- Last OnlineApr 17, 3:07 AM
- GenderFemale
- BirthdayMay 15, 1930
- LocationCanada.
- JoinedOct 14, 2011
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May 20, 2012
Shirokuma Cafe is a slice of life, comedy anime and it doesn't try to be anything else. It does its job well and in appealing ways.
When talking to a couple of my male friends they were surprised to find out that I watched Shirokuma Cafe and I was surprised in return. I always thought of it as a kind of cute show with catchy tunes that was fun to watch. My friends watched it for the humor (it wasn't like I didn't, because I did, I just didn't think that would be their number one appeal).
Shirokuma Cafe is targeted at a wide variety
...
of audiences and because of this, many can appreciate its strengths.
Story:
Shirokuma Cafe doesn't have an amazing plot and to be honest, it's not about the plot or the 'development'--it's about the characters, how the characters interact with each other, fun and the humor it presents. It simply wouldn't be fair for me to judge it based on story. Overall, I'd give it at a 7 or an 8, though.
Art:
Shirokuma Cafe presents a muted and refreshing palette with a surprising amount of care placed in backgrounds (ex. pay attention to the backgrounds in the opening). Scenery is very pretty and while character designs are basic (come on, they're animals) they are presented in such a way where they can stand out through other methods (shoujo sparkles for Panda, anyone?).
The ending seems to be made of some sort of stop motion thing starring panda. To be honest, I thought they were cupcakes, but considering the fact that they used the stop motion for the whole thing and did it on that area, it's pretty cool. My only issue is that it took me a bit to figure out what was what. Once you get it, though, it's enjoyable. I gave this section a 9.
Sound:
The opening surprised me. It was very pop and while it wasn't what I expected (something cutesy and more bright) I certainly enjoyed it.
The ending is where I got cutesy. The ending (Bamboo Scramble) sung by Panda, or Jun Fukuyama, is cutey and holds a lot of personality. While it's catchy for the most part the effect does wear off after a bit. Overall, for this section, 8-9.
Character:
This is where Shirokuma Cafe really shines. Each character has a distinct personality and while much of the humor is based on running jokes or puns, each character is distinctly adorable with their humor and terrible logic. 9.
Enjoyment:
I check up on this anime every week. If you're looking for something cute and fun to watch (or if you simply enjoy pun based humor) Shirokuma Cafe is the anime for you.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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Oct 17, 2011
Honestly, I believe this deserves a ten in everything.
The manga is excellently developed, plot focused and the insecurities and interpersonal relationships of all the characters is executed in a simply beautiful manner.
If you're put off by the art--mind you that the picture here is from one of the earlier volumes. This manga has been going on for years and Minari Endoh's style has changed and developed to something incredibly unique.
Her humor is gold. There's dark comedy, slapstick, puns and everything else you can think of. The plot is full of twists and the characters are all incredibly human... even if they're not
...
exactly human.
Must of the narration (in the serious parts) is filled with things that we would never be able to admit to ourselves that the characters are struggling to admit to themselves.
The twists are unexpected and it leaves you truly pondering all your questions with no idea of what to expect.
This manga is a gem and a masterpiece. You just have to read it to find out.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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Oct 17, 2011
It's near--scratch that. It's impossible to make something without a base stereotype. It's how it's executed and developed that makes it more than a simple cliche. I can't say that Otome Youkai Zakuro does a lot of this.
Plot:
While the plot was okay the build up was done pretty decently considering how long it was. The plot wasn't very unique, but had those nice little breaks from the flow with humor or a little background story on the characters, helping you to avoid that suffocated feeling that comes from a short anime.
Characters and Romance:
While Otome Youkai Zakuro makes its attempts and sometimes succeeds,
...
I found Zakuro's 'kindness' to be quite boring and a little irritating in her sudden character shift. It wasn't that she was suddenly kind, or that she was mean before. It just made her character a little flat. In an attempt to be objective, I have to say that while Zakuro isn't a bad character, she's not insanely unique either. It's more like an attempt to make a unique character gone wrong.
Agemaki, although a flawed character, ended up coming to save the day every time, or ended up being saved by Zakuro. He wasn't very memorable for me, to be honest.
Susukihotaru and Riken ended up being my favorite pairing and the twins surprisingly didn't really irritated me (although their little side story and telling of it was so stereotypical I just sort of stared there wondering what happened).
In the end my favorite character was--Kushimatsu. The elder of all the spirits who live with her. She was strong and worrisome, frequently scolding Zakuro in attempt to help protect her.
The romance was quite weak, although I liked how they focused on the other characters. Bonbori and Hozuki's romance with Ganryu pretty much felt like it was thrown together and sewn by a five year old.
Zakuro's romance was teased and finally thrown just as half-heartedly together at the end after the battle.
I'm trying not to be biased when I say this, but I probably enjoyed this shipping the most because of how it was executed, Susukihotaru's and Riken's romance was probably done the best. There were sweet bits every once in a while, but also those parts when you just know that these two are supposed to be together. Susukihotaru, although occasionally rescued, did a fine job of trying to stand on her own and caring for Riken in her own way. Riken is very stoic and chivalrous and cares for Susukihotaru in a very considerate manner. They are incredibly adorable with how shy she can get (without being tsundere) and how he tries to understand his own feelings.
Sound:
I loved the soundtrack and have it on my iPod. there was so much effort and it was so... family-like, I guess. All the seiyuus (main) had a part and sang in the opening and ending theme and it was nice to listen to with an almost traditional and 1950's feel. They were catchy and light--just like this anime.
While I wasn't that fond of the background music (more specifically the battle music) and much of it sounded quite similar, I like the slow little tunes that would pop up during the 'break times'.
All the seiyuus were chosen correctly and did an excellent job as always. Especially since there was Kana Hanazawa (Susukihotaru) and Sakurai Takahiro (voicing Kei Agemaki) who are veteran voice actors.
Art:
What originally attracted me to this anime. The art was pretty. I fell for it. It's like a horrible trap--except this wasn't that horrible. The animation was done well and, actually, quite creatively.
Either way, despite any flaws this anime had--I was still pushed to continue this series and managed to even though I nearly never finish any. It simply sucked me in.
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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Oct 14, 2011
There will be fanservice.
Much fanservice.
But I loved it. The first episode really caught my eye. It came from the middle of nowhere with memorable characters where I was already beginning to pick favorites from and humor that's suited to my tastes.
I didn't expect to enjoy it and found it while randomly scrolling through youtube, but I did.
This is adapted from a eroge visual novel and while the art isn't amazing and is a little generic--I love the characters.
I don't find any of the characters useless or annoying. The characters are strong and everyone has their fair share of time with the audience.
...
I'm entertained and when it comes down to it--that's why people make anime, draw manga and continue on with their stories.
I really don't have much to say except to give it a try and hopefully it suits your tastes.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Oct 14, 2011
It may not be the most original storyline, but the anime hardly does any justice to the manga.
In the manga the art is interesting, even if a little disproportional at times and the story has actual character development. I actually really like the art, even if it was a bit off-putting at first.
The characters in the anime only show a minimal amount, especially seeing as this is just an OVA. In the manga you see a lot more and come into an understanding with not only Norio, but all the characters around him.
Sometimes to the point that you completely wonder if the main couple
...
exists.
You see, the manga goes into chapter phases where at times it'll follow the real time and when a new character is introduced it follows their background with their lover (I actually enjoyed these a lot. Many of them had extremely complicated relationships) so we can have a better feel of the depth in it.
I'll admit--this does have rape and I don't approve of it and get extremely tired when that's all there is to yaoi manga. To be honest, I think that's why a lot of people steer clear of it now.
I think it happened about once... Not with the main pairing, either.
Norio, the main character, isn't the typical uke being stupid about how he feels and actually tells Kunimasa his feelings first and has the balls
(minor spoiler)
to tell him that he doesn't want to be with someone who doesn't love him.
(end of spoiler)
Kunimasa isn't the most socially aware penguin and is pretty insensitive (not abusive to Norio) and Norio doesn't want to put up with his apathy.
It's not just the main characters who develop--it's all the side characters, too. It makes it feel like one big family.
Love/Sex Pistols may not be like your typical manga and I enjoy it, especially the relationships which the mangaka, although sometimes not in the best ways, takes the time to develop.
I will admit, though, this does have some yaoi stereotypes and tropes.
I'm afraid that I can't really find any manga that stay away from that anymore.
Sometimes the dialogue is a little... strange, especially when it comes to the male pregnancy, but the relationships are pretty realistic, depending on the pairing, and the characters have genuine self-conflict and problems that are easy to relate to, especially with their insecurities.
If you can get past the art (which, to be honest, I don't mind at all) and the male pregnancy and look at the characters and their depth it'll be pretty okay and relatable.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Oct 14, 2011
Dantalian no Shoka is about Huey, a young man whose grandfather died and left him his house supposedly filled with books from demons and Dalian a seemingly young girl found in his grandfather's home.
The anime gets right into things and explains everything right off the bat, almost smothering you with information. Despite this it still allows for you to understand what's going on and how everything works while giving hints of everyone in the first episode.
I'll be honest: Half of the anime is filler.
There is no exact goal established in the beginning so it's just them dealing with random situations involving the Phantom books,
...
which grows tedious and boring. The story had much potential and could of been developed well--but, once again, because of the short amount of episodes it was compacted and had light focused in all the wrong places.
I found it intriguing and would keep up with the episodes regularly in the beginning, checking on my crunchyroll app, however I soon realized that the anime wasn't very enjoyable and switched to the manga.
If you're interested more in the plot and goal, then this would be the wiser of the choices.
Story:
It could of been much more memorable and interesting if there weren't so much filler. At times I felt a bit likes this was like FMA, just because of the atmosphere in the episode with the writer.
Art:
Art was beautiful and the animation was good. The environments were realistic and done well. The designs were unique and eye-catching as well.
Sound:
I love the music for this. It suited it very well--I was actually quite surprised with the ending theme but it felt suited to it. Not only was the music gorgeous, but it created a subtle environment that you could easily get into.
Voice Acting:
All the characters were well cast and fit into their roles with ease.
Character:
Although Dalian sometimes acts a bit like a tsundere, she isn't pushy or angry 24-7 and is--dare I say it--quite classy, able to carry herself 'like a lady' without embarrassing herself or angering the audience with stupidity. She is mature, although she has the tendency to get fired up (not blow up, mind you) and is calm and collected the majority of the time, though easily swayed by sweets.
Huey, the other main character, is a capable young man who did some service in the military. He's very similar to Dalian in some respects, having the same mannerisms but can be unexpectedly bold. He is intelligent and I don't think I've ever been irritated by his decisions.
His relationship with Dalian is almost sororal with how he treats her. He treats her like a woman, but cares for her almost like he would if she were his sister. Mind you, I said 'treats' not 'feels'.
Overall the characters were excellent and I reccomend the manga instead of the anime unless you're looking for something short with a bit of a 'no strings attached relationship'.
Mind you, I still have not finished the anime, but I have read the manga.
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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