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Solo Leveling proves that high-energy bombastic fun can be enjoyable even when compromising in some aspects of the writing. This series delivers on the high adrenaline action while maintaining its relatability through particular attention to family and hard work. The simplicity of its concept and the themes presented work in its favor. To my pleasant surprise, the source material has been greatly expanded upon, taking that much-needed time to enhance the lackluster story and occasional side character interactions, which was easily the weakest portion. Despite some flaws, this show is genuinely entertaining if you can look past the typical tropes commonly found in the medium.

The ... fantastic animation and excellent use of 3DCG is, of course, amazing. However, something deeply appreciated is when a studio takes the time to improve the product when possible. Not only does this allow the already established source material to be refined, but gives those who have previously experienced the story a fresh perspective. This includes large changes such as additional scenes and character writing all the way down to minor details that expand the continuity. One example is our main character, Sung Jin-Woo. While admittedly generic in some aspects, his psyche and valued qualities are further explored in the anime. Grappling with the realities of his weakness and compliance with the system, he never loses sight of the people he loves and the unseen work ethic that drives him, even in his rapid growth. The praiseworthy voice acting alongside the remarkable music commands attention with gripping expressive narration, giving further insight into his internal emotions.

Though straightforward in concept, the presentation and over-the-top exciting action encourage you to simply enjoy. Yes, the writing is indeed simple, even sometimes to its detriment. And of course, some standard tropes are present, at times requiring a suspension of disbelief. This is by no means an outstanding piece of fiction. However, even in saying this, having an adult, mature power fantasy that almost entirely disposes of the distasteful content found in so many other anime in the genre is a breath of fresh air. This series is unapologetically fun. It knows what it wants to be. And sometimes there is nothing wrong with that.

Boasting an expressive futuristic style with interesting in-depth non-linear storytelling, Metallic Rogue showed promise for an anime original, despite unfortunately not being able to follow through on its initial potential. The intentionally vague writing left me finding myself focusing more on understanding what was happening, rather than connecting with the person in front of me. This disconnect made it difficult to emotionally attach to the characters, resulting in a muddled understanding of character motivations. Let me say the story is not poorly written. However, their approach to conveying a complex amount of information in a limited time to the audience left much to be desired.

On ... a more positive note, the atmosphere of the presentation and set design were distinctive for a dystopian setting. Moreover, there is praise to be given regarding the character, suit, and world design. The music further enhanced the mood in many scenes, though some placement could have been more appropriate. What is appreciated was the hiring of talent well-versed in the language of the song they were performing. The animation did have some highs and maintained consistency, but never quite reached the peaks you would expect from an anniversary project. Most of the initial gorgeous display seen in the trailer was found in the first episode. While the aforementioned aspects are praiseworthy in their own right, the story and character writing are still integral to holding the foundation together. As previously mentioned, the lack of flow in the material leaves the overall result feeling disjointed. The main duo, Rogue and Naomi, while having fun chemistry, did not feel fully explored due to the high concentration of information and additional character interactions. Much of the supporting cast suffered the same problem as if they were summarized to leave room for plot progression.

These characteristics can quite easily leave the viewer feeling overwhelmed and unable to connect with the characters and story. Again, this is less of a writing issue and more of the concept not translating from paper to screen, which is disappointing for what genuinely looked to be a great show. There is still a lot to love here, from the artistically designed world, to the mystery, and the intricate political conflicts. Those deeply interested in sci-fi and non-linear storytelling might especially want to give this a chance. However, recommending this to the general person would not be sincere.

Both individual growth and personal relationships develop through frequent communication and interaction with others. The primary focus of Classroom Of The Elite III explores action, or the lack of it, and the effect it has on people. As such, the foundation heavily relies on the character writing to carry the weight. However, the adequate quality of writing does not fully justify the mediocre standard set by other categories, such as animation, art, and music, despite having some genuinely interesting themes. Expect a good understanding of interpersonal connections and relatable character struggles, hindered by the lack of expected enhancements in the presentation from the source material.

“Those ... who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” Redemption from our past errors through genuine effort is something most people desire. We strive to learn from our mistakes and become better people in the future. However, despite our constant struggle, we often reproduce our anxieties despite our continuous improvement. “We never forget what we endeavor to forget.” These quotes, aptly included in various episode titles, identify the core message found in this season. Various characters grapple with their previous actions and learn to understand their shortcomings for what they are: human. This is compelling material. Unfortunately, the anime does little to produce additional emotions in comparison to the vastly more detailed and in-depth light novel, which has no descriptive limitations. The already low bar for animation and art is missed with inconsistent segments, rigid mouth flaps, and sometimes below-average production quality. This disadvantageous approach detracts attention away from the solid writing. Furthermore, a few pieces in the soundtrack, while good, are used in great repetition. Nothing felt memorable, except what was used much too often, which does not incite immersion. None of the additional improvements from source material to animation stood out. They were average.

In all things considered, this production is a sequel to an anime that many already enjoy. While nothing except the writing stood out from other shows in the medium, it still was not entirely a disappointment. If you can handle the lower aspects of quality, you likely will enjoy the core substance as seen in previous seasons, and the high peaks the writing achieves. When watching, make an effort to focus on the messages laid within. The themes of redemption, regret, and growth are truly well done here. We each have the opportunity to overcome past mistakes and create a version of ourselves we can be proud of. “The strongest principle of growth lies in the human choice.”

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is truly something special. The initial simplicity of its concept blossoms into a crescendo of inspirational and heartwarming lessons. The inevitable passage of time, overcoming regret, embracing fear, and practicing open communication are beautifully interwoven into endearing messages throughout. Consistently gorgeous artwork and breathtaking arrangements help to cement the emotional impact of each scene. Through deliberate and patient pacing, the story is only enhanced with an open mind. Moreover, the production and creative talent behind this project are genuinely outstanding. Please take the time to watch this in its entirety. This is one anime that you do not want to miss.

Time ... is one of the most valuable resources available to people, and is closely related to our growth as individuals. With our limited lifespans, we have the opportunity to shape our ideals, qualities and personality for the better. However, even in understanding the inevitable conclusion of our life, we often forget just how important, and short, the time we have is. Frieren at her core encapsulates this union between time and growth. Despite the overwhelming difference in lifespans, her perception of time can be likened to our own, simply on a different scale. We each determine how and where our time is spent, and what we might sacrifice in the meantime. Due to how Frieren spent her time, she became emotionally distant in her connection to others. And only in trying to understand people did she regain her appreciation of time, and the growth she could achieve with it. Her gradual acceptance of her regret and continuing efforts to truly learn about and love others is but one of the heartfelt messages found within. “People will not know how you feel unless you tell them.”

The establishment and building of connections are frequently explored during the season. Well-thought-out cinematography combined with the “show, do not tell” approach of writing further adds to its many strengths, both sorely lacking in modern media. Fear shown through the rattling of an object in Stark’s hand, or reluctance displayed in the gripping of Fern’s sleeve, conveys much more about the characters than any amount of over-explanatory dialogue could hope to achieve. While romance is by no means the forefront of the story, and but one of many examples to choose from for illustration, the subject is treated with delicate care far more than even shows dedicated to that genre. Emotions are conveyed through clever cinematic shots, romantic interests develop realistically over time, and healthy communication is particularly emphasized. There is no room for what pairs might form or if a relationship will pan out or not because the writing is assertive enough to lead you through the journey. It does not withhold natural developments to retain engagement for the foreseeable future. The author is confident enough to commit to character and story growth while continuing to hold the viewer's attention, even in the mundane. Furthermore, the near complete lack of common tropes, unrealistic character expressions and reactions, and the overbearing anime humor and culture is a breath of fresh air.

This passionate attention to detail on every level of production has greatly contributed to the overwhelming success of Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End. The enduring message it conveys, along with its phenomenal presentation, can be enjoyed universally. The passage of time is something that everyone can relate to. During this brief lifetime, we can better learn to understand and communicate with those dear to us, aspiring to improve ourselves as individuals. Even the simplest of gestures can show those we love that we care. Time is something that we cannot control, but we can control the moments we spend with others.

As one of the most highly influential and beloved anime to date, the immense epic known as One Piece overflows with joy, heart, and charm, only majorly hindered by various issues stemming from its production and pacing. The vast and expansive nature of this story continues to capture the heartfelt emotions of people all around the world, creating gripping narratives that remind us of powerful lessons that we all can learn from. The continuously growing themes of family, freedom, and following your dreams run especially deep here. Despite the inconsistency of its run, this adventure will remain with you for a long time to come.

Within ... its quirky and joyful nature resides other more mature themes than one might expect. Throughout this world of pirates, and the governmental authority known as the marines, persecution of people, racial prejudice, and censorship of countries are commonplace. The crew of the Straw Hats are no exception to this, each battling past and present challenges in their unique way. But from the beginning of the story, Luffy has always stood out from the world around him. His carefree and ambitious personality shines. He does not allow himself to be shaped by the hardships he encounters. More often than not, the world conforms around him. This contagious attitude spreads to the friends he meets, the family-like crew he builds, and the viewers themselves. He desires true freedom, and that dream continues to push him forward. This charming straight-forward approach to character writing is greatly appreciated and is only one of the many wonderful facets found here. The story continues to expand to incredible heights with careful world-building, memorable lessons, and lovable characters. There is no shortage of positive topics to write about. However, while there is a lot of praise to be given, there are some aspects that we cannot ignore.

The production has been, and will continue to be, what holds this back from being truly great in anime form. The release schedule, which continued practically without letup, has almost exclusively contributed to the largest flaw of them all: the pacing. Moreover, this problem breaches into many other aspects of the creative process, often causing inconsistent episode results, even spanning into entire arcs. While this is primarily regarded as a problem that plagues most long-running anime, particularly Shōnen, the effects are seen here to an egregious extent. Viewers can go from watching one of the best episodes in the series to experiencing what feels like lengthy spans of filler quality production value. What should be a relatively short section can be dragged on for weeks, making some key moments suffer. On the other hand, periods of animation can increase in standard dramatically, though almost immediately followed by grating flashbacks of information just recently seen, up to several times. This fluctuation in quality creates obstacles between the viewer and truly engaging with the story. We can only hope that the problem with production schedules will be fixed in future iterations.

While transparency about the core problems present is important, this is by no means an attempt to persuade you to not delve into the world of One Piece. There is truly a lot to love here, with so many valuable lessons and morals. While Luffy is but one example, when you truly immerse yourself in this world, you will find that you grow along with both him and the story. This might not be one of the best anime out there from a production standpoint, but you will likely find that this one will pop into your head from time to time long after you watch sections of it. This is a story that will only continue to get more relatable as time goes on.

Through a rich array of stunning complex artwork supported by an endearing score, and the increasingly likable characters grappling with the difficulties of adult life, Josee, the Tiger and the Fish succeeds in the message it wants to deliver. We are warmly reminded that just because we might be limited physically or emotionally, we can continue to aspire to become the individual we have always wanted to be. If you feel as though you have fallen short of what you wanted to achieve in your life, or are facing what seems like an insurmountable challenge, please allow this movie an opportunity to rekindle that passion.

Each ... person has hopes and dreams of their own, and in turn, the challenges that come with them, and the difficulties of life we each must endure. Throughout the movie, both Josee and Tsuneo come to terms with the realities that each of them must face. However, through circumstance, they find themselves slowly learning to overcome these together. Josee, with her physical limitations and low self-worth, Tsuneo and his changing circumstances, and the passions they both respectively share. And as they soon learned, dreams are not seen as precious to society. They often struggled to reach out toward their ideals and overcome personal doubts. This made their stories all the more human. To my enjoyment, the writing was confident enough to allow Josee and Tsuneo to carry their scenes, even without the presence of the other for minutes at a time. In addition, while the pacing seemed quick, characters were given time to grow, and slowly reveal their innermost struggles to one another, and the audience. The supporting cast did fulfill their roles, though they did not leave an overwhelming impact, allowing Josee and Tsuneo to shine through. Overall, the writing accomplished what it needed to, despite some minor suspension of disbelief and standard character tropes. If anything, I wish the writers had more confidence in Josee, embracing her understandably abrasive nature rather than often relying on standard tropes as a crutch.

Many emotional moments and important lessons needed to land, and the animation and cinematography only further enhanced the writing. Foregrounds and backgrounds popped, some incorporating many moving visual elements. The lighting captured each mood without sacrificing what was visually happening in scenes. And some impact frames stood out. But what was truly spectacular was the use of color, capturing cold somber moods and invoking warm vibrant tones. The emotions you were meant to feel were portrayed through each gorgeous color palette. It brought their struggles and triumphs to life. It further put their vulnerabilities and mannerisms on full display. They were illustrated like real people. In addition, the score and sound design only continued to add more depth to the presentation. The score was not overbearing, nor did it take a backseat. It immersed you into the story being told and was placed appropriately. The sound design, while subtle, really shined. The particular attention to detail regarding Josee's wheelchair was appreciated. There was an effort to go above and beyond.

These elements culminated into a beautiful production that captures the various challenges and successes throughout our life. Despite whatever limitations we have, we each have the opportunity to reach out for our dreams. It might be difficult, and there will be challenges, but there will also be many wonderful experiences that come with it. Josee, the Tiger and the Fish is a story about dreams, acceptance, and endurance. Our circumstances do not define our life. It encourages us to spread our wings within our hearts. And when it seems like the burdens we bear might be too much, there will always be someone there to help us back up.