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- BirthdaySep 28, 2008
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Nov 23, 2014
What happens when you let a teenage otaku suffering from chuunibyo, write his own light novel? Re:Monster would be that answer.
Well I'm not sure if it is a kid who wrote this mess of a novel but it definitely matches the storytelling that one of my younger cousins would come up with when they were in their early teens.
Re:Monster is another fantasy/re-incarnation tale that I've just started reading having come across this series as recommendation after reading Gun-Ota, Mushoku Tensei and Souen no Historia(novels that also have re-incarnation as a theme).
So going back to my first sentence, Re:Monster really feels like a kid had
...
wrote it and the story-telling itself feels like a copy of a walkthrough you'd find at GameFAQ/dot/com(no...seriously). Everything is narrated like as if the main character was in a game(even though he isn't) and the way he levels up is so stupid that if this was actually a game, the game company would have gone bankrupt before end of volume 1.
One of the reasons why I rate this series poorly is due to that; no matter how much you try to paint the MC as a hero(or anti-hero) or even a villain, he is anything but due to having no plot and the repetitiveness of his antics has pretty much gone stale by volume 2. To make matters worse, he has a harem of (human)women suffering Stockholm-syndrome who is meant to be in love with him. I won't go in to detail so as not to spoil for any potential reader, but one thing I will say is that that part of the series felt like I was reading hentai for a moment. Like really...
Anyways...back to the review; Re:Monster is not recommendable for all. Some may like it or are only their for the M18+ moments but to be honest, even those occasions are dry after his second time.
Overall Rating: 3/10
Reviewer’s Rating: 3
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May 31, 2014
When I first heard of Mahouka from a recommendation someone gave me, I thought I'd give it a try thinking it being something new to fill my boredom. With it's rave reviews from different sites, you can't help but think that this should be one of the favorites for 2014.
Unfortunately that is not to be and if I could sum up this series in one word, it would have to be "disappointing".
If BGM's were included with reviews, I know mine would play Public Enemy's "Don't Believe the Hype" as that's what's been running in my mind when I wrote this.
So getting back to why
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I rate this series poorly:
Mahouka isn't original and if anything, tries to borrow a lot of settings/tropes which I've seemed to have come across already in manga and anime:
- You have the magic high school setting
- A 'Gary Stu' who for the most part feels like was written as pure fanfic wish-fulfillment ridden with plot armor
- A 'Mary Sue' little sister who for most of each series is pretty annoying with her "onii-sama this and onii-sama that"
- The stereotype society who looks down on said 'Gary Stu' for not being at 'their level'(even though he pretty much overpowers every character in the series so far)
- The stereotype friends who place said 'Gary Stu' on a pedestal
Story: 3
Art/Animation: 5
Sound: 4
Character: 3
Enjoyment: 4
Overall: 3
The series is bland in terms of animation and sound, and coming from a studio whom I actually like(Madhouse), I am pretty disappointed in regards to the overall outcome in which the series has been portrayed. The world building is one info dump after another and the pacing is as slow as my grandmother!
It's only because I've picked up the light novel that I've given the remaining series the benefit of the doubt, but considering we are 9 episodes in to the show(from when I wrote this) does not give the series any hope that it will be in the top 100 by the end of 2014.
So to wrap up this review; all I can say is that if you're a first-timer to anime(have seen around 5-10 series) this 'may' be a hit for you, but if you've seen a fair few series like me then be prepared for a snorefest.
Reviewer’s Rating: 3
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Apr 27, 2011
If your expecting something big with high-end explosive action and a riveting zombie-apocalypse story, this is not for you.....but if your looking for an add-on to 2010's all-breast soft-porn material that was High School of the Dead then look no further as I can gladly recommend this short OVA which is titled H.O.T.D: Drifters of the Dead.
For all the hype that H.O.T.D received in 2010, you either were 'anti- or for' the franchise and all I can say after watching this short 16 minute episode is that for those who were anti-; Drifters of the Dead is just going to add fuel to your fire.
Drifters
...
of the Dead DOES NOT add to the story. It DOES NOT continue from where they last left off in the TV series. What it does give us is a short clip of the cast being drifted to an island where we get to see more breasts jiggle then a tub of jelly.
As an alpha male, I see nothing wrong with that. I knew what I was going to get into after having seen the TV series, and I was pretty much correct after seeing some nipple action in the first few minutes of the clip.
So how does the OVA fair?
STORY: 5
ART: 7
SOUND: 6
CHARACTER: 3
ENJOYMENT: 4
OVERALL: 5
Am I being generous? VERY.
Reviewer’s Rating: 5
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Mar 6, 2011
Kimi ni Todoke 2 is a continuation of the 1st season with Sawako(aka Sadako) and her friends graduating to their second year of high school. To those who had loved/liked the 1st and rated it highly will find the 2nd season no different as the pacing, comedy and teenage romantic angst which made up the 1st, still present in KnT2.
For those who had rated it poorly, well there's not much I can say except not to have too high an expectation as not much has changed or will change(apart from the art). The misunderstandings which some had found to be irritating in the 1st season,
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have now doubled as the 2nd heavily focuses on the new found romantic feelings of an introverted girl who can't seem to open up regardless of how much help she gets from those around her.
Then again, who watches a sequel of something they don't like?
So what makes this series worth watching? Closure. It's all about closure in Kimi ni Todoke 2nd Season. The open ending which viewers received in the last episode of season 1 finally feels like a chapter is over this season, which should give them a sense of relief that the doors for the KnT anime has finally closed. Whilst the manga is still ongoing, I believe where season 2 ends is enough for a happy and fulfilling ending without giving too much of a spoiler. You could say I'm a fan of happy endings and unfortunately while season 1 did end on a happy note, it still left us with a question or two unanswered.
Now it usually takes me a while to get comfortable watching romantic shoujo series without cringing to some of the casts lovey-dovey behavior(and I'm still getting used to it), but with the help of my wife renting a fair few of them especially when she has her girlfriends over, I've started to appreciate the genre and hence why I've really gotten to like this series as a whole.
One major change as I mentioned earlier would have to be the art for KnT2, which I was very amazed with as it had only been a year since the 1st season had aired early 2010. Backgrounds seem to be finer in texture, and the shoujo-esque character designs from 1st season seemed to have been better detailed. Of course we're not talking dramatic changes here and for those who loved the 'chibi-type' characters well known in season 1 for its comedy routine can rest assure as it still influences a major part of KnT2.
Having just finished watching the 1st season for the second time(prior to writing this review), the sound for KnT2 took some time to get used to, but once I did I found it fitting to season 2's mood and pacing. The OP 'Sawakaze'(Refreshing Breeze in English) performed by J-pop artist Tomofumi Tanizawa felt so appropriate for the series and the ED which also shares the title 'Kimi ni Todoke' performed by MAY'S, is set in a slow ballad's tempo which really sets the mood for the overall series.
In KnT2, we see the full cast return from 1st season(with their matching voice actors) including Kurumi who I now see in a new light(although still bitchy as ever), and we also see a new character by the name of Kento Muira who plays catalyst for the would-be couple. The main cast are still the same as the last season with the female lead Sawako still introverted as ever(even more so this season) and the school she goes to still puts her love interest Kazehaya on a high pedestal(to a point that I'm starting to think some of the guys are gay for Shota). Well I guess that's one shoujo-esque trait I will never get used to.
For those who felt frustrated with the misunderstandings which played a major role of season 1, may not like where season 2 is heading as it now plays as the series core setting. There's enough hair-pulling tension to be seen in season 2 that it's enough to make one go bald. Well I guess that's teenage shoujo for you.
So in a nutshell:
Story - 8
Art - 9
Sound - 9
Character - 8
Enjoyment - 8
Overall - 8
THE GOOD - The Art, the Animation and Closure. Specially closure which is a really big plus for me with the whole Sawako x Kazehaya romance. What the first season had lacked, is now the main focus for the second.
THE BAD - The slow pacing and the embellished misunderstandings. It takes 3 episodes to get over 1 misunderstanding!! If you haven't seen season 1, then there will be some things you won't understand in KnT2 as the series does not serve as a standalone. Apart from Kurumi's special recap at the beginning of the series, not much is explained to the how's and when's that take place in season 2.
If you are a fan of the first, Kimi ni Todoke 2nd Season will be like icing on your cake. Of course if you haven't seen season 1, I strongly suggest watching it before even making the endeavor to start season 2(and who in their right mind starts something mid-ways anyways?)
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Jan 1, 2011
When you hear the name "Vash the Stampede" mentioned in an anime conversation, what is the first thing you think of? If it happens to be Trigun in the first 5 seconds, I can safely guarantee without you even reading this review that you will like this movie....
...and if I asked if you heard the name "Valentinez Alkalinella Xifax Sicidabohertz Gombigobilla Blue Stradivari Talentrent Pierre Andri Charton-Haymoss Ivanovici Baldeus George Doitzel Kaiser III", and you answered with a smile that it's from the same anime, I can personally guarantee that this movie may even become a personal favorite.
So your probably wondering where I'm getting at
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by asking you these questions. Simple. If you haven't heard of Trigun in this day and age and you call yourself an anime fan, I suggest you stop what you're doing and go buy this anime classic quicksmart as the movie is tribute to this once great series.
Trigun, like many other classics I can mention, was pretty much entry level for anyone new to anime back in the day. When people use to ask why I watch "cartoons", I just had to sit them in front of a TV with this series playing and they were pretty much hooked line and sinker.(unless they were girls. period.)
Now before I start I'm going to be honest and admit that this review is going to be biased. Yes I'm a big fan of Trigun and yes Vash & Wolfwood happens to be 2 of my favorite anime characters of all time, but that's not what I'm going to be biased about. Let's just say that my favoritism stems from nostalgia.
When I had first watched the TV series, I was in my first year of college and the anime club of 6 people I belonged to were still watching anime via VHS.
"Ah yes....those were the days when hitting rewind actually meant you wait a few minutes"
So when I heard that Trigun had its movie premiere in early 2010, I was pretty much waiting in anticipation for it to hit our shores, and was also disappointed that the wait was going to be a while due to the producers not coming to my backwater country.
But as the saying goes: "all good things come to those who wait", and boy was it good!
Trigun: Badlands Rumble was created for fans of the TV series. There was never a dull moment while watching the film and if anything, it had made me fall in love with the series all over again.
Without giving too much of a spoiler, Badlands Rumble is about Vash's encounter with a bank robber named Gasback prior to the TV series. Due to Vash's "love and peace" nature, he lets Gasback go after foiling his botched robbery knowing full well that the man may become a threat to society later on.
Fast-forward 20 years later and the location is Makka City which most of the events take place for the movie. We are shown Gasback, now as a legendary bank robber with a very high bounty to his name(still paling in comparison to Vash's) and a horde of bounty hunters after his head in that city.
Now I'm not 100% sure if the film is in the same timeline as the TV series or an alternate(since Wolfwood makes an appearance) and if it is, where in the series it would have most likely taken place, but one thing I can say is that the movie had retained that 'certain feel' which most fans had come to love about Trigun.
The original cast of Vash, Wolfwood, Meryl and Milly was a welcome sight after 10 long years, and seeing their antics and personalities in a cinematic film was a treat for any fan of the series.
We are also provided with 2 new characters who play pivotal roles in the film. The first being Gasback(a cheap knock-off of Brilliant Dynamite Neon from episode 7 of the TV series) and the other named Amelia: a female bounty hunter with a dark past which slowly unveils through the course of the movie(and whose character design is equivalent to a female version of Ruth the bounty hunter in episode 1)
Now after rattling on about the glory days that is Trigun, you'll probably be thinking that animation is old school as well, but let me stop you there. If there's one thing age has helped with this movie, it would have to be its art and animation. Whilst Badlands Rumble had captured the essence of the original series, you'll find that Madhouse Studio had really put a lot of effort to this movie giving you eye-candy that is both rich in texture and detail, and at best could even give series made in 2010 a run for their money.
From story to character design, art and animation, soundtrack and even original voice actors, I found Badlands Rumble to be very well balanced and even accommodating for those new to the franchise. The pacing never felt "off", and everything had been executed so well that you could have even viewed this as a standalone.
In conclusion I found Trigun:Badlands Rumble to have the right elements to which the original series was well known for - a space western comedy packed with action and stunning gunplay that pays homage to the fans who loved the TV series whilst also a great introduction for those new to it.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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Jan 1, 2011
Brave Story: an adaptation from Miyuki Miyabi's novel of the same name, is a film that any kid under 10 would really enjoy. I say this due to that my 4 year old son and 2 of my nephews(also under 10) have made it their favorite movie. When I asked why they liked it, their answer was; "because it looked cool!"
Now I haven't played the games nor have I bought any of the franchise(apart from this DVD) which all stem from the novel, yet after finishing the film I knew that a lot of the script were cut from the original adaptation, making what could
...
have been a great movie into something I'd say as mediocre. When I had asked the 3 boys if they knew what the story was about, all 3 shook their heads and gave me 3 misinterpretations of what they 'thought' it was about. While I thought the answers were cute, I realized Brave story was 100% animation and CG and 0% story.
Story - 5
Brave Story is mostly about Wataru and his adventure into a fantasy world known as Vision. As the synopsis had already mentioned, prior to Wataru entering this world, his own was already on a brink of collapse with his father running off with another woman and his mother falling ill due to the situation. Having heard that he can change his destiny if he completes a certain quest, Wataru decides to take on this quest and that's where his adventure starts. This part of the story I really never cared for, and the way they had presented things I believe was in poor taste anyways. I mean who wants to know that your dad was cheating on your mom at the age of 11? It's like Disney sending subliminal messages for kids not to smoke in Snow White(or else you'll end up 'short' like the seven dwarfs)
Anyways, that's not where the plot-holes and bad pacing start to show up. It's when Wataru enters Vision that really gave me angst. We are introduced to a myriad of citizens from Vision who embark in the journey with Wataru which you can tell there is a story to them that's waiting to be heard and hopefully fulfilled. Yet isn't. I really found that frustrating as it was like watching someone play an RPG and taking on side quests but not completing them as that player heads to the main goal. Another thing I hated(without giving too much of a spoiler) was how they "brushed" everything in the end to give us a happy ending. If I was 10 years old, I wouldn't really have cared about this, but I'm not.
Art & Sound - 7
The art and sound for Brave Story is its saving grace. From studio GONZO, well known for their collaboration with CG in their work, I have to commend how they implemented the world of Vision. The cities were given a European-esque look, and each towns citizens were nicely detailed giving you that feeling of how life is in that world. For a movie that had been created in 2006, Brave Story excels with its beautifully rendered landscapes making some series I had seen in 2010 pale in comparison.
As I mentioned, another saving grace for Brave Story is with its sound. Brave Story had utilized Juno Reactor(performers well known for their music in The Matrix trilogy as well as other anime), to do the score for the movie. This was a plus for BS as the BGM blended naturally with the animation giving you the sense of adventure that was encountered. With the ED "Ketsui no Asa ni" performed by J-pop band Aqua Timez at the end, the OST for Brave Story would make a nice collection for any music enthusiasts.
Characters - 4
This is where it REALLY fell short for me. The characters introduced in Brave Story were one-sided and there wasn't enough profiling to give the characters depth.
First you have Wataru: an 11 year old boy who's world seems to be crumbling due to events rifting between his parents. A very nice sob story indeed, but somehow I just couldn't empathize with him due to that everything seemed to fall in his lap like a stroke of good luck(courtesy of bad storytelling). Then you have his friend(and semi-antagonist for the film) Ashikawa, who he meets at the beginning of the film. Apparently he has gone back and forth from the real world to Vision and is on the same quest like Wataru. Unfortunately this is never explained as the focus is more on Ashikawa's sob story instead. Inconsistencies continue in this fashion for both characters which really became a minus for me.
Then we have the supporting characters who Wataru meets. This is the part that had really frustrated me the most as we are introduced to people like you would in an RPG's side quests; who have their own problems waiting for the hero to help fix and to which unfortunately for them, he doesn't(like I mentioned earlier). Now this could be due to that there wasn't enough time to do these quests as the movies running time was close to stretching on 2 hours, but if that were the case why introduce them at all? For the sake that they were in the adaptation?
Enjoyment - 6
Whilst Brave Story has its faults, this doesn't mean its not entertaining and I believe the movie has met their quota when reaching its targeted audience: kids under 10 who like big bangs and pretty animation. The foundation to which the film provides, gives viewers who are into fantasy and RPG's like Dungeons & Dragons a nostalgic feeling with its presentation, and the breathtaking art and music would get even the harder-to-please kids glued to the screen. Unfortunately for bigger kids like myself, the weak storyline and poor execution just didn't leverage to how good this film could have been which set my score back from an 8 to a 6. I wish I could say good things in this review like those before me, but then I'd be lying to myself.
Overall - 5
The Good - Great animation and CG for a movie that's as old as my son, accompanied with a great soundtrack.
The Bad - Everything else. The DVD would make a great Christmas or birthday present for anyone under 10. Of course, anyone over that age may think you have it in for them.
Reviewer’s Rating: 5
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Dec 29, 2010
For anyone who's seen or currently watching the series of Nurarihyon no Mago, this 2 episode recap which fits in after episode 12 and episode 24(known as 12.5 and 24.5) is honestly not even worth watching as all it does is RECAP the 2 arcs(both Gyuuki and Shikoku).
There is no fresh material and if you ask me, is just a waste of 20+ minutes for each episode. For anyone who's read my review on the main series for Mago may find how displeased I was with the anime as a whole and this 2 part excuse to get more air-time is just adding fuel to
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my fire.
So for anyone who watches Mago in years to come and stumbles to this page and curiously says "Oh, I never knew Mago had 2 extra episodes, I might download it to see what I missed..." Let me stop you there as well as save you that extra megabytes because it really is not worth watching/downloading.
...and for anyone who buys the first season DVD boxset, well I really can't help you there as these 2 episodes will most likely be part of it. I can only tell you to skip these 2 I guess.
So anyways, you have been warned...THIS IS JUST RECAPS for an already mediocre series
Reviewer’s Rating: 3
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Dec 27, 2010
If there's one word I could describe Nurarihyon no Mago, it would have to be BORING.
Having read the adaptation I really had high hopes for this series as the formula to which Mago is about, is seldom used in shonén anime and if done right, would have definitely been one of the better series for 2010.
...but like I said, BORING. Here's why:
Story - 8
Nurarihyon no Mago is a tale of the supernatural. It's a tale of demons and spirits and the co-existence between their kind and ours. It's also a tale of Rikuo Nura and how he takes over his grandfathers clan known as
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the Hyakki Yakō, a clan made up of yōkai(demons) and other familiar spirits of Japanese folklore. Nurarihyon no Mago is about the trials and tribulations Rikuo goes through to achieve being the head of that clan(to which at first he has no interest in) while knowing that he is only a quarter yōkai himself.
What makes the story even more interesting is how the Nura yōkai clan portray chivalry, similar to those you'd find in yakuza(Japanese gangster) movies, and how this series uses fear to gauge their strength.
Nurarihyon no Mago is Rikuo's story, as he struggles to find his place between both worlds, and it's a tale of superiority between other yōkai clans as you'll find in the second half of the series.
So far so good right? So what went wrong?
Art & Animation - 6
This is where it was a miss for me. While I was happy the art stayed true to Hiroshi Shiibashi's manga, giving you a richly detailed account to Japan's yōkai like you'd find in an old Japanese tapestry, I was really disappointed in its animation. For a shonén title, the series really lacked 'fluidity' for a better word making each scene seem like your watching still-frame art from the 90's. The execution and pacing was lacking and for a series made late 2010, the choreography was non-existent.
While there are times when you think animation might improve(like watching the intricacies of a Sakura tree blossom at night), you are let down the next moment when characters clash....very...slowly. Even anime such as Hikaru no Go, which is a series about an Asian 'bored' game provided better excitement. I usually have a benchmark when it comes to shonén anime(specially ones released in the last few years) and Mago simply did not cut it for me.
If I had to make a comparison to Mago's animation, it would probably come close to Samurai Deeper Kyo(which aired back in 2002), another anime that had all the right premises but didn't deliver.
Yes, Nurarihyon no Mago may have picked up after 20 episodes into the series, but that's 20+ episodes too late! For some people, an anime is good if it entices you through the first few episodes. NOT at the very end where people have already dropped it or have put it on hold waiting for someone to tell them to pick it up again. It's not fine wine which you to mature(unless you're one who don't drop anime regardless)
Sound - 5
While I have no complaints about the voice actors chosen for Mago(besides the obvious of some being miscasted), where I really felt the series was also lacking was a 'strong' musical score. Shonén anime can be gripping when a running score is played in the background. The series I mentioned earlier, Hikaru no Go is a very good example to this in that it has such a moving soundtrack, that regardless how boring the game is played in Hikaru it still keeps you riveted, and at times even on edge. Whilst Nurarihyon no Mago does have BGM running(softly), none felt suited to the tempo of each scene making it seem like I was watching an 80's series due to just hearing dialogue.
I will commend that the OP's for both arcs in the series were consistent( with both titles performed by Monkey Majik) giving you that feeling for what the show is going to be, but I'll be honest and admit that the ED's(performed by Katate☆Size) just did not feel appropriate for each ending episode. Instead of thinking I was watching a series about demons and the supernatural, the upbeat tempo at the end of each episode made it sound like it was done by a backyard DJ adding music to his favorite home video.
Characters - 6
The series as a whole only really shines through its characters. For one, you have Rikuo who is a quarter yōkai which means like any shonén anime, there is a part of the main character that would make any fan who's into transformations go: "Wow! Sick! I want to see more of this!" And I admit, when I had first read the adaptation, I was pretty much all over it the moment Rikuo turned into the 'Master of the Night'.
Just seeing his transformation made me feel like a little boy again watching Goku turn into Super-Saiyijinn 3.
Nurarihyon no Mago also features a huge cast of characters which at most 'can' be likable, but I wouldn't start saying that they'd be memorable like other well known shonén supporting characters and the only one I'd take real note of is Kiyotsugu(of the Kiyo Paranormal Squad) who happens to probably be the most annoying side character in all of anime history.
Enjoyment and Overall - 5
In all honesty, I have mixed feelings for this series as a part of me wants to grow to like it thanks to having known how the manga continues, while the other half is screaming "Bloody Murder!" at the anime director.
Overall I am clearly disappointed with Mago as an anime due to the segments I had mentioned earlier and I'm surprised that it's even getting a second season when there are clearly far better anime out there who hasn't seen the light of day since they first aired(Berserk & Kenichi to name a few). I can only hope that they find a better director(or another studio take it up) for season 2 as there is no way I'd be buying the first once its licensed.
Nurarihyon no Mago is more 'superficial' then it is supernatural and at best may pass time for people with nothing to do, but it definitely isn't praiseworthy let alone top-shelf when it comes to action anime.
Reviewer’s Rating: 5
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Dec 26, 2010
If there's one thing 2010 isn't short of, it would have to be the abundance of ecchi anime that's aired this year. From titles like Kiss x Sis, High School of the Dead, and even Seikon no Qwaser, it makes one think that Japan has had a rise in lonely boys who are buying into this stuff like ice to Eskimos.
Hyakka Ryōran: Samurai Girls is no different in that all it really is, is a show about samurai with breasts set in neo-Japan. Die-hard fans of historical anime/literature may feel insulted to this as famous names like Sanada Yukimura, Yagyū Jūbei and even Senhimé are
...
made to cast as moé characters.
Story - 6
Ryōran takes place in an alternate world where the samurai co-exist with modern technology. How Akira Suzuki(author of the light novels) came up with the idea is beyond me but its definitely not unheard of if your a fan of Gintama. In this reality, master samurai are like guardian deities who serve their shogun as well as protect the populace with their godly powers that differentiate them from your average samurai.
Sound good so far? I thought so too until I realized this series was more a rom-com harem then an action anime. Don't get me wrong, there definitely is action in the series but there just wasn't enough to outweigh the lame overdone comedy. For those who have seen the series Sekirei may see some similarities(like the norito kiss) in this anime, and will probably get the same disappointment in regards to Ryōran's plotline.
Art - 7
If there's one thing Ryōran will be remembered by(if it ever gets remember by next season), is its art and animation. From background to character design, everything is presented in a unique fashion that is different from your typical 2D or CG anime. Of course that doesn't mean that characters are drawn in a weird way as first and foremost, this is an ecchi anime that has samurai girls showing off their assets. One thing I have to commend the director with is the method to which they use to censor the ladies naughty bits. Instead of using the traditional white light or white fog, we are shown ink blotches which coincide with the series artwork.
Whilst I wouldn't say animation is first class for Ryōran, I'd definitely rate it higher then other battle anime that's come out recently(like Nurarihyon no Mago)
Sound - 7
Another component I guess I enjoyed for this series would have to be its sound. With J-rock band Faylan performing the OP "Last Vision For Last", your easily swayed into thinking this series is well worth watching as it pulls you in with the beat like any good shonén anime should. The ED "Koi ni Sesse Tooryanse" performed by the leading ladies of the series is not bad either(nor is it any good) and the BGM is nicely set in place giving you the right ambiance and pacing.
I really have no complaints with the voice cast, asides from that anyone who has seen School Days may be clearly reminded that the main lead for this series is Makoto. Thought I'd throw it out there :D
Character - 3
This is where the series fails. The characters of Ryōran are shallow and there is not one character in the anime that I could say is solid. We are reminded time and time again through each character, that this really is a two-bit harem. The main lead at first showed some promise but quickly fell into the endless spiral of uninspiring harem males and the supporting ladies are a joke. If someone was to ask me if I've seen Ryōran, my first reply would be "Oh, that boobies show?" because that's all the women of Ryōran is all about.
Enjoyment - 6
Watching Ryōran is like riding a bicycle through a mountainous valley. There are so many ups and downs to the series that its not worth counting. As long as your not looking for a deeper meaning to what this show portrays, then its all downhill in regards to enjoyment.
Overall - 5
Hyakka Ryōran: Samurai Girls is first and foremost an ecchi anime. If that's what your looking for, then this series should definitely please. Yes it has action and a bit of story, but I wouldn't call it its selling point and is more a bonus.
Reviewer’s Rating: 5
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Aug 7, 2010
There's only one thing I'd like to ask before I start my review of Shukufuku no Campanella, and that is; "Was the director high when creating this series?" There's enough love and peace felt in this anime to stop WWIII(and I mean that in a cheesy way)
As a fan of 'Eroge(Adult Games)-Turn-Anime' type of shows, I usually hold a small torch of hope that it might actually be a series worth watching as we've had a good run with shows like Clannad and other Key titles. Unfortunately that torch has been dimmed since episode 2 and I believe nothing short of a miracle can re-light
...
what could have been a promising show.
Story - 2
Truthfully it's non-existent, and if there is a story, I would love any fan of this show to enlighten me on when it started as so far all I've seen is how much the cast can keep kissing the male protagonists 'behind' to a point that it can prove sickening at times. As a fan of harem animes, I tried to overlook that there may never be a story and to just take it for what it was(good art and harem) but even that's proven to be difficult.
Art - 5
The art in SnC is what redeems this show and probably plays a big part to why high school kids and below(and even first timers to anime) have given it a good rating. Coming from AIC studios I wouldn't expect anything less for our time, and if it had failed in that department, I would have long dropped this anime by episode 1. The art is very 'pretty' for a better word and that is all it is. If I was a naive young girl who picks daisies to make into tiaras(thinking Heidi here), I would most likely rate this show a 9 or 10 as well. Thank God I ain't...
Sound - 4
OP and ED are somewhat decent and can play to the anime very well giving it a welcoming invite to any unsuspecting sucker who's had a look at the art. I wouldn't go as far as saying the sound is terrible but I have heard better.
Character - 3
This is where the anime fails and I believe it's never going to pick itself up anytime soon either. We have characters that are very 2 dimensional that I would have had finer amusement watching paint dry before one of the cast does something noteworthy. The traits feel 'borrowed' from other anime and there is lack of originality in any of the given roles. What get's me the most is that the humor they try to provide is suitable for kids under 16 yet portrays a semi-ecchi cast for people over 16. Are they trying to say fanboys will laugh at anything as long as you provide them fan-service? To top matters off, the apathetic approach the main protagonist has towards his harem can be so off-turning that it's made me want to cheer for those weak male leads I use to dislike in romcoms and harem anime(the shy and easy to nose-bleed types). There's a fine line between happy characters, and characters that act too hard to portray happiness. SnC would be of the latter that there's enough cheese to go with the whine I have by the end of each episode(pardon the pun)
Enjoyment - 3
My enjoyment for this show stayed at episode 1 and had lost its way since episode 2 too a point of no return. While there might be an appeal to it that invites attention to any little girl out there who dreams of being Sailor Moon, its just not a show for everyone. The art and sound, decent as it comes, just does not take the focus off of what the show is lacking.
Overall - 4
Considering I'm at episode 5 by the time I've had written this review, I'm not going to all out drop it(as yet). There is room for improvement as we're about to reach the 2nd half of the series and I can only hope that Windmill(creators of the game and also another game/anime Happiness) has a stern talk to the director to maybe steer this from the train wreck that it's about to become. Then again, its from the same director who did Omamori Himari(and look at how that ended).
Reviewer’s Rating: 4
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