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After various recommendations to watch Anohana, I finally decided to take some time off my weekend to complete it. Honestly, I found it to be a little disappointing to say the least. Overall, the series was good enough to warrant a score of 7, but not good enough for me to give it anything higher than that.

(For a shorter review, skip right to the end paragraph for the overview)

--------------------------------Storyline------------------------------------------
The story is about 5 friends who are suffering individually from the death of one of their friends when they were younger. Throughout the series, they try to overcome their guilt over the incident and ... try to reform their relationships with each other after becoming estranged. Anohana handles the whole topic of death very nicely - the series really focuses on how it effects other people in different ways, and how different people have their own ways of dealing with death (Yukimatsu was the most interesting, in particular). However, the series feels undeveloped as a whole. It is lacking something - a part of the dialogue maybe, that could have been explored further so that more depth is added to the storyline. The fault lies in the fact that Anohana is simply lacking too much in development - the eleven episodes isn't enough to satisfy viewers who want a more woven plot. At times the story feels fragmented, especially at the times where Anohana throws something at you in one episode and then something different in the next one, without intertwining the two together. Although the series is only comprised of eleven episodes, sometimes the pacing feels awfully slow and dragged out, particularly when you just want the protagonists to get to the point without having awkward dialogue inbetween them. Aside from all this, it was really refreshing to see a different type of show admist all the others. Looking past the various flaws, Anohana is incredibly enjoyable and leaves a satisfying ending.

-----------------------------Characters---------------------------------------
Moving onto the characters, I have to say that this was one of the sections of the anime that was the most disappointing. Aside from Yadomi and perhaps Yukimatsu, none of the other childhood friends go through as much thorough character development. Certainly, we get an insight on how much guilt they are feeling and their sadness towards Menma, but that's pretty much about it. They feel too undeveloped and, as a result, you don't get quite as much impact when the ending of Anohana rolls out. Furthermore, i hate to say it, but I found Menma incredibly annoying from start to finish. Although i understand that she is meant to be that way - her childishness and the fact that she looks nearly exactly the same as her younger self reiterates the sadness the other characters feel and how they haven't quite accepted her *spoiler* death as of yet, I still found her character frustrating. It lessened the enjoyment of the show. It seems as though all we get out of the series is that the childhood friends were incredibly melancholic at the death of one of their friends, and focuses more on this as opposed to how they actually overcome their weaknesses. With all this being said, I found Yukimatsu to be the most interesting and developed character. His instability and composure make watching the series worthwhile as you get to spectate how he progresses into a better person at the end of the series.

--------------------Soundtrack--------------------------
Ah, moving onto one of the better aspects of Anohana. The soundtrack was a pleasant surprise, and the OP and ED were gorgeous to watch and listen to. They both compliment the series really nicely, and that goes for the rest of the sound throughout the series too. At times the music really helped reflect the tone of the story, and none of it seemed out of place or inconsistent. Due to the fact that Anohana is comprised mainly of character interactions and dialogue, the music can really help ease up the monotony and place emphasis behind their words.

-----------------------Visuals------------------------------------------
Anohana is a very visually stimulating series. The characters are all well drawn out, and none of them are alike in terms of both appearance and personality, which adds a nice variety to the series. One of the things that struck me as outstanding was the fact that you can easily make comparisons between each of the characters in their present selves and when they were in the Super Peace Busters. Some of the scenes in Anohana are splendidly done - especially the firework episode and the flashbacks. Moreover, the animation in the OP was lovely to watch, and as a result I never skipped the opening (like i do with some other series).


- - - - - Overview - - - - - - -
Anohana is a wonderful series, in a nutshell. Despite the various flaws throughout the series that lessened my enjoyment and the fact that the undeveloped characters and plot didn't quite make me feel as sad as i thought I would be when it ended, It was an enjoyable experience. And refreshing, to say the least. Strictly speaking, the series is far from being a masterpiece and a little bit closer to being a great series, but it warrants a solid 7 (Good) for providing me with eleven episodes that spurred a mixture of emotions. If you can overlook the various issues integrated inside Anohana, then you will find it to be an incredibly stimulating series.

When sifting through a large amount of anime, you mostly find ones that are average and a little bit above average. They are the series that usually keep you entertained throughout, but with little more to be satisfied with. But sometimes, you occasionally stumble upon a series that is much, much more. With only 13 episodes to its name, I can say with sincerity that Natsume Yuujinchou is one of those series that i can definitely say is nothing short of a masterpiece.

From what I've watched so far, I can distinguish that most 13 episode series are either average or poorly done, with some ... few exceptions. Natsume Yuujinchou is an episodic series, meaning that it follows no straight plot but rather, tells one story per episode. Initially, you might think that because of this the plot will be rather loose and fragmented, but everything seems to intertwine nicely.

The series follows the teenage protagonist, Natsume, in his journey towards understanding and helping the fellow Youkai and Ayakashi in his neighbourhood. What really shines is the interactions between him and the Youkai; they are so beautifully done that more often than not you'll find yourself tearing up a little as he passes through each of them. I guess part of the flaws of this anime is that the interactions are sometimes too short - the impact they give you makes you want to find out about them just a little bit more. Most of the episodes end with a bittersweet feeling that leaves you satisfied but melancholic. It's hard to describe, but it's kind of a sad but heartwarming effect. Each episode is relatively simple in terms of plot; in fact, the whole series is as simple as it can be. One could say that this is a flaw, but I say that it is a positive. It's just about an adolescent boy who, with his trusty cat companion, finds new ways to understand both humans and Youkai.

One of the things I give the series credit for the most is the animation and the soundtrack. In terms of quality, Natsume Yuujinchou definitely doesn't shine in terms of crispness and it doesn't possess cutting edge graphics that can be compared to say, Guilty Crown. However, the animation of Natsume is very unique; everything is composed of pale, pastel and dreamy like qualities which accentuate the softness of the storyline and gives it that extra boost. The art blends together nicely with the interactions of the Youkai, and I found the scenery particularly pretty. That being said, I also loved the OP and the ED especially, simply because the art went so well with the rest of the series.

The art also goes hand in hand with the soundtrack, which is composed of mostly slow, melodic tunes which really emphasize the raw nature of the series. I found the music really soothing in some parts, yet saddening in the scenes which ended up being bittersweet. The different components of the anime really flatter each other and, as a result, make it so much better as a series.

For a 13 episodic series, Natsume Yuujinchou develops a surprising amount of depth and symbolic meanings as each episodes passes by. You get to see Natsume transition into a much better person through the interactions of Youkai; beings that he had disliked when he was younger. Throughout the series, I was expecting the whole thing to be a little disjointed or even a little fragmented in places, but I was pleasantly surprised with the result. I think that, by having a series with not much complexity in its plot means that it can be exploited into becoming a startlingly meaningful show by focusing efforts into developing the characters and everything else.

Story - 9/10
Art - 9/10
Sound - 9/9
Character - 10/10
Enjoyment - 10/10

As you may have noticed, Steins;Gate is revered as a masterpiece by most. For those of you who haven't had the privilege of watching this show yet, i'm writing this (belated) review to emphasize just how much you're missing out on.

First of all, you have to understand that Steins;Gate is completely unique compared to other anime, in terms of story line. Now, with such a complex plot, it would be incredibly easy to mess the series up. Except that they didn't. If they did, it wouldn't a masterpiece. Steins;Gate explores the world of time travelling and time lines, putting in acknowledgements to theories ... such as the butterfly effect and how, once you change a minor thing of the past, the future transitions into one large scrambled egg. Once you pass the first slow starting episodes, the intrigue and mystery begins, and the pace of the series accelerates. The plot throws in numerous surprises and sudden, unexpected turns that, in turn, creates a powerful ending that is almost flawless. Also, you're hit bluntly in the face with quite a lot of feels early on in the series.

One of the great things about Steins;Gate is that the characters are developed incredibly well. Astonishingly well. To the point that you feel connected with them in terms of their feelings and aims. They each have their quirky side too - not everything is all serious. I'm talking about the mad scientist personality, the Dr.Pepper jokes and Daru's perverted jokes which lightens up the series so that it isn't all serious drama. But the trouble is, the more like able the characters are, the harder you find it to leave them behind when the series ends, meaning that even a week after Steins;Gate ends, you'll probably still be thinking about Okabe whenever you spot a bottle of Dr.Pepper.

I didn't really pay attention much to the soundtrack of the series, i admit, due to the fact that i didn't find it all that enthralling or unique. However, i did enjoy the opening and the ending particularly. Aside from that, the soundtrack did it's job of emphasizing the mood/atmosphere of scenes pretty well.
The animation in itself was done really well though - i found that the consistency was great, meaning that (to my eye) there was no sudden drops in quality.

Something that i loved the most was that the ending was fantastic. There were barely any loose threads, and as a poor ending can sometimes ruin a good series, i'm grateful that they executed such a content finale.

I stress that you must watch this series. It's not enough for you to read however many reviews you can lay your eyes on, but to actually experience this masterpiece for yourself.

El Psy Congroo.

There is no short summary for this one because it does not deserve a short summary. End of.

By far, 5 Centimetres per Second is my favourite film. Of all time. (It's actually three episodes, but i just call it a movie). There's plentiful, no - an ocean full of reasons as to why this series deserves the top place on my chart.

If you catch a glimpse of the 40 second trailer somewhere, perhaps you'll see an inkling of why it is so damn good.

Let me start on probably the biggest aspect of the film that won me over. The visuals. Makoto Shinkai ... is notorious for his works that contain spectacular, breathtaking animation that will make you wonder if what you're watching is actually real or not. If you've seen Voices of a Distant Star, or the Place Promised , you'll most likely already be familiar with this style. Everything, and i take care to emphasise this - EVERYTHING is beautiful. From the nostalgic cherry blossoms that litter the walkway to the blizzard in the night. The skies - the way the moon is portrayed and the amazing details that encapsulates the scenes. I realise i'm babbling on about this, but it's seriously something that needs to be put out there. It's enough just to watch this for the visuals.

The story itself is straightforward, and everyone will understand it.I
It follows the story of a boy who falls in love with a girl, and how that boy eventually grows up and learns to accept how things turn out. But for me, that's what makes it so good. The series has taken something so simple and transformed it into a simplistic story that enthrals the viewers. This is because it pinpoints on the reality of life and how, in the majority of cases, things will not turn out the way you wanted or expected them to. It leads you into a tale of a more than believable story, and some of the dialogue used in this series is really powerful and imaginative. In some cases, dialogue isn't even needed - you just let the visuals and the (amazing) soundtrack tell the story for you. The ending is a powerful one that leaves a definite permanent impression on the audience. One of the things i found really great was that it not only focused on the perspective of one main protagonist, but rather, three. This way, you got to appreciate the feelings and thoughts that perhaps you might have missed. Probably the only disappointing fault i found within this series was the last episode, as it seemed rushed and less flawless than the other two.

The soundtrack is wonderful. Some of the piano pieces on there are really beautiful, and the way they are placed in scenes make it so that they leave a more lasting impression on the viewer. I especially love Kanade's theme (the guitar piece) which i thought was lovely and bitter-sweet at the same time. Perhaps the most memorable track will be the ending, as it was for me. Every piece of music in the series was above average, and well composed to fit the mood of the series.

The Characters.
You follow three of them, and you'll be feeling sorry for each of them no doubt. This series has no antagonist. Kanade and Takaki are the best explained characters (in my opinion), with Akari having been explored but not enough as the other two. Particularly through episode 2, you'll feel incredibly sorry for Kanade, but as equally sorry for Takaki whilst he is suffering from his feelings for Akari. Tears are a given for this series. You're taken through the eyes and feelings of Takaki in the first and last episode, and the scene with the letter on the train station is perhaps one of the best throughout, especially after you realise that Akari was in a similiar sort of situation that is revealed right after he gets on the train. (sad face). The series had me crying for each and every one of the three characters, and you get to view them from a certain perspective that seems somehow different from all the other series.

I don't need to explain how much i enjoyed this short series/movie whatever you want to call it. I'll just briefly remind anyone who is wanting to watch this to prepare an empty paddling pool for your tears. (I filled an ocean with mine)

This is Byousoku 5 Centimeter, the three episode series that had me feeling more than any series with 25, 40, or 400 episode ever will.

Short Overall: Thoroughly enjoying, dynamic and engaging, and possesses characters that you will undoubtedly grow to love. Fantastic soundtrack to accompany somewhat seamless scenes, along with great visuals. Although it doesn't have a complicated plot with unexpected twists, Kuroko no Basket gives so much more than just your average sports series.



Previously, Kuroko no Basket had appeared in numerous threads and places whenever i was searching for something new to delve into. As a non-sports fan myself, i wasn't interested in this series until i read the reviews for it. Many of the people's comments stated that although they didn't like sports themselves, they found ... themselves enjoying the series thoroughly. So, why not try it out?

Characters: Over the 25 episodes, you're introduced to a wide array of characters that each possesses their own unique quality. They were all very likable, even if a few seemed difficult. The majority of them were given back stories that informed the viewer of their past, which was good for character development. Perhaps i would have liked to see a more thorough explanation of a few of the character's background.

Sound: One of the things i liked best about this series was the soundtrack. They were inputted perfectly and in the right scenes to give that bit an extra "oomph". Alongside this, there was a nice variety of different compositions to emphasize the atmosphere of the scene at the time. I especially loved the song near the end of the series, at the end of the last basketball match.

Art: The visuals were nothing special, nothing of say, a Shinkai masterpiece, but it was nevertheless pleasing to the eye. During some episodes the quality did fall slightly, but my best guess was that it was due to budget. Some of the animation in the scenes were brilliant, and made the movement of the characters seem much more fluent.

Story: As i said previously, this show does not contain many serious twists and plot changes that will have the viewer sitting on the edges of their seats. That being said, i fully believe that it doesn't need twists to be a brilliant series. The enjoyment i got from this series was not because the storyline was complex, but because it was easy to follow and easy to enjoy. Everything was explained smoothly, and very few plot holes were left.

Enjoyment: I was surprised - incredibly surprised- at how much i ended up loving this series. It was hilarious, exciting and really fun to watch and to engage yourself into. I ended up loving the characters and sympathizing with each of them. Kuroko no Basket is an engaging anime, and is one of the few i genuinely re-watch. It goes on my top 5.