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Mar 18, 2012
An imposter is one who is skilled at the arts of deception, often using their gifts to swindle unsuspecting victims. While its predecessor, Bakemonogatari, focused on the supernatural forms of five everyday animals and how the heroines of the story had to deal with them, Nisemonogatari shifts the focal point to the effect that imposters can have on the lives of those around them, specifically the two Araragi sisters. The sequel brings back the heavy dialogue to a lesser extent, adding in a touch of fanservice to fill in the gaps. While liking one does not necessarily mean it'll be same for the other, there
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is no doubt that both the Monogataris are NisiOisiN's more famous and successful pieces of work.
Art (8/10)
Anyone who has watched anime for a reasonably long period of time must have come across SHAFT's animation on at least one occasion. Known for their "unique" artwork, SHAFT's approach is often times a risky "hit or miss". For Nisemonogatari, I felt the artwork matched the overall atmosphere of the series. The often comical expressions of the characters fit in well with the less serious aspects of the series. The usage of rapid scene changes and abstract visuals in the other parts were also able to set the mood with relative effectiveness. While it may take getting used to, the overall animation style is much more than decent.
Characters (9/10)
Firstly, Araragi Koyomi continues showing why he is one of the most interesting and respectable male protagonists in anime. Given the opportunity and situation, the words that come out of his mouth are unbelievably moving, even encouraging and true. One can easily empathize with his beliefs and ideals, which he strongly holds onto even in the toughest of times. Unfortunately, such a solid character is a rarity these days. While Bakemonogatari dealt with five of his female friends, Nisemonogatari expands on the two characters that are even closer to him: his younger sisters. The combination of Karen and Tsukihi make for an interesting pair; the two are literally the opposites of each other in terms of personality. Nonetheless, after having their fair share of screentime this time around, both sisters were developed quite well (more so Karen than Tsukihi, in my opinion). This can be mostly credited to the exceptional use of development-driving dialogue.
Sound (8/10)
Although there were fewer OPs used in Nisemonogatari than in Bakemonogatari, I felt they were all quite catchy and a pleasure to listen to. As for the ED, even though I really liked it too, my expectations for it (given that it was written by ryo from supercell and performed by ClariS) weren't exactly met. With that being said, topping "Kimi no Shiranai Monogatari" was hard enough already so I'm not going to be too critical. The BGM was at most times overshadowed by the dialogue. But when it was noticeable, it greatly enhanced each scene. Voice acting was once again top notch, with the cast from Bakemonogatari returning, including some new voices.
Story (9/10)
Compared to a "Ghostory" or "Monstory", an "Impostory" is slightly more believable. Dealing with and confronting an imposter is no easy task. The main protagonist, Araragi Koyomi, was taught this lesson twice in the span of eleven episodes. With the story taking place over a time period of a few days, the amount of content involved is astounding. The fact that there were only a few episodes that were devoid of plot-development, proves how concentrated and detailed it is. Like in Bakemonogatari, the plot is mostly dialogue-driven. While this may bore those who are used to action-packed stories, I personally found the large number of long conversations, especially their contents, to be really interesting - especially the way they develop characters that, in turn, end up contributing towards the development of the plot. Although I'm certain that I missed many of the implicit meanings behind certain scenes, the fact that the story is still enjoyable is what matters, even if the bare minimum of what was intended is absorbed.
Overall (9/10)
The increased use of fanservice in Nisemonogatari may be a turn off for fans of the prequel. However, I felt it lightened up the series quite a bit, while at the same time reaching out to those who didn't really enjoy Bakemonogatari because of its complex storyline and total dependence on dialogue to drive the plot forward. Personally, I enjoyed Nisemonogatari more than Bakemonogatari. The balance between gags and seriousness made virtually all 11 episodes enjoyable and interesting. Boredom was hardly an issue throughout and it helped that each of the sisters got four arcs for development instead of the two or three that the other characters got back in Bakemonogatari. So even if you watched Bakemono and didn't enjoy it, I recommend you give Nisemono a try. They're more or less the same but the differences do make a noticeable impact. As for me, I'll be looking forward to a sequel seeing as how there was a "To Be Continued" sign at the conclusion of the last episode.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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Feb 23, 2012
"This is the way the world ends. Not with a bang but a whimper." - T. S. Eliot
Underneath all the blatant fanservice and mindless bloodshed, Highschool of the Dead digs deep into the psychology of the human mind, showing us the lengths of cruelty and inhumanity us humans can go to in order to save ourselves. During times of chaos, the disgusting and selfish core of human beings are fully exposed for all to see, and the world which was once keen on peace and unity transforms into one of corruption and division. True, the story depicted in the anime is just that -
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a fictional story and nothing more - but it does serve as an entertaining way to foreshadow the possible state of the world if a similar international crisis were to happen. However, as this is an anime review, other factors besides the story must also be taken into account.
Art (7/10)
For the most part, the artwork was done quite well. The animation during action-packed scenes was fluid and easy to watch. The zombies were interesting to see given that the animators had no real model to base their work off of. The grotesque features and lethargic, swaying movements of the zombies replicated what I had in mind almost perfectly. On the other hand, I found the character designs to be a bit plain and unoriginal. If this only applied to the side characters, I wouldn't have minded, but when even the main characters look like characters you've seen before, then there's have a problem. In the end, the good cancels out with the bad, resulting in an average score.
Characters (6/10)
Honestly, I was disappointed with the characters. With the exception of a few scenes, I felt there wasn't enough character development. One would think that, in the situation the characters are in, that there'd be plenty of it. However, all that really happens throughout the series is killing, fleeing and resting. There isn't much dynamic dialogue to contribute to the development of the characters. One specific example of failed characterization is unsurprisingly the school nurse, Marikawa Shizuka. At times, I wondered whether she was there just for the sake of fanservice (as if there wasn't enough already). Despite all this, there were indeed some parts where character development was evident. As an example, when comparing Takashi's character from the start to the end, the changes he has gone through are a testament to his strong, composed and leader-like personality. Similarly, the other main characters have, to a slightly lesser degree, gone through the same.
Sound (6/10)
From the amusing groans of the zombies to the flurry of mediocre ending themes, the sounds and music used in this show were generally poor. However, the fast-paced opening was effective in pumping me up for each and every episode. Also, the seiyūs did a great job of voicing their characters. The emotions of the characters were conveyed well through their voices, making scenes more realistic and believable. Lastly, the BGM was not memorable; I can barely remember any of the tracks despite having just finished the series.
Story (8/10)
At first glance, Highschool of the Dead is another one of those typical, post-apocalyptic stories centered on the concept of "survival of the fittest". While this does end up being the case, there were also other messages placed throughout the 12 episodes. Furthermore, even though it'll most likely be useless information, the anime makes an indirect attempt at educating viewers about what might happen if the real world were to end up like what was shown. Personally, I liked how the story was about the journey of a group of high school students trying to survive a zombie apocalypse, even if there was some unrealism to it.
Overall (7/10)
For those who don't mind a repetitive show that features several large-breasted girls (and two regular, teenage boys) slaying zombies, then by all means, give Highschool of the Dead a try. This is one of those shows that don't require one to think too hard about what's going on (in fact, not thinking is probably the best choice as many things that push the limits of reality are shown). It's a surprisingly popular show, nonetheless, so even if you don't fit into the description of the target group, there may be a chance that you'll still like the show. As for me, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Having also read the manga, I'm glad that there's still material left for the possibility of the second season. To sum it all up, HOTD is essentially your run-of-the-mill fanservice anime.
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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Dec 31, 2011
After a year of absence, Ika Musume returns once again to invade the anime world, bringing along with her all the gags and skits of the first season back for another run. For those who have watched season one of Ika Musume, this is definitely a must-watch. But even for those who haven't watched season one, you won't be missing anything if you jump right into the second season. All you need to know is that there's a squid girl "attempting" to invade the land. Shinryaku!? Ika Musume is essentially the exact replica of the first season except with different stories so don't go into
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it expecting something totally brand-new. So, let's begin the review ~de geso.
Art (7/10)
The artwork for the show has always been simple but good. The characters and backgrounds generally look lively, with the designs taking a more comedic style once in a while. It's nothing to cheer about but it's watchable and does what it's supposed to do.
Characters (7/10)
Surprisingly, there weren't any new (and notable) characters this season. Even though I was glad that the entire cast from season one returned, I can't say I wasn't disappointed at the lack of new faces. The characters have barely changed - Ika Musume is still the center of attention and comedy, Chizuru is still extremely creepy when she's mad, Sanae is still obsessed with Ika Musume, etc. I guess the idea of "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" was in the mind of the mangaka as he continued Ika Musume after realizing it was successful.
Sound (8/10)
Like last season, Ika Musume opens with a fast-paced and upbeat OP that readies one for the comedy in next twenty or so minutes while the slower and softer ED wraps up the episode. I personally liked both songs, with the OP slightly getting the edge over the ED. As expected, the same BGM and seiyū from season one return for season two. Not many changes to note in this category.
Story (6/10)
While the first season was generally plotless, I was more forgiving considering that the series was still new to me. However, with the second season now finished, I'm starting to wonder if the original premise of Ika Musume invading the land has been completely forgotten. It's actually not the lack of plot that bothered me this season, but how unfitting the show's title is. Sure, maybe the question mark is there to hint that the invasion may not happen after all, but I'm still quite confused as to why the word "Shinryaku" is even there in the first place. Nonetheless, I still enjoyed the three skits (or "stories", if you prefer) in each episode. They were generally entertaining and amusing.
Overall (7/10)
To be honest, the second season of Ika Musume didn't live up to the first season. I think it's the repetitiveness of it all that made it lose its charm. Still, that is not to say it was bad in any way. In fact, I am slightly looking forward to a third season, though I have a few doubts here and there. And with that, we bid farewell to squid girl once again and wait to see if she'll appear again next year.
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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Dec 31, 2011
It comes as no surprise when Japan comes up with another one of their crazy concoctions. Their creation this time is Ben-To - the anime where half-priced bento are serious business and risking one's life for one is the norm. With an idea as crazy as that, it's no wonder there are so many skeptics out there questioning the entertainment value of Ben-To and its ability to compete with the other shows airing in the same season. While a new idea does have its advantages (e.g. viewers are likely to be more curious), there are also disadvantages that follow (e.g. not applying the logic of
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safety). Now, let's see how Ben-To fared.
Art (8/10)
While the typical mecha fight boasts giant lasers and flashy machine guns, the brawls in Ben-To only involve human beings and their two weapons: their hands and feet. Thus, it may seem hard for an entertaining fight to make its way into the show. However, I was surprised at how wrong I was after seeing the first few fights in Ben-To. Not only were they exciting to watch, they were also animated well. The movements of the characters may have been a bit choppy but I considered that to be acceptable since humans are not like well-oiled machines - our movements are not perfectly smooth. The other artwork, including the characters, was also decent and easy to watch.
Characters (8/10)
The entire show essentially focuses on the main protagonist, Satou Yō, and how he grows from being a grovelling loser (a Dog) to an elite fighter (a Wolf), when it came to bento battles. Throughout the series, you see him slowly grasp the ideas of these battles and learn about the honor and respect that comes with being a Wolf. In the beginning he is depicted as an ignorant and stubborn high school boy who is running low on money for food. But as time goes on, his transformation is evident and, in the end, he becomes arguably the strongest and most respected fighter in the town. The visible growth and excellent development of this one boy already makes the entire series worth watching, though I would've liked to see more development for the other characters as well.
Sound (9/10)
Firstly, I found the OP to be very fitting as it was upbeat and full of energy, easily helping one to get into the spirit of watching some bento battles. The ED, on the other hand, was softer and more mellow, which I found was a nice way to end each episode. The BGM was very good and quite memorable, especially the music played at each of the supermarkets. Voice acting, like the other aspects of this category, was also great.
Story (8/10)
When I first read the synopsis for this anime, I asked myself, "Will this kind of story even be interesting?" After completing Ben-To, I can definitely answer myself and say that "Yes, it was definitely interesting." I went into the show not knowing what to expect and I think that's best way to go. Ridding yourself of doubts and expectations, and becoming open to this new and crazy idea will definitely maximize your enjoyment. To be honest, the whole story is unrealistic. But, think about it, this is the world of anime - not everything has to be believable. When you forget about everything and just watch the show by itself, chances are, you'll enjoy it.
Overall (8/10)
Ben-To has gone where no other anime has gone before - and it has paid off. Overall, I felt it was a successful series. I, for one, would like a season two as I thought the ending was open-ended. I recommend Ben-To to anyone looking for a action-packed comedy series with a touch of fanservice; you definitely won't be disappointed. So what are you waiting for? Grab some bento to eat while you watch Ben-To!
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Dec 31, 2011
I've got to admit, Bakemonogatari has been one of the stranger and more unique anime that I have watched. The premise of an ex-vampire attempting to help solve the problems of his friends and fellow peers is intriguing on its own, but that is just what's on the surface. Underneath the surface lies an anime with heavy, but interesting, dialogue and unique artwork. I found that it wasn't easy to grasp all the concepts and ideas being thrown at me from the get-go, but I was surprised that the dialogue alone was able to convey the messages of the story with ease. Bakemonogatari is definitely
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not for everyone, but those who decide to watch it to the end will be immensely rewarded.
Art (7/10)
SHAFT is well-known for the unique artwork and animation that are present in their anime. This is no different in Bakemonogatari as the episodes are mostly filled with abstract art, creative backgrounds and artistic scene changes (i.e. duration of a scene, point of view changes, position of camera, etc.). Personally, the artwork did not fit my tastes. However, I do appreciate the effort and artistic thought that SHAFT put into this project. The artwork is definitely memorable as virtually no other studio has the same art style. Looking at the art objectively would have led me to rate it a 9/10 while a subjective point of view would result in a 5/10. By averaging both viewpoints, I ended up giving this category a 7/10. I believe all of SHAFT's artwork is either hit or miss. For me, it was unfortunately a "miss."
Characters (9/10)
Each of the main characters in Bakemonogatari face their own struggles and with the help of Araragi Koyomi, an interesting male-lead whose caring and strong-willed personality separate him from the all-too-typical generic male protagonist, manage to overcome them. Of all the characters in the series, I found Senjōgahara Hitagi, who some call the main female protagonist of the story, to be by far the most interesting and complex. Never before have I seen a character who has managed to fall under three different character archetypes - tsundere, yandere and kuudere. Each of the other characters also has their own interesting traits and it takes great attention to detail in order to truly understand them and their actions. One thing's for sure though: the characters in Bakemonogatari are not just hollow shells with a voice; they are examples of what great characters should be - realistic, interesting and likeable.
Sound (8/10)
The sounds in this anime were solid overall. The OPs fit each of the characters well while the ED was excellent, wrapping up each episode nicely. The BGM was also surprisingly memorable and interesting; they were not all generic piano and/or strings pieces. Finally, voice acting was done well. Each seiyū matched their characters well and effectively conveyed the right emotions that were being felt by the character through their voices.
Story (7/10)
With a name like "Ghostory" or "Monstory", chances are, the story will be centered on supernatural beings or phenomena. For each of the arcs, we get to witness the "exorcism", as I like to call it, of unusual spirits (a crab, snail, monkey, snake and cat). Bakemonogatari strays from the typical supernatural topics of interest like ghosts, demons and zombies, but manages to tell an interesting and suspenseful story using what many consider as common animals. Broadly speaking, the anime tells of Koyomi's experience with each of the main females and their respective problems concerning the spirit. But I believe that, under this premise, lies deeper meanings that a casual watcher like me will not catch during the first time through. Due to the complexity of the dialogue and the hidden meanings embedded within, an analytic approach is necessary if one desires to truly understand the full meaning behind the story in Bakemonogatari.
Overall (8/10)
Personally, I feel Bakemonogatari is overrated. But then again, maybe it's because I am unable to appreciate its true qualities and everything it has to offer. There were times where I found myself slightly bored but there were also times where I was genuinely interested in what would happen next. Watching it the first time through allowed me to conclude that this was indeed a deep anime with many hidden messages waiting to be discovered. I'm positive that watching this anime again will make things easier to understand for me but, as it stands now, Bakemonogatari was above average at best. However, if you're more of an analyst when it comes to anime, I highly recommend you give Bakemonogatari a try. And even if you're not (like me), this series is a fun watch, nonetheless.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Dec 27, 2011
Being an idol is far from easy. On the surface, it may seem like the job is all fun and games. However, as shown in THE iDOLM@STER, unexpected twists and turns make this job a very stressful one. Despite this, being an idol is like a dream come true for many of these girls as they would undoubtedly give everything they have to stay as one. Based on the popular raising simulation and rhythm game of the same name, THE iDOLM@STER had previously been unknown to the vast majority of the anime universe. Before continuing on to the main section of the review, take note
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that this adaption is my first experience with the iDOLM@STER franchise.
Art (9/10)
I'm a big fan of well-choreographed stage performances and the ones in THE iDOLM@STER definitely don't disappoint. Considering that they generally suck up a lot of the show's budget it's surprising, but good to see, that there were TWO, as opposed to one, large-scale concerts that were shown. In both of these, I found the animation to be top-notch and the use of camera panning and angling enhanced my viewing experience greatly. The characters themselves were also visually unique which I thought was a nice treat. However, like virtually all anime series that have scenes of breathtaking animation, there are also times where the drop in quality is noticeable. Although this barely affected my viewing experience, the fact that it happened prevents me from giving a perfect score in this category.
Characters (10/10)
I came into THE iDOLM@STER knowing none of the 13 idols and having no idea which ones I'll end up liking or hating. However, after the 25 episodes, I can say one thing for sure: all the girls are likeable and interesting in their own ways. Although some got less screentime than others, I felt they all were developed reasonably well considering that most of them only had one episode that focused on them. The development for the "main three" (Miki, Chihaya and Haruka) was anything but unnoticeable. If one were to compare their characters from when they were first introduced to the final few episodes, it is evident that there was a great deal of change that occurred. Aside from individual character development, the idols, as a group, also show signs of growth and bonding throughout the series. A big contributing factor of all this development can be attributed to the surprising amount of drama that was present; more on that later.
Sound (10/10)
I'm quite sure that almost everyone will agree with me when I say the sounds category for this episode definitely deserves a perfect 10. Not only are there 25 different EDs and 2 catchy OPs, but also a slew of insert songs (at least one for each episode). With this much content, I find it unbelievable if one were to tell me that none of the songs were, at minimum, "good." The BGM was also quite decent, especially the perfectly placed piano pieces of various songs at the right times. The seiyūs, although many of whom are not popular, did a great job with their roles as each character's voice seemed to fit their personality. On top of being able to voice their characters well, they showed great deal of skill by being able to sing decently as well, an ability that not all seiyū have.
Story (9/10)
Let's be honest here - not for one second did I expect THE iDOLM@STER to have a story or plot. And for the first half or so of the series, I looked to be correct. However, once drama started appearing on the horizon, things took an unexpected turn. My image of THE iDOLM@STER suddenly transformed from one of "my weekly dose of moe idols living their lives" to "an exciting and gripping drama surrounding moe idols". Even so, I greatly welcomed this surprising turn of events and, in no time, the series won my heart; the best of both worlds - moe girls and intense drama - all wrapped up into a nice package that is THE iDOLM@STER.
Overall (10/10)
What can I say? I absolutely loved THE iDOLM@STER. I know there are many out there who are skeptical about this adaption but I ask that you remember these familiar words of advice: "Don't judge a book by its cover." Sure, on the surface, THE iDOL@MASTER may look like it only appeals to the hardcore otaku fanbase but underneath all the singing, dancing, and moe girls, there's a great story waiting to present itself. So whether you're a fan of moe or drama anime, I highly recommend you sit back, relax and enjoy yourself some THE iDOLM@STER; it definitely wouldn't hurt to give it a try!
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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Dec 23, 2011
"How does one make friends?" If you were asked that question right now, what would your response be? For many, there is no true answer to this question as it all comes down to how one determines who or who doesn't become their friend. In Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai (or Haganai as some will call it), the main protagonist, and practically all the other side characters, attempt to find one of the many answers to this mystifying question. Surrounding this premise is a countless number of comedic moments, delicious fanservice and a tad bit of romance. All this makes for a surprisingly successful series.
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Art (8/10)
Coming from the same studio that brought us Ore no Imōto ga Konna ni Kawaii Wake ga Nai, it's no surprise that the art style is similar. For me, I really liked how the characters were drawn. They didn't look to be too complex and yet, also seemed sufficiently detailed. The other designs were also easy on the eyes and were enjoyable to watch. Solid animation overall.
Characters (8/10)
Compared to characters from another genre of anime, there wasn't that much character development in Haganai. However, this doesn't mean there wasn't any. On the contrary, there was more than I expected from a series that is classified as a romantic comedy. In general, the characters from a romantic comedy are developed poorly with lots of random comedy and a rushed romantic ending. But in Haganai, almost all the characters, most notably the male protagonist and the two main heroines, developed from being socially awkward people to being able to communicate and interact smoothly with one another. True, this is generally not too big of a deal but considering the whole story is focused on "making friends", I'd say this is kind of development is noteworthy.
Sound (7/10)
This is the weakest category of the four given that sound aspects in this series were above average at best. A upbeat OP and ED does fit the atmosphere of the show but, musically, they didn't appeal to me. The only bright spot in terms of songs was the insert song in the last episode. The BGM was barely noticeable and for the most part unmemorable. The voice acting was decent with names like Itou Kanae (Sena, Ohana [Hanasaku Iroha], Elsie [The World God Only Knows]), Inoue Marina (Yozora, Laura [Infinite Stratos], Yoko [Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagen]) and Hanazawa Kana (Kobato, Kanade [Angel Beats!], Kuroneko [Ore no Imōto ga Konna ni Kawaii Wake ga Nai]) catching my attention.
Story (8/10)
What got me interested in this series was the idea of a story revolving around loners making friends. It's a new concept for me and, to be honest, I had no idea what to expect. Now that I've finished watching it, I can say that the story was executed decently (I don't really have anything to compare it to). I loved how the backstory of two of the main characters was integrated into the series alongside the main story. Even though the cliché "childhood friend" card was used, the result did not follow the same route. With the series left open-ended, a continuation of what was shown in these 12 episodes is possible. If I were to assume this possibility to be true, then I must say that the episodes so far have definitely set up the story quite well.
Overall (8/10)
I think that Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai has exceeded my expectations. Upon starting the series, I was hoping for a romantic comedy to satisfy my cravings for both those genres. Despite the fanservice in some episodes being slightly more extreme than I prefer, the show as a whole - from the story to the characters - was well done. I would honestly recommend Haganai to anyone who wants something entertaining to watch, as long as they can handle the fanservice. It has been a great ride and I'm really hoping for an announcement regarding a second season sometime soon.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Dec 20, 2011
Generally, the sequel of a successful series, or any series for that matter, falls short of the fame attained by its predecessor. For the first half or so of the second season of Shakugan no Shana, I must say that I was slightly disappointed with the content. However, by the end of it, I believe that season two has more or less achieved the same level of success as season one. With that being said, there were some differences - both good and bad - between the two seasons. As with all second seasons, I tend to raise my expectations and score them more critically.
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Art (7/10)
Despite airing two years after season one, the animation quality has not improved as much as I expected. The backgrounds still had that less-than-real feel to them and the lack of detail in the characters disappointed me the second time around. Still, like in the first season, the battle scenes stood out from the rest of the mediocre animation. A phrase that describes this season's animation could be: season one's animation in 720p.
Characters (8/10)
Last season, Yūji was totally useless, save for a few situations. Those who hope for the supposed "main protagonist" to play more of a role in the second season do get what they want. The development that Yūji undergoes in this series is astounding. However, most of it happens in such a short amount of time that many wonder about the sudden change in personality. Honestly, this was the first time where I questioned the benefits of character development. As for the other characters, I felt that the slow first half was necessary in order to give them the development needed to make the second half successful. As far as I can tell, Shana, Kazumi, Keisaku, Wilhelmina and Margery were greatly developed over the course of this series - some to a greater extent than others. One point of criticism I would like to make is that the lack of new characters disappointed me. True, one may argue that this may cause some unnecessary confusion, but I believe that adding more characters adds a sense of "freshness" to the season, allowing it to distinguish itself further from its predecessor (i.e. preventing the "this seems so familiar" thought from surfacing in the audience's minds).
Sound (7/10)
Understandably, the BGM and seiyūs of the first season are the same for the second season. With that being said, the only parts left to judge in this category are the OPs and EDs. Starting off with the OPs, I felt the first OP, "JOINT", was much better in terms of preparing one for the episode to come when compared to the second OP, "BLAZE." Like "Hishoku no Sora" (season one's OP), "JOINT" is also sung by Kawada Mami and it delivers the same sense of intensity that I enjoyed. Unfortunately, KOTOKO's "BLAZE" wasn't up to par with its season one counterpart, "being", and left me missing "JOINT." Moving on to the EDs, both were decent, just like in season one. Overall, this season's sounds were generally on par with last season's.
Story (8/10)
Honestly, I wanted to drop the series during the first half because of how slow the story was moving. When I first started to watch Shakugan no Shana, I expected a good dose of action with a pinch of romance/slice-of-life to spice things up; not the other way around. If I had wanted a romance or slice-of-life story, then I would obviously go watch a romance or slice-of-life anime. However, I am glad that I decided to stick with it and continue my way through the show. As the story started to pick up in the second half, I was instantly reminded of why I liked season one. The cliffhangers and twists really entertained me and it was good to know that there's a season three as I finished the last episode. It's surprising how a story can be this long and still be interesting.
Overall (8/10)
Two seasons down, one more to go. A generally successful second season leaves me with both doubts and hopes for the third. If given the choice between the first or second season, I would have to choose the first, simply because it entertained me throughout. This is not to say that season two was not good; it was just not as good as season one. Those who watched season one and enjoyed it will probably feel the same way about season two. Now it's now off to the third and final season of Shakugan no Shana!
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Dec 16, 2011
Cultural differences can make it difficult for one to understand and get along with a stranger. But when two people are able to make it past this obstacle, their eyes become opened to the wonders and marvels of the other's world. Ikoku Meiro no Croisée is the story about a young Japanese girl adapting to life in the boisterous city of Paris in the second half of the 19th century.
Art (8/10)
This category is generally the hardest one for me to score given my usual lack of attention to fine, artistic details in the animation. Anyhow, the animation is on par with today's standards which,
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in my opinion, is enough to satisfy the mass majority of the audience. I also appreciated the fact that foreigners (i.e. the Parisians) were not shown to be "different" in terms of physical appearance. Since I haven't been to Paris, I can't really say anything about the accuracy, but I must say that the buildings and surroundings are quite detailed.
Characters (7/10)
Right from the start, it was obvious that character development would largely focus on Yune, the Japanese girl adjusting to life in Paris. Although she was not used to living the life of a Parisian at first, as time went on, it was evident that she learned to accept and adapt to her new surroundings. In turn, the other Parisians also got to know her better and worked on accepting this unique girl into their family. The difference between Yune's interactions with the people in the first and last episode is truly astounding. But aside from Yune, the other characters were more or less poorly developed (e.g. Even after the whole series, Oscar didn't really change that much).
Sound (7/10)
A slightly upbeat, country-style OP to ready you for an episode and a calm, soothing ED to end it - a great combination for a show of this genre. BGM was average and fit in well, though none of the soundtracks were particularly memorable. And even though there weren't any big-name seiyūs involved, the voice acting was done quite well. Don't expect anything grand and you'll be satisfied.
Story (7/10)
The story is honestly quite interesting. Although it seemed a bit slow (and slightly confusing) for the first two-thirds of the series, the last third picked up the pace and tied up all the loose ends, making the series as a whole enjoyable to say the least. The idea of a young girl travelling to and living in a foreign country by herself is intriguing, and is what caught my attention when looking through the plethora of anime series for Summer 2011. Although, at first, she faced many difficulties, most obvious of which was the transition from Japanese to French culture, Yune was soon able to enjoy her new life with the help of the other residents. Looking back, it is truly heartwarming to see how she came lonely and empty-handed but ended being so deeply cared for by others.
Overall (7/10)
While Ikoku Meiro no Croisée does appeal to a wide audience, it is not for everyone. Those who enjoy slice-of-life anime would most likely be more entertained by this than those who look for action-packed or psychological anime, for example. Nonetheless, it doesn't hurt to give this series a try; I'm glad I did. As a whole, it's not particularly outstanding but the story and characters make it a worthwhile watch.
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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Nov 16, 2011
Imagine a riding a rollercoaster. It starts off by building up your excitement as you are slowly ascending the tracks while, at the same time, speeding up. The rest of the ride then consists of ups and downs, loops and turns, and random spins, before ending with a final surge of exhilarating speed. That is how I felt when watching Kami-sama no Memo-chou. The first episode made the series seem promising but it eventually failed to deliver, despite having a decent ending. Let's see how it fared in the usual four categories of art, character, sound and story.
Art (7/10)
Animation quality usually takes a backseat
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to the characters and the story when I watch anime. However, when those two categories end up being bland and uninteresting, I am forced to focus on other aspects of the episode just to prevent myself from being bored out of my mind. The artwork in Kami-sama no Memo-chou isn't outstanding, but it isn't horrible either - just your typical run-of-the-mill quality. Nothing more to say here so let's move on.
Characters (6/10)
Maybe a 6 is a bit generous for this category because, at the end of it all, I couldn't really say that there was a character that I "liked", unlike in most anime that I watched. Yes, there was some character development, but there wasn't enough for my liking. My image of the main protagonist, Fujishima Narumi, didn't change at all throughout the whole show; he was still a plain and boring character to me, for the most part. On top of this, I slightly disliked Alice and her personality. The previous sentences are, however, just my opinion so you may not necessarily agree. However, I do believe that I'm not the only one who feels this way. Non-memorable side characters make this category suffer even more. To sum it all up, the characters in Kami-sama no Memo-chou are nothing to be happy about, so don't expect a lot if you are someone who pays a lot of attention to character development.
Sound (7/10)
Once again another generous mark is given, this time to the sound category (it may seem like I'm starting to pity the anime and that's probably the case). Aside from the OP, everything was just "decent." The ED, BGM and voice acting were, at best, average. With that being said, I admit all my expectations were lowered drastically midway through so this category should technically receive a lower score than what it currently has. Anyhow, I found the OP to be the lone bright spot in terms of sound. Kawaru Mirai only took a few episodes to get me like it. It is upbeat and catchy with surprisingly good vocals to go along with it. You can say that half of my motivation to download and watch each episode was because of the OP.
Story (7/10)
One may choose to say that, if the story is able to overshadow everything, bad art, characters and sounds can be excused. However, this is unfortunately not the case for Kami-sama no Memo-chou as the story is just as bad as the other categories. Maybe it won't seem that way after the first episode, but as the series went on, the story definitely didn't live up to the expectations of many viewers. There were some parts which were surprisingly interesting while others were absolutely horrid. Looking at the big picture, I personally didn't feel that the plot advanced far enough. For a 12-episode season, the story moved way too slowly with barely anything important happening. It is only during the last few episodes that the plot was developed the most. Overall, a disappointing story.
Overall (7/10)
Kami-sama no Memo-chou is a good example of a light novel adaption gone wrong. Average artwork, boring characters, unimpressive sounds and a disappointing story just screams "don't waste your time!" While I don't want to scare people away from watching it, I would just like to give a word of warning to those who are not sure if they should watch it for not. By all means, go try it if you have nothing better to do or like "mystery" anime. Whether you agree or disagree with me at the end of it all is totally up to you. All I will say is this: while it is supposedly a "mystery" anime, Kami-sama no Memo-chou is undoubtedly unable to reach the level of success that big titles such as Detective Conan have. Don't expect too much.
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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