter Robo G — Great Mazinger Kessen! Daikaijū * Eric Jones, Kagaku Kyūjo-tai TechnoVoyager * Wilfred Anderson, Oh! Family * Sankichi, Robot Carnival ✅ * Sabu, Sabu to Ichi Torimono Hikae * Yabure Roppō, Roppō Yabure-kun * Ban Bamba, Samurai Giants * Sir Djorgo, SF Saiyūki Starzinger * Naoto Date, Tiger Mask * Narrator, Time Bokan * Susumu Kodai, Uchū Senkan Yamato ✅ * Tochirō Ōyama, Waga Seishun no Arcadia ✅ * Micheal, What's Micheal? Commentary: Mr. Tomiyama has played some great roles, as Elmedain he is very sinister, as opposed to his typical "hero" roles! I really loved him as Yang Wen-li ("Ginga Eiyū Densetsu") and Susumu Kodai ("Uchū Senkan Yamato")! Farewell, Kei Tomiyama, you will be missed. The conclusion of this review is: please go check this OVA out! Even if you're left a little confused by the characters or story, the visuals are absolutely stunning, and there are some great vocal performances, too. Productions like "Dragon's Heaven" and "Little Nemo" are the reason that I miss cell-animated anime! I give this OVA a 6/10! Rating: ★★★☆☆
Reviewer’s Rating: 6
What did you think of this review?
Nice
0
Love it
0
Funny
0
Confusing
0
Informative
0
Well-written
0
Creative
0Show all |