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I've seen a fair share of idol anime over the years (Idolish7 being the prime example), so giving this show a chance seemed obvious. Unfortunately, other things grabbed my attention and only now was I able to watch it. So, was Idoly Pride any good? Well, let's hop on find out, shall we?

Story
By now, we should know how generic and run of the mill idol anime can be, with the basic premise of most them being "underdog idol group attempting to become famous", but Idoly Pride puts a spin on this premise by A) splitting the main group into two separate groups and B) having ... both groups having a ghost as a mentor. Yeah, that's right. A ghost is a major character in this story and nobody pays any attention to it. Nobody asks questions like "what's the afterlife like? Does God exist? Does dying hurt?" Absolutely nothing. Everybody goes about their business as usual. Okay.

Anyway, the story is as generic as it can get. Don't get me wrong, it's still fun and enjoyable, but that's only because the characters, not the plot itself. do all the heavy-lifting. (6/10)

Characters
This is where Idoly Pride really shines, aside from its musical aspect, the characters are the show's true life-blood. Any good work of fiction should, in theory, have both interesting characters and excellent narrative progression, but Idoly Pride consciously chooses to focus on the characters rather than the story. The characters share excellent interactions with each other, such as Sakura and Kotono, Makino and Mana (the aforementioned ghost) and even the rival groups with each other.

You'll have plenty of characters to like in this TV show, even though none of them can be considered the actual protagonist of the story. Still, if I had to guess, I'd say the protagonist of the story is Kotono, with Sakura coming very close. She experiences the majority of character development, achieves a position of leadership and is revealed to be the living sister of Mana, making it clear right from the beginning that she is special to the larger story.

Unfortunately, as interesting as Kotono is by herself, she can only do so much to carry the story, which is where the other characters come in. It's very fun to see the characters interact and bounce off each other and that is one of Idoly Pride's biggest strengths. (9/10)

Art
I'm no art expert, so don't expect my art-critiquing to be good, but the animation and the art style were pretty easy on the eyes. The character movements were seamless, the designs were cute (albeit in a generic way) and the lighting and the backgrounds had great details. (8/10)

Music
Of course, this wouldn't be an idol anime without good music and Idoly Pride offers no shortage of good music, from the closing song from Sunny Peace and Moon Tempest, to the main song by rival group TRINITYAiLE. If Idoly Pride was a vehicle to release and sell good music, then mission accomplished.

Also, we can't talk about the sound department without bringing up the excellent performances by the VAs. The cast includes both established veterans and rising newcomers like Mai Kanno (Sakura), Sayaka Kanda (Mana) and even one of my personal favorites in the whole business, Sora Amamiya (Rui). Still, if I had to pick a favorite performance, I would choose that of Mirai Tachibana (Kotono). True, her non-singing performance can be understated and even downright stoic but she does understand her character in an emotional level, Haruka Nanase-style, and when she is given a chance to fully display her talent, you will not be disappointed. (9/10)

Conclusion
In closing here, Idoly Pride is a very good anime. True, the plotting could have been better, but it more than compensates with excellent character writing and beautiful music. This anime is a hidden gem among hidden gems and I highly recommend it. (8/10)

What can I say about Vivy that hasn't been said already? This show is a beautiful experience that combines timeless themes such as the evolution of artificial intelligences and the exploration of the human condition and I enjoyed every episode of it. Normally, I refrain from watching clip shows because they often disrupt the narrative of the main story, but since the show is already over and there's nothing left to tell, I guess I can make an exception for Vivy. So, was this little recap any good? Well, let's hop on and find out, shall we?

Story
As told by Matsumoto in the first few minutes, ... this clip show recaps the entirety of the show in a 25-minute runtime and we get to see the trials and tribulations Vivy and Matsumoto have to endure in their mission to prevent a human-robot war 100 years in the future. As expected of every single clipshow out there, we're only told the broad strokes of their adventures, without the little details and nuances that made such adventures so entertaining and endearing in the first place. That's not to say that the recap is bad, because it isn't, but a recap isn't a substitute for the full story. (6/10)

Characters
Again, a clipshow cannot and should not replace the full story of an anime and one of the reasons why is because we're missing out on crucial elements of Vivy's character development. We're merely told why is she the person she is today, but we don't see the path she took to get there. Without those neat little details that embellish her story, we're only told about the person she is, we're no longer part of her journey, we're only seeing it from the outside. But hey, at least Matsumoto is funny. (610)

Visuals
By definition, the visual department is the one thing this recap can't screw up. Everything, from the concerts, the fight scenes and the character designs looks clean and perfectly balanced. (8/10)

Sounds
I'm just gonna be honest with you, I don't watch anime in Japanese anymore. I find it tiring having to lower my eyes just to read the subtitles and it's easier for me to watch the English dub. Still, it was nice listening to the vocal talents of both Atsumi Tanezaki (Vivy) and Jun Fukuyama (Matsumoto). (8/10)

Conclusion
A 25-minute recap isn't a substitute for a full TV series. I've said that before and I'm sure I'll say it again. Still, this recap did a pretty good job at illustrating the more important parts of Vivy's journey and I highly recommend it to people who already watched the main series and still have problems letting go of the characters and their stories. The best thing about this recap is that it serves as the perfect farewell to Vivy and her community. (7/10)

Way too many stories have tackled themes such as the integration of artificial intelligences into human society or explorations into the human condition, so it's obvious by the get-go, that Vivy would have a steep hill to climb. So, with the series complete, can Vivy be considered good? Well, let's hop on and find out, shall we?

Story
The human vs machine trope has been done over and over and over again within the realm of fiction, giving Vivy the daunting task of doing something original with the premise. Vivy's particular spin on this premise involves the titular character, an android constructed for entertainment, being tasked to ... stop a human/machine war from breaking out in the first place with the help of her her wisecracking AI sidekick. At first glance, this might look something that would look much better in a kids' anime, but Vivy manages to explore its themes with surprising humanity and pathos.

Sentences like "putting your heart into something" and "to make everyone happy with my singing" aren't thrown around for their own sake, but as a way to get the protagonist to challenge her preconceptions about herself and the world she lives in. What does it mean to be human? How would an AI look at a human? How does a human-machine relationship in a society obsessed with scientific advancement? These are questions that Vivy is forced to answer in her own way, all the while learning that perhaps there are no easy answers, or at least no easily-agreed upon answers, to those questions.

As expected of a series of robots, Vivy features plenty of fast-placed action in which the protagonist partakes, as well. Oil gets spilled, lasers get fired, steel walls get punched on and even shattered and the robots pull all kinds of crazy stunts that you would see on big-budget Hollywood movies. Vivy features an excellent balance of action, melodrama, scientific exposition and even a little bit of comedy that people will enjoy.(8/10)

Characters
Characters are the heart and soul of a story. I've said that before and I'm sure I'll say it again. Vivy is one of the finest protagonists I've seen in an anime. Her quest for human identity is very relatable and her desire to make everyone happy with her singing is surprisingly admirable and wholesome. At first, she has no interest in the mission Matsumoto thrusts upon her but after meeting several good peopel throughout her journey, she begins to believe in something bigger than herself and fully devotes herself to her new mission. The Vivy we see at the beginning of the story is not the same Vivy we see at the end and that deserves no shortage of praise.

Matsumoto is one of the best characters in the whole series and it goes without a series that Vivy wouldn't be as enjoyable without him. He is always so on top of things that watching him missing a piece of crucial information can be both distressing and hilarious. Vivy and Matsumoto are great foils to each other and their relationship pays favorable dividends to the story.

The show also features plenty of memorable supporting characters like the sweet and innocent Ophelia and the tough-as-nails Elizabeth, both of whom have great interactions with Vivy and, depending in the circumstances, can either help or impede Vivy in her mission. (9/10)

Visuals
The show is at best when it goes straight into fast-paced robot combat action. The movements are seamless, the choreography is incredible and the show delivers the right amount of lighting in moments where lasers and energy beams are fired. I also liked the close-ups on the androids, especially Vivy. I think it's safe to say that's where a huge portion of the animation budget went. (8/10)

Sounds
Whle the closing song is fine, it's not really anything special and to be honest, it loses its value when it's played for the billionth time during the show itself. The opening song, on the other hand, is one of the best I've heard in a while. It's beautfiul, dramatic, intense and puts right at the edge of your seat.

Vivy also boasts an impressive cast of talented voice actors like Max Mittelman (Matsumoto), Allegra Clark (Elizabeth), Xanthe Huynh (Ophelia) and Cherami Leigh (Yui), led by an incredible vocal performance by the always appreciated Cristina Valenzuela (Vivy), (8/10)

Conclusion
More than just a good anime, Vivy is a serious contender for anime of the year. Aside from exploring well-worn tropes like robotic identity and the exploration of the human condition, it also features an interesting story, likeable characters, incredible action and beautiful music. WIT Studio has created an undeniable classic that will stand the test of time. (8/10)

I've gotta be honest with you, I wasn't expecting much from this TV show and I only gave it a chance because of its vocal talent (that's how I navigate through the anime landscape, don't judge me). Still, I wanted to give this show a fair chance to impress me, so I started watching with an open mind. So, was Seven Knights any good? Well, let's hop on and find out, shall we?

Warning! Spoiler alert!

Story
Anime adaptations of mobile games aren't very good, with very few exceptions, so Seven Knights would have a tough time impressing viewers with its simplistic premise of heroic knights fighting evil ... monsters. Fortunately, it evolves from that simplistic premise to a character-driven narrative (which I will later get to).

Thinking back, the action is rather generic and the use of superpowers has been done thousands of times in other anime and what really carries the narrative forward is the characters. In fact, the characters save the narrative from becoming dull and predictable. (5/10)

Characters
This is where Seven Knights really shines. The characters are, without a doubt, the lifeblood of the story. Nemo is one of the best-developed protagonists I've watched in an anime. He starts out insecure of himself, as a nobody who only finds worth when a person saves his life, and as the series progresses, he evolves into someone with strong convictions, a person to love, and the willingness to defend them both. The Nemo we see at the beginning of the show is not the Nemo we see at the end and that deserves no shortage of praise.

Joining Nemo is the beautiful and dedicated Faria, who is both the primary engine in Nemo's character development and a strong character in her own right. At first, she believed she had nothing except her duty and her mission, but upon meeting Nemo, she discovers that she can be more than just a warrior. By protecting someone and being protected by that someone, Nemo and Faria evolve beautifully throughout the show.

I also enjoyed the parts of the supporting characters and the bonds between the titular Seven Knights. Gildan is an optimistic and cheerful character that avoids the pitfall of becoming comic relief, Jou is more than just a beefy dude and Shirley allows herself to feel vulnerable and express that vulnerability. The depth displayed by both Ellen and Gareth was very interesting and allowed the show to go in unexpected directions.

I won't spoil too much here, but if there's one theme I can take away from the show's character writing is that ultimately, there is redemption for those who want it. (8/10)

Art
The artstyle is very generic and simple, but it never needed to be extravagant or overly detailed in order to tell the stort it wanted to tell. The fight scenes are well-animated and it avoids the overuse of CGI. Seven Knights deserves credit for understanding that good visuals are supposed to enhance the anime experience, not make it from scratch and that there's beauty in simplicity. (8/10)

Sounds
Both the opening and closing songs are beautiful and relaxing, especially the latter performed by Daiki Yamashita, who also voices the protagonist Nemo. I have admit I don't follow Daiki's career that closely but when he performs, he does a fine job and Nemo was no exception. He plays really well off Hibiku Yamamura, who conveys both the dignity and emotional weakness of Faria and who I believe deserves more work in the future.

We also get strong supporting performances from powerhouses like Kana Hanazawa (Ellen), Manami Numakura (Shirley), Yumiri Hanamori (Reda) and the always-appreciated Kikuko Inoue (Sophitia). Even minor performances like Takahiro Sakurai (Genius) and Yuu Shimamura (Eunomia) stood out in one of the best-acted shows I've seen in a long time. (9/10)

Conclusion
The best way to describe Seven Knights is "diamond in the rough." It's not perfect and definitely not what I consider a masterpiece, but it never needed to be those things in order to be good. It only needed to tell an exciting story with interesting characters and that's exactly what it accomplishes in the end. It's a bit sad that this show flew largely under the radar during its broacasting time, so I highly recommend it to anyone who has the opportunity to watch it.

I gotta be honest with you, I only gave this anime a chance because some folks over the Internet were talking about it so I wanted to see what exactly was this show all about. So, was Record of Ragnarok any good? Well, let's hop on and find out, shall we?

Warning! Spoiler alert!

Story
The "man vs god" trope is among the most common in the fiction. Everything from comic books, movies and video games uses this trope to a certain extent and a work of fiction is bound to be labelled as generic or unoriginal unless it does something new and innovative with it and Record ... of Ragnarok tries ("tries" being the keyword here) to revitalize this trope by turning it into a tournament.

So, apparently, the gods are disappointed in mankind and want to destroy it but the Valkyrie Brunhilde proposes that tournament be held in order to give humanity a chance to fight for their survival. The competitors in each tournament are taken from ancient mythologies and classical literature and pitted to a battle to the death. Cool enough for a premise, right?

Well, it would be, if the show wasn't obsessed with the legends about these characters rather than the actual fights between them. Seriously, 80% of this show is character introductions, narrations about historical/mythological facts and exposition, and a measly 20% is dedicated to the fights themselves. I was actually bored for a good portion of the show because it was more interested in telling the already-known stories about these characters rather than focusing on the narrative it already has. (4/10)

Characters
The main problem I have with Record of Ragnarok is that it gives us no characters to root for. Seriously, no one in the show has enough of a personality or motivations worth sympathizing with or getting behind. Well, I guess Adam and Kojirou Sasaki do, but that's where my sympathy for the characters ends.

Why does Brunhilde want to take revenge against the gods? Why is she helping humanity? The show never explores this questions and instead forces us to accept the narrative presented to us. Other than the typical "genocide is bad" moral, why is saving the human race and defeating the gods a good thing? The gods are so high and mighty and the humans don't even get enough characterization to care for them. (3/10)

Art
If nothing else, you can like Record of Ragnarok for its visual aesthetics. Everything, from the character designs to the fight scenes, looks cleanly designed and animated. Unfortunately, much of that animation is reserved for flashbacks and exposition instead of, you know, advancing the story. Good visuals are supposed to enhance the anime experience, not make from scratch and that's a lesson Record of Ragnarok either forgot or refused to acknolwedge. (7/10)

Sounds
I feel sorry for Record of Ragnarok. It has good opening and closing songs and an excellent background soundtrack. The vocal performances (in the English version, at least) are among the best I've listened to in recent years, especially those of Jonah Scott (Adam) and Laura Post (Brunhilde), and I think this is the first time I've listened to a performance by Anairis Quinones (Goll). When I dislike a character, I do my best not to hold it against the actor but against the screenwriters because they are the ones with creative control over the story. It's such a shame that talent went to waste in this show. Record of Ragnarok is among the best-acted shows I've ever felt sorry for. (8/10)

Conclusion
Record of Ragnarok is less of an attempt to tell a compelling story with mythological characters and more as an attempt by the creators to show off their knowledge in classical literature and mythology. It's more interested in educating us about the characters rather than making us care about the characters in the situation they're currently in. I actually struggled to get through this show and when that happens, I don't exactly have a good opinion of it. When this show really tries, it can be good; but for the most part, it's just bland and forgettable. (6/10)

I gotta be honest with you, I only gave this show a chance because of its voice cast (that's how I navigate through the anime landscape, don't judge me). At first, I had decided to hold off until the English version was released until I gave into temptation and watched the Japanese episodes and now, I've just watched the two versions at the same time. So, was Mushoku Tensei any good? Well, let's hop on and find out, shall we?

Story
Let's pull no punches about this, the isekai genre is dominating the anime landscape right now and every premise runs the risk of oversaturation and isekai ... anime can only be taken seriously if the show does something interesting with its premise. In Mushoku Tensei's case, the protagonist is a child with the memories of an adult. While he does fall into the typical pitfalls of a light novel protagonists, such as unexpected magical talent and multiple interests, the story maintains a pretty good balance between plot development and character development.

We see protagonist Rudeus learn about magic and the world around and we explore several parts of the new world and meet new cultures. The world-building in this world is fantastic, to say the least. There's a lot of dedication towads building a foreign language and mentioning about relationships between species.

Mushoku Tensei also keeps a fine balance between drama and comedy, with the styles rarely, if ever, stepping onto each other's toes. Right from the first episode, you can see that Mushoku Tensei will be a special experience. (8/10)

Characters
Like I said before, Rudeus falls into the pitfalls of almost every LN protagonist out there, but he also avoids them in certain ways, like the fact that he doesn't immediately become an all-powerful badass when he gets reborn into the new world. He has to learn how to use magic and experiences failures that allow him to grow into a better person. In the words of Yoda (Star Wars), "failure can be the greatest teacher of all." Rudeus isn't afraid of afraid of failure and when he does fail, he learns from that failure and tries to become better.

I also loved his interactions with his supporting cast. Roxy, his magical teacher, was Rudeus' first meangingful relationship outside of his own family. Not only does she teach him magic, she teaches him how to confront his fears and be brave. Rudeus, in turn, passes those teachings to his first friend, Sylphiette. I love how affectionate Rudeus and Sylphiette are. They are so adorable!

Finally, we reach Eris, who has, hands down, the strongest and most energetic personality in the entire show. She isn't afraid to speak out her mind and she can be aggressive, even towards Rudeus, who oftentimes loses his patience with her. Even so, they reach a mutual understanding of each other and that strengthens their relationship.

At the end of the day, Mushoku Tensei will offer you no shortage of characters you can call your favorites. (9/10).

Art
Let me be clear about this: Mushoku Tensei is not your average isekai show and that's further exemplified with the production values. Everything, from the character designs, the magical powers and the fight scenes, looks beautifully animated. Studio Band really went out of its way to make this show as memorable as possible. (9/10)

Sound
""Tabibito no Uta" by Yuiko Ohara has to be one of the most beautiful opening songs I've ever heard in recent years. One night, I listened to it until I fell asleep. The rest of the soundtrack is pretty good, but not as memorable.

The vocal performances, on the other hand, are the true highlight of the sounds department. Tomokazu Sugita and Yumi Uchiyama do an excellent job in portraying the duality of Rudeus, as do Ben Phillips and Madeleine Morris.

The Japanese version boasts the talents of Ai Kayano (Sylphiette), Ai Kakuma (Eris) and rising star Konomi Kohara (Roxy). I also loved how adult Hisako Kanemoto sounded as Zenith, considering she's normally cast as teenagers or little children. That's good talent, right there.

The English version isn't that far behind in terms of talented voice actors. I'm normally used to listening to Michelle Rojas and Bryn Apprill as Tohka Yatogami and Kotori Itsuka from Date A Live, but their performances as Roxy and Zenith were incredible. They have good vocal range, that's for sure. At the same time, I never guessed that the adult and dignified Emily Neves would portray the young and innocent Sylphiette. Lindsay Seidel did such a fine job as the energetic Eris that I initially confused her with Dawn Michelle Bennet. Wow. Talk about talent. (9/10)

Conclusion
I admit I didn't enjoy my second watching of Mushoku Tensei as much as I did the first time. The truth is, I just like watching an anime once then move on. Perhaps I didn't give this show enough time to breathe between versions, but either way, Mushoku Tensei held its own as a good story with interesting characters. Anyone who gives this show a chance instead of automatically dismissing it as yet another isekai anime is in for a fun time. (8/10).

I watched ID-0 back in its original run and only now I decided to watch again, this time in English. So, after 4 years, does ID-0 still hold up? Well, let's hop on and find out, shall we?

Warning! Spoiler alert!

Story
ID-0 combines the mecha genre with excavation and space exploration, which is something I haven't seen that much in anime. The fascinating element (no pun intended) for this premise is orichalt, a mysterious mineral that allows for faster-than-light travel, kinda like dilithium from Star Trek. What begins as a simple episodic story about miners and excavators suddenly transforms into a series of mysteries, spatial anomalies and ... lost identities and I loved how the show was able to handle these themes.

I also loved the balance of comedy and drama in this show. The two tones are in almost perfect synchronization with each other, rarely stepping into each other's toes. The show isn't lacking in action, either with cool scenes, you would expect from a show about giant robots. (7/10)

Characters
I really like Ido, he's a very interesting protagonist. While I normally would have dismissed him for falling into the trend of being a "silent and stoic archetype", Ido is far more talkative and sarcastic than you would expect him to be. A crucial element of his character development is his quest for identity. Ido doesn't know who he is and he is dedicated to his job because it's the only thing he has left, but once a clue to his former life presents itself, he quickly takes it.

Maya also serves the perfect role of the viewpoint character. This is Ido's story, but Maya is the everygirl of the show, the character we're supposed to relate to the most or the easiest. She experiences much of the ID-0 universe for the first time and ends up asking the questions we ourselves would ask if we found ourselves in those exact same situations. Like I said before, this is Ido's story, but we see it through Maya's eyes.

The show is also filled to the brim with interesting personalities, like the speed-obsessed Rick, the serious boss Grayman and the intelligence officer Claire. Still, if I had to choose I favorite, outside Ido and Maya, of course, it would be Karla. She acts as the motherly figure of the group, preventing any conflicts between them. She also finds herself in a similar situation to that of Ido, but she gets luckier than him. Just watch the show and you'll see what I mean. (8/10)

Art
Say what you will about ID-0, but you can't deny the visual effects are amazing. Everything, from the mecha designs to fight scenes, is beautifully animated. It's very difficult to render humans in CGI with the style of an anime, but I think ID-0 did a pretty good job at that. (8/10)

Sounds
The opening song is amazing, I've listened to it quite a few times now, but the closing song is so cheesy and it's hard for me to take it seriously. The background music is good, especially the music for the previews.

The vocal performances, both in Japanese and English were incredible. Both Kazuyuki Okitsu and Todd Haberkorn did a fine job as Ido, especially Todd, whose voice was modulated in order to deliver the impression that he was really a machine. I'm not familiar with the career of Minami Tsuda (Maya), and this was my first time watching her in an anime with a major role.

The Japanese version is filled to the brim with all-star voice actors like Sayaka Ohara (Karla), Takehito Koyasu (Adams), Rikiya Koyama (Grayman) and the very talented Kikuko Inoue (Jennifer). The English version also features powerhouses like Cherami Leigh (Maya), Keith Silverstein (Grayman) and Christine Marie Cabanos (Claire). Still, if I had to pick a favorite performance, I'd pick Cristina Valuenzuela (Karla), who is quickly becoming one of my favorite VAs in the business. (9/10).

Conclusion
ID-0 is the true definition of a diamond in the rough. It's got mecha action, overarching mysteries, space exploration and cool music. Anyone who actually gives this show a chance instead of automatically dismissing it for being a Netfli show will be in for a fun time. (8/10).

I did read information about this anime awhile ago, but only now did I give it a chance. So, was High-Rise Invasion any good? Well, let's hop on and find out, shall we?

Warning! Spoiler alert!

Story
The idea of a battle royale/death game isn't exactly new to anime landscape, but it can still be interesting if the show puts an interesting spin on this concept and what High-Rise Invasion does is introduce masks that give their wearers superhuman powers but take away their humanity. Protagonist Yuri is constantly forced to adapt, survive and make unusual alliances in order to save in what appears to be a game ... intended to create the perfect god, the specifics of which are never developed within the series.

Something I found really intriguing about High-Rise Invasion was the characters constantly switching and forming alliances, mostly out of convenience, but sometimes because of genuine friendship. It really increases the emotional stakes and dramatic tension in the show. Sure, there are times when the fanservice and the comedy look misplaced, but for the most part, the show has a very good tone and an interesting story. (7/10)

Characters
Yuri has to be one of the best female protagonists I've seen in recent years. When she enters the game she doesn't become an all-powerful badass, she is merely a scared teenager who finds herself way out of her depth and the first time she wields a gun or fights someone, she is clumsy and she needs to think fast in order to stay alive. She reminds me of Lara Croft from the new Tomb Raider games. I really love Yuri, not in spite of her flaws, but because of them.

I have trouble deciding who is the deuteragonist of the show: Yuri's brother Rika or the mysterious Sniper Mask. Both characters know each other and the show does dedicate a bit of time into their relationship and while Sniper Mask does have a bit more screentime, Rika's influence can be felt throughout the show, either as a motivation for Yuri or his own actions trying to survive the game.

I also loved the supporting parts of both Mayuko and Kuon. They both develop beautifully throughout the show. The former learns compassion and friendship through Yuri, while the latter learns how to be strong and to stand by her convictions from Sniper Mask. The connections between characters is one of the show's strongest aspects. (8/10)

Art
Sex and violence sell, that's a given. There is plenty of action in this series, as expected of a battle to the death. Sure, there is blood, but never to the point where it becomes obscene and grotesque. The fanservice, however, is more distracting than titilating. High-Rise Invasion will find any excuse to tear a girl's clothes to shreds or show their panties, and it's up to the viewer to decide whether it's titilating, hilarious or distracting. Still, the show has good artistic resources and that's something to be praised. (8/10)

Sounds
I really liked the soundtrack for this show, especially for the fight scenes. The vocal performances are also incredible. Despite their relatively short careers, Suzie Yeung (Yuri),Zeno Robinson (Rika) and Jonah Scott (Sniper Mask) have proven their talent by performing alongside powerhouses like Stephanie Sheh (Kuon), Johnny Young Bosch (Aikawa), Xanthe Huynh (the voice of the masks) and Cristina Valenzuela (Yayoi). I really hope they get more work after this. (8/10)

Conclusion
Let me be clear about this. High-Rise Invasion isn't a masterpiece by any stretch of imagination. Everything about this show has been done better by other works of fiction. Is it still worth watching? Yes. Why? Because it's fun, it has action, it has an ongoing mystery and likeable characters. This show is a very good way to spend your time on and I highly recommend it. (7/10)

This show didn't really grab my attention because I was busy with other things in my life and only now did I give it chance. So, was Hidden Dungeon any good? Well, let's hop on and find out, shall we?

Warning! Spoiler alert!

Story
Dungeon exploration is nothing new to anime, but it can still be an interesting concept if the story puts an innovative spin on it, and what Hidden Dungeon does is by making the exploration of the titular dungeon a secondary plotline. Instead, protagonist Noir only explores a few levels of the dungeon and spends most of his time trying to improve his life in ... the surface world. The biggest reason he spends time in the dungeon is to speak to his master Olivia, who is trapped within the higher (not lower, higher) levels of the dungeon and is trying to find a way to save her.

The show maintains a good balance between comedy and action, with the two elements never really stepping onto each other's toes. The show doesn't dig deep into the lore and world-building of its fictional universe, but luckily it doesn't need that do be entertaining. (7/10)

Characters
Noir isn't really all that different from the multitude of light novel anime protagonists out there. Seriously, everything he does has been already done and with a much better degree. Fortunately, he makes that up with his relationships with other characters, such as childhood friend Emma, his master Olivia and the countless women who fall in love with him, because why not? Despite the simplicty of the show's character writing (or perhaps because of it), you will come to care for the characters and their struggles. (7/10)

Arts
All the characters in the show share the same basic faces. They all look the same. Sure, there are differences here and there, but there wasn't much effort to make the characters look distinctive, other than hair colors and eye colors, obviously. Well, at least the action scenes and the backgrounds look nice. (6/10)

Sounds
The opening and closing songs are very soothing and relaxing, which something of a necessity for a light-hearted TV show like Hidden Dungeon, but the real standout of the sound department is the vocal talent.

I'm not familiar with the career of Zeno Robinson, but I think he did a fine job as Nemo. Lizzie Freeman, one of the rising stars in the voice acting business, was as sterling as ever as Emma and Anne Yatco (Lola), Kira Buckland (Luna) and Janice Kawaye (Olivia) did fantastic jobs, as well. (8/10)

Conclusion
The best thing Hidden Dungeon has going for it is that it doesn't need to rewrite the book on fantasy anime to be enjoyable. It just needs to be a good story, and that's what accomplishes in the end. This is a cheerful and optimistic story and I highly recommend it. (7/10)

I watched Gleipnir back when it first premiered in its original Japanese version and only now did I decide to re-watch it, this time in its English dub. So, after only 1 year of release, does Gleipnir still hold up? Well, let's hop on and find out, shall we?

Warning! Spoiler alert!

Story
The premise of a battle royale/death game is kinda reaching oversaturation in the anime landscape lately, but it can still be interesting if the story puts an innovative spin on it and Gleipnir's spin on this premise is making the protagonist turn into a mascot-like suit that can be worn by other characters. That is ... just the beginning of protagonist Shuuichi's problems, however, as he and his unlikely ally Clair find themselves trapped in a dangerous battle to find coins and gain the favor of alien who can grant them any wishes they want.

I really like how the story introduces several elements such as the complexity of human morality and emotions and quest for identity and strength, but I feel the story loses some of its impact in its final episodes, when it is revealed that the whole story started because of a misunderstanding. No, seriously, the whole story started because some people decided they thought they knew what was best for everyone and this was how this game began. What a waste.

If there's one lesson I can take away from Gleipnir is that many of the tragedies in this show could have been averted had the character just sat down and talked to each other instead of making rash decisions for everyone. Still, the good parts of Gleipnir's story outweigh the bad and for me, that's enough. (7/10)

Characters
The relationship between Shuuichi and Clair is without a doubt, both the emotional core and the strongest aspect of Gleipnir. At the beginning of the story, Shuuichi and Clair could not be anymore different. He is shy, a bit cowardly and would rather run away from a fight instead of hurting anyone, while she is ruthless, pragmatic and uncaring in the face of death itself. As they spend more time with each other, they begin to bring out the best in each other. Clair develops something resembling a morality, while Shuuichi becomes more aggressive and pragmatic. The duo we see at the beginning of the story isn't the same duo we see at the end and that deserves no shortage of praise.

I don't know what to think about Elena, the closest thing Gleipnir has to a primary antagonist. At first, we're told that she is a ruthless murderer, but then we get some context on why she did her initial actions. Still, the show doesn't dig deep into the murders she commited and apparently, that's supposed to justify her actions and portray her as a good person making the most out of a bad situation. The best thing I can say about Elena is that she is perfectly inconsistent with her own inconsistency.

I really enjoyed the supporting parts of Chihiro and Nana. They bring some much needed levity to a show that can sometimes be too dark and gritty for its own good. Character writing is without a doubt one of the best things about this show. (8/10)

Art
Pine Jam did a really good job with Gleipnir. Everything, from the characters, the fight scenes, the backgrounds and the lighting looks beautiful. The fanservice can be a bit distracting sometimes, but at least the show provides a reason for the fanservice. It's for story development, not just male titillation. (8/10)

Sounds
The soundtrack is absolutely incredible. Aside from the epic opening song and the soothing closing song, there are background tracks for intense action scenes, comedy and tender dramatic moments.

The vocal performances, both in Japanese and English, were amazing. It was always a personal fantasy of mine to have Natsuki Hanae (Shuuichi) and Nao Touyama (Clair) to star in an anime, and needless to say, they play absolutely well off each other. This also has to be my first time listening to Kana Hanazawa (Elena) and Kouki Uchiyama (Kaito) as antagonists, because I'm more familiar with their works as heroic characters.

As for the English version, well, I'm not familiar with the work of Ry McKeand, but he did a fine job as Shuuchi, while Brittney Karbowski (Clair) is as sterling as ever. Morgan Garrett has an amazing vocal range and she did admirably as Elena (much better than Kana Hanazawa, if you ask me). Finally, I would like to praise the work of Xanthe Huynh as Nana. (9/10)

Conclusion
I had fun the first time I watched Gleipnir, but the show definitely became better with a second viewing because it helped me appreciate the story and character much better than the first time. Gleipnir is a show that can be dark and gritty without becoming too grotesque and obscene. Whenever there are action scenes, they feel earned rather than just handed over and there's enough levity to avoid the show from becoming unwatchable. Gleipnir is a clear example of a diamond in the rough and I highly recommend it. (8/10)