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Dec 25, 2019
“I hope one day, you'll be reunited with the one you cherish.”
Partings are a part of life, and Plastic Memories serves to show that it's not about the goal, but the journey you took to get there.
Story: Plastic Memories did have a predictable story and ending, but it's how it executes it that brings the story to life. From episode 1 all the way to the end, you're given situations that change an outlook on life, and the nature of having to move on. The show uses its characters to create stories, whether that be a new experience, a painful recount, or something very
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minor, and that works to its advantage. From episode to episode, you're seeing growth between characters, sometimes among themselves, and that's what creates the drama and tension. However, characters can only do so much for story. Since the show follows a "task" kind of format, I do feel that the story could have benefitted from a slightly longer cour. It gives the viewer enough to feel attachment towards the characters, but not enough to really feel the true impact of parting that's seen in the end. As an original work, more liberties could have been taken, and more opportunities could have been crafted.
Art: The art of Plastic Memories is, needless to say, really pleasing. The backgrounds are highly detailed, with colors shining through that really take your focus and puts it on them. In fact, the styles that were taken with the background really come to light when you see characters up close and how the backgrounds still keep the same levels of integrity. And, on the topic of characters, the art for all of them is definitely unique and animated. In just a few episodes, you'll see the characters have vibrant and varied expressions, especially Isla and Michiru. These are the small details that take your attention away from the situation and let you really see the care put from the animators.
Sound: The music is what makes the scene, or, in the case of the most emotional part of the show, the lack thereof. The sound design in this show is honestly one of the best taken in recent anime. The decision to not include music during this highly emotional scene is what brings it its extra layer of impact. While most shows would layer in emotional piano or violin, Plastic Memories brings it home by actively bringing the audience's attention directly to the characters on screen. You can't hide from the emotional impact, and that's what brings the scene the most impact that it could possibly have. It's moments like this that separate shows from the others.
Character: Ok, this is where I can have a little bit of fun. The characters in Plastic Memories feel like homages to Evangelion, especially with the relationship between Kazuki and Yasutaka. It's these quiet similarities that bring an air of familiarity to the characters, and gives a slight nod to the people who recognize it. If you think about it, Tsukasa is basically Shinji if he wanted to get in the robot (you know what I mean). Aside from that comparison, the characters themselves have a life of their own, especially the dynamic relationship between Isla and Tsukasa. They both build each other up, and it's their interactions with each other that allows for Isla to begin to open up, and for Tsukasa to slowly learn what it is to live meaningfully. While, yes, their relationship may seem a bit weird, considering the situation with Isla, it is this relationship that gives the audience more attachment towards the characters. I feel that more impact could have been seen between the characters if given more time, and that the supporting cast could definitely stand for more time, but the overall development of Isla and Tsukasa are what sells the show. The moments that you see given by the story directly lead into the development of the pair. With every passing day, Isla learns to embrace new memories, rather than sulk in the old. With every new mission, Tsukasa learns what it means to live fulfillingly - without regrets. By the end of the show, both learn what it truly means to live, and that's reflected even in Kazuki, whose relationship with Isla allows her to bring more closure to the ending of the show.
Enjoyment: Aside from the fact that I really would like for this series to have had 24 episodes (similar to Charlotte), I really enjoyed Plastic Memories. While the ending was predictable, the show carefully created situations with tiny nuances that bring life to the scenes in the show. Plus, the ending itself chose to use one of the most brilliant choices for an emotional scene. Although I feel that more could have been tapped out from the show's premise, seeing how it's an original.
Overall: While the story is predictable, the characters bring life to everything that is given to you. The art is stellar, sound design is unique, and overall is a great emotional experience to get invested in. If you're feeling like crying, this show definitely will do it for you.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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Dec 23, 2019
Have you ever wished to change the past? Even with the implications set in place, the long awaited sequel to Seishun Buta Yarou tackles this question - and skillfully.
Story: Aside from tying together loose ends from the 13 episode anime run, the movie also serves to give insight on the most mysterious character, Shouko Makinohara. The story goes from your standard Seishun Buta experience, but by the second half of the movie, it goes full Steins;Gate. There have been plenty of instances in anime where this is executed, and poorly, but it is in this movie where you see the time travel concept work to
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the story's advantage. Instead of simply being a fallback excuse for the dynamics and progression of the story, the concept is used to showcase the moral dilemmas that Sakuta faces as he manipulates past, present, and the future. It's the drama that occurs as a result of interactions between the 2 versions of Shouko that bring the story its charm. The story itself flows in a way that works according to the format that the show had back in its run. It's not too slow, nor too fast, and by the end, most of the pieces fit together in terms of the unexplained parts from the show. The story itself, is an interesting take on the struggles of loss, especially the actions that one might take when given second chances. There is only one unexplained concept, which is the fact that memories seem to be put in place of alternate timelines, but I'll leave that explanation to Reading Steiner.
Art: As per usual, Cloverworks has captured the style of its previous work, and even further beyond in certain scenes. The backgrounds are vibrant, the colors are blended nicely, etc. My only thing was that characters, much like the first season, don't have as much shading as they could have, but that's really the same for a lot of shows. Also, Sakuta expression charts definitely have a lot of content they can run off of.
Sound: Not much to say here. The voice acting is superb, as you can really tell the conflict that each character feels when faced with a harsh reality. Everything from how Sakuta is impacted to how his decisions impact Mai is apparent in the voices alone. The ending song is superb, and obviously takes ideas from the original series, as the Shouko, the main character of the arc, is the lead in this rendition of the ending song.
Character: While character development isn't that big in this show, seeing how it is an adaptation of the sixth and seventh light novels, and thus doesn't need too much development, the main focus is placed on Shouko, who previously was a mysterious character put in the middle of the show. Her development allows us to see that foreshadowing is a huge part of the movie, from the beginning to the end. Shouko is a mystery in herself at the beginning, and by the end, you figure out what all along, she had predetermined the events of the entire movie. Besides her obvious character developments being strewn in throughout the movie via a medium I cannot discuss here, Sakuta is, again, the character that receives the most psychological abuse. Through countless conversations and the timelines he faces, he's the one who has to bear the consequences, and determine the balance between what is right and what is necessary. However, by the end, we find a true balance between the alternative timelines, and the one that is found by the end of the movie - all thanks to Sakuta and his uncanny ability to be the one to solve all puberty syndrome cases. He even solves his own!
Enjoyment: The movie was an interesting take on time travel and psychological themes, and although not to the level of Steins;Gate, mirrors it in a certain way that doesn't completely take things from it but instead synthesises it. It's a calm movie, yet at times able to incite feelings of anxiety, due to the nature of the plot. While not a tearjerker, it has its moments that does make you cherish the things you already have.
Overall: As a sequel to the already well-crafted anime, the movie for Seishun Buta Yarou improves on the original in many ways than one. Building off of the success of the original, the movie is able to provide the next arc in the series a rendition that definitely does not disappoint. Obviously, as a stand-alone, it wouldn't make much sense. However, as a supplement to the original series, this movie is able to do what the original strives for, and more.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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Dec 4, 2019
Demon Slayer is one of those adaptations that not only meet the source material's expectations, but does it in a way that creates one of the most compelling shows of its season, let alone the decade. Where certain anime on the top anime list excel in multiple aspects of a show, such as Steins;Gate with its psychological build-up combined with a rich and deep story, Demon Slayer also excels in this same regard.
Story: Demon Slayer's story seems to me to be strong, but not as strong as certain other action shows that have scored highly. The story is what accompanies the action in this
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show, which is why it works well, but when it comes to deep and rich plot details that twist into curves, Demon Slayer may not be the show that tries to incorporate that into its run. Instead, story elements are implemented within the action, which turns it into a unique experience where you not only see progression within a character, but you receive explanation as to what is going on and what the lore has to offer as it occurs. In terms of battle choreography and orchestration, Demon Slayer does this masterfully, and it shows in its fluidity of action. The battles are lengthy, but they serve as challenges that Tanjiro and company face in order to grow not just as a slayer, but also as characters. This may help the character aspect of the show much more than the story, but it can be seen that the story is being driven as well due to these action scenes. As they pan out, it is obvious that you are being fed information on lore, such as the examples of the 12 Kizuki and the various different styles of fighting that are taught to aspiring recruits. However, it can be seen that the story is not the main part of the show.
Art: Demon Slayer's art is amazing. The show already has smooth animation in times of peace and amazing animation throughout battles that is only accompanied by detailed visuals and various art styles with each addition of a new form from a new character. In battle, you can see the sheer scale of enemy attacks and the technicality used in slayer attacks. The art style changes are nice additions that accompany the visuals really well in combat. However, the main focus of the show is not just on the details of the fights, but also how they appear as a whole. ufotable has already established themselves as one of if not the top animators for action shows, seen with their still impressive Fate/Zero. The battle scenes in Demon Slayer are just as vibrant but uniquely different from other works such as Fate, but all share the same idea that the battles are the main focus of the show. The art in these battles are what really shine, and the thing that sets Demon Slayer apart from other action shows is how well the battles flow throughout the entire episode. While if you compare the battle scenes from a much more recent but still really good example, such as the Fate/Grand Order - Absolute Demonic Front: Babylonia anime, Cloverworks has done a really good job in their show. However, the difference is that the fights in Demon Slayer encompass the entire episode, and sometimes even more. The fact is that the show has found the formula for creating an even and fluid battle design that doesn't get stale even after 20 minutes of pure action, while certain shows that still have great action can only manage a few minutes of action. On the other hand of art, the character designs are also what sets Demon Slayer apart from other action shows. While it is a given for the main cast to look unique and different from each other, the demons themselves are what really drives the show. The demon designs range from grotesque to humanoid to traditional yet extremely buff. These varying designs allow for all the battles to be memorable in their own way, even if the development of these demons may not be as memorable as their designs. This is where the show excels, and by a landslide.
Sound: The voice acting in Demon Slayer is spot on, especially with the emotions and the "vibe" of characters in many scenes. In particular, Zenitsu's performance is a huge star of the show in my opinion. While, yes, he is annoying and for the longest part of the show, a coward, his voice actor brings his fear and anguish straight into the spotlight without any moment that is underwhelming. While I may have thought that Tanjiro would have a slightly deeper voice than what he has in the show, the voice given to him matches his personality along with his positive outlook on people and demons. Music-wise, the opening theme opens up every episode with a build-up that gets you in the mood for action.
Character: Although Demon Slayer is primarily action first when it comes to the focus of the show, I felt that character could have been expanded upon a bit more than it was in the 26 episodes of the first season. While Tanjiro enjoyed the bulk of character development as the main protagonist, other characters such as Inosuke got a slight bit of the cut as development was centered more around perfecting a flaw rather than changing as a person. Tanjiro's character development is in the experiences that he has throughout the show and how he is able to learn more and more about each individual demon - and the struggle that they face. This gives Tanjiro an edge on his character development as he shows a change of heart from the beginning of the show. In the beginning, Tanjiro mostly looked at demons aside from his sister as beings that were out to kill, rather than people whose lives had been tainted due to suffering. As battles are born and die, Tanjiro eventually learns to sympathize with the experiences that the demons he fights face, and that even though they are currently demons who have killed, that they were people who had personal experiences beforehand. This is in sharp contrast to the other main protagonists in his trio. Zenitsu and Inosuke work more on fixing their flaws, with Zenitsu trying to become braver and Inosuke learning more about culture and society. They don't really grow as people more than individuals, and their progress mostly only affects themselves. However, since character is not the main drive of the show, and there are many more arcs to be written, there is a chance that character development for these characters may be seen later. As a side note, it is also appealing to see that even side characters are given backstories and a small change throughout the times where they are seen in the show. This small detail is what compensates for the "lack" of development in the other main characters.
Enjoyment: I binged 10 episodes in a span of 4 hours back to back. I think that tells you enough.
Overall: There is no way that I wouldn't recommend Demon Slayer to anyone who is even slightly interested in it. It's a journey filled to the brim with action and appealing animation. If you're into action or adventure in the slightest, I would highly recommend Demon Slayer, especially as the movie is in the works.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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Oct 16, 2019
In just a span of 12 episodes, Senko-san was able to give us a heartwarming and extremely fluffy story in the life of a stressed salaryman while reminding us to never forget about taking care of yourself.
Story: Senko-san follows an episodal story format, which is common for slice of life shows. What it does with this isn't special in any way, but the stories themselves are fairly special in their own regard, as they each take an essential part of how life was back when it was easy, and shows us to never forget the feelings and memories you have of those times. I know
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for a fact that none of us have a demigod fox spirit at our house who's able to relieve stress for us, so the story uses this to its advantage by evoking memories in the audience that leads to a much higher rate that the audience will connect with our main character, Nakano. Since the story itself follows an episodal format, I can't say much for the overall big picture story, but the small snipets of life that we see across a year do bring a lot to the table. Each episode may have a premise where Nakano returns to his apartment stressed due to work, but each episode has its own special thing that Senko does for him. This may vary from cooking, to getting a haircut, to a backwash, etc. These all serve as great reminders to never forget your time as a child, as it'll all go away once you're out there by yourself.
Art: The art in Senko-san is fairly unique to me, since the character designs are more geometric in nature while sporting a nice pastel palette. Each character also has a unique design choice (aside from tails), and this really gives each character a distinct personality. This in itself works with the story as while you get to reminisce about the past, you get to relax by seeing art that isn't harsh or action packed. There's plenty to love, especially with such amazing stills such as smug Senko, and the ending song animation featuring simplistic Senko. With animation, I'd say that it's what you'd expect, however.
Sound: The OST in Senko-san is really playful and relaxing, which really accommodates each episode well. It's simple, but effective, and works in its own regard. Voice acting is also done well, with Nakano being done really well. Every time you see the darkness return to him, you can hear the stress in his voice and the sense of defeat. This is obviously contrasted really well with how he feels after being able to fluff Senko's tail.
Character: This show really draws attention towards the characters with the situations it gives. While the characters are by no means complex, they have enough development that you can really tell how they would act in certain situations. However, if you don't really fit into the niche of these characters, it may be harder to relate to them on a personal level. I feel that if the show spent some time developing characters, it would have been more beneficial towards giving characters more life.
Enjoyment: Senko-san was a treat to watch, and although overly sweet, was a great show to relax to. While I personally don't relate intensely to one character, each one in their own way had a certain appeal that made watching them enjoyable. Coupled with the episodal premises and the soft pastel colors for the art, Senko-san was really enjoyable.
Overall: Extra fluffy.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Sep 1, 2019
I finished rewatching this, so I feel that I should write a review as a sort of update to my initial thoughts from a long time ago. Haiyore! Nyaruko-san is a great example of how to have a gag show while still capturing the love and attention needed for the gags that they pull off. While, yes, there are moments where you've already seen the cliche numerous times, and the story isn't the most fleshed out thing ever, this benefits the show as it is able to focus on what it does best, which is to crack jokes and have a great time. Nyaruko is
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entertaining from the beginning to the end, and that's what makes this show so special.
Story: As stated above, Haiyore! Nyaruko-san doesn't really have a ridiculously fleshed out story line. The story that they do give is more episodal and serves to flesh out the characters rather than the story. While, yes, they do feature some overarching plot lines, Nyaruko-san focuses more on utilizing previous plot lines (such as the Kuuko arc) and cracks jokes the entire time that they're referenced, while the audience knows that it's going to come back to haunt the characters later. And while an episodal type of show is harmful for certain shows, Nyaruko-san benefits from this greatly as although everything is contained within its own episode, references from not just other shows but its own self can be given. You can see that the staff for this show put a lot of care and effort into capturing the essence of the original material, since everything that is done in the show is at the level or above the level of jokes found in the source material. While the story is more for developing the characters or maintaining the status quo by being a good point for jokes to be cracked, the show also isn't afraid to have the apparent passage of time be a factor in character desires and problems.
Art: Lots and lots of care was put into the art of Nyaruko. While at first glance, you'll see that the art is pretty much standard, what's the true star of the show is when they draw scenes that reference other anime. You've got menacings behind the characters, rose frames, etc. These all are small details that are essential to the references, but even if they were excluded, they would still be recognizable. I also love character designs, as they're vibrant and all are completely different from each other. There's something for everyone in this show, and it's amplified with the various other forms you see characters in.
Sound: You cannot talk about Nyaruko without being asked about the openings. Whether you love them or hate them, you can't deny that they have had an impact on the community and are also incredibly catchy. The openings bring out exactly what the show is about, with nonsensical lyrics and an upbeat/mysterious groove. The background music is also fitting, since it changes from your basic anime background music to creepy chanting in a matter of a scene switch. The voice acting is also really well done, especially from the Kuuko department. While she was with the industry for the role, Kuuko's VA gave amazing contrast between emotions that the character felt, from neutral, to scheming, to lust. The voice actress for Nyaruko also did a great job, especially with one of the episodes in the Kuuko arc. That scene in particular, and also the ending for that episode gave the show one of the best performances with emotional contrast in characters.
Character: While Nyaruko-san does not explore the story aspect as much as other shows, it definitely goes for character to make up for it. The cliches are all switched up in this show, apparent in Mahiro's tsundere qualities and Nyaruko's bashfulness. These traits serve to develop character and the relationships between them. Instead of just being a joke that the writers can shoehorn in every time Nyaruko confesses her love, the cold rejection that Mahiro gives eventually manifests itself into scenes where you as the audience sympathize with Nyaruko in some ways, as she is just trying her best to make everything work, but keeps getting denied everything. These traits lead into one of the most heartwarming scenes in the show. Other character interactions and traits also get a mention, but none are as impactful as the 2 main characters. Characters are also able to use gags to show their character and personality, from explaining that they haven't accepted being a supporting character to basically spilling out their intentions to only be given a sarcastic retort from Mahiro. These subtle details are what give characters more life, even if they're still outlandish in their own regards.
Enjoyment: I really enjoyed this show, back when I didn't get the references, and still even now. You can see the care and attention that the staff gave to the project right down to each individual reference. Panels get the extra detail needed to make certain screenshots of references memorable, from poses, to design in general, seen with Nyaruko's armor. Combined with the catchy openings and the second season's abundance of ending themes, this show is a real ride from start to finish.
Overall: Nyaruko-san is not a show for those who haven't watched enough to understand a good amount of the references, but other than that, it's a great show that everyone else can enjoy. It's fun, and filled with basically everything that a show can have just because of the nature of the jokes in the show. Nyaruko-san has found itself as one of my favorite series, and although some of that is based off of it being one of my first shows, it's mostly based off of the way that the writers can put in jokes while still maintaining its own style.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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Jun 27, 2019
Shield Hero showcases that the isekai genre is in fact, not dead, and still is thriving. The anime is a fresh look at the heroes in another world genre, by utilizing a formula that allows you to sympathize with the main character via a negative status, similar to Konosuba, but then gives you interesting events after that arc has finished.
Story: Shield Hero's story is fairly extensive, especially for one season. While the first arc can be split up into many smaller ones, the overall idea was to show Naofumi's redemption and how he grows not just as a party member, but as a person. The
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show starts off really strong, and only eases a little towards the middle near the pope arc. The main story is never put to the side, and is always interesting, especially with how Naofumi reacts to the different situations he's put into. His actions affect the story, which is different from other isekais, where the story happens and events occur around them. This formula could be a problem if done only to give fanservice, but luckily, the show only utilizes one beach episode that makes sense with the story. The only problem that I had with the story was with the fact that since it was a large season with 2 cours, certain plotpoints that were seen weren't referenced too much later. The slave dealer was an interesting character, and his usage past the first few episodes was minimal, only appearing in the very last episode. This may hint at his importance in the next season, but he could have affected the story more. Another problem was with the other heroes. After the first wave, you would think that they would have trained intensely in order to be able to hold their ground against Naofumi, but instead, they shake it off and act as if the waves never happened. They live in luxury instead of actively settling out their hate and distrust of him in the start.
Art: Character designs in this show are detailed and varied. The 4 Cardinal heroes all look distinct, and their personalities are reflected in their appearances. Motoyasu also looks like Mordred, which is a plus. The side characters are also not spared from the detail, with personalities such as the slave trader getting attention. He could have been given a suit and the typical shady dealer vibe, but they gave him more, and a personality with his formal businesslike tone. While Raphtalia looks a little plain, her outfit with her art brings out her character. She's a simple village girl, and this is seen distinctly.
Sound: The openings weren't really my thing, but I really love the first ending. The emotion you can feel in that song bring layers of detail to the show and the emotional impact that the first few episodes with our favorite raccoon is greatly increased. The voice acting also is great in this show, but that's obvious.
Character: While I do like the main characters, the first problem that you see is with the supporting cast. They're there to live one role without explanation or development. This can be seen with the 3 other heroes, with one very minor exception of the sword hero, who ironically is supposed to be Kirito. The side cast exist in the world to further the plot, but not themselves. This doesn't make them memorable, whereas characters in other story driven shows are because they do eventually go through a character change that puts the spotlight on them. It may be a little early to judge these characters based on the fact that certain shows do wait until the second season for greater development, but this should not excuse the first season from only giving us basically a paragraph of information for character development on certain characters. Specifically, Malty. While she is given a reason for trying to bring the Shield Hero to ruin, it's only because she's a pawn for the king and not because she wants to ruin him by her own desire. This is a problem as it gives us no actual drive behind why she does what she does, giving her no personality besides that she's easily manipulated by her father. With the other heroes, it's even worse since they start hating on Naofumi without even questioning anything knowing that the kind of person he was in the beginning was the opposite of what Malty claimed he was later on. With that out of the way, I would like to talk about what was done right. The main cast of characters are given the most development and thus the most likability. Naofumi's struggle is one that shapes him even if he himself never loses his distrust for other people until late in the season, but his drastic change while still showing care for others as he did before grounds his character more in reality. Although he never brushes off his cold exterior, you still see his old self in his hopes for the future, especially with his party. With a character like Raphtalia, the story allows for greater depth to be attained with her once you find out her past. The arc that focused on her past after she goes from jailbait to best girl cemented her place as one of the best characters in the show. You realize that her fight is one that's of importance just with her introduction, and it's amplified by her later arc with her return to her hometown. The 2 character arcs that the show gives each main party member really helps the development of them.
Enjoyment: Shield Hero had its flaws, but these actually kept me watching and enjoying the show. I didn't read the manga as to not spoil my experience, and that kept me tuned in every week to find out if the other heroes would change at all. These ultimately would combine with the good points of the show to bring a memorable experience that has me waiting for the next season.
Overall: While yes, it could have been done better, the show itself is solid and won't disappoint if you're still not burnt out from isekais.
please don't lewd raccoon still
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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May 29, 2019
War is never stagnant. It follows a wave of battles, each with their own victories and losses, and new conflicts that spark new developments within the conflict. Kaguya-sama showcases the progression of its own kind of war, one between two of the most calculating of strategists in a war completely foreign to them.
Story: Kaguya-sama follows the basic school life format of a calendar year, but with the added twist of showcasing what happens during this time. Although these areas with timeskips usually are resolved with "nothing happened", they work in with the show due to the nature of the characters. However, although working well,
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I felt that this was used as an easy way out of a choreographed timeskip. Instead of utilizing the same excuse over and over, I feel that more comedic antics could be put in place, explaining the fact that the characters are not doing anything while also developing characters and giving a humorous look at boring day-to-day life. That one complaint aside, the story works well and frequently looks at the core of the story in each episode. In every episode, the main focus is highlighted and affects character actions, especially with the 2 main characters. In most shows of this type, previous character actions are not the main driving force behind future actions. However, what Kaguya does is allow for this to occur utilizing the character backgrounds. By having 2 calculating geniuses, the show is able to create consequences that arise due to previous actions. This greatly benefits the show and story as seen in later episodes, where an action usually leads to further conflict that affects decisions. Without a clear vision of characters, the story would not make as much sense as it does.
Art: Animations are plentiful and in a large variety of styles. Action-esque scenes are used, minimalistic scenes, and a variety of casual and ordinary animation is used. These heavily contrast with each other especially with backgrounds as scenes play out. With the episode segment focusing on the president learning volleyball, Chika is given the most flexibility with her animation styles and expressions. In the animation department, you can tell that attention was put towards keeping everything fluid. From the Chika ED to regular scenes, nothing seems choppy, even with the intense battle like segments between the members. If you can manage to make a card game have animation flow well, then that tells you how great everything else is. The artstyle itself is a tad bit minimal in how shadows don't exist, but that serves to compliment the mood of the show. Shadow effects exist only when something serious occurs, marked by the soundtrack changing.
Sound: Besides stellar voice acting, particularly from Chika, the show also boasts a great soundtrack. Unlike my previous review on A Place Further than the Universe, I remember most of the tracks as they don't focus on using warm strings that are meant to be under the dialogue. The show instead features tracks that are meant to accompany the dialogue and not to support it. This allows for greater impact to scenes that show you the difference between scenes that will have an impact in the future to those which are less important.
Character: Kaguya-sama boasts great character development within the run of the 12 episodes. From start to finish, you learn and see more of the characters and how they act more and more towards their true intentions. What this means is that characters are never static, and even the deuteragonists have a role that is constantly changing alongside their characters. Chika starts off as the staple positive character that doesn't have a care in the world to becoming the comedic relief that tries her best to keep up with the minds of the two smartest in the school. Ishigami himself also finds development amiss the constant "I want to die, so I'm going home" quotes. However, the most development is seen with the two main characters, Shirogane, and Kaguya. Both start out as two egotistical admirers who wait for the other to lower themselves in order to take control of the situation. Throughout the course of the show, this changes to showcase characters who hang by a thread when it comes to resisting the urge to act how they really want to. The story helps this development happen, with their inabilities to show their true feelings causing the eventual openings the characters show as a result of their love growing. As they act colder to each other, their affection seems to grow as well. This comes to a tipping point towards the end of the series as you see that acting on urges becomes harder and harder to control when compared to the simple admiration from the beginning. Overall, the characters work in a way that develops each other, creating what could be one of the best usage of chemistry in a show such as this one.
Enjoyment: Every moment of this show has something, and that's reflected in my enjoyment. I very much enjoyed this show from start to finish. Every aspect of this show is done extremely well, and they boast the ability to not just work well by themselves, but also with each other. There is never a moment wasted in this show on filler or antics that don't serve to progress anything, which works well in its favor as a 12 episode series. While I do find the current season to be a very well done run, I really do want to see more come from this series. The show accomplished a lot, but I want to see if it can do even more, and possibly do it in a way that completely blows this season away.
Overall: I have high expectations for where this series could be headed. It's proven that it can create a well-balanced concoction between each and every element within the show to the point that you can't find too much fault in anything. That in itself is the reason why the show is successful. From the way the story affects itself to the development of the characters, this show gives itself an amazing showcase that is sure to give you a great experience.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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May 20, 2019
An inspirational story bigger than the universe. What this show brings is a heartwarming journey of a lifetime just waiting to be unfolded as it goes on.
Story: A Place Further than the Universe utilizes the main goal that the characters ultimately strive to meet throughout the entire story, with seemingly no subplots to distract you. In some cases, this would be a bad idea, but here it is used in a way that allows for rich character development allowing for the story to develop in its own way as well. From the start, the show gives you an idea of what the characters want to
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change about themselves or their lives, and the experiences that they undergo allow for this development to occur. I would say that the story accompanies the characters, and not the other way around. That being said, the story itself presents itself in a way that allows for a complete and fulfilling journey of "I told you so", even to the last scene in the last episode. The events that occur show the growth of the 4 girls' friendships and the bonds between not just them and the crew, but to Antarctica itself. With an overall message showcasing that taking the first step is the most important part of a journey, the show gives us one of the best examples of such.
Art: Stylistically, the art accompanies the scenery in the show. Characters don't blend into detailed backgrounds, and everything seems to pop out with how much detail is put into not only characters/backgrounds but animation in true Madhouse style. Even looking at expressions is detailed, from the smug smiles to the crying. You even see light refraction on tears, making the most impact out of the art.
Sound: The soundtrack features light orchestration that helps accompany the scenes. You won't be able to put them to mind just by initial recognition alone, but there is emotion in every piece that can be felt with the dynamic contrasts found in the songs. They also make for amazing background song choices. The opening is a blast and gives you the feeling of adventure, but in a different way than something like the Made in Abyss opening. The ending gives you a feeling that the episode is wrapped up, and packs it up neatly. Other than that, the voice acting is as always, done well. Characters that may feel a bit annoying are like that for a reason.
Character: The character development in this show is seen throughout the entire run, and each character gets enough development that you not only are fulfilled, but you can clearly see the change evenly in everyone. In the beginning, the girls are stuck with the want to foster change in some way, whether that be by taking the initiative, finding new friends, making amends with the departed, or just wanting a change in their life. These all come into play and all give you a sense that the characters are there for a reason, and not just because they wanted to add them. You can really tell that there is actual development with how the characters act in the beginning, even compared to the middle. As events unfold and realizations blossom, changes in the views of lives that the characters have are seen. this is especially seen in Kimari, whose change is immediate right before the crew leaves for Antarctica all the way to Shirase's arc, seen near and at the end of the show. Even still, Kimari is seen becoming a better person than she already is even as her arc is over. Overall, the development in this show is the driving force behind the experience, and is able to support itself due to how well the characters are depicted.
Enjoyment: A trip from start to finish, this show was really enjoyable in a way that was genuine and unique. Every moment had a purpose, and by the end, you're left wondering if there'll be anything else. A film, a new season, maybe an OVA. It's a short story, but one complex enough with great attention to detail.
Overall: The show overall encompassed everything that I wanted in the show and more, and the only drawback is that we have yet to find out if there'll be a continuation. I highly recommend A Place Further than the Universe, as it is one of those rare shows that you can watch at any age and still have an experience of a lifetime.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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Apr 8, 2019
Out of all the animated movies I've watched, I can say that this one holds the title as the best for me. It resonated with me to earn the 10/10.
Story: Maquia's story follows the journey of Maquia, and the struggles through life as she has to live almost undercover, away from everyone and everything that she has ever known. Later on, she does get meetings with her past, but these encounters ultimately either serve as representations of change, or a reluctance to move towards the future. What this movie does well is with the pacing, and how the movie tells the story. Events happen at
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the same rate, throughout the movie. The timeskips are used in a way that isn't distracting to the overall story, accelerating the plot and developing the characters. With the 2 hour runtime, the movie also fits a lot of content in the amount of time that it gives. Overall, the story of growing up and finding a place in the world that Maquia presents is an amazing representation of the idea, and gives the viewer basically everything they would want. I wish I could say everything, but in general, the movie's story is spot on. At the end of the movie, everything that has been built up comes to one moment of pure feels action, so I really enjoyed watching that.
Art: I have no real complaints about the art in this movie. Backgrounds are beautiful, comparable to that of Violet Evergarden's, but the only thing that seems a bit off is with the characters. It's harder to keep them fluid while maintaining shadows and lighting, so they seem to stick out when compared to the background. In other cases, this would be a problem, but this movie handles it in a way that the differing art benefits the experience, since you can keep track of everything as it happens.
Sound: The music is amazing, and not just because I love orchestral soundtracks. Other than that, everything else is on point, especially voice acting. Maquia especially brings life to the character with the emotions you can feel in her voice, and Ariel also shows this too with his display. Also, coupled with the scene at the later part of the movie, when feels are at an all time high, the music brings that scene to life, almost too well. No problems here.
Character: This aspect of the movie was skillfully crafted. Although certain characters from the Iorph could have gotten more, everyone else did get what they deserved in the time that the movie had. Maquia's progression into a loving mother, despite looks, is one that you can follow and feel as it happens. You can feel the awkwardness she feels at the beginning with Ariel, and the gradual confidence she grows as he does. In a way, Ariel is the physical embodiment of Maquia's feelings and thoughts. This development and trade off blends together well, and all leads to the more climatic points in the movie with the kingdom. Speaking of Ariel, I want to point out that his development is genius. The timeskips not only progress his character, but also Maquia's as they're both intertwined into one huge plot. When she feels like she's not enough, eventually Ariel does too. This play-off allows for greater connection between the characters. The various side characters are also given lots of detail when compared to what other movies would give them. For example, Lang with his time as a knight allows for more character development with his time when Ariel is also a knight. It may not be to the extent that a full show season would give, but for the 2 hours, it's more than enough. With the other Iorphs, I felt that they could have been utilized more. They're used as the vagrant sort of characters, but just because they don't belong doesn't mean that too little development is the best choice for them. For instance, Krim. He's basically real estate when it comes to development. His change in character stems from his unwillingness to change or adapt to new change, but why? It's a little unclear if he's an example of being captured and unable to be freed, but that would be my guess. Other than that, characters were well done.
Enjoyment: This was like Clannad. I cried on the inside a lot, especially at the end. You'll know when it hits you. This movie was enjoyable from start to finish, with development and plot that keeps you wanting more. It's one of my favorites now.
Overall: The movie's story is captivating, with scenes that develop and give characters life. The art is beautiful, and there's almost nothing to hate on my end. If you are planning to watch this, I highly recommend, but remember to bring tissues.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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Apr 1, 2019
Alicization. SAO III. Whatever you want. It's actually not that bad.
Story: This season of SAO is more focused on developing and fleshing out certain parts in the story, rather than having a condensed and rushed version of the source material. This helps it in the long run, allowing for scenes to actually have impact on the story and characters to be developed. However, what this show lacks is that certain aspects of the story that were introduced at the beginning of the show or middle don't seem to carry the relevancy they could have had when getting to the end of the show. For example,
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our favorite Umu girl, Cardinal, is introduced in the middle of the show, but by the end, becomes irrelevant with her powers by the end. I'm trying not to spoil, but you get the idea. The story itself in this show is much better told than the first 2 seasons, however. I will say that the end of episodes do keep you on the edge, which is always nice assuming that you're invested.
Art: The art in this season is a major upgrade from the previous seasons. Shading is done way better, and scenes pop out in color. The battle scenes in the first half to the final of the show are really nicely done (even if Admin feels much different), and everyone's special abilities pop out in how different they are. With the art, I have no actual qualms.
Sound: What can I say? Music is nice, character voice acting is well done. Clown boi is creepy like he should be, Eugeo's voice drops as he becomes more and more confident in himself, etc. Everything works as it should.
Character: Oh boy, this is where it gets a little rough. I do like the improvement that they did in character development, since everyone gets a little something. Kirito uses his intuitive mind and his experience to get through the Underworld skillfully in a way that doesn't seem like complete BS, which always helps the story not feel rushed. Eugeo's character arc is pretty much throughout the entire show, where he slowly gains confidence in himself, then realizes that what he's fighting for isn't for himself. Out of everyone in the show, Eugeo becomes the most likable by the end, even with that one part that I can't talk about. Even still, certain developments in the story are explained with backstory that gives us an actual reason as to why characters do what they do, and that can't be said for certain parts of previous seasons. Aside from the main cast, the side characters do get some development, but not much. In fact, I wish that they would have delved deeper into some of the characters with the time they had. The trainees, Tiese and Ronnie, I would say, are the only exception. They had their arc with Lord Raios, but they also were given backstories that shape their character development, and don't remain static characters. With certain others, such as Kirito and Eugeo's mentors, could have been developed further. With the relationship between the 4, I feel that the setup would have prompted more development between the mentors, but that is one part that's lacking from the show. Sortiliena is an interesting character with an interesting backstory, but that's wasted on progressing the training montage with Kirito and his fights. Speaking of that, the guy he fights with doesn't really get much character for the first "villain" of the show. However, overall, with the main characters, this season is definitely the best we've gotten, although I feel the first season did the minor characters better.
Enjoyment: Despite the stigma against SAO, this season was solid and held its ground. It had shaky moments, but those were smaller parts within episodes that could easily be remedied by good ol' plot development. Even if side characters could have been developed more, that didn't affect the overall story. In all, I feel that this is a nice season of a show in general, but a great step in the right direction for SAO. It's like Ordinal Scale all over again.
Overall: Did this season live up to the expectations? Yes and no. The show did well in story when compared to the other seasons, and is a good contender when compared against the best out of all SAO, Ordinal Scale. However, it did lack certain developments of characters that could have been fleshed out even more. Does it deserve the hate that's automatically given due to the name, like GGO Alternative? No, absolutely not. However, what you give this series as a whole, judging by the content alone, is entirely up to you. If you've watched one season of SAO, I recommend this season. If you haven't touched SAO, then this season is still a good watch, but based on the base material needed to understand this season, it'd be a decision that I can't justify nor retract a claim for watching or not. Overall verdict? It's pretty good.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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