Ok, so you watch the first couple of episodes, and you think: hmm something good might turn out of this. The initial mise-en-scéne has style, points to some nice characters, and grabs you with its awesome art and sound.
But you'll soon be disappointed, as inspiration fades and the episodes soon turn into a pour-whatever-comes-into-your-mind-and-make-it-look-as-if-it-were-good.
There is a promise of a good plot, with secret organizations, killers, and supernatural beings. There is also a promise of interesting characters. But all this truly is is an excuse to make quick money by putting together sketches of ideas which aren't really original per se.
They just become silly
...
Aug 3, 2010
Kenpuu Denki Berserk
(Anime)
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This truly is one of a kind.
Berserk's medievally inspired and minimalist art form, its brilliant dark fantasy plot, the somber feeling one gets all throughout, they all succeeded in turning a cult manga into a cult anime. Some notes though: the lack of building up to the ending, in terms of exploring and explaining the fantasy side of the universe, will make it a bit of a turn down for some, who will not be prepared for such a drastic and over the top shift of setting. Lacking story preparation in the described aspect, and at times the plot adaptation is too primary. So ... 
Aug 3, 2010
This is a slice of life series, that uses a bartender's poetic and insightful approach to serving liquors as the best form to solve people's problems.
Its originality, its' well constructed character stories, the careful approach to people's psichology, all this makes this series worth a viewing, without really much else to add. Oh, and the art and music truly are top notch! 
Aug 3, 2010
Bakemonogatari
(Anime)
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This anime really shines in its presentation: not just the art is amazing, but the picture motion, alternating with stills, how camera effects really merge with the ambience of the story.
By itself, the plot is ok, with some quality supernatural stories involving spirits (oddities), and how they really translate to / derive from other more earthly or psychological problems of the characters. Ultimately, characters are defined by their problems, as far as the anime is concerned. There is little else to add to the story or the characters besides that. Nevertheless it is the production that makes this anime remarkable. A nice change in anime ... 
Aug 3, 2010
Baccano! is a rather confuse anime, in that its story is presented as an intricate recollection of event pieces, swinging back and forth in the plot timeline. Indeed, ep 01 suggests right ahead that it will be like that.
For what it is, it is brilliant. It achieves to bring us this crazy storytelling perspective, steadily keeps a high pace, and keeps bringing in new information. An immensity of characters are involved in the story, and still a degree of depth is brought to each of their personalities, which are also quite varied. Some are really of great finesse in their flamboyance. In the end ... 
Aug 3, 2010
Akira is highly acclaimed, a lot due to its great animation effort, and the manga popularity also seems to have helped.
Indeed it is a quite positive effort from Katsuhiro Otomo. Regarding the hype though, I do not find it all that spectacular, nor do I get the feeling that I am watching something all that unique. It is a blend of sci-fi concepts in a dystopic setting, with a major plot that builds up well to a chaotic but interesting finale. However, if you go down to the detail, the characters don't stand out all that much, their adventures and action parts are a bit ... 
Aug 3, 2010
Air is a series regarding which I have some mixed feelings - mostly positive.
If nothing else, this surely is one of its own kind. Rather simply, it begins to establish the characters personalities, through their interactions, specially with the main character. There is some slightly odd feeling regarding these at first, although they are all quite 'likeable', they are also exotic and unusual somehow. The background of three characters shall be dealt with, one by one. Basically, the concept of this series is to reveal that behind the seemingly vulgar town and its vulgar girls, there are many things to be exposed. It chooses to ... 
Aug 3, 2010
Kaze no Na wa Amnesia
(Anime)
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This film has an interesting concept, which it also materializes quite well.
With animation and sound still clearly in the 80s style, the film presents a non-linear sci-fi theme, but does it in a rather earthly, non "over the top" fashion. It does not put the emphasis one might expect on its sci-fi aspects, but rather it stays closer to the realistic portrayal of mankind and humanity. Indeed the main character is a rather mundane one, which fits the above premise. It is well executed, throughout three distinct subplots along which the story develops, as the main character travels through the US. Some details about the ... 
Jul 22, 2010
Naruto: Shippuuden
(Anime)
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Because of the obvious deviation and independence from the main series of Shippuuden filler material, I am not regarding it as part of the series.
Shippuuden picks up where Naruto left, only to shine on with the same brilliancy that made Naruto famous. A new, even more intense presentation form, with epic soundtracks, great animation, and the most badass characters ever. The plot does not stagnate, it continues to grow in complexity, going to even more staggering depths as one learns about the great conspiracies and injustices of the ninja world. Do expect big surprises and plot twists. Also expect no less than the elite ... 
Jul 22, 2010
First things first: because of the obvious deviation and independence from the main story of the Naruto filler material, I am not regarding it as part of the series. I prefer to think of it as misplaced OVA material.
Fillers aside, I find this an awesome series, very well constructed, mixing great battle intensity with intricate major and side plots, and placing focus on character development. Only in its last arc does it drag for too long, and for a while it becomes almost arcade like - battle after battle after battle. Story stays on hold for a while, and for that reason it earns no ... |
