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​Unspoken rule of anime #55: if, at any time, that one ^-^ faced character opens their eyes, it means that some serious bat-sh*t craziness is going to happen. In the case of Kekkai Sensen: comedic "lol what is even happening" craziness! With a touch---punch?---of style.

OVERALL - rounded up 8.5
Kekkai Sensen is fun, jazzy, and chaotic. I jumped in expecting a serious shounen action anime, but I was quickly proved wrong. Meandering from side story to side story in a way usually reserved for slice of life or select mystery series, it is a show that I notice goes two ways: people are either confused as ... hell...salem's lot (I couldn't resist, I'm sorry!) or enjoying the hell out of all the chaos.

(It's quick-paced and throws information around like a whirlwind, so for maximum comprehension, make sure you pause when you need to and just let the madness take over!)

STORY/WRITING - 8
Imagine this anime as a cool-looking, stylish guy with really nice sunglasses(?) who still jumps into puddles and kicks up leaves and smiles like a real dork when he tells those "lol wtf" jokes that manage to get you to crack a smile. That's Kekkai Sensen. He tells really random, wild stories. And he's one hell of a fun guy to dance with.

ART/ANIMATION - 8
Animation is good; art is good. Let's skip to something more fun: stylisation! Kekkai Sensen knows when and how to utilise different art styles to both comedic and cinematic effect. How it manages text on-screen is really fun, too! Fun and loud and intentionally overdone!

SOUND/MUSIC - 10
Mix modern funk with 1930s swing and accompany it with the jazzy voice of a French-American woman singing in a speakeasy where the audience is littered with flappers from the 1920s and a couple dancing a jive. Give her some 2000s contemporary blues to sing. Let the gangs of the West Side Story and the cast of Footloose finger-snap their way into the speakeasy, followed by some classic rockers riffing passionately on their electric guitars. Oh, and don't forget the orchestra playing a haunting, ocean-like serenade and the really high cows playing with squeaker toys.

That's what Iwasaki Taisei-san's soundtrack is. Frankly, quite amazing. Give it a listen, ya? Plus the OP and ED are really great. The ED is especially fantastic and enthusiastic. Dance vibes all around!

CHARACTERS - rounded up 8.5
When a story is average, it is up to the characters to carry the show. And they do. They flourish under numerable bursts of manzai (funny man/straight man) comedy, simultaneously giving more craziness to the chaos that is Hellsalem's Lot while very subtly throwing in lines of character development.

ENJOYMENT - rounded down 9.5
It's so much fun. Chaotic fun. And it's rather refreshing, as I've been watching a lot of more serious anime lately.

Additional Ratings: COMEDY - 9 | DIRECTING/DIRECTION - 10 | PACING OVERALL - 7.5 | PACING WITHIN EPISODES - 8.5 | CINEMATOGRAPHY - 8

It doesn't take long to know whether you'd like AJIN or not. Ok with/like full CG? Prefer/interested in a generally apathetic MC? Into/loving the idea of an antagonist that's like that one especially difficult Dark Souls boss but with the ability to almost instantly revive? AJIN is here for you!

[Warning: halfway through this season, AJIN diverges from the original manga, but remarkably it doesn't hurt the show very much. The manga's a real good read, you should try it.]

OVERALL - rounded up 8.5
I feel bad typing this, but modern-day stories about terrorism always fascinates me (I'm looking at you, beautifully animated Zankyō no Terror! >_>). ... AJIN explores a world where immortality is coveted for its research advantages, and this darker view of the esteemed trait is something that'll tickle your grim fancies for a good bit. Not for the squeamish. Seriously. It's not the blood that gets to you---it's the constant possibility of decapitation.

STORY - rounded up 8.5
AJIN, expectedly, shifted its focus to Satou vs. Nagai Kei from the original intrigue of immortals being used for experimentation pretty quickly (aka season 1). This interesting concept drew me in; yet it was the psychological intensity of fighting against an OP, crazy, immortal ex-soldier with an addiction to games and an affection for his hat that kept me here*

*I say that, but tbh it's because of my affection for Nagai Kei (MC) and for just how much Miyano Mamoru's voice suits the character.

ART/ANIMATION - rounded up 8.5
The awkward CG, like the dark, takes awhile for your eyes to adjust to. Yet I feel as if AJIN is an anime that could not have been done better any other way. There's something here that makes me think: "I wouldn't watch this if it was the usual 2D." Perhaps it's Satou-san's fast-paced, eye-widening murder sprees? Or perhaps it's the hilarious fluidity of Kei's jaded/irritated facial expressions? ^-^'

SOUND/MUSIC - rounded down 7.5
There's only a few stand out tracks because they are used repeatedly to signal increasing TENSION! or CHAOS!! or HYPE!!! Perhaps AJIN conditions you to prepare for a certain thrill when you hear the beginnings of a certain track? Remarkably, this actually rather works.

CHARACTERS - 8
I'll be honest. This'd be pretty damn crappy if it weren't for the strongly-written protagonist and antagonist: Nagai Kei and Satou-san. They carry this anime so much that they are pointed to as why many people follow this series.

ENJOYMENT - 9
There are some things contained in the manga that I truly wished should've made its way in the anime *cough Hirasawa cough* even though its story diverged *cough "like watching my sons" cough cough.* These things primarily had to do with developing Kei's character and his "lack" of emotions---it's more dynamic than that; I can write a whole dissertation on it---which I think is one of AJIN's best aspects. Regardless, this is a thrilling and bloody show that's terrifyingly amazing at making a marvel of the destruction an immortal madman can achieve.

ADDITIONAL RATINGS : Seiyuu - 10 (seriously, Mamoru-san is especially amazing in this one) / Cinematography - 8 / Pacing within Episodes - 8.5 / Pacing Overall - 8 / Pacing of Character Development (Nagai Kei) - 6.5

It's Natsume Yuujinchou. If you aren't following this series, you've either not tried it or slice of life anime is just not for you. That's okay if you don't like slower shows. Otherwise... Join us in the iyashikei world, where the world is good and pureness reigns and smiles are protected! Go! We'll see you at Roku!

OVERALL - 9
Always happy for more Natsume Yuujinchou. Heartwarming. Fluffy. Pure. Activates the "I must protect this smile!" instinct. Feels. Feels that are sometimes happy. Feels that are sometimes REALLY KINDA HEARTBREAKING??? Iyashikei but with an undertone of constant melancholy that almost makes you have multiple existential crises but ... then your heart is healed into a pure state? Aw yes!

STORY - rounded down 9.5
Short stories. Always superb. Some used this season were more dynamic than I've ever seen Natsume Yuujinchou show us before---more than enough to make up for some of the more forgettable ones (sorry).

ART/ANIMATION - 9
So we have moved from Brain's Base to Shuka. There's reason to be skeptical of this infant studio that tends to slack of halfway, but they poured a lot into consistantly making Natsume beaut-- I mean, Natsume Yuujinchou beautiful, haha. The softer colour palette and more pencil-like lines compliment the iyashikei feel. And it's hard to not melt a little bit (or, you know, a LOT) at the very gentle and fluid animation every time Natsume smiles. Good to know Shuka knows where to pour the most effort.

SOUND/MUSIC - 8
Natsume Yuujinchou uses the same lovely OST every season with only some new tracks, so let's just talk about the OP/ED. Like the OP: makes me excited for more Natsume. Love the ED: reminds me of Zoku's ending which is my personal favourite.

CHARACTERS - 9
It's season 5. You know who you love and who you disapprove of by now. (If you don't like Natsume himself within 1-3 episodes of the first season... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Sorry, he's the MC and a boy of kindness & good intentions whose Shuka-animated smile I will always treasure.)

ENJOYMENT - 10
It's season 5.

Additional Ratings : SEIYUU - 10 (Kamiya Hiroshi. Jun'ichi Suwabe. The usual cast. The usual greatness) ; CINEMATOGRAPHY - 9

This anime is not a perfect 10. This anime is, however, a masterpiece---flaws and all. Yuri!!! On Ice may not be the best of this year or this season, but there is a reason why it has earned its place in many hearts. Objectively, this anime is a 8.5/10; but it is difficult to be completely objective when something gifts you with so much unbridled joy and shares with you as much pure-hearted love as it can provide. Hear me out.

OVERALL - 10
It's the first Wednesday after Yuri!!! On Ice ended. While there is the usual emptiness that comes with a great show ending, YOI ... left me feeling in a way that an anime hasn't caused in a long time: content and in love. It is not every season, it is not even every year that you come across an anime that gives you a happiness that lingers. Anime can make you feel all sorts of emotions and I'm not saying YOI is the first to make people happy. For me, personally, it's been so long since an anime gave me emotions that lasted actual HOURS after watching an episode (since the airing of FMA:B, specifically). How could I not give a 10 to the anime that kept me almost irrationally happy during what was actually a really bad day? How could I not give a 10 to the anime that is actually completely awe-inspiring?
YOI is not the first to do any of the revolutionary things it's praised for. It's not the first to respectfully show a homosexual relationship. It's not the first to animate ice skating. It's not the first to have a multiracial cast. It's not the first to dare break the molds of its genre. (Don't get me started on why YOI shouldn't have a yaoi/shounen ai tag, I will gather the might of our international fandom and fight you.) However it is, as of now in 2016, the best accumulation of all of these things into one beautiful show about love: who you love and what you love and how you love. To say it simply, Yuri!!! On Ice is an ice skating anime---a sports anime---with one of the most realistic and mature romances I have ever seen. It treats its showcased sport and its themes and its undertones with the sincerity and respect that they deserve. It's a dark horse anime that rapidly locked its place amongst the personal favourites of the season/year for many.

[The blinder you go into watching this anime, the better. Although a little torturous, the weeks between episodes where the fandom waited in a collectively held gasp were part of what made this anime so unique. Watching anime was suddenly not something you did by yourself and commented about for a bit after the newest episode; something about this anime compelled its viewers to actively seek out other viewers and to rewatch together. There's a reason why the fandom is so dang loud (and full of memes, ahem) and that is because we love this anime so much that we have to share it. We want to share this show's love, its staff's love, and our own. If nothing else, please respect that ;A;]

STORY - 8
It's a sports anime. Don't expect anything deep or philosophical or something that'll make you question your moral values (although it may make you question other things, haha)---jump in with your heart open to another underdog story. I say "another," but a great underdog story as well-written as Katsuki Yuuri's is as inspiring and powerful as any other. The pacing of this show is skillful. I daresay nearly flawless, emphasis on nearly. Each episode is meaningful; every line endearing (some more cringe-worthy? than others); for 24 minutes, you are gently swept away into a world very much like our own. But there's a catch: Kubo-sensei (creator) & Sayo-san (director) removed discrimination and hatred. The conscious nods to the role of social media, to figures in ice skating, and to real locations reflect upon the idea that YOI's universe isn't just "an idealised version" of ours, but a visualisation of what we can make the world into.

ART/ANIMATION - 8
No one honestly admits the flaws of YOI's animation and art like its own fans do. I love this anime with all my soul and I will point out every frame-skip, every awkwardly drawn face, every slip in perspective, every colouring mistake this anime has. The fandom makes memes out of YOI's derps and fails! Even with all of its mistakes, none of them can truly detract from how mesmerising every performance is. As Yuuri refines his performances, so does the animation refine. Every scene off the ice is just as wonderful to watch. YOI's art/animation is not perfect. It definitely isn't perfect. But it's BEAUTIFUL. I find myself trying to take in every detail, trying to follow every movement. Even if you don't ever watch this anime, appreciate the fact that Studio MAPPA animated the whole human body as it dances across ice. (Also MAPPA is top-notch at close-up facial expressions. Just, just putting it out there.)

SOUND/MUSIC - 9
An average soundtrack doesn't bring tears to your eyes before it's even attached to a scene. An average soundtrack doesn't make you cry because of its attachment to a scene AND because of its sheer beauty. An average soundtrack doesn't evoke images of its scene in your mind like fond memories. Yuri!!! On Ice doesn't have an average soundtrack or even a great soundtrack. It has an astounding soundtrack. And the anime's opening and ending songs are super catchy so there's that! (It's also very pleasant to listen to the sound of the skates as they cut through the ice. Aw yis, sound design.)

CHARACTERS - 10
The level of character endearment achieved within 12 episodes is unreal. Yuuri, admittedly plain and normal, is one of the most relatable and most inspiring MCs I've encountered. I love him irrationally and want the best for him because he reflects the honest anxieties of trying to become someone worthy of one's passions. Victor, who seems godly in every way, isn't boring and posh perfection. He is completely and loveably human, even though he has some harsh moments where he really slips up. Some of the other ice skaters show up for 1-2 episodes and that's it. Even if you don't care for them or lowkey (maybe highkey) hope they mess up, side characters aren't forgettable. Each one you can freely like or dislike, but their talents and passion for their sport is apparent and their individuality is distinct enough that you actually remember all their names! In one of her interviews, Kubo-sensei stated that they wanted every skater to become the MC when they performed. And they succeeded amazingly. The anime's other characters are just as much a crucial part of YOI as Yuuri and Victor are.

ENJOYMENT - 10 is too low a rating
Now this is why a 8.5/10 show gets a 10/10. I picked up this show as a joke. Many of the fandom did. We expected 6/10 work, expected Free! but the water's frozen. We made jokes about it constantly (still do). We expected a badly developed plot, the usual personalities with no depth---essentially we expected crap that we'd throw into our Dropped lists without a second thought... Or at least something we could watch to make fun of for the season. One of the strongest charms of YOI is the pleasant surprise that was the first episode... Then the second, then the third, then the fifth, then the seventh and the ninth and the tenth and the twelfth! The fandom jokes about the YOI writers being unpredictable and yells about always being SHOOK!!! because this anime is beyond anything we expected. No one knew what was really going to happen next because no one really expected anything in the first place! The show itself is a marvel---not the first of its kind, no---and its community is full of love (although some of us we can admit need to calm down a bit, o dear). Going into each episode, wondering about what YOI had in store, and being surprised so joyously that we were compelled to share in our happiness: that was one of the best things about this experience. And the fandom is not willing to die just yet ;)

CINEMATOGRAPHY - 9 ; SEIYUU - 10 (come on, it's hard to go wrong with such an all-star cast) ; PACING - 9 ; LIKELIHOOD TO BUY DVD/BLURAY - 10 ; LIKELIHOOD TO BUY MERCH - 10 ; LIKELIHOOD TO MAKE FANART - 8 (I'm resisting really hard) ; REWATCH VALUE - 10 ; QUALITY OF MEMES - 9

IN REGARDS TO "QUEERBAITING" & "FANSERVICE"
YOI gives its fans what they never expected to ever receive. Week after week this anime surprised its fandom over and over; this anime surpassed the fans' expectations with leap after momentous leap. Now, these events may be referred to as "queerbaiting" or "female fanservice." Let me present this to you: if an anime were to show loving moments between a couple, would this be labelled as "fanservice" or "romance"? This isn't to say that YOI has no fanservice at all! However, fanservice is not what the show is about. The ship that the fandom yells about isn't at the heart of YOI at all (although it's at the heart of the fandom). At the heart is a message about what it takes to do what you love. A message to not be ashamed of who you are, because you have someone to support you even if it doesn't feel like it. (Especially to the LBGT+ community, the YOI fandom will always support you all <3)

(Tbh I ought to be sleeping by now.)

TO KEEP IT SHORT:
Nejimaki Seirei Senki: Tenkyou no Alderamin (Alderamin for short) is a military anime with intelligent nods to the issues that come with imperialism and religion. While it does have fantasy themes, this is used to give reason to the war. Don't expect huge, spiraling battles as the heroes rain down their bossness from the skies! This is down and gritty and most of all REAL: the protagonists and their troops are outnumbered, under-supplied, 90% of their superiors are incompetent, their country isn't even worth protecting, and their enemies often have completely legitimate reasons for war. ... The aim here, as you'll see if you watch this, is not to win---it's to live for tomorrow.

But don't worry! Madhouse doesn't hold back on the blood (though they're not excessive)! For the faint-hearted, however, it might be pushing your limits.

OVERALL (rounded up 8.5) - As an avid player of the Fire Emblem series, I easily find interest in tactical series that focus on the multiple faces of war. Alderamin isn't just battle after battle; Alderamin brings together rather legitimate politics with battles that aren't always head-on bloodbaths. There's other ways to go about war and the lazy way is one of them!

RATING EXPLANATIONS:
STORY (8) - Thirteen episodes is usually never enough for thoroughly thought-out anything; it doesn't matter the genre, it matters the idea and how well it's laid out. Such is the case for Alderamin. Madhouse made a smart decision to not squish too much into 13 episodes and the pacing prospers as a result.

ART/ANIMATION (10) - It's been awhile since I've seen such... Beautiful fights and soul-tingling tactics. It's a horrible beauty and a bittersweet feeling. Why? Because Madhouse takes steps to remind you at every turn that war is not light-hearted.

SOUND (rounded down 7.5) - The OP you can rock out to every time it comes up. The ED calms you down, but I must be honest: it's pretty skippable. When Madhouse knows they're got the hype on their side, the OST really boosts it, but it also slips away.

CHARACTER (rounded down 9.5) - Each one of the protagonists have their own shine, even if they do somewhat take from the usual anime archetypes. What really carries throughout the series is the depth of each unbelievably well-written relationship.

ENJOYMENT (9) - I found joy in the direction Alderamin went---with the characters and tactical choices---and excitement in anticipating what Ikta was going to do next.

ADDITIONAL RATINGS: Character Design - 8 ; Directing/Cinematography - 10 ; CGI - 9 ; Pacing within Episodes - 8 ; Pacing Overall - 9 ; Seiyuu - 10

(It's 2AM and this is my first anime review. Bear with me.)

THE SHORT OF IT:
Let me say this straight. 91 Days is an anime you should watch for the thrill of it---ignore the animation quality slips that newborn-studio Shuka is still outgrowing. This is a highly story-driven, character-development heavy show with a very twisted but still realistic plot that likes to seduce you into thinking you got her all figured out. 91 Days is quite the summery masterpiece, although with (jarring) flaws; and it is the gritty mafia, Prohibition era revenge anime you want.

Fair warning, however. There will be blood, but the murder-happy beware! This ... isn't Re:Zero or Hamlet!

OVERALL (rounded up 8.5) - Technically I've placed 91 Days as 10 on my list although here it's 8.5. That's because I'm being more critical here for the sake of review. I'm a writer who's always looking for a good story and 91 Days delivers a freaking great story with just enough meat for people to analyse or to just enjoy. However Shuka's growing pains are still, well, pains.

RATING EXPLANATIONS:
STORY (10) - I sat with excited anticipation for every episode, my emotions shifting wildly like Angelo drives his car (you'll get what I mean if you watch). Like I said, it's one to watch for the brilliant, bloody plot.

ART (6) - I love Shuka like I love my phone. It's fast and fluid and wonderful when you first get it and the unboxing experience is heart-pumping. But like a phone, the more you store in it, the slower and clunkier it gets... But it still runs like a charm sometimes! And that is baby Shuka as they pour everything into the story. Question is: do you accept that your phone is dying? Or do you replace it?

SOUND (9) - The OP and ED are cinematic and touch up 91 Days like sprinkles on ice cream. The OP acts like 2 minutes for you to gird ye loins. The ED is the first few seconds after the rollercoaster comes to an end, as you figure out how to walk again. The OST was great, but as a story-junkie, I lost track of it at times. But when they really want you to listen, oh my do you really listen.

CHARACTER (10) - Amazing. Actual writer goals. Shuka's writers for 91 Days are brilliant at character development---whether it's over 1 episode or over the whole series. Realistic, dirty, crazy, family-loving, friendship-bound: each named character is multi-layered. Just as they should be.

ENJOYMENT (9) - Originally a 10, then I wrote the explanation for the Art rating. As I've said, it's a thrill to watch. The episodes all seemed too short. They left you wanting for more story, more of these characters, more of this world and situation! If you can forgive Shuka for the animation, the joy is grand.

Additional Ratings: Character Design - 10 ; Directing/Cinematography - 8 ; CGI - 8 ; Pacing within Episodes - 10 ; Pacing Overall - 9 ; Seiyuu - 10