- Last OnlineFeb 9, 2023 8:45 AM
- GenderFemale
- BirthdayNov 16
- LocationEast Lothian, Scotland
- JoinedMay 30, 2010
Also Available at
RSS Feeds
|
![]()
Dec 21, 2010
Girl Got Game or Power!! as it is more widely known is the story of Kyo Aizawa, a girl incredibly excited about moving to a new school as she has heard they have cute uniforms. Unfortunately for her, her father-a basketball fanatic until he had his career cut short by an injury-has other plans. Enrolling her as a guy, he forces her to pretend she is a he in order to join the Basketball team. On her first day, Aizawa meets Chiharu Eniwa-a fellow basketball player who gets just as wound up as she does. And, as expected in a shoujo, chaos and a heck
...
of a lot of misunderstandings ensue.
I'm going to start this review with the manga's crowning glory. The humour. I haven't laughed like I did while reading this in a very long while - and the humour definitely steps up around volume 6 or 7. I think the mandaka was excellent in her timing of comedic skits like anything which leaves Hamaya's mouth. Maybe the fact this manga starts off more as a comedy with romance rather than the other way around gives it an edge.
However, once you start to unpick the story, threads begin to snap. I found a fair few things incredibly frustrating and felt she pushed the boundaries with shoujo misunderstandings too far. Up until around volume 6 I'd say the arguments between Eniwa and Aizawa became common and boring, almost to the point I'd wanted to skip a chapter in order to find something worth reading. Also a misunderstanding between Aizawa and another character, Yura, stretches my boundaries to their absolute limits. Yes, alright it's a shoujo and so a lot of leniency is rewarded on that counts-it's hard to be original when the genre has been so thoroughly explored.
However maybe I'm being too harsh. After all, I've read the shoujo greats such as Mars, Skip Beat or Akuma to Love Song, and this manga doesn't pretend to be anything other than what it is - a humorous, heartfelt and simple piece of manga.
Despite it's drawbacks, if you've got time to burn and fed up of slushy romantic shoujo but still love the genre I urge you to give it a try. Who knows, you might enjoy it!
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
What did you think of this review?
Nice
 0
Love it
 0
Funny
 0
Confusing
 0
Well-written
 0
Creative
 0Show all
![]()
Dec 17, 2010
There is only one reason I'm not giving this manga a 10-so hear me out.
The story revolves around Koshiba Kiri, a slightly aloof girl who comes off as being self-centered. However, she has an extraordinary knack for hairstyling. This isn't taken well by the resident 'genius' hairstyle Shougo Narumi, who vows to beat her along with the help of his club, The Scissors Project.
So yeah, your probably reading this thinking it's an average run-of-the-mill shoujo. Which, if I'm honest, I was expecting that myself. Trust me you couldn't be more wrong. It's almost like the characters have been reversed. Instead of the guy being the
...
aloof, calm and contained lead you expect (very few shoujo male protagonists seem to be anything but) and the girl being a heart-rules-head, temperamental firecracker it's completely the opposite. Which I think hugely contributes to the manga being so fresh.
I think one thing that might put some people off reading it, is that Koshiba doesn't look like your run-of-the-mill shoujo heroine either. Granted some shoujos have a girl who is 'ugly' or 'shy' or 'not liking her looks', but they all have their TRANSFORMATION moments-where someone dresses them up or circumstances forces their hand and they have to change.
Warning: that doesn't happen here.
But I think that's a huge bonus to this story. It makes it more natural. Who here on MAL is ever going to go through a radical transformation which makes all the boys/girls fall madly in love with them? Most of this story revolves around how well Koshiba and Narumi change other girls, so why interfere with Koshiba-who is the complete genuine article?
I only had a few problems with the story. And they were mostly technical rather major plot holes, so nothing to put you off. I think the relationship between Koshiba and her mother didn't quite work for me, and the ending I found too abrupt.
Aside from that, this is a story that makes your heart race, you laugh out loud, and get behind the two main characters as they fight to the finish. I will definitely be watching this mangaka!
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
What did you think of this review?
Nice
0
Love it
0
Funny
0
Confusing
0
Well-written
0
Creative
0Show all
![]()
Nov 11, 2010
I was a little apprehensive to start this to begin with. My friend was pushing me to read / watch it constantly, and has been doing so for the past year. Having just finished one of my favourite mangas of all time - Kare Kano, and watching my favourite anime of all time - Ookiku Furikabutte, I was reluctant to start something which frankly, from the blurb, didn't sound all that exciting or original.
Kyoko, obsessed with her friend Sho since childhood, has sacrificed everything for him. She has juggled jobs, quit school, learnt the art of a proper hostess, got to be loved by the
...
parents, supported him in his dream of becoming a singer, and anything else he has asked for on the way. But when Sho gets that first, addictive taste of stardom, he ditches her for the much hotter girls and the much more inticing lifestyle. This acts as the catalyst, and Kyoko becomes bitter - determined that she will beat Sho in showbiz.
The basic plot seems... well, pretty basic. Typical shoujo, she'll try and beat him, he'll find redemption, they'll fall in love, and live happily ever after right? It is a shoujo after all!
WRONG. The friend who pushed me so hard to read this often says "Rather than looking at it as a romance-with comedy, look at it as a comedy-with romance. You'll enjoy it much more."
And she was right. True it's a long winding plot which, at 166 chapters translated, still hasn't reached anywhere NEAR a conclusion, so the die-hard get-to-the-confession-and-make-it-soppy shoujo fans probably won't get a kick out of this humourous, if not romantic story.
But anyone open to brilliant arcs, hilarious moments and lovable characters will thoroughly enjoy this, I guarantee it. From a obstinate die-hard slush or seinen fan, I've now come down with a serious case of Skip Beat addiction. I'm only up to volume 15, but can guarantee I'll reach the stage where I'm waiting impatiently for the next chapter to be scanned.
Thinking back, so far I can't remember a plot line previously used in another shoujo. I think the fact this is a COMEDY with romance rather than a ROMANTIC comedy gives it an edge. There are (so far) no love rivals, no trivial troubles arising between the star-crossed couple (to be honest, there is no couple as of yet - so it's not even possible). Because it is so far from a typical shoujo, the plot lines are so original.
You can almost tell the mangaka, Yoshiki Nakamura, has thought this all out (although, maybe she hasn't and is just a phenomenal story-teller), only tidbits of characters past being fed to an avid reader.
It has the funniest story lines I've ever read in a manga - my mother thought I was mad when she'd hear me in utter hysterics (Kyoko in a chicken suit - SB readers will understand this.)
All in all, this manga will make you laugh, make you cry, make you fall in love with the characters and find yourself immersed in the crazy world that is Skip Beat, and never want to leave.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
What did you think of this review?
Nice
0
Love it
0
Funny
0
Confusing
0
Well-written
0
Creative
0Show all
![]()
Jul 26, 2010
The setting for this anime is maybe not an original one, VampirexMortal. But little parts of the storyline had me intrigued, and on the advice of a friend, I sat down to watch it.
As I said, little additions and quirks of the storyline (such as Yuuki being saved by a vampire as a young girl, Zero's *affliction* -I'll call it that so there are no spoilers- and vampires being a night class while mortals are a day class of a boarding school.) made me enjoy certain parts of this story.
The first few episodes had me thoroughly enjoying it, the art a major bonus to the
...
story. Comedy I wasn't expecting filled the first few episodes, and the music had me humming along.
Then, it all began to go downhill. Trying to suddenly adapt into a very dark, very sombre tale from what started out as maybe a black comedy had the whole story floundering. The story began to be brushed as what seemed to be filler episodes took up minute after minute. The true story and plot is only set into motion around episode 9. Leaving 4 episodes to give you a very unsatisfying and lukewarm ending.
The characters are another part of this anime which annoy me. Kaname is the most pretentious (I'm sorry to say), stuck up, arrogant and very, very cunning and sly. Not really the qualities you expect in a shoujo - do you? And while I'll admit it's refreshing, it's still not right.
Yuuki is...utterly pathetic. One thing that puts me right off certain animes or mangas is weak female protagonists. And Yuuki is one of the worst. I'd like to hope it's because the mangaka needed filler chapters. Yuuki, never learning from her mistakes, constantly walking into trouble and always ends up being rescued by either Zero or Kaname.
This does nothing to prevent the whole show falling into a downward spiral as it tries to explain every filler episode with chilling precision. Fair enough, but why not just call it what it is - an episode in which the base plot does not progress, and a chance to see Yuuki saved by some hot guy?
The comedy was this anime's saving grace-the only reason I rated this anime as high as I did, for me, as I went completely off this anime the minute Yuuki batted her eyelashes and was saved by Kaname. If you must watch this show - the side characters are actually the most interesting, and most comedic.
Reviewer’s Rating: 5
What did you think of this review?
Nice
0
Love it
0
Funny
0
Confusing
0
Well-written
0
Creative
0Show all
![]()
Jul 13, 2010
'Akuma to Love Song' or 'The Devil and her Love Song' is a refreshing manga that, as of yet, hasn't fallen into the grips of typical shoujo cliches. Something admirable, since shoujo is a narrow genre rather unforgiving to an unoriginal plot.
The manga is based around the story of Kawai Maria, a girl expelled from the prestigious St. Katria's school for violence and transferred to a very low performing public school. Once there, her sharp tongue, blunt personality and honesty - not to mention her beauty and arrogance, cause her to immediately come to blows with most of the class. Apart from two boys, Meguro
...
and Yuusuke, who befriend this devilish girl, who has a secret for singing beautifully.
Often the mangaka can focus too much on the story and not enough on the art, or vice versa, but Toumori Miyoshi has it spot-on. The art style is one of my very favourites - close ups of the characters leaving me in awe of her work. She has a way of making every character portray exactly what she wants them too in every scene, almost like a movie, setting the mood with just a few body language changes, something rare to find (from what I've seen) in a manga.
The way it's written is poetry in itself. The story unfolds very slowly, but not so slowly you're tapping your foot waiting impatiently for it to unravel. It's so masterfully done you don't realise your being given the background, rather than the character stating it outright - it being forcefed down your throat in one steady go, you are fed bits of information until you can piece together the whole image.
The storyline is incredibly inventive and original, so you are left guessing to the twists and turns it takes. You are introduced to Kousaka 'Nippachi' Tomoyo, Ibuki Hana, Ayuuchi Nakamura and Anna Mouri, all of whom will pose problems to Maria (watch out for Anna, I will be surprised if you don't hate her as much as I did).
Maria as a character is one of the most original and most easy to empathize for, a girl who's past has caused her so much pain and trouble she just wants to wash her hands of it. She's blunt and speaks her mind, but hurts and loves like any other. Yuusuke's attempts at a "Lovely Transformation" for her will make you laugh, and at other times she will make you cry.
Meguro and Yuusuke both pose as love interests, though, as of yet (chapter 42), it is undecided exactly whom she will end up with. I like the fact the mangaka doesn't force the character into a relationship with either one suddenly, for I fear it would kill stone-dead the brilliant chemistry between them all.
Altogether, I sincerely recommend this manga to you, as one which will appeal to anyone. It has comedy, romance, slice-of-life and school stories all unravelling slowly through the story, and I swear you will eat this brilliant manga up avidly. (I check the mangascans twice a day to see if the new chapter has come out)
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
What did you think of this review?
Nice
0
Love it
0
Funny
0
Confusing
0
Well-written
0
Creative
0Show all
![]()
Jul 6, 2010
If you want a general plot line, my review of the same manga can be found and read. Or just mail me - I'll be more than happy to explain it in detail. :)
Yes, the anime had a poor budget which was reflected in the show. Yes, the director quit when the mangaka didn't like the direction the anime was taking and refused to let them do a second season. Yes, it's unfinished.
But I can't, and won't, fault this beautiful anime. On three reasons:
1. It's the most beautiful, simple story of all time. It doesn't involve; incredulous plotlines; fantasy scenes which, in denial or not,
...
we know are never going to happen; or stupid sexual tension between two people which resorts the story falling back into over-used cliches to support it.
2. The music is phenomenal. A sheer joy to listen to. I cried at certain parts just because of this wonderful score. Fits the anime so beautifully, the best score - in terms of most fitting - of any anime I've ever seen.
3. It captures the moments in love that you will miss yourselves, the little, tiny touches that make love all the more special. While the plot-line is one that, unfortunately, not many people will be able to relate to (on the count that the main character begins as the epitome of vanity and rather twisted), the story of love between the two is so simple and beautiful, many people will be watching it, as I did, thinking 'wow, that's been me.'
At episode 18, you will begin to notice the breakdown in budget, even more so as the last few episodes fall to narrators, and don't even show the story. And yes, compared to the manga, maybe it does focus more on the comedy than the romance. Although, from my point of view, I believe it's not the fact it spins the tale to make it more comedic, more, the music and the way the voices (who, in the english dub, are PERFECTLY chosen) react make it more comedic than the manga, because, come on, are you going to react harder to something written than something happening right in front of you?
Going back to the music, I swear by the end of this you will be wanting to buy it. Including musical scores by Shirō Sagisu and songs written by Fumiya Fujii and Yōsui Inoue, you will love the beautiful music which seems to wind round the tale. Not one note is out of place. Perfectly chosen to make a scene seem more comedic or more sombre.
All in all, if you haven't seen this already, I strongly advise you to. It's, for me, an iconic coming-of-age story of two teens. Sheer, unadulterated joy to watch.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
What did you think of this review?
Nice
0
Love it
0
Funny
0
Confusing
0
Well-written
0
Creative
0Show all
![]()
Jun 30, 2010
A mysterious, beautiful epic from Miyazaki.
The story is, at first, nothing out of the ordinary, for a fantasy. A young girl - Chihiro, along with her parents, gets lost on their way to their new home, and find what they believe to be an abandoned theme park, which turns out to be a fantasy world. When her parents get turned into pigs because of their actions, it's up to Chihiro to find a way in this new bizarre world to change them back, with the help of Haku - a young magician. And I'm not going to say anymore for fear of spoiling this wonderous
...
tale for you.
But I can bet you will be sitting, at the end, wondering "Wait, What?"
It does leave many parts uncovered and undeveloped, and leaves you wanting and wondering about more. But, in true Miyazaki fashion, you will be daydreaming for the rest of your life of alternate endings, or more developments, or simply more depth into a certain character.
The music was the main event for me. Look out for the strings/piano combination of 'The Sixth Station', some of the most beautiful music ever composed by the glorious Joe Hisaishi. The beauty of the music almost surpasses the beauty of the film, and that is saying something considering how wonderous the movie is.
The art is just... splendid. I think the artists themselves drawing and animating this film must have had a lot of fun with it, for it shows in every minute detail. (Look out for the scene in Boh's room or Yubaba's lair, both beautiful in detail and stunning throughout).
All in all, it's a film I think everyone should watch by their teens. One of the most beautiful, quizzical, mysterious, and will-leave-you-guessing anime films, it's also one of the greatest.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
What did you think of this review?
Nice
0
Love it
0
Funny
0
Confusing
0
Well-written
0
Creative
0Show all
![]()
Jun 30, 2010
Death Note is one of those animes you will have to rewatch several times to get the full story and understand the full story. And even then there will be quite a few things that still have you puzzled.
The main character, Light Yagami, a stellar high school student, comes across a notebook called the 'Death Note' dropped by a shinigami named Ryuk. The whole story is of Light's image of creating a world cleansed of all evil using this notebook, and the detective L's attempts to prevent him from doing so. Because after all, is it just and is it right to kill other people
...
who are labelled as 'evil' in order to create a 'non-evil' world? And surely the person doing so is 'evil' themselves?
Dealing with the illogical and slightly dark side of morals and ethics, Death Note is a fast-paced story that will have you puzzled at times, and having to rewatch episode after episode just to understand what is happening. But I guarantee you will enjoy every minute of it.
The music, composed by Yoshihisa Hirano and Hideki Taniuchi, is perfectly matched to this anime. I adore L's theme part B, having bought the soundtrack myself. Beautifully done and fits brilliantly with the anime.
I'd recommend this anime to anyone who wishes to watch a cult-classic of animes, which sets the bar for all others. Towards the end, the plot does seem to spin out of control, but I gave this a 10 on the sheer brilliance of the beginning half of the episodes.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
What did you think of this review?
Nice
0
Love it
0
Funny
0
Confusing
0
Well-written
0
Creative
0Show all
![]()
Jun 30, 2010
Sheer brilliance in a beautiful story.
So rarely does a shoujo manga completely defy the norm and venture into unknown territory. The main character, Sawako Kuronuma, is completely unlike any manga character I've ever seen. Looking spookily like Sadako from The Ring, Sawako is an outcast, all other members of her class shunning her out of fear. The classic 'rumours' getting out of hand, descending into such idiocy it is said if you look at Sawako for more than seven seconds something bad will happen to you within the week.
But is Sawako bitter, vengeful or twisted because of been shunned the majority of her life?
...
Is she heck. All she wants to do is make friends with the people who've feared, constantly trying to make friends, bizarrely done so admittedly, but never the less. And because of her desperation, she's caught the eye of 'everyones' Kazehaya - the class' most popular boy.
You will devour this beautiful tale, Chizuru - Sawako's friend, is one of the most brilliant characters you will come across. You'll end up wishing you had her friends, and wishing you knew her.
Lovely tale and beautifully drawn. Believe me, you will regret it if you don't have a shot at reading this lovely story.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
What did you think of this review?
Nice
0
Love it
0
Funny
0
Confusing
0
Well-written
0
Creative
0Show all
![]()
Jun 29, 2010
I don't normally watch anything other than shoujo. But I found myself with free time after finishing Ouran and wondering 'Okay, what next?' It's amazing, being a die-hard Shoujo fan, I found myself liking what is aimed at a Seinen demographic, anime. But like it I did.
Having found this on FUNimation, I decided to have a shot at watching. And I'm so glad I did.
Every aspect of this anime is amazing. The relationships running through it between the characters, the humour, the story itself, and the characters are all right on the ball. They couldn't get it anymore perfect.
The story is one of Ren Mihoshi,
...
a starting pitcher all his middle school life for Mihoshi Academy. Part of the reason for him getting the spot is because of nepotism. And boy, don't the other players at his school let him know on every occasion. Because of this, Ren and the failing-spirits of the team, never win a single game in their middle school career.
Moving to Nishiura, he promises himself he'll quit baseball, but ends up on the mound of a not-so-professional-yet-make-up-for-it-in-spirit team with his catcher being one Takehaya Abe - a fantastic and amazing character who you will love.
The characters are near faultless. Ren himself has no self-esteem to speak of, something which bugs his catcher, Abe, to no end. The coach, Maria Momoe, is a act-first-think-later type of character, but is crazy enough to be lovable. Although altogether, I hope they delve into the characters (especially Abe and Maria) much more in the second season.
The music is great. I found myself humming the opening song from time to time! It really matches the anime, the strings making tense moments even more so.
This is an outstanding, flawless anime which I loved from beginning to end. If you get a chance, don't judge it, just watch the first few episodes and decide then. I almost guarantee you'll be in love with it by that point.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
What did you think of this review?
Nice
0
Love it
0
Funny
0
Confusing
0
Well-written
0
Creative
0Show all
|
