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Nov 15, 2023
Before I go into this I want to address that this manga deals with very serious topics and does so in a very passive way, to me one should before reading this manga look up the effects of Sexual Assault, Suicide, and Dependency Issues. This story is to some assumed to be based on a true story of the actual mangaka's life, but this said can't fully be defined and critics believe it to be loosely based at best. But for that reason I don't want to say the events in this story could be unrealistic, just not well handled.
The best thing about this
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story to me is the main character Mika, I related to her a lot and felt her pain about things. I can say that it's hard to always try and put on a smile for people you quickly feel don't have your best interest at heart. It's also very hard to forgive, but when you do you find a sense of security that I feel Mika exudes.
The story and supporting characters to me all feel mostly realistic, but I can see the arguments for them being rather unhealthy people, to me that makes for the story to actually have more of an effect, especially I can totally see Mika's on-again off again friendship with Aya being a real thing and is one of the more compelling factors about the story as a whole due to just how aggravating and turbulent some friendships can be. Having witnessed a friendship like this in real life I can say it's one of the best defined parts of the story.
This story banks on its drama to sell the constant chase for true love, but it's very much up to the reader. To me it was effective, the love story between Hiro and Mika is something that does grow and does showcase the value they both have for each other, yet it also highlights the tragic effects one makes and how it can vastly affect their partner's mental health and self-care. Hiro's mentality is also something that as I get older I do see a lot more in some men and they oftentimes descend into a hopeless mindset where they seek to push everyone that even greatly loves them away.
It is to me one of the more realistic titles for overcoming tragedy. Hence I do think a lot of people could relate to this in a positive manner, but that said I do think it doesn't handle all its dramatic moments with care, but it rather needs to, but a person can still find this less as an attack and possibly more as a case for someone who doesn't understand the darker effects.
While I rate this story highly, I don't recommend making this story a basis for justifying events that the main character goes through and overcomes. To me, it doesn't handle these factors well, but that said it's hard to not say some of these things aren't true. I would recommend, but ask that you look into the actual effects that come throughout this story and understand how grave they can be.
While this title does try to wave off a lot of dark moments as to me feels like they are saying "Don't worry about the bad stuff" it does do well at highlighting the constant genuine beauty you can find in places when you keep your inner strength alive and always try to push forward with life.
My Rating: Used to be 10/10 on the first read. 8/10 on contemplation.
Recommendation Rating: 6/10 and a warning to approach the topics it depicts with a serious mindset.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Nov 15, 2023
Josee, The Tiger & The Fish is a beautifully animated story about the growing relationship between a mobility aid-bound girl named Josee & Tsueno, who becomes her caretaker and helps her get out of her home and explore the world.
Story 10/10
One of the most true-to-life stories I've seen. Something I have seen happen and something I personally connect with being a person who works with people with disabilities, it's so true to see both the sad moments like the sense of people not caring based on a simple disability, a family that can be overbearing with fear for their loved ones, the sad moments of
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never being able to truly experience a certain aspect of life for themselves. But also the best things like self-improvement coming naturally after a hopeful moment, family and friends finding faith in their loved ones, and the triumph of people to overcome obstacles because of people they love inspiring them to chase their dreams.
"The world isn't all scary"
Art 10/10
The expressions are beautiful, but this film solely needed to look beautiful not because of it being "cool" or "standardized by modern anime" but because of the character in Josee's love for art and paintings and how that conveys her dreams, stories, and inner expression throughout the story.
Sound 10/10
Things just feel like it's everyday natural occurrences, so when the more imaginative and magical moments happen, it feels like a truly special moment that's just for the characters. It's so true, the older you get the more you find moments like these are what is offered in reality.
Characters 10/10
Josee is one of the most beautiful written characters, not attempting to define her by her disability alone but to showcase her growth through her relationship with Tsuneo, who himself is given such a down-to-earth spirit that is more relatable than serialized as the film progresses. The supporting cast also shines in different ways that highlight their own values and struggles for which all relate back to the theme of some who are afraid to try because of obstacles.
Enjoyment 10/10
One of the sweetest, most realistic, and imaginative films I've seen in a long time. It radiates with hope, but doesn't spoil you with expectations of some of the realities that life throws at you, but doesn't say it's not possible to overcome, especially through factors that connect you to people, culture, art, and the world around you.
Overall 10/10
It's a beautiful story that will tug at your heartstrings while showcasing the power to follow your dreams in spite of disabilities and other obstacles that life throws at you.
Fully recommend it to everyone
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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May 21, 2022
I personally feel that this manga gets a lot of hate from people who feel like it's not adapting Junko Furuta's case the right way and to that I ask. What is the right way? Is it to completly tear away all form of hope and just paint bleakness at every corner? Cause to that I would argue that the manga does so and that it truly does capture the self destructive behavior of the criminals.
People are allow to find this as a subpar read or even a very inneffective tribute but it is none the less a tribute that I don't believe is
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worthless or void of any sentement to the real case.
The overall story presents a really bleak but overall hopeful outlook that people should never give up on trying to right wrongs and find justice even when justice might not be able to be served to the fullest.
And as the story itself, I find it to be a rather good crime thriller with lots of moments that drag morality to the peak of between dark and grey and tests your will to stomach characters who will disapoint and struggle thoughtout with not a ton of hope in sight.
Overall I would say give this story a read and if you find yourself mad then that is fine but I would reccomend to try and vent your anger to the true criminals the story is based on then the author for their attempts to try and show Junko as a very brave individual who deserves to be seen more as a tragic hero who fought hard and deserved better.
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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Oct 6, 2021
Kit Harrington said it best when asked his opinion on Season 8 of Game of Thrones "Disappointing." And so too is my opinion very much the same for Higurashi No Naku Koro Ni Sotsu.
But there are things about Sotsu that I feel make it sit above being just simply "bad" as I feel there are things about Sotsu that are good, but the good is so weighed down by the bad that it just narrows out to be mediocre.
Story: 6/10. This is probably where a lot of my conflict lies because Sotsu does have things that work and has so much else that
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could've worked to the degree of being one of the best shows of 2021, but it flounders so much of it away that while what we get is serviceable and to a decent amount of people of Sotsu actually "great" it to me instead just feels like the perfect final that should have us moving to tears with every episode is instead just throwing it out like laundry.
I'm not saying that Sotsu's tale has no value whatsoever like some reviews here, but I don't think that much of an impact was felt when it feels like I should have a hole in my heart crying about how this should be one of the greatest animes of all-time.
Art: 7/10. Now I think art is not the be all end all of any production, the original 06 Higurashi has gotten much criticism for its art in recent years (which to me I feel it boasts more charm than a majority of anime this day and age) but none the less I understand it's an important part of the animation that people do want to be good.
And really Higurashi Sotsu's animation is good, it's decent and while I sometimes do think characters are "shiny" I still think that a lot of it fits within the story, while also in some ways resembling the original designs in small details where I could actually confuse it for still being apart of the DEEN anime. Which to me is a good thing.
Sound: 7/10. I mean there is nothing wrong with this sound wise I feel. Its music still is great, the voice actors are still showing why they are every bit the characters as they were since 06 and there is just a lot of good sound effects here.
I'm also very much looking forward to hearing the ending song again, which also was sung by a familiar artist of the original anime. It honestly had me in tears, fair play Passione.
Character: 5/10. Here's the thing they don't outright butcher characters as much as I feel they don't hone in them, Higurashi's cast to me has always been some of the most in-depth of all-time rivaling that of Evangelion and Berserk.
And what Sotsu is presenting is not out of bounds but just so caught in first gear it never picks up beyond that and to me, it's not so much that the anime is bad for it, but that it's frustrating because the meat of these characters is held back with repeated lines, rushed or dragging pacing or just overall trying so hard to showcase a side of the characters (Like Mion) that have never been seen before only to narrow it down to one point and stick to it.
This to me is just head shaking because there are so many instances where the characters look to be going into a direction that blows my mind, but for the most part, it's just by the books.
Although I do give points for how they handle 2 particular supporting cast characters that I honestly feel enhanced the story of Sotsu to the point I was rather moved, those who have seen the show I'm sure you know the two I'm talking about.
Enjoyment: 5/10. 15 Episodes and basically 60% of it is new content while a good 30% is just recapped content, that doesn't sound good and it's not good and frankly for something like Higurashi it should not be the case.
Overall I personally give it a 6 out of 10 but with a big amount of disappointment to go with it that could easily drag it down to a 5 out of 10 in spirit and I get where most reviews and fans are coming at with this edition of Higurashi and how it in many ways is just very flawed.
But I also understand why some could in fact see this as a great show as while I think the recaps drag this show down the most, it hits the beats that one who is watching this anime does, not amazing, but not to the point of declaring it's worthless.
And I respect anyone who enjoys this season and found themselves emotional with it as at the end of the day Higurashi I think should always be designed to make you come away with some emotional message.
Reviewer’s Rating: 6
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Apr 17, 2021
In my opinion, I found Death Lullaby to be less of a political showcase of the new age of Japan outgrowing the old ways and more of a talk on how bullying can affect great change around a person's psyche.
I saw this short film as more of from the pov of the young boy who is weak and powerless to the effects of the bullies and it's mirrored by the times of change and the powerlessness of the citizens trying to overcome constant advances in society and how they impact the old.
Hiroshi Harada has also said in an interview that he suffered from
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bullying a lot as a kid and this short was the experimental graduate film that he did to express all the pain and suffering from those experiences.
And he also wanted to showcase how in the adult world it's still a very commonplace thing that the strong look down on the weak.
You can see his style in Midori (Another anime I've reviewed) and he credits this style as being a Montage but also understands as he was a 19/20-year-old it came off looking quite bad. Which personally I think got better in Midori, as here I feel is more trying to shock rather than horrorfy.
Overall I think the message is a decent attempt and for a short film by a 19/20-year-old it's astounding how decent it is considering that Hiroshi did a chunk of the work himself.
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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Oct 13, 2020
Higurashi No Naku Koro Ni is an all-time classic and a staple for the horror genre in Anime.
Based in a rural village called Hinamizawa a young boy called Keiichi has befriended four schoolmates named Rena, Mion, Satoko and Rika. They all share in the fun times of club meetings and enjoy each other's company.
BUT
Something is unsettling about this rural village and it's dark history, it's almost as if someone or something is watching and everything is about to go terribly wrong for our five characters.
Higurashi No Naku Koro Ni came out in a time where Anime Horror was anything but above average
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for most people, sure there were your good horror-like anime such as Elfen Lied and Paranoia Agent but all of them seemed to want to be something else other than Horror. And the ones that did, only really seem to embrace the gore horror but without a lot of reason to make it feel more than just Gore.
And here was Higurashi, an adaption from a critically acclaimed VN by Ryukishi 07 that was not yet world released. And yet it was everything that made me freak out.
Its characters are amazingly crafted, so unique, and well handled to the point it's hard not to think of them as your own friends. The music is fantastic from the Opening to the Ending you are immersed within the surroundings of Hinamizawa.
The story is one of a kind that you'll only ever experience in Higurashi, amazingly told and leaving you with nightmares, scars, and probably even some tears and laughs too.
The Horror, it nails (lol) at every turn you feel it building with each moment that it takes to let you breathe in what's happening. And the mystery of it all gives such a masterful touch you'd think that some aspects were written by Edgar Allen Poe, except less gothic.
And while the art is nothing to ride home about, I will say that it still serves its purpose and there are some scenes of genuine beauty and disturbing nightmare fuel that will stay with you. And after the success of the first show Studio DEEN (Yes Quality control DEEN) put actual quality behind its future installments with the art department.
Overall Higurashi No Naku Koro Ni (And Frankly the whole Anime franchise from 2006-2013) are some of the most intrinsic and impactful moments I've ever had in an anime and in any medium in general.
This whole series is the Twin Peaks of Anime and my 3rd Favourite Anime Series of All-Time and Favourite Anime (Not based on a Rumiko Takahashi project) and I am so glad to see it's back with a bang with Higurashi Gou.
Some stories just never stop haunting you.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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Aug 30, 2020
What is love?
I think the question has been asked more than a trillion times since it's inception and to be honest even though I've experienced my fair share of unconditional love. I have never had a girlfriend I would say I loved as more than just a friend.
This manga showed me that true love is something that builds and grows, much like some of my favorite anime have done, it's a story that kinda at first seems cookie cutter and trying to just be a cliche ecchi manga.
But something changes at around volume 2, I started getting attached to the characters. Like
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to the point where I felt a roller coaster of emotions. At first, I didn't like them and then I thought I was in for some sad joke and then I just started loving every single moment.
The two main characters of Sahana Kurumi and Hideo Aiba are just amazingly developed throughout the story and while there are instances where it's pretty repetitive and quite silly, it's all for the sake of building their relationship. Which the story does leaps and bounds better than most mainstream romance films, novels and fellow manga.
Along with two of the supporting cast are very fleshed out and the others making some good if a bit repetitive ecchi jokes.
The art for the most part is pretty decent and nothing to complain about, aside from some hicups. But then there are points in the story where the art just makes for some of the most beautiful pictures and moments I've ever seen in my life and it always hits when it needs to, especially in characters' emotions and the beauty they see through there eyes.
Sundome might just be one of the greatest experiences I've ever had in my life. It's not the best story to the most beautiful or developed or even a great ecchi. But it does something I've never felt before, I feel like I've gone on a journey of love and by the end of the story I literally needed to cry and contemplate my life.
Truly the things that are special in this world are often the things we never realize but are so obvious and even simple. Like just enjoying the time we have with those we love.
Please. Please. Please do yourself a favor and read this story. Also thank you for existing, I wish you the best.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Aug 22, 2020
Just an awesome unknown gem of a series, not to the extent of an FLCL or some masterpiece in the rough, but a very important OVA that tackles a very rarely handled topic of Biker gangs in anime.
The 1st episode is an awesome tale about how a boy from a rich family follows his interests to become a biker after being inspired by the Hiroshima Knights, but he soon discovers that the biker life isn't what he hoped it would be.
The episodes that follow are just as awesome as they take the story in new directions.
Really if you're a fan of Sons
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of Anarchy or are just really interested in the biker gang theme than this Anime will really appeal to you.
The art I would say can be half and half, sometimes you could get an absolutely awesome use of a fight scene animation and on others, the wacky comedy could just fall flat on its face with this derpy look the characters make that is quite unappealing I would say.
Sound is fair but nothing too outstanding, it has a pretty cool OST and a few good songs to boot, but I wouldn't say the anime's strength is in it's sound.
Now the Characters in this anime are quite fun and cool, and if your a VA nerd like I am you will soon realize that this OVA series is stacked with talent and they all deliver and end up making the characters so much more memorable because of it.
The main characters do feel like a bonding team over the course of the show and the villains all have a unique feel to them that really drives home the importance for our main cast to defeat.
I really enjoyed this series. Please check it out if you like Biker themed shows.
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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May 12, 2020
First thing I would like to say that if you are a fan of Rumiko Takahashi's works like Inuyasha, Maison Ikoku, Ranma 1/2, or Urusei Yatsura. Then like me you may find a ton of enjoyment in the series that the average anime fan may not get or even like.
Now having said that I should say that personally, I would say it's arguably the weakest of Rumiko's stories, but also just as unique and fun-filled as the others.
Now on MAL unlike on IMDB, the thing about an Anime being in the 6 out of 10 range is seen as quite bland or bad, unlike
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how many films on IMDB in the 6, 5, or even 4 range could be seen a classics or even cult hits. But for Anime it's pretty much saying that this Anime wasn't even good enough to be a 7 in a world where perfection is not really asked for, just entertainment value is all that is needed to get a score of 7.
The thing that Rin-ne doe that is most likely the most frustrating aspect of the series is the same thing that almost all of Rumiko's stories do, which is that instead of the story progression the story ops for a more episodic sitcom-like approach. Which at this point I've come to love about Rumiko's works but will say it's a crutch for many fans that don't feel like spending their time on something more than 5 episodes unless there's a hook.
But Rin-ne's hook is, unfortunately, the fact that you want to just spend time in another Rumiko world. Which for us dedicated fans would be like serving ice cream, but for the unknowing fan of hers that just happen to watch the series out of nowhere, they may not find a lot to like about the show unless they find it to be a fun-filled experience that doesn't mind episodic shows and just like to kick back and feel a real sense of escapism, which is what every Rumiko story has done unlike any other anime or manga.
Overall Rin-ne is a highly enjoyable time for those who love Rumiko Takahashi's works and for the avrage anime viewer it could be a hit or miss. Personally I think it's a fun series that keeps the same vein as it's other shows and keeps the magic while also being it's own thing.
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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Mar 9, 2019
Time has done well for Shojou Tsubaki, I'd imagine back in the early 90's this would have been considered a run of the mill horror dud that just tried to envoke emotion from its much dark story and it's sickening gore shots.
But to me this has aged well with time and so many others that have been inspired off it's story and violence themes. It feels somewhat like an oddly shaped jewel, and while it has it's flaw's it's far outweighed by it's pro's.
Shojou Tsubaki always feels like it's on the Clockwork Orange/Midnight Express level of disturbing, it has a story that sure feels
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like the two, except you'd probably also have to add Freaks (1932) to the mix. It's nothing as special as those 3 films, but it is intresting and does know how to build tension. 6/10
It's Art is where the film shines through the most. With it being psychadelic nearly all the time and is always beautiful to look at, if quite horrorfying. 8/10
Sound is good. It lines up perfectly at times when Midori is in her worse moments, and can be quite chilling too when the Magician comes into play. Overall it helps build tension well and does a better job at telling the story than the actual Characters do. 7/10
The characters are mediocre. but also quite entertaining at times, and for a 48 minute movie about a club of circus freaks I didn't expect much, but where it goes wrong is that near the end we're supposed to care about these freaks that have abused Midori and abused her to no end. It just feels so rushed and also out of left field, though I think that's what the director was going for in order to give it that disturbing Clockwork Orange like vibe, but jarring none the less. 5/10
It's an enjoyable process if you don't mind knowing your going to be watching Saw meets American Horror Story Freak Show for 48 minutes. But you may oddly find yourself enthrauled with it's grotesque images and how disturbing and dark the setting is. 6/10
Overall to me it's an odd jewel that I didn't feel too effected by, but I can sort of appriciate it's effort compared to other 90's gore fest anime. And especially now I can see some sort of insperation this Anime has brought to others. I can definatly see some insperation's drawn from this in animes such as Elfen Lied, Higurashi, Hellsing, Perfect Blue and Paprika.
Shojou Tsubaki gets a 6/10
Reviewer’s Rating: 6
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